“Tourists are coming back,” were the words of taxi driver Junior Jumaica when he saw more planes were arriving in Aruba.
Taxi drivers are happy with this increase because it will give them more work and more work means more money to provide for their families.
24ora.com spoke with different taxi drivers to hear their thoughts on the increasing amount of tourists. On December 1st, the borders with South America will open, except with Venezuela, which means more visitors.
Like Junior Jumaica stated, everyone is coming back. Everyone who has been stuck in Colombia and Panama will be coming back once the border opens.
Anthony Frans is another taxi driver who expressed that he is happy with the increasing number of flights coming in. Yesterday, many more tourists were going out to restaurants. Slowly but surely, we will be seeing more tourists, especially with the holiday season approaching.
This will also benefit the restaurants because they will have more work. The taxi drivers have been struggling since March, but now they’re happy.
Efiria Jansen, a taxi driver, told us that although she is happy that the amount of tourists is increasing, it is still not where it’s supposed to be. But we must stay hopeful that things will get better. Jansen explained that the Government and DVG are taking all necessary measures because the US and South America still have many coronavirus cases. “We must take care of ourselves,” Jansen said.
Taxi driver Elivs Tromp hopes that the increase will continue to develop. But thinks that it is important to continue controlling those who enter Aruba, especially now that South America’s borders will open. Our people must keep taking care of themselves to lower the number of positive cases so that others can see that and know that it is safe to come to Aruba.
Patrick Dania is another happy taxi driver. He thinks that things can continue to pick up, but we must keep the covid cases low. That could help too.
Now that the borders with South America will open, he is hopeful.
Patrick Dania tambe ta un taxista cu ta satisfecho cu e fluho di turista. E ta splica cu esaki ta bayendo den un bon direccion. Esaki sigur por pick up pa final di e aña aki pa 2021. Tur cos ta depende di e casonan di Covid. Esey tambe ta contribui.
Expectation for 2021
A third coronavirus wave is possible. The taxi drivers believe that it is important to keep all measures. This is the only way to keep the borders open and continue serving the tourists.
Since the reopening of our borders back in July until now, restaurants, taxis, busses, tours, hotels, and everyone else worked very hard at following the protocols to lower the number of infections. This is why we received more tourists and what is needed for Aruba to raise again. Opening up our borders to South America with help us even more, but we must follow all protocols. South America, just like Europe and The US, they too have many positive cases.
They will all contribute to the economy of Aruba.
