HR Advise & More by Anna Maduro
Scan me!
How many hours do you spend handling your business’s HR over the course of a month? Don’t you think that time and effort would be better spent elsewhere? Take your business to the next level by delegating HR tasks to a specialist, jut not just any specialist – www.annamaduro.com | +5999 529 6133
World tourism day “TOURISM FOR INCLUSIVE GROWTH”
T
ourism is one of the world’s most important economic sectors. Tourism creates jobs, promotes local culture and products, works in the sustainable use and management of the environment like marine resources, and improves measures to make tourism an inclusive experience for all. On September 27th, we celebrate World Tourism Day, a day to focus on “Tourism for Inclusive Growth.”
In honor of World Tourism Day, Tourism Corporation Bonaire have decided to put 4 key figures inside of our island’s tourism industry, in the spotlight. Bonè had the honor to interview Emma Sint Jago, Erich Arias, Tirzo Cicilia and Claire Sealy about their passion for tourism, their experiences, and the many relationships they’ve made throughout their years inside this industry. Read it all here.
Happy World Tourism Day! Name: Tirzo (T.T.) Cicilia Profession: Manager at Rum Runners -36 years working in the Tourism Industry-
Designed by
“I started working in tourism in 1985. I dropped out of hospitality school, and as the youngest sibling in my family, I was addressed by my older siblings who told me I should start working and learn on the job if I wanted to quit school. My brother used to be a cook and I started working in the kitchen of ‘Hotel Divi Flamingo’ in 1986. I moved to Sint Maarten in 1987 and there is where I gained all my experience in the hospitality industry. I mostly worked in the front as a bartender as well as a waiter. It was in 1995 that I returned back to Bonaire.”
PASSION
MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT “The best thing about my job is when the guests tell you that everything was great and that you did a good job! They show the satisfaction of the service you gave them.
“I’m truly passionate about my work, I get to
One of my most memorable moment that I
meet new people every day and I have come
experienced here was when Rum Runners
to know a lot of people that are important
was chosen as the Restaurant of the Year,
figures inside of our community. I have been
with me as the Manager of the restaurant!
working at ‘Rum Runners’ for 21 years now,
Because of my work I see a lot of things in
and I enjoy my work a lot. I started as a part
life clearer/better and I’m very happy with my
time employee, and I worked my way up to
job, God bless it. I think I can, and I will keep
become a supervisor. In 2009 I became the
doing this job for as long as I am able!”
Manager of Rum Runners.”
Name: Emma Sint Jago Profession: Passenger Handling -40+ years working in the Tourism Industry-
“At the age of 8 years, I learned the trait of providing good service, when I used to help my mom at our guesthouse in Rincon. Later on, when I started working at a shipping company, where there were different departments is when I actually entered the tourism branch. This company was also selling tickets, and that is where I started selling tickets as well. After some aviation companies started offering package deals, I specialized myself in selling these in order to up my sales. I would go on the “family trips” two or three times a year to get to know the destinations and the hotels and use this information to promote and sell the package deals. To be able to assist the tourists that were visiting Bonaire, I also maintained a good relationship with the local hotels on Bonaire by making frequent visits. Over the years, I excelled in this area and I was very successful at it. Afterward, I started working at the airport as a Sales & Reservation Agent and later as a Passenger Handling. To this day (I should have already been on my retirement) I am still working as a Passenger Handling.”
THAT EXTRA MILE “For me, it’s very important to go the extra mile when you’re working in service-oriented jobs. There’s a particular story of a couple who their travel agency booked them a trip to Bonaire (by mistake) instead of Buenos Aires. When they arrived here it was midnight. They had to stay for two days on Bonaire before they could find a flight to their destination. I took it upon myself to invite them to Rincon and I ended up showing them around the island during these two days and they stayed in our motel in Rincon. It was the perfect
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS “When working in tourism, you get to build all
opportunity to help two people out and also to promote Rincon and our culture.”
