The Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association (AHATA), through its Environmental Committee, recently held a series of dynamic and interactive workshops aimed at equipping leaders in the hospitality sector with practical knowledge on responsible purchasing practices.
The sessions were led by Juliet Carvalhal, founder of Impact Blue and one of Aruba’s foremost experts on plastic legislation. Participants included professionals from procurement, finance, operations, and management representing various AHATA member companies. Each session combined presentations, educational games, and open exchanges of ideas.
Attendees received practical tools to help them implement and strengthen responsible procurement systems within their organizations. They also gained a clearer understanding of local environmental regulations.
A highlight of the workshop was the launch of a custom-designed toolkit developed by Impact Blue specifically for this initiative. The toolkit features guidance on sustainable alternatives to commonly used materials, as well as a range of useful recommendations.
AHATA extended its gratitude to Juliet Carvalhal for sharing her expertise, and to the members of its Environmental Committee — Armand Ruiz (Environmental Health & Safety Specialist at Tropical Bottling Company), Urvin Leest (Cross Division Manager at De Palm Tours Corporation), and Ryan Bareño (Director of Operations at Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club) — for contributing their valuable insights during the panel discussion.
The panel was moderated by Crescenzia Biemans, Chief Corporate Officer at Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort. Vanessa Rasmussen, chair of AHATA’s Environmental Committee, expressed her appreciation for the strong interest and active participation shown by all attendees.
Held at Eagle Aruba Resort, the workshops represent another step forward in AHATA’s ongoing efforts to support Aruba’s tourism industry in becoming more sustainable and resilient.
