Eagle, Oranjestad. -- Watapana Tours, founded in 1990 by Edgar Leslie Croes, Taxi-140, started as a mere idea. Croes was driving visitors around the island in his taxi, when visions of buses and a transfer & tour company flashed in his mind.
That year he took the courage to spread his wings and rented an apartment at Cas Paloma as his business headquarters; he operated the single reservations phone line himself. He called his new business Watapana Tours and hired Dennis Henriquez as the first driver/tour guide.
The company has done well since those early days. In 1995 Croes moved to Bushiri, into a new office with a vehicle depo. In 2004, another move to Schotlandstraat a short distance away from both Eagle and Palm Beach and the tourist areas firmly established Watapana Tours among popular tour & transfer providers here.
Today with a diversified product - Jeep Tours & Rentals, Bus Tours, ATV Tours & Rentals, Dune Buggies & Scooters Rentals nicely uniformed members of staff take visitors on extravagant adventures, creating memorable Aruba experiences. "We are the Adventure people," says Croes, "we give people a good time in small groups, providing personal service, pick up and drop off included."
Friday evening the Adventure People and their spouses climbed on board the company Pachanga bus and were delivered with their maracas to the Promenade Restaurant in San Nicolas for a celebration dinner. "Thank you for all your efforts," said Croes, grateful for his employees’ dedication and involvement.
In the pictures, Director Edgar Croes, his wife Director Helen Wells, supervisor Nixon Blanca, Marketing Manager Coleta Zschuschen & Operations Manager Patricio Meza with their happy crew.
Also acknowledged during the celebrations dinner for their many contributions Top Drive Car Rental - Peter Krohn and Robin Misier and high-performers in the sales departments of various hotels.
