Aruba's tourist sector will invest $70 million in 2011 in improving the product Tourism Update Friday, April 01, 2011 The President of the Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association, James Hepple, speaking to the 50 tour operators, travel agents and airline representatives from Latin America at the opening ceremony of the Aruba Tourism Authority’s Conferencia Anual de Turismo de Aruba 2011, updated the delegates on the many ongoing improvements to Aruba’s hotel and tourism sector. He stressed the ongoing commitment of the private sector to the continuing improvement of Aruba’s tourism product and provided the deleg... Read more

AHATA welcomes creation of the new Aruba Tourism Authority. Monday, February 28, 2011 Interview with Mr. Jim Hepple, President CEO of the Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association. The Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association (AHATA) applauds the creation of the new Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA). James Hepple, AHATA’s President and CEO, said that Thursday February 3 rd 2011 was an historic day for Aruba’s tourism when the legislation enacting the new ATA initiated by The Minister of Tourism, Transportation and Labor, Otmar Oduber, was approved by Parliament and that by creating a much more efficient, streamlined and more flexible destination marketing organization Aruba’s tou... Read more

AHATA reports strong support for new Aruba Tourism Authority at Caribbean Marketplace. Friday, January 21, 2011 Earlier this week AHATA President and CEO James Hepple attended the prestigious Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s Marketplace in Montego Bay, Jamaica where he met with more than 50 of Aruba’s key travel trade partners from around the world. Marketplace is generally accepted as the leading venue for meeting existing partners and new sources of business especially from North America and Europe. The show attracted more than 1,300 delegates in total and 120 buyer companies. During the ... Read more

AHATA supports creation of “independentized” Aruba Tourism Authority. Thursday, January 13, 2011 In reviewing the outlook for 2011 the President and CEO of the Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association (AHATA) said that the membership of AHATA was looking forward to the creation of the new ATA which is scheduled to come into existence in early February. James Hepple, AHATA’s President and CEO, said that he had explained the process by which the new independent ATA would come into being to AHATA’s membership at the association’s General Assembly held on December 30 th and said that this new appr... Read more

Another challenging year ahead says AHATA Thursday, January 13, 2011 At a briefing today President and CEO of the Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association (AHATA) James Hepple said that 2011 had all the makings of another challenging year for Aruba’s tourism industry. He said that whilst the final numbers were not yet in 2010 had shown some modest improvement over 2009, which had been one of the worst years in memory for the tourism sector, with the number of visitors up almost 2%. He went on to say that whilst the hotels had seen higher average room occupancies... Read more

SHOCO Awards of Excellence once again recognizes industry’s role models 2010 SHOCO winners in all categories Friday, October 15, 2010 The 6 th edition of the SHOCO Awards of Excellence took place at The Westin Resort Aruba on Friday, October 15, and counted the attendance of Minister of Tourism, Transportation and Labor Otmar Oduber. The minister, together with representatives from AHATA, awards sponsor Digicel as well as AHATA member companies, helped celebrate the contributions made on a daily basis by Aruba’s top tourism professionals. The evenings highlights included Westin’s Lino van der Biezen’s quick stop on stage ... Read more

AHATA provides feedback on tourism industry’s most important issues Director General and CEO Alec Sanguinetti, center, with AHATA BOD Chairperson Alex Alex Nieuwmeijer, L, and AHATA President and CEO James Hepple Thursday, September 02, 2010 During a visit by CHTA Director General and CEO Alec Sanguinetti ORANJESTAD – AHATA recently welcomed a visit by Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) Director General and CEO Alec Sanguinetti, along with CHTA Fifth Vice President Willem Jonckheer, who visited Aruba in order to reaffirm ties and discuss shared tourism industry concerns. During the visit, separate meetings were held with the AHATA Board of Directors, the Minister of Tourism Otmar Oduber and with AHATA members, and at each meeting Mr. Sanguinetti emphasized an identical message stress... Read more

