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local Tuesday 16 May 2023
The surge of illegal vacation homes on Aruba

(Oranjestad)—While the lem, creating a fragile re-
surge of vacations on the lationship between locals
island has brought with it and tourists.
new economic opportuni-
ties, it also brought a flour- Safety and experience of
ishing illegal market. Illegal tourists
vacation homes began to Often time, illegal renting
surge around the island. does not follow standard
These are properties rented security regulations, which
out to tourists without ap- could put the safety of
propriate registration, lo- tourists at risks. Additionally,
cal permit of adherence to service quality could not
health and security regula- meet expectations, nega-
tions. tively affecting the experi-
ences of tourists and the
What’s attraction of quick- reputation of Aruba as a
earned money, along with tourist destination.
risks perceived as under de-
tected, has tempted many This is why it is important for
home owners to partake in Economic Impact Competition and distortion the market. the government of Aruba
this illegal business. The lack Illegal vacation homes within the market to start attending to this ille-
of regulation and supervi- evade local taxes and reg- Illegal rental homes that Impact on local commu- gal phenomenon that is cir-
sion in the early stages of ulation fees, which cause do not adhere to regula- nity cling around the island, to
this industry has nurtured significant damage to the tions and that do not pay A surge of tourists within prevent the further growth
the proliferation of illegal economy of Aruba. This lost license fees, could permit residential neighborhoods, of an illegitimate industry
rentals on the island. entry could be used to im- lower prices compared to fueled by the illegal vaca- and the negative effects
prove local infrastructure, the legal market. This un- tion rentals, could disrupt that this brings with it. q
The surge of illegal vaca- improve touristic services fair competition can cause local living. Noises, traffic
tion homes on Aruba has and finance other public damage to legitimate va- and potential damage to Pictures are illustrative.
significant negative effects projects. cation rentals and hotels, community resources and
on the island. causing distortion within facilities is a common prob-

Three Rivers Real Estate declares to be complying with

all legal construction permits

(Oranjestad)—According
to different articles pub-
lished in the last few days
by the local news outlet
‘24ora’, Three Rivers Real
Estate VBA has declared
that the permits from DOW
(Department of Public
Works) for the construction
of the Secrets Hotel in Baby
Beach are legal.

The real estate agency
took note of the accusa-
tions that they do not re-
spect the order of judicial
sentencing, and consid-
ered them very serious and
completely unfounded.
Through a press release on always respected court the company painted as tel was a hot topic in the Association (SNBA) have
May 11th, they expressed sentencing, including the a foreign developer that news due to a press re- shared their perspective
that they do indeed com- last.” does not respect or com- lease that the real estate on the matter, in which
ply with legal terms re- They have assured that ply with local laws and agency has published, they assured that the ho-
quired for the construction they are currently evalu- judge sentences; that in which indicates that a tel that must be open by
permit, though this process ating their legal options can’t be further from the group of inhabitants from November next year, is
did take a long time. and are going to continue truth. Three Rivers hope to Sero Colorado have point- experiencing an unfair
management in compli- finalize this hotel project to ed out that the by law, the back lash from the public,
“Nor is it true that the court ance with Aruban law contribute to the econo- Three Rivers project has a while other commercial
has annulled our license. and the sentencing of the my of Aruba, specifically suspended license, and is construction projects in
There were a lot of judicial Court of Administrations that of San Nicolas,” the thus not authorized to con- the west side area of the
cases against the con- Lar. press release read. tinue work on the hotel. island are not given the
struction permits obtained For more than a week, the Last Friday, members of same type of negative at-
by Three Rivers, who has “Three Rivers is sorry to see Secrets Baby Beach Ho- the San Nicolas Business tention. q