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Last month's Aruba Timeshare Association meeting.
The members of the Aruba Timeshare Association, convened for their monthly lunch meeting at the new La Cabana Beach Resort & Casino ballroom, with representatives of most of the island’s Vacation Ownership properties, and a number of strategic partners in attendance.
ATSA’s interim President Andy Osborne welcomed members and partners before officially opening the meeting with the approval of minutes from the meeting held in June 2018.
In his welcome greeting, Osborne informed the forum that he will be serving as Interim President until the end of the association's year - i.e. December 2018 - when he is planning to resign from the board.
His appointment as Interim President came in the wake of Ursell M. Arends, Operations Manager, La Quinta Beach Resort recent resignation. In his resignation letter, Arends shared his view that his political career in conjunction with the ATSA Presidency, will not benefit the association. Consequently, he has taken the decision to step down, thanking all for the collaboration and support provided to him over the past two years.
Osborne announced that ATSA fully understands and respects Arends’ decision to relinquish the Presidency in the circumstances outlined, and thanked him for his efforts, knowing that ATSA can still count on Arends’ backing when needed.
The forum the sent its wishes for success in Arends’ future endeavors - politically, personally and professionally.
Osborne also reminded the forum that the articles of association call for a slate of candidates for the Board to be announced at the November meeting, and that ATSA will be looking for three (3) candidates for board positions.
The meeting praised the annual initiative to host EPB Oranjestad and EPB St Nicolas students, for a visit at the Amsterdam Manor, Costa Linda, Casa del Mar, La Quinta, Divi Resorts, Paradise Beach Villas, Playa Linda, Tropicana and La Cabana between, on two consecutive days. The annual initiative increases the exposure of the local hotel industry among youths, often planting the seed for future employment possibilities, early on.
With General Manager Farida Mansur retiring from her position at the Aruba Beach Club, after 31 fruitful years, the forum was introduced to Pam Cordell, Senior Vice President of Operations for NHG, National Hospitality Group, which recently assumed responsibility for management at the Aruba Beach Club.
Cordell shared that her company is pleased to add the Aruba Beach Club to its chain of 72 popular properties, most of them timeshare resorts.
Pedro Vargas, recently appointed General Manager of the Marriott Ocean Club also introduced himself to the forum and announced that he will be participating regularly in the upcoming ATSA meetings representing his resort.
The meeting welcomed a short update on the upcoming CEDE Aruba & ATSA collaboration for the purpose of fundraising for local social causes.
Among other news items shared: Paradise Beach Resort just-introduced a program where food stuff left behind by tourists and members is donated to Fundacion pa Nos communidad.
ATSA representative at the Tourism product Enhancement Fun reported that while the government budget for the year has been approved, a number of important service providers such as Sea Solutions and Clean Master, are still awaiting payment.
ATSA’s dispute of some of the beach policy charges is still tied up in court and will hopefully be resolved in the upcoming months.
La Cabana Beach Resort & Casino was proud to show its new ballroom off as a conference and banquet facility.
The Aruba Beach Club reported that the resort is fully recovered from the swells brought about by Tropical Storm Kirk in September, and will be constructing a retaining wall to avoid future ocean damage.
Playa Linda Beach Resort is continuously upgrading and has been going down its to-do list which includes new windows, renovated bathrooms, kitchens furniture and appliances.
Costa Linda Beach Resort reported rave reviews for the Frangipani suites, now sold out.
Caribbean Palm Village Resort is installing brackets for its new solar panels.
The Marriott Surf Club and Ocean Club both reported major investments, with a new Sales Gallery, readied for the high season of 2018-19, a resurfaced pool and refreshed lobby for the Ocean Club and a major upgrade for the Surf Club. The Ocean Club also received a refreshed food concept, at the brand new Malmok restaurant.
Paradise Beach Villas will be celebrating its 25thanniversary under the Bougainvillea development flag.
Osborne thanked La Cabana Beach Resort & Casino for hosting a perfect event including a sumptuous healthy lunch, as he adjourned the meeting.
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