AHATA, together with Digicel, to recognize the best in tourism First round evaluation of SHOCO candidates are now ongoing. Winners will be announced during a Gala ceremony on October 15th. Tuesday, August 31, 2010 Shoco Jury has begun the evaluation process of 2010 nominees ORANJESTAD – An independent jury, composed of members Annelien Tromp, Carlos Albertus and John Wardlaw, are currently undertaking the difficult task of assessing candidates for the 2010 Shoco Awards of Excellence. The annual awards program, organized by AHATA, with its signature alliance partner Digicel, recognizes the ‘best of the best’ in tourism, in categories including Employee of the Year, Supervisor of the Year, Manager of the Year, Young Tourism Professional and Lifetime Achievement Awar... Read more

Aruba International Film Festival (AIFF) To Debut In June 2010 The Aruba Internaional Film Festival (AIFF) will take place June 4-11, 2010 Friday, June 04, 2010 ARUBA LAUNCHES FIRST INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL The Aruba International Film Festival (AIFF ) will take place June 4-11, 2010. Details were unveiled by AIFF Founders and Producers Giuseppe Cioccarelli and Jonathan Vieira , along with the Festival’s Artistic Director Claudio Masenza. Commented Minister of Tourism, Labor and Transportation Mr. Otmar Oduber, “The Aruba International Film Festival will contribute to furthering international recognition for Aruba and raise our stature to a level we desire. AIFF will be a momentous event... Read more

AHATA recognizes talented Recycled Art Competition winners AHATA's 9th Annual Recycled Art Competition produced numerous prize-worthy entries Monday, May 31, 2010 ORANJESTAD – At the conclusion of the 9 th Annual Recycled Art Competition, winners were honored for their highly creative artworks created from recycled materials. The various artworks, produced by the inventive minds of the approximately 750 participants, were on display during recent art expositions held at both the Oranjestad and San Nicolas branches of the public library, with jury members hard pressed to name overall winners. In total, 10 schools, 10 businesses and 14 individuals, in bot... Read more

AHATA members demonstrate their commitment to Mother Earth The AHATA team joined associates from AHATA member companies in various clean-up efforts throughout the island this past Earth Day Thursday, April 22, 2010 By organizing various clean-up efforts On Earth Day 2010 as well as all year round, AHATA and its members strive to put forward ecological goals through individual efforts at member companies as well as through the initiatives brought forward through the AHATA Environmental Committee. In demonstrating their commitment to Mother Earth, associates from the AHATA office as well as AHATA’s different member companies recently took to the street, to the beach and beyond, in making a clean sweep of popular local attractions and sites. ... Read more

AHATA-member hotels respond to stranded European guests Monday, April 19, 2010 European visitors to the island, stranded here since last week as a result of flight cancellations, have been extended a helping hand by AHATA-member hotels, which have responded by offering significantly-discounted room rates on their hotel stays. The cloud of volcanic ash that has drifted over into Europe from Iceland has disrupted air travel, stopping incoming and outgoing flights from Aruba to Europe. While flight plans were deferred, European visitors on Aruba were provided one less wor... Read more

Tickle the Ivories Under the Sun at the Fourth Annual International Aruba Piano Festival Saturday, April 17, 2010 Expanded Festival Includes Classical Recitals, Master Classes and a Piano Competition for Talented Youth NEW YORK, NY - April 1, 2010 - In addition to the sounds of breaking waves and ocean breezes, the lilting tune of a piano will romance the shores of the island of Aruba during the Fourth Annual International Aruba Piano Festival , taking place from April 17-24, 2010. The festival, established in 2006, is one of the most important annual chamber music events in the Caribbean region, and includes classical recitals from internationally acclaimed musicians, as well as master classes for a... Read more

SHOCO Awards of Excellence 2010 program is launched with the unveiling of new statuette The SHOCO award is an original artwork, designed by Maritza Erasmus and Edwin Donato Thursday, April 08, 2010 Original design meant to convey the intelligence, resourcefulness and vision held by Aruba's outstanding tourism professionals The Shoco Awards of Excellence program for 2010 was officially launched this month with the unveiling of the newly-revised design of the Shoco statuette. The new statuette as well as the announcement of program details was made by AHATA, together with sponsor Digicel, during a recent press conference. The Shoco Awards of Excellence is AHATA’s official recognition program focusing on excellence in service, hospitality and outstanding contribution to Aruba’s tourism industry. Whereas in the past,... Read more

