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local Wednesday 10 July 2024

Project "Aruba Happy One Pass" (AHOP) is in its final phase

Minister of Tourism and SITA, Indicio, Aruba Im- This way, travelers can go
Public Health, Mr. Dangui migration, and the Aruba through a rapid process
Oduber's goal and vision is Tourism Authority, we are via an “E-Gate Machine”
to continue innovating and the first to be able to use which verifies all creden-
using modern technologies the AHOP system here in tials in accordance with im-
to facilitate services and Aruba by the end of 2024. migration requirements.
processes for travelers visit- Aruba began this project
ing Aruba. in 2022. On November 5, This project has been rec-
2023, a pilot program was ognized as the first in the
The travel industry world- launched demonstrating world, according to Aru-
wide is being transformed how travelers can pres- ba’s first video documenta-
to ease travel processes ent their information via a tion. To date, more than 500
through the implementa- Facial Recognition system travelers have requested to
tion of technology. Aruba and Digital Travel Creden- participate in the pilot pro- atic method that works ba Happy One Pass” proj-
is keeping pace and today tials (DTC). Information is gram. Aruba is on the path together within the islands. ect is becoming a reality.
is set to have a system of stored on the traveler’s mo- to implementing AHOP for Aruba hopes to maintain its Once again, Aruba will be
“facial recognition” and bile phone, and the travel- entry and exit from our is- leadership in this area and a “trendsetter” and leader
Digital Travel Credentials to er will give consent to share land by the end of 2024. thanks all travelers who in innovation in the Carib-
verify passenger identities their information with Aru- Aruba calls on Curacao have participated in the bean. Travelers to Queen
upon entry and exit, which ba’s immigration, without to show interest in a similar project and had the op- Beatrix Airport will soon
will provide a unique and any data retention in any travel credential project portunity to experience the be able to use advanced
swift service for our visitors. third-party database. Upon as it aligns with the evolv- convenience of travel that technology that will posi-
Aruba can be proud to be arrival in Aruba, the immi- ing direction of the travel Aruba offers. tion Aruba as a pioneer in
the first in the Caribbean to gration system will use bio- industry. However, Aruba innovation, marking prog-
start a digital platform, and metric control to complete emphasizes the impor- Minister Dangui Oduber is ress for the entire tourism
together with our partners; the border control process. tance of having a system- surely proud that the “Aru- and hospitality industry.q

Another Treasure of Aruba’s Beaches: Sea Glass!

NOORD - It is hard to imag- beautiful smooth rocks. glass for yourself, and be
ine this happening today, in awe of the power of na-
but years ago people It’s hard to believe the ture, rent a car or jeep and
dumped all kinds of refuse short-sighted mistakes we go explore our deserted
straight into the ocean, in- were making that could beaches on the north side
cluding old cars, and their have potentially ruined of the island. Make it a fun
household garbage, which these beautiful beaches. family day!
of course included lots of But thanks to natural pro- Even if we didn’t mean to
glass. Over the next 30 cesses, the ocean trans- pollute the Beaches how
years the pounding waves formed the trash into the we did, it is inspiring to see
cleaned the beach, by to “Grapefield” beach you ter, where sand and other sea glass. just how the earth can cor-
breaking down everything will be able to find your own rocks act like sandpaper to Each colored gem on the rect our mistakes.
but glass and pottery. The pieces of sea glass. The sea smooth out its rough edges. beach has its own story.
pounding waves washed glass that was created is Sometimes as the sea glass Funny, how trash can
the trash up and down, the product of a very long is passed through fire, it be- The ruby red glass stones change into treasures!
back and forth. Tons of pol- and interesting process. It comes fire glass, the rarest are typically from old car
ished, broken glass pieces can take anywhere from of sea glass with certain tail-lights. Everybody knows that you
were created by the pound- 10 to 30 years to make sea inclusions, just like precious are not allowed to take
ing surf. These smoothened, glass. The name for any gems. Then, the sapphire rocks local shells home, but the
colored glass particles then piece of glass that finds its are the remnants of bro- people working at the air-
settled along the sea shore way to the ocean and tum- For years, the water beat ken apothecary bottles. port have no problem you
in millions, and that is why bles around in the water against the different kinds The most common and taking sea glass home. A
you can find these beauti- long enough is “Sea glass. of trash being dumped. the easiest to find are the few of those pieces make
ful and colorful pieces on The colorful pieces of glass Glass, household appli- brown (Amstel & Polar great souvenirs. You can
the north shore beaches of are being used for decora- ances and even motor beer), green (Heineken place them in a wine glass
Aruba. tion, handcrafts and jew- parts were discarded on & Balashi beer) and clear or large bottle for decora-
elry! the beach. The waves and glass which are the soft tion and every time you
Especially on the strip on Once glass makes its way weather conditions wore much loved “soft drink” look at it a smile will light up
white sand between the fa- into the ocean, the glass is down the overwhelming bottles. your face thinking back of
mous Natural Bridge” and broken up into shards and is amount of garbage in the your unforgettable Aruba
the huge red anchor close tumbled around in the wa- water, creating millions of If you like to see the sea vacation! q