During a recent press conference, MEP faction leader Mrs. Evelyn Wever-Croes expressed her concern about the direction tourism management is taking. She pointed out that the Minister of Tourism signed a contract related to waste management, deviating from the central theme that really needs to be debated with this minister.
Mrs. Wever-Croes emphasized that the discussion on how to keep Aruba clean and manage waste falls under the responsibility of the Minister in charge of Waste, Mr. Arthur Dowers. For the MEP faction, the main debate with the Minister of Tourism should be about where this sector is heading and what direction Aruba’s tourism must take in the coming years.
Impact of tourism and the challenge of overtourism Mrs. Evelyn Wever-Croes underscored the urgent need to speak openly about the pressure tourism exerts on our infrastructure, nature, beaches, and traffic, and most importantly, on the quality of life of the people of Aruba. In addition, the MEP leader emphasized that there must be due attention to signs of overtourism and the growing concern of citizens who feel that Aruba is reaching its limit, where the well-being and interests of the community do not always receive the priority they deserve.
During the Wever-Croes II Cabinet, Aruba chose the “High Value, Low Impact” vision, a model designed to generate more economic value with less negative impact on our island, protecting the environment and strengthening community well-being. According to the MEP leader, now is the time for the AVP-Futuro Government to clarify whether this vision still guides current management or if it has been left behind.
Mrs. Wever-Croes added that waste management is an important responsibility, but the minister in charge of that portfolio must be held accountable for its results. Mixing responsibilities between different ministries does not reflect good governance nor does it create the clarity the people deserve.
A call for a profound debate for the future of our tourism On behalf of the MEP Faction, Mrs. Evelyn Wever-Croes called for a public, profound, and serious debate with the Minister of Tourism, dedicated to the future of this sector. The discussion must focus on three fundamental questions:
*Protection of the island: How do we protect Aruba for future generations?
*Support of the people: How do we maintain the support and backing of our community for tourism?
*Responsible growth: How do we achieve economic growth that goes hand in hand with sustainability and a better quality of life?
Mrs. Wever-Croes concluded that tourism is the main engine of our economy. Precisely for this reason, we have a duty to hold a serious debate with the minister in charge of the portfolio, in order to establish a clear vision for the future of Aruba.