Page 17 - ATA

A17
Monday 24 June 2019

Hotel

Hustle

Column by: Shanella Pantophlet
Vacation Mode

ORANJESTAD — Summer is here and with summer
comes vacation time for most. Of course Aruba and
other Caribbean destinations are the go to places for
most on the East Coast, however summer for us is also
the beginning of Hurricane season. One of the things
most hotels do during the season is start preparing
the facilities just in case of anything and we are more
alert than ever about weather conditions.

The start of June here has been no different, mainte-
nance is busy cleaning out the gutters, securing any
loose panels and generally making sure our genera-
tors are working properly. The security team is busy
replenishing first aid supplies in every department,
scheduling emergency response trainings and doing
drills to keep everyone sharp and on their toes. All in
an effort to ensure we are prepared in case of any
eventuality.
The current season so far has been relatively calm
so far as is the standard for June, however we have
been experiencing unusual amounts of dust blowing
off the sub Saharan cost. Which is why it looks near
foggy in the distances and also higher than normal

winds. It’s the reason why the Aruba hi-winds competition is held during these months it’s perfect wind and beach conditions. Of course we have
had near constant wind advisories and rough water advisories.
If you’re staying at the high rise hotels this isn’t that much of a problem since the waters on that end are mostly calm. However if you’re staying
on the low rise side between Bucuti and Costa Linda and our hotel in particular Casa Del Mar the waters can be a bit more active due to being
on a point. It’s great for some light boogie boarding most times, but once the advisories kick up the water takes on a life of its own and can be
tough even for the best of swimmers.
It’s one of those times where even if you’re in vacation mode, you need to be much more alert and careful of the water before going in. Re-
cently there have been a few incidents at some of the beaches resulting in minor incidents such as a sprained ankle by someone who got hit by
a rogue wave to a few more serious injuries.
Every hotel has security staff and all employees as stated are trained in first aid, emergency response and living on an island we are all capable
of swimming or taught how to swim. It doesn’t mean though that any members of staff or security are trained in rescue swimming and certainly
we don’t have the appropriate equipment to perform rough water rescues. That’s the reason why personal responsibility is important and knowl-
edge of your physical condition and swimming ability. On days when there are strong currents, the best thing to do is stay at the shallow end
of the water or better yet use the pool. If drunk then please stay away from the sea all together, it’s ridiculous how many times staff have to fish
drunk people out of the water.
So this summer keep in mind we are doing our best to ensure you have a fun and safe vacation and we hope you vacation responsibly too for
your sake and ours. q

Aruban born and bred Shanella Pantophlet is passionate about tour-
ism. That is the world she studied and works in, so we might as well call
her a specialist. Luckily for Aruba Today Shanella also loves to write.
And together with the fact that the majority of our readers are tourists,
we found ourselves a perfect combination for a column: Hotel Hustle.