Radisson Aruba Resort Casino and Spa Celebrates its 50th Anniversary

Over 50 Years of Island Hospitality

The Radisson Aruba Resort Casino & Spa, fondly referred to as La Grande Dame, celebrated its 50th anniversary on Saturday. The gala event was co-produced by the Aruba Tourism Authority. The evening’s program recreated the island’s journey, sailing into the past to cruise along decades of dedication, hard work and achievements of those who believed in the force of the island’s hospitality and the richness of its history, culture and perfect beaches. The “All Aboard” invitations filled the Grand Caribbean Ballroom with tourism pioneers and visionaries, members of the media and economic pillars of the community for a special event of tribute, commemoration and gratitude.

First to take off, the official opening of a photo exhibition documenting what started in 1935 with KLM’s snip aircraft landing at the Dakota terminal bringing in visitors, through the arrival of the Grace Line cruise ship in 1957, which became the first of many ships to drop anchor in the Oranjestad harbor. What started as a promise of a bright future turned into a solid industry and the exposition curated by Checkpoint Color with over 500 restored photographs tells the island’s living history over the past 5 decades – it will be open to the public in the lower lobby of the resort through Aug 3rd.

The exposition was inaugurated by the island’s interim governor Mrs. Ella Yarzagaray, the Minister of Tourism & Transportation Edison Briesen and the Director of the Aruba Tourism Authority Myrna Jansen-Feliciano. All guests viewed the photographs as well as the posters of past national ad campaigns with great appreciation, before congregating theater-style for an informative History of Tourism presentation by Mario Arends reviewing the highlights of the past five decades.

The evening third’s part included a brief welcome by the Minister of Tourism and an excellent address by the Director of the Aruba Tourism Authority focusing on the evolution of the Aruba tourist product.
At the heart of the evening were sixteen recognitions given to key personalities, individuals whose vision and creativity quantum-leaped Aruba from a sleepy island in the mid 50s, to a well-defined international vacation brand.

Recognitions were awarded to visionaries Oscar Henriquez and posthumously to Juancho Irausquin, the commemorative frame was received by attorney Monica Kock, entrepreneur and businessman Morris Neme, developers Eduardo De Veer, Raymond Maduro & Ewald Biemans, restaurateur Eduardo Ellis, marketing guru Eileen Bartels Daal, tour operators Ramon Richardson, Harold Malmberg and Herman Ponson, Bar owner Charlie Brouns Jr. III in honor of his father and grandfather, musician Joy Kock, singer and entertainer Lloyd Baptist, show host Lou Pavlis, and posthumously hotelier Ike Cohen and Wichi de Palm, whose framed certificate was received by his son Nelson de Palm.

Marcel Wortman, one the resort’s first managers, escorted by his wife, was the guest of honor. He was warmly welcomed back by the current general manager Gary Jutz and his wife Patricia, who also posed for a commemorative photo with long-term associates such as Eddy Pourier, Ruben Boekhoudt and Lucille Duinkerk. The evening was orchestrated by Lily Polsbroek of the Radisson Sales & Marketing Department and Amayra Boekhoudt of the Aruba Tourism Authority, it was emceed by Ruben Trappenberg and accompanied by an all star band with vocalist Lucre Houtman.

Pictured here some of the memorable party moments.  Delicious cocktails and hors d’ hoeuvres were served by the Grande Dame’s food & beverage department.