“Aruba’s greatest asset is its people,” said Tourism Minister Wendrick Cicilia after Parliament reviewed the budget for the Tourism Product Enhancement Fund (TPEF) on Thursday.
According to Cicilia, human capital is the backbone of the tourism industry, along with Aruba’s natural resources, beaches, and the cultural elements that give the island its authentic identity. These factors are essential when deciding how to allocate the funds.
In the past, eighty percent of the fund was directed toward infrastructure. However, Cicilia wants to change that approach. The AVP-Futuro Cabinet plans to focus on investing in training for the local workforce, protecting natural resources, and managing Aruba’s beaches.
Cicilia described the parliamentary session as very productive, noting that the TPEF budget was approved with majority support.
