Iberostar Hotels & Resorts marked the first anniversary of JOIA Aruba by Iberostar, highlighting a year of responsible tourism, environmental initiatives, and community partnerships on the island.

The company’s Ing. Jareth Vermeulen, a Sustainable Agriculture specialist was elated to join the company as Destination Alliances Manager and dedicate his time to projects concerning the island of Aruba and its community, going beyond the resort boundaries, and lending sustainable approach to a wide variety of projects.

Community & Workforce Development: The resort partnered with local educational institutions (EPI, EPB, and the University of Aruba) to provide hospitality internships for over 40 students. It also runs the Aula di Lama (Ocean Classroom) program, which hosted 145 sessions reaching roughly 1,290 participants through collaborations with 15+ local NGOs.

Environmental Initiatives: Iberostar launched the Shoco Boulevard, an on-property educational space focused on Aruba’s unique biodiversity. Over 1,000 people completed Shoco Ambassador training, and JOIA Aruba was selected to host the 2026 World Owl Conference.

The resort also participates in a circular waste management program, turning food waste into compost for local agriculture.

Tierra del Sol Golf Course: The golf course underwent a full renovation — new greens, tees, fairways, irrigation systems, and practice facilities. It also features Aruba’s first Shoco Sanctuary, protecting 20% of the endemic owl population.

Local Partnerships: Iberostar built alliances with organizations including Metabolic Foundation, Fundacion Savaneta, Alto Vista Winery, and Cunucu Libiee to support local culture and sustainable practices.

The company reaffirmed its long-term commitment to Aruba’s sustainable development and environmental preservation, and Jared is equally excited about the compost project in collaboration with the Alto Vista Winery, raising high protein black soldier flies, who turn into delicious worms, to feed the chicken who lay our Pok-Pok eggs, as he is about planting 1,000 trees at Tierra del Sol, along new nature trails and shoco habitats, or supporting a novel Sustainable Seafood program introducing responsible marine stewardship in Aruba and the Savaneta unique Seafood Festival which is cosponsored by the resort.

Iberostar Hotels & Resorts proudly celebrates the first anniversary of JOIA Aruba by Iberostar. Over the past year, the company has solidified its presence on the island through a model of responsible tourism, focusing on high-impact environmental initiatives, social development, and strong local partnerships.

With 100 properties across 14 countries and seven decades of industry experience, Iberostar continues to champion positive change through positive tourism. As a 100% family-owned business, the company is guided by a robust long-term vision focused on delivering a consistently high-quality value proposition and transforming the tourism sector into a regenerative force that nurtures ecosystems—especially the oceans—and contributes to the well-being of the communities where it operates. 

Iberostar is advancing its responsible tourism strategy through its movement Iberostar Wave of Change, structured around seven focus areas: caring for people, commitment to local communities, protecting nature, promoting responsible consumption of fish and seafood, climate action, moving towards a more circular experience, and responsible growth. With over 460 professionals on the island and a commitment to building long-term partnerships, the company implements its responsible tourism model in Aruba through JOIA Iberostar by Iberostar and the Tierra del Sol Golf Course.

We designed JOIA Aruba to be a gathering place for the people on the island, and we are proud to open our doors and unique experiences to the community. We deeply value our collaboration with the Aruban community and are proud to introduce Iberostar’s responsible tourism model as a force for good. This milestone reinforces our commitment to building local partnerships while safeguarding the environment that surrounds us”, stated Arnaud Le Lanchon, General Manager of Iberostar in Aruba.

Since its opening, JOIA Aruba by Iberostar has prioritized a people-first culture. The resort has become a key driver for local workforce development through internship partnerships with EPI, EPB, and the University of Aruba, providing over 40 students with hands-on hospitality experience.

A cornerstone of its community engagement is the Aula di Lama program, an open-access ocean education space. In its first year*, the program hosted 145 sessions reaching approximately 1,290 direct beneficiaries, inspiring a new generation of ocean stewards through collaboration with more than 15 local NGOs. These partnerships are essential, as they ensure the content remains relevant, science-based, and connected to current environmental priorities.  

Beyond education, Iberostar has built meaningful relationships with several local partners, including Metabolic Foundation, Fundacion Savaneta, Alto Vista Winery, and Cunucu Libiee, supporting local culture, community development, and authentic Aruban experiences that connect visitors with the island’s traditions.

Through its partnership with Alto Vista Winery, Iberostar together with several other hotels supports a circular approach to waste management. Food and organic waste from the hospitality sector is responsibly processed and transformed into nutrient-rich compost, which helps nourish local agriculture and contributes to more sustainable farming practices on the island.

Additionally, the company launched the Shoco Boulevard at JOIA Aruba by Iberostar, an educational pathway on property dedicated to raising awareness about the species and Aruba’s unique biodiversity. Furthermore, more than 1000 participants —including JOIA Aruba by Iberostar team members, community stakeholders, students from the University of Aruba, staff from neighboring hotels, and local media—completed the Shoco Ambassador Training, strengthening conservation awareness and knowledge about Aruba’s native burrowing owl. JOIA Aruba has also been selected to host the World Owl Conference in 2026, further affirming its pioneering role in environmental education and wildlife preservation.

