Alfonso Riverol is the new AHATA president, named during General Assembly
Organization preparing for difficult period ahead due to the effects of the Natalee Holloway case
Bon Dia Aruba
12/01/2005

O R A N J E S T A D – A new president and new challenges. This was the conclusion of the General Assembly of the Association of Hotel and Tourism of Aruba, AHATA. The general assembly took place at the Radisson Resort, during which Jeff Lesker handed over the reins of he tourism organization to Alfonso Riverol of the Wyndam Resort, who will from now on direct AHATA.

The meeting was marked with optimism because of recent successes, for Aruba as a destination as well as for AHATA as an organization, given how financially it achieved a surplus. This surplus, according to treasurer Ewald Biemans, is of vital importance to withstand tough times ahead, because if something was highlighted during the meeting, is that even the most optimistic hoteliers believe that the impact of the case of Natalee Holloway will surely have an effect next year, after the moth of April. AHATA CEO Jorge Pesquera opened the meeting saying that AHATA exists to bring value to its members, but more importantly, the organization is part of the heart and soul of Aruba and as such, the motto of “Aruba is Us” speaks the words of the commitment we have to our island. AHATA executives Scott Wiggins and Amy Ras-Speyer gave an illustration of all the marketing efforts that AHATA undertook in 2005, along with ATA and other partners, such as airlines. In addition, they showed what the plans are for 2006.

Warren Stanley, who presides over the marketing commission elaborated on the different steps undertaken to preserve the tourism leadership position of Aruba. Among others, more attention was given to the Cruise Conversion Program, where now will give more exact data on how many cruise ship tourists will in fact return to Aruba as regular tourists. They also produced an accommodations and attractions guide, which eliminates the necessity of each member to produce their own pamphlets. This guide is especially useful during international marketing events. In addition, AHATA invested, along with ATA and partners, in a marketing especially directed for this period, to ensure that our high season will not suffer the effects not only of the Natalee Holloway case, but also the problems of high fuel costs and hurricane effects. For example, some chartered flights were cancelled due to Cancun being cancelled. For some charter companies, their sales scheme ties some destinations with others.

AHATA OBJECTIVES

Jorge Pesquera also spoke of the objectives of AHATA for 2006, among others:

• Increase member services
• Solidify the program ‘Meet Aruba’ which sells Aruba in the world of incentives, which according to Pesquera benefits everyone (AHATA attracted Pesquera for exactly this reason, given his experience and success in Puerto Rico in this area). According to the AHATA CEO, the market of Meetings and Conventions brings thousands upon thousands of executives to Aruba.
• Continue with the organization of courses and educational seminars to increase awareness
• And greatly contribute to help straighten out Aruba’s image, which was unjustly harmed, due to the case of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway. Pesquera believes that it is time to continue heavily investing but more importantly intelligently to recuperate the image of Aruba as a safe destination. As such, AHATA will work on crisis management.

At the end of the presentations, the new management of AHATA was introduced, who was said to be presided by Alfonso Riverol. The first vice president is Ewald Biemans of Bucuti Beach Resort; the second vice president are Warrant Stanley of Atlantis Submarines; the new treasurer is Rick Zeolla of Marriottl the secretary is Alex Nieuwmeyer of Divi Resorts, and directors are Eduardo de Veer of Meta Corp; Bill Carson of CMB; Scott Allen of Hyatt; Peter Steinmetz of AAA N.V.; Werner Hein of Occidental Allegro, and Lisette Malmberg of De Palm Tours, as the only woman in AHATA management.