kinds of relationships. And thinking about this
RINCON
makes me laugh! Because as you know I am
“To me, it’s important for Rincon to receive
reaching a certain age, and every year when
more publicity. I have always promoted
certain tourists visit the island, I tell them
Rincon, our local dishes, the culture and the
that this is the last year I will be working; that
homemade medicines. As of lately, there
I will retire. But then, every year when they
are many tourists that visit Rincon, to do
come back I’m still at the same place they
walking tours, buy local sweets etc. We have
left me! And they are always happy to see me
also invited people to Washington Park so
again because they know that I reached my
they could experience that aspect of Bonaire
retirement age a long time ago. It gives me a
as well. They can visit the museum and the
satisfactory feeling as I see them often at the
lookout spots which can give them a beautiful
gate and I’m always happy to help out even
view of the town and Bonaire in general.
if they’re in another row. Sometimes they
Rincon has a lot to offer and people need to
will specifically ask for my help by asking
know about this.”
for “the woman with the grey hair”, hahah! Some visitors have even sent me letters over the years, and sometimes they came from people who I had no idea even noticed me. I’ve helped out a lot of people, for instance people who have had to go visit their dying relatives. To this day, these people will approach me and thank me for helping them out.”
Name: Erich ‘Eki’ Arias Profession: taxi driver -40+ years working in the Tourism Industry -
“My career in tourism started at the Hilton hotel in Curaçao as a busboy. When I moved to Bonaire, I started to work as a waiter at, amongst other, the Zeezicht restaurant and Hotel Bonaire Sunset Beach. All my life, I worked in the tourism (industry). After Hotel Bonaire started to lay off people and eventually closed its doors, my brother advised me to acquire my taxi license so I could pursue this opportunity. This was in 1989 and I’m one of Bonaire’s first taxi drivers. I was thirty-one years old when I started, and that’s why my license plate is (number) 31. When I started to work as a taxi driver, I made tons of connections that to this day are useful in my life. I recognize that these have allowed me to become successful in my field. One of the good traits I possess is that I’m always very punctual and can also attribute this to my success. I learned punctuality during my military service, where I was taught discipline. If you were five minutes late, you were punished.”
LONG LASTING FRIENDSHIPS “During my career, I experienced a lot of things, however, most importantly is that
guests and they instruct the hotel, before their arrival, to ‘tell Erich to pick us up’. Some send a WhatsApp message or contact me via Facebook to let me know that they are coming to Bonaire. Cor (RIP), was another guest that became a good friend. He initially stayed at Sorobon but once we became friends, he asked me to stay at my home and we had a wonderful time. Giving good service has become second nature and I truly enjoy it.”
START THEM YOUNG “Nowadays, many people work in the tourism sector, however you notice that they aren’t very tourist minded. I want to see tourism be taught in schools as a subject from an early age, so this penetrates the young minds. Give them history and cultural lessons and educate them so they are knowledgeable when talking to tourists. I also encourage our politicians to make this happen, and it’s my dying wish to see us get to that level. Many young people go abroad to study and don’t return to Bonaire easily. Additionally, the salaries in the tourism sector are inadequate, however if you have the right qualifications, you will make more money.”
the client is satisfied with my service.
MISSED OPPORTUNITIES
Consequently, I’ve made some long lasting
“Initially, I’ve switched from the airport to
Bonaire can receive two ships daily and as
friendships with people from all walks of
the terminal to concentrate more on the
a taxi driver we could easily get at least two
life. For example, there was a professor that
cruise tourists. However, when the pandemic
tours a day. Downtown (Playa) becomes
I gave a tour to, who called me the next day
hit, I had to return to my station at the
busy momentarily, however things calm
to ask if I knew where he could purchase a
airport, something I already had outgrown
doing quickly, so I don’t understand why the
property. He bought a house in Tera Cora and
and experienced it as a regression to my
government need to reduce it to one ship a
returns every year and became a good friend
earlier days. To make matters worse, the
day. Currently every country, and or island,
of mine. Another example is author Auke van
government plans to reduce cruise tourism to
in the Caribbean are attracting cruise ships to
den Berg, who wrote ‘Ikki’s Eiland, de horzel
one ship daily. Although the figures indicate
boost their economies, yet we do exactly the
van het koninkrijk’. In this book he describes
that during the last Cruise season (two years
opposite. Its traumatizing what we recently
his experiences and found it very amusing,
ago), Bonaire got more than thirty million
had to endure. The pandemic caught us by
how easily could link him up with people he
dollars of income from that sector.
surprise, however it is a life lesson we all had
was looking for. Over time, I’ve developed friendships of over fifteen years with some
to overcome.”