Jareth Vermeulen, Destination Alliances Manager for Aruba, explains: “We deeply value our collaboration with the community of Aruba and are proud to introduce Iberostar’s responsible tourism model to the island as an active driver of positive change. This milestone reinforces our commitment to fostering strong local partnerships towards our goals of safeguarding the natural environment that surrounds our properties.”

“The reopening of Tierra del Sol Golf Course by Iberostar in 2025 has delivered a fully renovated course under a management model focused on generating value for property owners, supporting the local community, and preserving native wildlife. A cornerstone of this commitment is the creation of Aruba’s first Shoco Sanctuary, which protects 20% of the population of this endemic species,” explained Ashiko Martinus, Director of Tierra del Sol Golf Course by Iberostar. 

The company reaffirms its long-term commitment to Aruba by championing a responsible tourism model aligned with the approach promoted by the country’s institutions. The company seeks to play an active role in Aruba’s evolution through continuous collaboration with local entities, associations, and the community, driving a positive shift in tourism that ensures the protection of the environment, its people and the island’s unique character. 

The company remains dedicated to being an active partner in Aruba’s future, ensuring the protection of the island’s unique character for generations to come.

As part of this milestone, Iberostar invited members of the local media and Aruban community for a special presentation highlighting the positive impact achieved during its first year of operations. During this gathering, the company shared key initiatives and partnerships that demonstrate how tourism can contribute positively to Aruba’s community, economy, and environment.

In December, we were introduced to , a brand-new event venue in the Noord district of Aruba. The historic estate is the perfect setting for weddings, corporate gatherings, and all kinds of special celebrations. To explore possibilities you may contact bonbini@gasparito.com or call +297 739 9900

Last week we were treated to a Grand Opening. The place is a gem. Jacky & Maarten, two tireless hospitality entrepreneurs have been rewarded for their hard work over the years, their newest project Gasparito Aruban Estate is a winner.

Back in 2016-2017, Dutch-born bartender, DJ, and sunshiny host, Maarten Thoonen, started operating a one stop party shop, The Little One, a red vintage VW van he used to serve specialty cocktails and finger food from. He could park in anywhere. Festivities started as soon as he opened the hatch. We saw him and his fire-engine red VW at all corporate and private events on Aruba. Then the man had the good sense to marry Jacky Lopez, a talented, equally sunshiny local chef, and together they spun the Little One into an empire, adding Picnic Aruba along the way.

Nothing was too hard or too complicated, clients’ wishes were sacred, putting in 70 hours of work every week, became a norm.

Sometimes last year Jacky & Maarten decided to work smarter, not harder, and purchase the Gasparito Estate, in the heart of Noord. They fully restored the 219-year-old original cunucu house, built 1807, with the invaluable help of Maarten’s father, his sister too. They brought the inner courtyard, water well and rum shop bar, to life. Everything was restored to its original glory, and all artifacts preserved, the original property sign revived. Jacky designed a modern kitchen, storerooms, and staff areas, Maarten oversaw the creation of offices and a private enclave, behind the scenes, where he parked their Airstream residence. An iconic Aluminum travel trailer where they live with their nine-year-old cunucu dog!

When Jacky & Maarten were almost done, they hosted a lovely opening party.

From now on they are now open for functions up to 500 people, but equally love small, intimate events, such as rehearsal dinners, dance parties in the Starry Courtyard or a cocktail party at the Fountain Square.

With five distinct party areas, complete with a wheelchair access bathroom, Gasparito Aruban Estate packs in a lot of charm and authenticity. (The name Gasparito derives from the original landowner, Gaspar Ridderstap.)

A bit of history: The original Gasparito restaurant was open in the 90s, by three local business executives, hospitality pillars of our community, Oslin Toppenberg, at the time station manager of American Airlines, Joyce Bartels Daal and Gladys Croes, both freshly retired from the hotels. Joyce worked at the Divi Divi, Gladys at Divi Flamingo Beach in Bonaire. Their vision was to offer authentic Aruban food, in an art gallery setting to about 20 diners a night. The restaurant became known for its goat stew, keshi yena, pan bati, funchi, sopi di Jambo and other traditional dishes.

Jacky reports she visited Gladys, today co-owner of Vital Choices, in Paradera, and discussed all original recipes with her. Jacky intends to run a cooking school, during the day, teaching visitors about local food.

(Jacky found her way to Gladys by talking to local artist Elvis Tromp, whose small murals still decorate the old Gasparito kitchen. He will be recreating and restoring his work from the 90s.)

Gasparito in the 90s, under management of a trio, was successful for a few years, then two partners moved on and it became a one woman show, with Gladys at the helm. A few years into that, the Barros family purchased the restaurant. Chef Danny Barros was in the kitchen while his father Raymond, a retire oil man, Barlock Caribbean Oil Corporation, distributors of Texaco Fuel and lubricants, managed the sports bar in the Fountain Square.

