A snapshot of the Aruba Time Share Association members’ meeting of June 2025
Eagle Beach. —The members of the Aruba Timeshare Association, ATSA, convened for a lunch-meeting at La Cabana Beach Resort & Casino with representatives of most of the island’s Vacation Ownership properties, in attendance.
The Food & Beverage team of La Cabana Beach Resort & Casino prepared a varied and tasty lunch menu, paired with the resort’s signature gracious service and hospitality.
ATSA’s President, Sulaika Kelly, Playa Linda Beach Resort, welcomed members, sharing the agenda, before officially opening the meeting.
She reported to her association members on a number of meetings with the government and outlined the many issues discussed with the officials.
During the meeting, members also received an extensive presentation regarding airlift to the island in 2025, and the status of the airport renovations, by Mary Joan Wardlaw, Customer Relationship Officer and Jo-Anne Arends, Business Development Executive at the Aruba Airport Authority NV.
Wardlaw reviewed airlift update for the current year, including traffic performance YTD, including May 2025, she shared the latest estimates of seat capacity and passenger projection. An informative Market Analysis followed, updated per region, then the strategy of Air Service Development was share. The presentation concluded with a Gateway 2030 update of the airport renovations project.
Members were pleased to hear that the airport has managed to make the flight check-in process more efficient with the opening of the new departure hall, improving and streamlining passenger flow.
According to Wardlaw, Aruba Airport is one of the busiest airports in the Caribbean region, with more than 24 different airlines operating into Aruba, contributing to processing more than 3.2 million passengers per year and providing air service to 31 cities and 45 non-stop destinations worldwide. Aruba Airport’s markets include 71% of visitors from the United States, 3% Canada, 17% from Latin America, 5% from Europe, and 5% from Dutch Caribbean.
On behalf of ATSA, congratulations. on having achieved a major sustainability milestone as Queen Beatrix International Airport’s Gateway 2030 Phase 1A Terminal Expansion became the first airport terminal in the Caribbean and the first building in Aruba to achieve LEED Gold Certification.
President Kelly thanked the airport executives for their presentation.
Also on the agenda, a report by Pedro Vargas, Marriott Vacation Club, regarding the Tourism Security Patrol Aruba, TSPA, visible on the beach and the streetside walkways, from the Ritz Carlton Resort to Divi All Inclusive. The bicycled, uniformed teams support safety & security in the tourism zone, an initiative financed by Aruba Tourism Authority, with funds generated from Tourism Levy. Vargas reported the group has been extensively trained with the help of Cameleon Associates and is working in great collaboration with the Aruba Police, KPA. TSPA is now headquartered at the Palm Beach Plaza and aims to increase visibility of law enforcement in the areas of Palm Beach & Eagle Beach.
In the free word President Kelly opened the floor for members to report on their own properties and all without exception described intense activity and capital investments, as the resorts are being renovated, pools and public spaces upgraded, and facilities improved.
ATSA was established in 1994, and currently counts the active membership of most vacation ownership properties in Aruba. The association works on a local level, as a supporting member of AHATA, the Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association, and with other local organizations as well as government entities. On a regional level, where Aruba continues to receive recognition as a model vacation ownership destination, ATSA has professional ties with the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association and benefits from continuous collaboration with ARDA, the American Resort Development Association.
Board members include Sulaika Kelly, President, Rina Geerman, Secretary, Pedro Vargas, Board member, Jurgen van Schaijk, Treasurer and Luigi Heredia, Board member.