Name: Claire Sealy Profession: Managing Director at Captain Don’s Habitat -24+ years working in the Tourism Industry-
“I initially moved to the Netherlands to study as a sport teacher, however I fell and broke my finger and that put me in a disadvantage. I couldn’t engage in any physical activity and could only complete the theoretical classes. I didn’t complete my first year, as my finger got overburdened by the practical classes I had to catch up with, so I decided to make a career switch. I love helping people, so I decided to study hospitality. Most people save to go on vacation and return back home recharged. I thought to myself, ‘this is what I want to offer people that visit my island’, that they have a good time and return home satisfied. That’s how I ended up majoring in Hotel Management.”
FOLLOWING MY OWN PATH
PANDEMIC “I am a perfectionist and during the pandemic, I learned that sometimes you need to deviate from your normal “performance”, because the situation is tense, both mentally and socially. I learned
“My mother worked for the government for many years, she is my role
to “let go” (but not fully) because you are under pressure and things
model. When I returned to Bonaire, I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to
can change unexpectedly, especially with the measured set by the
do and thought it would be a good idea to go work for the government like
government. You need to lower your standards, to manage, because
she did. I applied, but quickly noticed that it wasn’t what I was looking for.
you are dealing with people. You must be transparent and open. I have
I got a job at Bonaire Trading, where the Owner initially wanted to groom
an open-door policy.”
me as his right hand. He wanted me to work in all the six companies he owned, so I would get to know them, and to eventually end up at Sunset
MOTIVATION
Beach Hotel, which was the field I specialized in. As a year went by, he
“What motivates me every day, is that I like seeing people glow and be
reneged on his word. After a short period, a good friend of mine, Delno
happy. I like it when I am told that we have a nice hotel and a friendly staff.
Tromp, told me about a vacancy at the Sand Dollar. I started working as
I guide the process, but it is my staff that makes it happen. I praise them
the Quality Controller at Sand Dollar and the Assistant to management,
because, without them, I wouldn’t “be here”. All the praise that we receive
a position I held for seven years. Then I moved on to the Plaza Resort
is a “team victory”. I am a people person and I know how to maintain the
Hotel, where I remained for a year and a half as the ‘back of the house’
balance. If your staff is not happy, your guests will most likely not be
Manager. There, I was responsible for everything that happened behind
happy either. I believe in our people, and I keep pushing them to continue
the scenes and managed 120 employees.”
to upgrade because if I can make it, everyone can make it. In Bonaire, I am
WHEN OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS ON YOUR DOOR
the only native that is a Managing Director of a hotel.”
MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT
“I was shortly approached by Jack, the General Manager of Captain
“There are many memorable moments, but one that has stuck with me
Don’s Habitat, who explained that his assistant was moving back to her
is when a group that was scheduled to come to Captain Don’s Habitat
country and if I was interested in working at Captains Don’s Habitat.
got stranded in Curaçao. Their incoming flight got delayed, which made
I was doing well at Plaza, however I knew I would never become the
them miss their connecting flight to Bonaire. I remember I was on my
General Manager there, despite this being my ambition. I started to
way to Carnival in Rincon, and the travel agent of this repeat group
work at Captain’s Don Habitat as the Rooms Division Manager. After
called me and informed me about the situation. I called Divi Divi Air and
six years, the CEO of the Maduro Holding (Habitat is a subsidiary
chartered a plane for them to get to Bonaire. To this day, every time
company of the Maduro Holding), informed me that he wanted me
this group is at Habitat, I am reminded of this. This is something that
to become a Hotel Manager. I held this position for four years. Jack,
I am very proud of; that I was able to help them. I am also very proud
the General Manager of Habitat, always told me that one day, “this
that we are the only hotel that received 3 stars from Blue Destination
chair is gonna be yours”. He already saw me as his successor and when
Certification program! This is the highest certification level given!
he got sick and needed to travel abroad for treatment, I became the
I would like to share this message with you all. You will never be
interim General Manager. A few months later, he passed away and in
ready for any challenge/or job opportunity. My advice is to seize the
June of that same year I officially became the General Manager. After
opportunity, believe in yourself and push yourself to the limit.
