General News

An Aruba/Harvard Workshop dedicated to the concepts of environment, energy and developmental Sustainability was held at the Dr. Edward Cheung Innovation Center in Aruba, with key administrators, Ministers and seven noted professors from Harvard, TNO energy think tank and TU Delft, one of the leading technical universities in Holland.

The visiting professors took a brief break from the morning sessions to be introduced to local media by Prime Minister Mike Eman and Minister of Finance, Communications, Utilities and Energy, Mike de Meza. (more…)

Giovanni Trim is a talented entertainer, popular at nume­rous Aruban resort happy hours. This past year he released an international video that is receiving wide acclaim. His original composition, “I Believe in Miracles,” hit high on the charts in 32 islands in the Caribbean, and his CD was picked up for distribution by Tempo Records in the U.S. Those who appreciate the unique regional sound of reggae with contemporary innovations will very much enjoy this collection.

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A small group of annual island visitors that make Aruba their home for most of the winter wanted to “give back” to the island which has provided them with such rewarding moments and opportunities to make friends from all over the U.S., and Aruba. 25 years ago, Friends of the Handicapped Foundation (FOTH) came into existence with the express purpose of raising money for the nume­rous organizations here that assist the mentally and phy­sically challenged, and now FOTH includes the aged and ill in their annual ceremony of award contributions.

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“Rockin’ the Fakkel” declared the tee shirts of the Aruba Trading carnival group as they made their way through the streets of Oranjestad for the inaugural parade of the 2012 Carnival season – Aruba’s 58th. Carnival is a tribute to good times, and the Fakkel rocked Aruba on Saturday night, January 7.

A bright, full moon shone down on the ten groups with their bands and followers, sometimes numbering over 1000, dancing down L.G. Smith Boulevard with this first casual, fun event finally ending well after midnight. The various groups revealed their themes for the several parades, jump-ups and contests that will take place over the next six weeks. (more…)

The results of several months of study by a team from the Dick Pope Senior Institute of Tourism Studies, Rosen College of Hospitality Management was the keynote of the opening session of the Aruba Tourism Summit 2012 at the Renaissance Convention Center on December 8.

Officially opening the summit was Minister of Tourism, Transport & Labor, Otmar Oduber, who introduced keynote speaker Dr. Robertico Croes, Interim Chair Tourism Events and Attractions and Associate Dean at Dick Pope; he conducted the study deploying hospitality students from the University of Aruba and the EPI professional training faci­lity of Aruba.

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Aruba Birdlife Conservation proposes 2012 to be the Year of the Shoco, the year of wisdom. 2012 should be Aruba’s year of nature conservation. Aruba Birdlife Conservation proposes that a National Conservation Master Plan be developed and implemented in an effort to save very important nature areas. Achieving such would guarantee a certain level of quality of Product Aruba and in turn guarantee a certain level of quality of life to all.

Aruba’s Arikok National Park, which is good for some 17% of the island’s surface, is a true jewel, but it does not reflect the complete variety of micro habitats to be found in Aruba. For instance, Aruba is internationally known for its 3 IBA’s, or Important Bird Areas, none of which are part of our National Park. These are the reef islands at the San Nicolas Bay area, Spanish Lagoon and Bubali Plas. While our national park is among the most arid of places on the island and its northern border with the Caribbean Sea can be quite hostile, the important bird areas are to its contrary characterized by their peaceful interplay between land and water which generates better opportunities for Aruba’s wildlife. Of the 224 bird species registered in Aruba, less than 25% of the species can be found in our national park.

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Aruba’s pristine shoreline got a hefty helping hand in staying that way this past Saturday morning, November 12, when nearly 1000 volunteers took to the beaches for the 10th anniversary edition of the Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association Environmental Committee Coastal Zone Clean-up.

Keeping Aruba’s beaches clean is a 365-day-a-year job – the responsibility of everyone who enjoys Aruba’s premier natural resource. Fortunately, a number of island organizations stage clean-ups throughout the year, and the AHATA Environmental Coastal Zone Clean-up has grown to include a substantial number.   (more…)