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LOCAL Thursday 27 June 2019

Diversifying Aruba’s Tourism Industry Through Sustainability

Continued from Page 14
Next to these prestigious festival, during July island during these days, make sure to experi-
17th till 27th 2019, Aruba will host the ‘Aruba ence a local symphonic experience.
Symphony Festival & Academy’ where more
than 100 musicians from all over the world come There is no question that the tourism industry of
to participate, contributing to the cultural and Aruba will need to include creativity, culture
touristic development of Aruba. and innovation to accelerate more sustainable
tourism on the island. How this will look like, we
According to other news sources, the founder don’t know. Will our tourists continue to experi-
and musical director of the festival expressed ence Aruba as they know it to be? We don’t
that what distinguishes this festival to the others know either. But, what we can conclude is that
is the diverse multicultural aspect of not only the the island will not escape tourism as its prima-
musicians, but also the music performed, which ry income for the years to come. Sustainabil-
will include folk music, Latin American music, ity should be our priority, and effective public
and also more classical music of for example, policy will be instrumental for creating proper
Beethoven. Accessibility will not be an issue, development and accountability of all stake-
seeing that only the first and last presentation holders involved. It will be a matter of time to
will have an entrance fee. To make sure the see either positive or negative development im-
entire community of Aruba can enjoy the fes- hosted on popular local venues, such as Cas di pacts. Aruba, its community and its visitors de-
tival, the presentations between July 18th and Cultura, Paseo Herencia, Casibari, Ritz Carlton serve sustainability, not only for the present, but
26th 2019 will be completely free and will be Hotel and the Free Winds. So, if you are on the for the future. q

Biography – Currently, Thaïs Franken is a 23-year-old Aruban student at the University of Maastricht (UM). She
is studying a Master of Science in Public Policy and Human Development in collaboration with the Unites
Nations University (UNU). Back home, on the beautiful island of Aruba she completed her Bachelor of Arts in
Organization, Governance & Management (OGM) at the University of Aruba (UA). She successfully gradu-
ated and defended her thesis titled “Placing Culture and Creativity at the Heart of the Aruban Sustainable
Development” on July 6th 2018. Thaïs is very passionate about topics such as sustainability, innovation, cul-
ture and creativity. Next to her academic interests, she enjoys reading, writing, dancing and cooking.