ATSA President Ursell Arends welcomed members and visitors / presenters just before officially opening the meeting with the approval of minutes from the meeting held April 19th, 2018.
The first guest on the agenda was Ross Brezovar, of ROI Marketing, who educated and informed the forum about new marketing opportunities via FB Messenger, which allows local programmers to customize the platform so that chatting with guests directly via FB Messenger is available to those who subscribe, thus opening a direct conversation, in an easy, timely manner with their host hotel or any other service provider. Brezovar explains that Ask Aruba, a digital concierge will provide customer service, 24/7, as the informed Aruba specialist.
The next presentation by CEDE Aruba consisted of survey results in preparation for an upcoming “Happy Community Initiative,” addressing local social challenges by proposed fundraising activities in participating ATSA’s resorts. The survey was conducted by Marielsa Arends-Croes, and Mendy Steenken Wever, MGM Source, who assisted with a partial business case report commissioned by Daniel Techlenbird.
Hoteliers Andy Osborne and Freddy Albertus gave a short summary of their experience at ARDA World, the Global Timeshare event in Las Vegas at the beginning of May and reported that for the most part was very informative, recognizing the industry’s strengths and celebrating its achievements worldwide.
Safety and Security in the hotel area and Eagle Beach received the utmost attention with general consensus to meet with the KPA the discuss a plan to tackle a number of current challenges based given various recent related developments.
President Arends then reported that an ATSA representation recently conducted a CAFT Information Exchange, at CAFT’s request, wishing to gain insight into the industry’s performance. ATSA shared the results of the recent Economic Impact study, and the ensuing correspondence with the Prime Minister and the Minister of Tourism which outlined the association’s concerns, not only regarding Tourism but also regarding other aspects of life on the Island. CAFT agreed that while Economic Performance must be stimulated for growth, Government expenditure, especially on staffing, must be reduced. It was a fruitful meeting, and ATSA requested a periodical follow up.
Subsequent to a request from a Paradise Beach Villas staffer, an staff member exchange among ATSA Resorts was suggested and the novel idea was positively received, with the provision that such exchanges should be working assignments with cross-training purposes.
The meeting was adjourned with a free word, and President Arends thanked La Cabana Beach Resort & Casino management and staff, for hosting a congenial event including a healthy lunch.
