Page 6 - AHATA

Saturday 13 July 2024 LOCAL
A10

Episode 140 - Respect & Solidarity

Our goal at Etnia Nativa is ronmental defense groups responsible and support-
to raise cultural awareness, have emerged that exert ive tourism and all types
promoting education and pressure on public opinion of tourism should currently
to safeguard our heritage in relation to the effects aspire to this responsibility
as the sacred mother seed of tourist activities with the and solidarity, but the cur-
for renewal and reinven- sole purpose to generate rent reality of tourism has
tion, guiding you to be- revenue regardless of the little to do with these ob-
come the next and a new environmental impact it is jectives we are advocating
guardian of Aruba. causing. for.
Our small beautiful island, Visitors are no longer sat-
A happy island needs each like the entire planet Earth, isfied with little and that
visitor to get involved in is going through a decisive makes the demand for
tourist activities where what moment and our tourism product quality and ser-
is prioritized is respect for in general should be gov- vices higher. As a con-
the natural, cultural and so- erned by the principles of sequence, it requires a santaneros, spiders. They
cial environment to define sustainability, in order to greater effort to remain The European Alliance for
and understand the values minimize the impact on the competitive in the mar- Responsible Tourism and are our daily dwellers and
endemic fauna, even the
of our community. With this environment and local cul- ket. So our officials should Hospitality (EARTH) project
type of tourism there is a ture. roll theirs sleeves and put defines Responsible Tourism invasive boa and the cane
toad are casual visitors we
positive exchange of ex- To achieve this and gener- heads together in order as: “Any specific tourism
periences between visitors ate benefits for the local to mitigate all economic product or tourism produc- wish no to see. On picture
below, is our dreaded cen-
and residents, establishing population, we need our endeavors which cause tion system in which tourists,
a fair and equitable rela- tourism to be aware of the negative impacts to the actors and local provid- tipede who loves to scav-
enge and wander around
tionship in terms of the ben- existing socio-political real- environment and the in- ers assume responsibility
efits that this activity can ity. habitants of Aruba as on for host destinations from for small insects, frogs and
small rodents that lives un-
generate. Aruba and the planet need pristine destination. the star, involving environ-
In Aruba, more and more mental, cultural, social and der rocks boulders that
are part of our garden.
people are aware and con- economic viability point of
cerned about environmen- view. however we must be vigi-
lant since occasionally we
tal issues and the tourism Aruba needs to raise
market is also beginning to awareness of its still unfath- must prevent them going
inside. We catch them on
realize the negative impact omable assets that could
on the environment gener- be lost without even know- a shovel or in a carton box
and transport them to safer
ated by unsustainable tour- ing they exist. It is in the
ist activities. Our society hands of its inhabitants to place.
In our gallery art we also
is becoming increasingly request legislative protec-
aware of the need to pre- tion, safeguards and guar- display historical as well
as native Aruban art and
serve our flora, fauna, soil anteed protection of the
and sea and heritage. In existence of our ecosystem artifacts. Follow our guid-
ed tours conducted by its
recent times, different envi-
for our next generation and founder and curator, in-
our future visitors. corporating works of art,
As locals we must involve archaeological objects,
each visitor in the Aruba tools and weapons to tell
experience, share with the story of Aruba. Dis-
them our reality and our cover nature and island
concern. culture, through an educa-
Etnia Nativa is a small re- tional and mind-opening
cycled building that has session for the curious and
beautiful gardens and oc- bohemian soul, the adven-
cupies an area of 880 m2 turous spirit and those in-
in Westpunt. Ten years ago terested in acquiring island
it was surrounded by land knowledge. Interact and
of wild vegetation and in- get infected with a good
habited by a diverse and predisposition to share our
varied fauna. Today, as a concern for preserving
result of the excessive hous- your fragile travel destina-
ing growth in the area, our tion.
home museum and sanc-
tuary houses different spe- Did you say you love Aru-
cies in danger of extinction ba its origins and cultural
as an natural sanctuary for: heritage? Than this private
hummingbirds, doves, chu- encounter with our colum-
chubi; trupial; pecho gel, nist anthropologist is just
bats, lizards, totekis, gec- something for you. Sessions
cos, crabs, beatles, mantis, created in a gorgeous set-
ting for visitors with special
Article by: Etnia Nativa interests. Appointment is
required. Mail us as etni-
Whatsapp us +297 592 2702 and book anativa03@gmail.com or
WhatsApp +297 592 2702
your Aruban exprerience for an exclusive experi-
Etnia Nativa is close to the high rise hotels ence at the acclaimed
columnist’s home.q