Then Danny married Rose, whose interest in agriculture overshadowed her interest in cooking, and they both transformed Gasparito into a farm, with multiple crops, a honeybee operation, and small farm animals, pigs, chickens – under the name Eco Living Aruba. They helped found United Farmer Aruba and Rose started running Living Soil Aruba, an Agro Consultancy, leading the Syntropic Agroforestry movement on the island.

Gasparito has always provided the opportunity to soak up Aruban culture in all its forms, and now more than ever with Jacky & Maarten, Aruban hospitality has just been raised by a few notches.

The Little One still offers beach weddings, but all post-ceremony festivities will be held at the lovely estate.

In a recent article in Antilliaans Dagblad analysis, the writer states that the case of Benny Sevinger proves that we need more check & balances.

As we all remember former Aruban minister Benny Sevinger has been convicted, this time definitely, through the Kingdom’s highest courts in the case titled Avestrus or ostrich, indicating GOA had its head buried in the sand for a long time.

As it turned out, between 2009 and 2017, the minister signed off on over 400 commercial lease land (erfpacht) applications, establishing a scheme in which he granted land rights to friends and AVP-affiliated persons in exchange for gifts and donations. Those recipients then resold the land at large profits — at the expense of everyday Arubans.

This system of monetizing his ministerial position was not invented by Sevinger, it has been around for a long time.

The officials at DIP, Directorate of Infrastructure & Planning, testified that when Sevinger wrote the magic words Akkoord conform, approved, on an application, it served as a direct ministerial instruction, thereby bypassing normal policy reviews. One official said it was effectively impossible to issue a counter-advice.

The Antilliaans Dagblad writers argues that checks and balances were dangerously weak: civil servants felt unable to push back, party-internal controls failed, and pressure groups and media were too weak. While the judiciary and prosecution ultimately functioned, accountability should not rely solely on courts. The former minister still enjoys his party full support to this day, and I even heard some rumblings about possible pardon. Which is insane. Sevinger’s daughter received his seat in parliament, and for all involved, life goes on.

The minister must serve in our penitentiary the full extent of his sentence. I hope at least one other, whose name I shall not mention, joins him.

From now on: Political parties, parliament, notaries, banks, and ordinary citizens, you all share responsibility to speak up when public power is abused.

Question:

WHO PAID FOR THIS REPORT. GOA? As part as its campaign to needle Aruba’s biggest employer. Perhaps the resorts should start a lawsuit against the government, for terrible service, and the difficulty to obtain much needed permits and lack of controls, and the negligence of physical public areas and utilities such as roads, sidewalks, sewage.

This is a bade strategy, in line with the parliamentarian who complained last week, and think about it, the parliamentarians are costing us Awg 17.000 each, a month, tax money we are not getting back in services or value.

Here is the report, skewed according to the wishes of the one who commissioned it.

The newspaper tackled Average vs. Median Salary first.  The article argues that public debate in Aruba too often relies on the average salary, which is skewed upward by a small number of high earners. The median salary — around Afl. 2,000–2,300/month — is a more accurate picture of what most workers actually earn.

Wages by Sector

Tourism & hospitality: Afl. 1,700–2,400/month (tips help, but base pay is modest and seasonal)

Retail & services: Afl. 1,800–2,300/month

Government/public sector: Afl. 2,300–4,000+ (more stable, structured pay scales)

Skilled trades (electricians, mechanics, etc.): Afl. 2,200–3,500 — a path to middle-class income without a university degree

Specialized professions (finance, IT, law, healthcare): Afl. 3,500–8,000 — a small group that significantly pulls up the average

Education & Earnings Higher education generally leads to better pay, but outcomes depend heavily on alignment with Aruba’s economy. Fields like tourism management, finance, and healthcare offer the best prospects.

Cost of Living Reality Aruba’s heavy reliance on imports makes the cost of living high. For a median-wage earner:

Rent alone can consume ⅓ to ½ of income (Afl. 800–1,500/month)

A realistic monthly food budget is around Afl. 800

Utilities, transport, and unexpected expenses leave very little room for savings

Homeownership is largely out of reach at the median salary level

The Bottom Line. Most households rely on two incomes to stay afloat. Many families also take on debt to cover gaps. The article concludes that despite Aruba’s image of general prosperity, income inequality means the majority of the population is not living comfortably — the gap between the average salary statistic and everyday financial reality is significant.

An important factor not taken into consideration in the article is Aruba’s grey economy. The island is blessed by diligent, entrepreneurial people who take on two/three jobs to stay afloat. Transportation, among them many taxis and the informal local UBER, food preparation and delivery, food trucks, housekeepers, gardeners, repair people, are mostly paid cash, and do not report those earnings. However, we should pay attention to the findings of the article. Apparently retail associates earn the least in stores where no sales goals or incentives are in place.