ORANJESTAD, Aruba — The Aruba Tour Sector is calling for a better balance between protecting the island’s natural environment and allowing commercial tourism activities to continue, according to Jimmy Douglas of Aruba Ariba Tours.
Douglas said several coastal routes traditionally used by off-road tour operators have been blocked with rocks for approximately three months, creating growing concerns among businesses and workers who depend on tourism for their income.
He said Aruba Ariba Tours and other companies are not asking authorities to ignore environmental protection. Instead, they want government agencies, conservation organizations and tourism operators to work together on a solution that protects nature while allowing responsible commercial activity.
Aruba Tour Sector Raises Route Concerns
Douglas said representatives of the Aruba Tour Sector have previously approached Tourism Minister Wendrick Cicilia, Justice Minister Arthur Dowers and several government advisers about the situation.
On Tuesday, representatives also met with the AVP parliamentary faction in an effort to find a solution.
Douglas said the closure of routes along Aruba’s coast has had an increasing economic effect on tour operators.
Many residents depend directly or indirectly on excursion companies to support their families, he said, making prolonged restrictions a concern for more than just individual businesses.
Douglas argued that both environmental conservation and employment need to be considered when decisions are made about access to natural areas.
Tour Operators Want Dialogue
According to Douglas, the situation has reached a point where all parties need to meet and discuss practical alternatives.
He criticized what he described as insufficient willingness from some conservation interests to consider the commercial side of the issue.
Douglas emphasized that Aruba’s natural environment must be protected, but said solutions should also consider businesses that operate responsibly and depend on access to certain areas.
He added that Aruba Ariba Tours is not the only company seeking changes. Other tour operators are also concerned about the restrictions and their effect on daily operations.
The objective, he said, is to align the different interests and develop rules that can work for environmental organizations, government authorities and tourism businesses.
Economic Impact Growing
Douglas warned that every additional day the routes remain closed increases the financial pressure on businesses and workers in the sector.
The Aruba Tour Sector plays an important role in providing visitors with access to Aruba’s rugged landscapes, coastline and other natural attractions.
Off-road excursions are particularly popular with tourists interested in seeing areas beyond the island’s beaches and hotel zones.
Douglas said the sector does not want confrontation and would prefer to reach an agreement through dialogue.
However, he warned that if discussions continue without concrete action, operators may consider other options.
These could include legal proceedings or organizing the sector to draw greater attention to the issue.
AVP Asked to Pursue Solution
Following the meeting with the AVP faction, Douglas said tour operators are willing to give lawmakers an opportunity to follow up on their concerns.
However, he emphasized that businesses now want to see action rather than additional discussions without results.
One outcome of the meeting was an agreement to follow up with the Department of Public Transportation, or DTP, to determine where specific blockages are located and what steps could potentially be taken.
Douglas said the ultimate objective remains finding a workable compromise.
For the Aruba Tour Sector, he argued, Aruba should be able to protect its natural environment while also maintaining a tourism economy that provides employment and income to local families.
The next step will depend on whether discussions with authorities produce a practical solution to the blocked routes.
