Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management Studies
About our faculty
The Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management Studies (FHTMS) was founded in the Academic Year 2004 – 2005. The fully accredited FHTMS program is a unique program designed to prepare students with the knowledge and skills needed to assume leadership roles and to be successful citizens of character in the global hospitality and tourism industry and the community at large.
Academic programs
The faculty offers a fully accredited three-year Bachelor of Science in the area of Hospitality and Tourism Management. During the program, you will develop academic, professional, and personal skills and competencies in Hospitality and Tourism Management. You will be introduced to the various business aspects of Hospitality and Tourism, including Organization & Management, Sales & Marketing, Human Resources & Training, Operations & Technology, Economics, and Finance & Accounting. You will also explore the international world of tourism, and learn about the role and importance of sustainability in culture, heritage, nature, and the environment.
FHTMS focuses on conducting applied and scientific research and delivering services that benefit the Aruban hospitality community and tourism industry. The FHTMS consists of undergraduate and graduate programs. The three-year undergraduate program provides students with a scientific, research-based program emphasizing business principles and management theories in hospitality and the international tourism industry. The graduate program offers a business management development program leading to a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree.
Graduate
Study Resources and Downloads
For all downloads, including study guides, schedules, book lists and more, please use the button below.
Go to Study ResourcesInternational opportunities
Students can complete part of the bachelor’s degree by following courses abroad.
FHTMS collaborates with a number of foreign universities to organize exchange programs based on the Erasmus+ mobility program and other non-Erasmus exchange.
If you don’t study in Aruba but wish to take courses at the UA Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management Studies, you might be eligible to do an exchange program at our university.
Contact the Office of International Affairs for more information
Vision and mission
Vision
The vision of the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management Studies of the University of Aruba is to continue to inspire students to realize their full potential and serve as well-rounded team players who contribute to a sustainable H&T industry and to be the number one choice of hospitality and tourism programs in the region.
Mission
Our mission is to prepare students with the knowledge and skills needed to assume leadership roles and to be successful life-long learners of character in the community with a focus on the global hospitality and tourism industry. Our faculty fulfills its mission in a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment and aims to provide business, (non-) government, and professional communities of Aruba and the region with qualified well-trained graduates. FHTMS focuses on conducting applied and scientific research and delivering services that benefit the hospitality community and the tourism industry.
Philosophy FHTMS (Value Statement)
FHTMS is founded on the principles of flexibility, responsibility, integrity, creativity, and sustainability, which serve as a guiding educational philosophy, and reflects the values and beliefs of staff and students.
Faculty Program Learning Objectives (PLOs)
- Identify and apply the knowledge and skills necessary for hospitality and tourism operations.
- Develop and integrate a core set of business skills necessary to successfully operate a hospitality and tourism organization.
- Demonstrate competence in the communication skills necessary for hospitality and tourism management.
- Formulate business decisions in hospitality and tourism management.
- Evaluate leadership principles necessary in the diverse and global hospitality and tourism industry.
Click here to view the Program Student Profile.
Quality Assurance
The University of Aruba’s Hospitality & Tourism Program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA) which was initially established by the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education (ICHRIE). The program was accredited in 2019 and was the first program in Aruba to be accredited by ACPHA.
Accreditation is a status granted to an institution, program, or other entity that meets stated criteria of quality. Accreditation has two fundamental purposes: to assure quality and to assure improvement and is voluntary. Various factors enter into a program’s decision to seek this status. Accredited programs have undergone a rigorous process of self-assessment and peer review and have met standards established by the profession itself.
ACPHA accreditation Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management
JOB PLACEMENT RATES (Hospitality / Tourism Sector only)
- Year 2021-2022: 57%
- Year 2022-2023: 60%
- Year 2023-2024: 45%
RETENTION RATE (Source OEA Dept.)
- Year 2021-2022: 86%
- Year 2022-2023: 90%
- Year 2023-2024: 71%
Partner institutions
The Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management Studies of the University of Aruba has a wide range of cooperation agreements with different universities. Courses are taught not only by faculty members of the University of Aruba but also by visiting professors from various other universities.