a few months, the CEO of Maduro Holding was on the island and told
I learned a valuable lesson in the beginning of my career; I missed the
me to start preparing myself for the position of Managing Director as
opportunity to grow and I have regretted that since then. That day in
per the 1st of January. Initially I was doubtful, however I loved my job
1997, I told myself that I would embrace every other opportunity that
as the General Manager, and I thought that if I refused the position,
came along (that fits my future plans).”
somebody else would swoop in and change course of what I built up the last twelve years. I felt like I wasn’t ready for the position, however I quickly realized that one would never be ready for such a task. So, I decided to do both and remained the Managing Director and the General Manager. I can’t sit still, so I love that my job is diverse.”
Island Arts
‘From the canvas to the streets’
Photo credit: ig.com/kentuzelf
If you’ve walked by ‘Kant’i Awa Snack’ recently or spent time waiting outside of KFC, you might have noticed some neat anamorphic street art on display at both locations. Well, those two projects were done by Ghislaine Monte. Curaçao-born but currently Bonaire based, Ghislaine had started dabbling with art at the age of 12, where she was already known amongst family and friends as someone who was skilled at it. At the age of 19, she moved to the Netherlands for her studies. Although it was initially not her intention to study art, it was there that she got herself more involved in the medium. Despite being turned down by an art academy due to lack of a track record, which caused some insecurities for her, she still pushed through to find her place in the art world.
“I believe those who love the island should be able to call themselves a “Boneriano”
Ghislaine was already on my radar for an interview, and when I found out she was hosting an exposition titled “Note to Self”, it seemed like the perfect timing for me to take initiative and go visit her.
When I stepped into the building where the exposition took place, I saw a room filled with
making cultural art that’s attractive to tourists, but also expressing ourselves in whatever capacity.
Ghislaine’s interest in street art (especially 3D &
anamorphic art) was fortified by her visits of art festivals in the Netherlands and in England. These festivals were eye-openers that also allowed her to meet some international artists and gain some
knowledge from them. For her, street art is one of the best mediums, as it has a phenomenal sense of community & interaction.
colorful art on the walls & paint on the floor. I was
As for her future? She wishes to grow her business
look around. Next to the eye-catching paintings,
art forms. She hopes to help change how art is
greeted by Ghislaine who welcomed me to take a another thing that stood out were the ‘sold’ signs
next to some of them, giving the impression that her art was well received by her visitors. After looking around and analyzing the use of colors
and the different themes of the paintings, I got the chance to sit down with the artist herself.
Ghislaine is a person with a vibrant personality and a clear passion for her art. Her art style, as
to focus on not only painting, but also other
perceived on Bonaire, and help to find new ways to represent our culture through arts. She is looking to do more workshops for private groups and teambuilding exercises for companies (the art pieces laid on the floor of the exposition is one such example),
lease her art to events & companies and make more
physical art such as her own twist on the popular ‘Chichi’ figurines from Curaçao, for example.
described by herself, is very much based around
Even though she’s from Curaçao, Ghislaine feels
she could be making something abstract, the next
calling to live here. “Whatever you are, you are. I
the principle of “going with the flow”. One moment she could be making something more realistic. She
makes a lot of culturally-inspired art to show off her roots to people from all over, but she also makes art
depending on what she feels at that moment. This way, she prevents herself from getting burnt out
by only making art in one specific theme or style.
The only constant in her art is how colorful it is; a reflection of her surroundings growing up.
I also asked her about her thoughts on Bonaire’s
art community compared to the ones in Curaçao
or the Netherlands. Upon her arrival on the island, she noticed that a lot of the artists here are quite
obscure. She believes that not enough people here see the value of art yet, which in turn can cause aspiring artists to be more hesitant to push further
Follow Ghis.arts
we’re capable of and find our own identity. Not just
in that direction. Before we can have a flourishing
art community here, we need to be able to see what
like she’s a Bonairian, and she feels like it was her
believe those who love the island should be able to call themselves a “Boneriano”. We’re grateful for
her passion towards our island and her art, and we can’t wait to see more from her in the future!
Jaydro
Curated By
Presented by
orts Sweat sh rey G & k c in Bla -L M e Siz
hirt k Sweats Crewnec nd Navy ia a in Fuchs Size M