The official opening ceremony of Aruba Meets Europe 2008 included welcome addresses by Ing. Edison Briesen, the Minister of Tourism, Myrna Jansen Feliciano, Managing Director of the Aruba Tourism Authority and Rob Smith, President and CEO of the Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association.
While the Aruban officials welcomed the visiting top Europeans travel professionals to the island, and expressed their sincere wish to increase the flow of vacationers from the continent, Smith also smartly remind AME delegates of the favorable Euro exchange rate and of the fact that Aruba is a sophisticated island speaking a number of European languages, and proud of its distinctly European heritage and flavors in anything from street-signs to cuisine.
Pictured here the Opening Ceremony at the Aruba Marriott Resort emceed by Nathalie Maduro and Tirso Tromp, with participation of singer Edjean Semeleer, Ruby Eckmeyer Director of the Department of Culture, Frits Israel, Marketing Director, Aruba Tourism Authority and Barbara Brown, Business Unit Manager for the Aruba Airport Authority.