Experts estimate that Aruba is losing between 150 and 200 million dollars in revenue per year because the government wants to keep our border with Venezuela closed. The question that the Aruban community is asking is: “Why does the government not want to open the border with our neighboring country?”
A few weeks ago, we read that our Prime Minister, Evelyn Wever-Croes, stated that “the concerned department (of asylum) is not ready.” Aruba already has a strict visa requirement that filters out those who are considering seeking asylum. A Venezuelan with a visa to go to the United States does not need a visa granted by our government to enter Aruba, but it is doubtful that these Venezuelans would seek asylum here instead of going to the United States.
In Curaçao, they do not experience any influx of asylum seekers. On the contrary, according to the government of Curaçao, the “Venezuelan Effect” is generally very positive, especially for the country’s economy. Why is our government willing to sacrifice millions of dollars in tourism revenue out of fear of receiving some asylum seekers?
Another reason the government gives is that our tourism is already breaking all kinds of records as is. While this might be the case, the low season has now begun, and the hotels and restaurants are already feeling its affects. Now would be a good time to open the border.
As everyone in Aruba knows, Venezuelan tourists spend much more than other tourists. This is evident in their spending at casinos, for example. They do not bother other tourists at restaurants at night because when they go out to eat, the others have already gone home. This helps the restaurants and their employees survive.
Contrary to the majority of other tourists who buy online in their own countries, Venezuelan tourists make purchases personally at our local stores. And they buy a lot! This will help commerce and employees and contribute to our government.
Many Venezuelan tourists visit “Cas di Cultura” to witness a cultural show or listen to a concert by local musicians. Few other tourists do this. All the money they spend on admission or at the bar benefits Aruba’s economy.
Out of the 150 to 200 million dollars that Venezuelan tourists spend, much of it goes to the government, which can provide relief to the Arubans who are already burdened with all kinds of taxes.
I am sure that if our government conducts its own analysis, it will come to the same conclusion: Closing the border with Venezuela does not benefit our economy and is detrimental to our people.
