Page 13 - AHATA

A8 LOCAL
Friday 19 September 2025
Star Care Program enhances employee well-being

At Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in Aruba

ORANJESTAD – Iberostar Ho- also their personal lives and ity and heartfelt service. At
tels & Resorts continues to family stability. the same time, it upholds a
strengthen its commitment responsible tourism model
to people by introducing Star This program is part of Ibero- that prioritizes the well-being
Care, a new initiative at JOIA star’s broader vision of re- of both people and nature.
Aruba by Iberostar. The pro- sponsible tourism, where the
gram is designed to support well-being of people and Welcoming 2.5 million guests
the financial and emotional communities is at the cen- annually and boasting a
well-being of the profession- ter of sustainable growth. prime beachfront presence,
als who work at the hotel and Iberostar wants to support the Iberostar Beachfront Re-
who have children in Aruba. our employees by creating sorts brand offers three dis-
work environments where tinct segments to fulfill every
In partnership with YMCA’s people feel supported, val- traveler’s holiday dreams.
C.A.R.E. (Children After- ued, and proud. Iberostar Waves delivers fun-
school Recreational & filled experiences, perfect
Educational) Program, the About Iberostar Hotels & Re- for families and couples who
initiative offers affordable sorts love the beach. Iberostar Se-
rates for families at reliable Iberostar Hotels & Resorts is lection provides premium,
afterschool care for children the hotel division and core spacious, and relaxing stays
from Monday to Friday, en- business of Iberostar Group, with exceptional service.
suring that employees can a 100% family-owned Span- Lastly, JOIA by Iberostar is
balance their professional ish multinational with almost a collection of luxury resorts
and family responsibilities 70 years of history in tourism, in exclusive locations, distin-
with greater peace of mind. mitment to ensuring that our Through this initiative, Ibero- with its business origins dat- guished by highly personal-
team members feel sup- star reinforces its dedication ing back to 1877. Its portfolio ized and refined service.q
"At Iberostar, we believe that ported both at work and at to creating a supportive and features 32,000 rooms across
caring for our people means home," said Arnaud Le Lan- inclusive workplace that val- 100 four- and five-star hotels *Iberostar's portfolio of Beach-
caring for their families too. chon, General Manager of ues not only the professional in 13 countries, dedicated to front Resorts excludes its inter-
Star Care reflects our com- JOIA Aruba by Iberostar. growth of its employees but delivering exceptional qual- ests in Cuba

Visit the historic museum at Fort Zoutman!

(Oranjestad)—Located in the lem III Toren”. Constructed in ovation in 1964, turning the
middle of downtown Oran- 1867, this tower was named site into the Historic Museum
jestad, situated right next after the then-reigning king it currently is.
to the government building of The Netherlands, Willem III.
“Cocolishi”, is one of the old- Willem III Toren was originally Despite its small size, The His-
est buildings of Aruba: Fort a light tower, but after a re- toric Museum guards a rich
Zoutman. First constructed quest from Lieutenant Gov- depository of the commer-
in 1796, this site has been ernor Jan Helenus in 1866, it cial, military and social his-
used (or left unused) in many also became a bell tower. tory of Oranjestad, offering
ways and have survived eras a glance into how the social
of war and attempted dis- The fort itself was originally culture of the town came to
mantling. constructed to protect the be. If you are interested in
commerce bay of Paarden- history and want to learn
When anyone refers to Fort baai from pirates and other more about Aruba, then Fort
Zoutman, they are actually disreputable characters Zoutman should definitely be
referring to two separate roaming the Caribbean Sea. included into your itinerary.
buildings that, over the years, Unlike the Willem III Toren,
have been merged: the fort Fort Zoutman had a more The museum is open Mon-
and the tower. That’s right, tumultuous past, including day to Friday from 9am-6pm,
the iconic 5-story, squared the on-and-off reception of and Saturday from 10am-
tower was not part of the unwanted members of the 2pm.q Source: The Old Fort of Aruba by Jan Hartog.
original structure of the fort, English military several times
and is actually called “Wil- (The Netherlands was at
constant war with England
back in the colonial era).

Over the years, both the
fort and the tower had
functioned as different
government center points,
including a tax and stamps
office. For some time these
two buildings also housed a
police precinct and jail, and
even experienced aban-
donment until the Cultural
Center Aruba Foundation
(CCA) petitioned for its ren-