The President and CEO of the Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association was given an elegant farewell party at the Hyatt Regency this week. Hord was hired four-years ago to serve the hoteliers, tourism’s private sector, as their association-leader, with a focus on island marketing. In the time that he was here he accomplished quite some feats among them giving AHATA an appropriate set of offices, besides assisting in securing adequate air-lift for Aruba. Hord was a “graduate” of American Airlines, where he worked in a top position for many years and helped guide the island through the maze of airline mambo-jumbo to finally procure landing rights and what-ever-it-takes to have air-seat inventory. As you know we are not a drive-to destination and we always depend on the airlines, United, Delta, US Air, to stock our blood lines, to consistently deliver tourists to our shore. Hord’s arrival was mired with controversy – can’t you find an Aruban to fill those shoes – yet over time, the truth revealed itself, which was that Hord truly contributed for the good of the country, exhibiting great integrity and impeccable personal conduct and operating on spiritual principles, praying with his staff for world peace and serenity, besides singing to the ladies in the office on Valentine’s Day and special occasions. An eloquent speaker with an undisputed authority under the glare of the TV lights and the photographers’ flash, he showcased a political correctness, which judging from the farewell speeches was much appreciated and revered here. Unfortunately his wife Ronda got bumped off the American Airline flight that day and could not be here to see her husband lauded and praised. Hord found it ironic that while he worked so hard on the marketing of Aruba, he was successful to that extent. He will come back here, he says, to promote a special project, this time his own. The party catering, shared among all hotels, featured truly memorable food, the Bucuti shrimp, the Radisson lobster and the Hyatt’s chocolate truffles were to live for . . .
