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LOCAL Thursday 30 January 2020

50 years visiting Aruba

PALM BEACH — Recently, Kimberley Rich- ba to everyone they know. In the mid 80s
ardson of the Aruba Tourism Authority had couple Benita even started hanging the
the great pleasure to honor Aruba’s loyal Aruban flag together with the American
and friendly visitors as Emerald Ambassa- flag outside their house. These honorees
dors of Aruba. The Emerald Ambassador not only fell in-love with the island, but also
certificate is presented to guests who visit brought family, grandchildren, friends,
Aruba 35 years and more consecutively. and neighbors to Aruba.
The ceremony was one of importance to
The honorees were couple Ben & Karen us because honoring visitors who have
Benita from USA. This couple has been been coming to Aruba for over 35 years
visiting Aruba for 50 years! The first time is incredibly rare and IT was a very memo-
couple Benita visited Aruba was in 1970, rable moment for all of us.
to celebrate their honeymoon. They fell
so in-love with the island that as soon as Richardson together with the representa-
they got back to USA, they got a dog, and tives of the Holiday Inn Beach Resort & Ca-
named him Aruba. The couple went on by sino presented the certificate to the hon-
saying that many friends in the states were orees, handed over some presents and
always asking them “Where did you get also thanked them for choosing Aruba as
the name Aruba”. That is the point when their favorite vacation destination and as
couple Benita started recommending Aru- their home-away-from-home.q