Just my thoughts, I have been going to
Aruba since 89 and have seen the Island grow to its current beauty.

What worries me is all the new building going on from highrise condos to malls and that huge time share at the Mariot, its getting too Americanized and Aruba will loose it charm if this continues!

Traffic downtown is a nightmare at certain time of days already and with all these new condos it is only going to get worse!
Well who am I to say the above, if the Arubians want this type of growth its their Island, but along with that so does crime and what was really sad this year is the prostitution!
This year I was approched 2 times by either the girls or the so called pimp! Hey I dont have a problem with it,its leagal but they should not start pushing it on you like the peddlers in Jamica trying to sell you stuff.
I hope the Aruban Goverment wakes up and starts to put some control on all mentioned above. OH how about WIND POWER boys in GOVERMENT lets have comon sence and got the best clean and cheap energy, whats up with that!
I did feel safe or safer due to the visibility teams being more and more visiable and even the Goverment Helicopter in the air checking thing out on a daily basis.
Aruba is my home away from home and I want to continue to go and feel as confortable as I always do for many years to come.

Just my humble opinion!

My mother and father in law have stopped going to Aruba because of how big and Americanized it got. They used to go in the late 80's and stopped around 1996. They liked the charm and the "smallness" of it. It is kind of sad but we will be going there in 5 days and hope to have a blast with the kids!

HOW TRUE,HOW TRUE,HOW TRUE.....

I've been relating this same message for several yrs. as well, only with a slightly different slant.

Erecting new hotels, condos etc. is not only good, its necessary for over-all growth.
The island being only 19 miles long and less than half that in width should dictate to the Aruban officials in control that growth now in 2006 has reached its maximum potential. Unless the off the wall concept I heard several yrs ago comes into play. That was to build on the other side of the island and develope that area as it is at the high rise arena.

Traffic, forget it! Its out of control with the BUSSES allowed, 10 times the taxi's in the last 10 yrs, residents vehicles, resident business trucks and vehicle rentals have paralysed movement in town many hours of the day wasting untold hundreds of thousand of gallons of gas a yr. Whats the dollar figure on this waste?

There seems to be no cap on anything that reaps dollars in Aruba. Problem being there is no expansion room on this small island to merit the expansion and still maintain a paradise. A great start for traffic would be to install a roadway from the airport to the Marriott. With exits and entering at all the important locations along the way. It would be as an expressway completely bypassing the town.
75% of Aruba is not used and the remaining 25% is over-used!
Modernization has provided many millions to Aruba and Aruban residents. It has opened many doors of revenue to the islanders that otherwise would have not been available.
My ever so humble opinion would be to slow down immencely or stop with the growing now and take better care of what you have allowed to grow! In may not happen in our lifetime but if Aruba continues to grow at the past rate, in the future, Aruba will not be the Aruba we know today, however mercenary and non-caring business people care not of this opinion.
If and when they totally over-crowd and quote, ruin the islands savor, they'll take their vacation at a more remote type Caribbean escape, liken to what Aruba is now. Sad and selfish!
I write because I care. I love Aruba, always have and their wonderful residents as well. Enough is Enough.
I re-read my post and I dont feel good reading the words. I hope and pray everything I wrote here is incorrect and never happens. Bless our favorite island escape....not only wanted but NEEDED as many times as we all can get back to it!
R.C.

a great message and all so true.

Hi Tony,

Hey first I want to thank you for your trip reports and other observations of current events. Nice Job.
On the building and congestion because of increased density. I hear what you are saying and many have expressed similar concerns- that said; there are tremendous pressures being exerted to expand and grow and this is, I think in large part a competely a natural inclination.

I very much admire the Arubans to being able to "moderate" conditions, in other words, not too much- not too little. I think also that they are particularily, if not skilled then experienced at being very gracious hosts who take it as a matter of personal pride in caring for their guests.

Everyone resists change it is a natural reaction. We are comfortable with things we are familiar with and fearful of things we aren't. It's not easy. Perhaps break the cycle and try somewhere else (good heavens what did I just suggest?)I've heard it many time and they ALWAYS say "We've been going for the last 38 years blah blah ...." Guess what honey? If you had check out some other places you wouldn't be SO OBSESSED.

Thanks again Tony for you input. Take care.

Suds

I agree comepetely with all the posts! I hope they decide against the Ritz Carlton that is proposed to go next to the Marriott hotel. Soon we'll have to go to Curaco or Bonaire to find the same old charm.
Soon they'll have to change the name to Marriott island.

The Aruban Government is trying to attract more tourists, and more tourists equals more money.

Several years ago there was supposed to be a moratorium on building but now, according to an Aruban that I talked with - it's who you know. Before, Aruban people never drove fast -- now, you can see their frustration in the way they drive as they contend with the ever increasing traffic. I recall the days of old when there was not the silly hump in the road downtown to allow a passageway for a boat -- when there were no traffic lights or rotaries -- when a person's only job at the Divi was to squeeze fresh oranges for the buffet breakfast. Alas, we've seen the changes in our own home towns but hate to see Aruba ruined by the increased building. There is a greater chance of crime because, with full employment, there is a need to bring in off islanders to do some of the work -- and these are not (how shall I put it) not as trustworthy as nearly all Arubans.

I agree...even though I own at the Marriott Surf Club, I think it would be a big mistake to continue building up this island. Not only will it lose it's charm and appeal but it will be so crowded it will not be the fun, relaxing, beautiful jewel that everyone loves so much. I, like so many, have an investment in this island and I would hate to see it loose it's value as well as I would hate to see my precious time there loose it's value too.