What really ticks me about these stories is that people read or see them and then say, "I'm not going there. It's not safe."
There was a story dredged up recently in conjunction with the Holloway story about a woman who disappeared off a cruise ship when it was anchored in Aruba a couple of years ago. Right away, people started with the "I'm not going to Aruba." or "I'm not cruising" whine.
These stories just cause damage to tourism...and such damage can result in loss of jobs and tourism companies going under. The economy of Aruba or wherever else these things happen goes belly up.
People say a lot of things but if they had a chance to go on a cruise or visit Aruba, they'd most likely go.
Tourism is a zero sum game. Any money not spent there will be spent somewhere else. Every dollar not spent overseas will be spent in the US.
Well it's not stopping me from taking my first cruise in October. Of course, I'm going on Holland America which does not have a reputation for late night drunken revelry (which suits me just fine.)
I'll damage tourism - I just got back from gambling in AC and spent five plus hours waiting for the ticket-in/ticket-out computer to give me $8, $2, AND $71.
Apparently, this happens alot. My vacation is their only job, and I pay dearly to make it memorable.
I am NOT a happy person! I will NOT be going back.
Yeah, but my husband used to do business down there in Curaco (the next island over from Aruba, but basicly the same type of place)and the shipping agent that he was working with warned him not to go out by himself after dark and to never take a cab outside the city limits after dark. The agent said that it just wasn't safe. Aruba can't be any different.
Perhaps the companies and employees involved should start to more agressively fix situations such as this to
minimize future occurances.
Remember the disease outbreaks a few years back? These companies hire tons of disease ridden third-worlders
unclear on the concept of basic hygiene, then avoid resolving the problems when transmission to paying
customers occurs.
Don't forget about Disney/ABC tendancy to avoid cruise ship stories too.
Remember also, the US Gov't and Florida both took actions when violent predators were targeting rental cars occupants.
As far as this case goes, I caught only part of it on FNC, and have yet to hear any confirmed facts, beyond
that he's missing.
I must gracefully disagree. Ef Aruba until they get serious about this investigation.