AHATA will expand its role in contributing to Aruba’s tourism success Minister Oduber was the keynote speaker at the March General Assembly of Members Friday, March 26, 2010 As announced during its General Assembly ORANJESTAD – During its annual spring assembly of members, the Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association (AHATA) demonstrated a united front among its members as well as with the public sector in moving forward with the island’s tourism goals. Honorable Minister of Tourism, Transportation and Labor Otmar Oduber, who was the keynote speaker at the Assembly, expounded on a vision shared by AHATA in securing a dedicated marketing fund and in executing cohesive, uninterrupted marketing actions that will ... Read more

AHATA’s ‘Networking in Style’ brings together industry's movers and shakers Hyatt hosted an excellent "Networking-in-Style" session Friday, March 26, 2010 At the Hyatt Regency ORANJESTAD – The beach deck at the Hyatt Regency provided a perfect backdrop for tourism industry executives from AHATA-member companies to mix, mingle and discuss topics of the day during a successful “Networking-in-Style” event. The event, held after the recent AHATA General Assembly, provided members and tourism partners representatives a further opportunity to exchange information and views over drinks and an outstanding menu offered by Hyatt’s attentive staff. Executives from a numbe... Read more

AHATA members reach out to the Red Cross’ Help Haiti effort Red Cross Aruba's Greg Peterson with AHATA CEO James Hepple Friday, January 22, 2010 ORANJESTAD – The tourism community, as represented by AHATA-member companies, is mobilizing to support the fundraising telethon and concert planned for this Monday, January 25, at the Entertainment Center in Dakota. The event will help raise funds for the Red Cross and its efforts to assist earthquake victims in Haiti by inviting the participation of the entire Aruban community by offering a festive atmosphere in which to collect donations. Ongoing throughout the six-hour telethon, 6 p.m. – ... Read more

AHATA executives receive well-deserved appreciation In conveying thanks for their varied contributions, original, local artworks were presented to outgoing AHATA executives Monday, January 04, 2010 Former President & CEO Rob Smith, AHATA Destination Marketing Director Sanju Luidens ORANJESTAD -- The Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association (AHATA) enjoyed a year of varied accomplishments, but 2009 was also marked as a year of transition. AHATA had bid farewell to long-time AHATA staff member Anky Bruin earlier this year, and most recently, at the venue of its General Assembly, AHATA also provided recognition to its former President & CEO Rob Smith as well as outgoing AHATA Destination Marketing Director Sanju Luidens-Daryanani. During the General Assembly, Former... Read more

Tourism industry executives connect during AHATA’s ‘Networking in Style’ Networking in Style Tuesday, December 15, 2009 ORANJESTAD – Tourism industry executives from AHATA-member companies, their guests and government dignitaries recently got together in the social atmosphere afforded by the Westin Gallery for a “Networking-in-Style” event. The event, held after the recent AHATA General Assembly, provided members and tourism partners representatives a further opportunity to discuss topics of the day in an informal environment. Executives from a number of members companies were present, including represen... Read more

AHATA views 2010 as a significant year for a new direction in tourism AHATA President & CEO Jim Hepple, center, with GA Guest Speaker Adam Sacks, second from left, and AHATA Staff Monday, December 14, 2009 ORANJESTAD – AHATA President & CEO Jim Hepple foresees necessary actions to boost both demand and revenue per room (revpar) in order to stay on track toward a recovery in Aruba’s tourism industry. At AHATA’s second General Assembly of Members for 2009, held at the Westin this past Friday, the newly-appointed President and CEO outlined strategies for the coming year, in order to contribute to Aruba’s tourism growth in an environment where economic concerns still loom large. Actions taken at the ... Read more

AHATA elects new 2010 board Board of Directors 2010 Friday, December 11, 2009 Chairman Alex Nieuwmeijer Divi Resorts 1 st V-Chair Paul Gielen Renaissance 2 nd V-Chair Warren Stanley ... Read more

Aruba successful in hosting select meeting planners during “Destination Review” Monday, December 07, 2009 Through the Aruba Convention Bureau for North America ORANJESTAD - The island once again played host to meeting planners, whose goal is to provide the companies they represent with the perfect destination for group meetings, conventions and incentives. The group of about twenty select planners was provided a “Destination Review” of Aruba’s quality product by the Aruba Convention Bureau (ACB) for North America – a partnership between the Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association and the Aruba Tourism Authority. Providing personal attention were ACB Sa... Read more