While he threatened to leave, he stayed. Why? Because concessions were made to accommodate the MinTour, who feels that he is the only one working in Government.
On January 6th, the MinTour announced his upcoming resignation on March 1st. And this is what I wrote at the time, just to refresh your memory: So the straw that broke the camel’s back…came yesterday in the form of an argument about Aruba’s Carnival. The MinTour, had it up to here with the ministers, so he visited the Governor to explain his point of view and declare that if by March 1st, things don’t change in the way his colleagues go about this country’s business, he will resign his post as Minister of Tourism, Culture and Tourism and Primary Sector, whatever that is. He cited nine points of dissatisfaction, which he kept to himself, as if we have no right to know. He did share with the Governor and MinPres!
That was then.
Another threat not to sign the budget, which he signed anyway, stated that his signature didn’t mean that he agreed with the figures, he just wanted to get out of parliament’s way, so deliberations may continue.
At some point The MinTour met the MinPres, and they sang Kumbaya, announcing the hatchet is buried.
That situation is typical of Aruba’s opaque politics. While it is not really clear what the nine points of dissatisfaction were AND why he did not sign the budget, we have the option to speculate, if we do not want to be left in the dark. Can somebody tell me what happened to transparency in government?
The on March 1st, the MinTour went to the Governor once again and withdrew his resignation announcing the differences were bridged and the points on his agenda, respected.
http://www.24ora.com/politica-mainmenu-18/105872-minister-otmar-oduber-na-gobernador-un-biaha-mas
What we think changed: We think the MinPres brokered an agreement in which the MinTour will get the “All Inclusive” legislation approved by Parliament as well as the “Other Accommodations,” regulations. He will also be able to push his “Beach Policy” through, effective July 1st, 2016. He was unable to get the ministers to move on those issues before.
So concessions were made, and the MinTour would be able to pass the 3 piece of legislations close to his heart, in exchange for remaining in Parliament and keeping the government ticking.
I should mention that the Aruba Hotel Association is vehemently opposed to regulating the number of all inclusive hotels because you cannot dictate a business model to privately owned resorts. They will follow the market and offer whatever their customers want.
As for “Other Accommodations,” there is a consensus that they should all pay taxes and adhere to Product Aruba standards.
The Beach Policy? It’s yet to make an appearance. No one has seen that document, to date.
