ORANJESTAD, Aruba – The Aruba Time Share Association island-wide training initiative, delivered by the CHTA Education Foundation, was enhanced on Thursday, December 1, 2022, by Tom Pas who stopped by to chat with 24 supervisors. Pas was Chairman of the Education Foundation from 2002 to 2013 and is passionate about personal development and giving people a chance to be better in their professional lives.
The former chair told the group “I believe in education. I believe you must find fantastic mentors during your hospitality journey. As a young waiter my mentor was a vice president at Disney Europe, as a banqueting manager my mentor was a personal assistant to Queen Julianna. I believed I could achieve anything. As a GM (general manager) I guided Playa Linda Beach Resort & Time Share, in opening phases two and three. I mentored a great room attendant to be my lead housekeeping supervisor and mentored Francis Ridderstaap, sent him to NY Nassau college, USA, and he went on to be celebrated as the CHTA Supervisor of the Year and he currently shines as the Aruba Divi Leisure Manager.”
“I have always had goals – initially to be a teacher, and I have achieved that through mentoring. I wanted to be flight crew, but at 6’4” I did not fit in the small island airplanes. I was determined to become a young manager and at 20 became night manager at Hilton Curacao, where the managers and guests remembered me. Four years later they hired me to open four Holiday Inn hotels in South Africa. I have always focused and concentrated on what I wanted to become.”
“Every person is a star, but often we fail to recognize the star. Ask yourself, how can I shine? by working hard and smart. Every so often ask your boss, how am I doing? What can I improve? and take appropriate action. Never stop learning.”
Pas closed out with an encouragement for the supervisors to have fun as their career progresses. He also encouraged them to apply for hospitality scholarships available through the Education Foundation.
Karolin Troubetzkoy, current Chairwoman, said “The Education Foundation thanks Tom for his ongoing support, and AHATA for their endorsement in Aruba. We are delighted to be partnering with the Aruba Time Share Association, in the current sold-out island-wide hospitality & tourism training project.”
Learn more about the training opportunities and scholarships available at chtaef.com.