Explore our Partner InstitutionsFaculty dean and vice-dean
“People will forget what you said, forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ~ Maya Angelou
Faculty Staff
All full-time staff members (lecturers) are Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE) certified. As a result of prioritizing CHE attainment, FHTMS has demonstrated to UA and its students, their strong commitment to providing an excellent student-centered learning environment. All FHTMS staff members (lecturers) have a sound understanding of pedagogy, active teaching methods, and evidence-based teaching techniques, as evidenced by their successful completion of the CHE full workshop, written examination, and instructional video examination required for certification. Furthermore, there is a requisite ongoing education and re-certification every five years to maintain one’s CHE designation.
The staff is encouraged to pursue their PhD and other qualifications such as professional memberships Register Accountant RA (Dutch qualification comparable to CPA), Certified Public Accountant CPA, Certified Hospitality Educator CHE, and Continuing Legal Professional Development (CLPD) that ensures up to date and high quality transfer of knowledge. Faculty members are encouraged to write academic papers in their area of expertise to present at academic forums or publish in academic journals.
Dean since 2022 and a University lecturer since 2016, Ms. Lee has over 15 years of experience in the public and private sectors as well as in the Tourism Industry. Working in different functions as marketing manager, business advisor, and consultant she brings her experiences to the classrooms in the courses of Introduction to Marketing, Organizational Fundamentals in International Business, International Management, and Strategic Management. She holds a Master of Science degree in Business Economics with a specialization in Marketing Management. She is currently pursuing her Doctoral degree in Education from the University of South Carolina.
Field of Expertise
Marketing, Business and Management
Email : sue-ann.lee@ua.aw
Phone : (297) 526-2240
Vice Dean, Full-Time Lecturer and Researcher, Vice Dean, Assistant Professor, and Faculty Accreditation Officer, Dr. Jadnanansing has 31 years of professional experience in the private and public sectors in Europe and the Caribbean. She holds a Doctoral degree in Management Sciences from the University of Aruba, a Postgraduate degree in Financial Auditing (Register Accountant-RA), and a Master’s degree in Business Economics, both from Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam (Netherlands). In 2009, she joined the faculty as a full-time professor in Leadership and Management. Her expertise lies in the areas of leader behavior, corporate governance, and general and strategic management in private sector organizations
Field of Expertise
Management, Leadership, Leader Behavior
Email : madhu.jad@ua.aw
Phone : (297) 526-2242
Dr. Illes holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology (Hons) with a Minor in English from Webster University and a Master’s Degree in Social and Organizational Psychology from Leiden University. She earned her Doctoral Degree in Psychology from Leiden University after successfully defending her dissertation on value conflict mediation. At the University of Aruba, Dr. Illes teaches Psychology and Academic Reading & Writing at the undergraduate level, and The Psychology of Effective Communication and The Self-Development Lab at the graduate level. She also coordinates the MBA program. A social psychologist by trade and an artist at heart, Dr. Illes is also the author of several collections of poetry, and short stories as well as a children’s book.
Field of Expertise
Social Psychology, Conflict Management and Communication
Email : rosabelle.illes@ua.aw
Phone : (297) 526-2248
Dr. Kimberly Grệaux has a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmaceutical Science and a Master’s degree in Health Science with a specialization in Health Promotion and Nutrition and Health from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Her research interest is the implementation, continuation, and evaluation of integrated approaches targeting unhealthy lifestyles such as malnutrition, physical inactivity, and alcohol and drug abuse. She obtained her PhD in Health Science from Maastricht University. Kimberly is a full-time lecturer and researcher, where she teaches research courses to both undergraduate and graduate students.
Field of Expertise
Research and Health Science
Email : kimberly.greaux@ua.aw
Phone : (297) 526-2246
Visiting Professor Dr. DiPietro earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and her Master of Business Administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She then went on to get her Ph.D. in Community and Human Resources from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as well. She has 20 years of restaurant experience with a Burger King franchisee, Horizon Holding Inc. based in the Midwest. Since 2003, she has taught at the University of Central Florida, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and the University of South Carolina where she has been since 2009. Her research areas include multi-unit restaurant management and human resource issues in food service operations. She teaches Strategic Management, Training and Development, and Advanced Foodservice Operations courses at the University of South Carolina.
Email : rdipietr@mailbox.sc.edu
Academic Advisor, University lecturer, and PhD student, Ms. T has 18 years of experience in the Hospitality Industry and Public Sectors in Aruba and the US. Mrs. Nierop received a bachelor’s degree at Florida International University (USA) in Hotel and Restaurant Management, followed by a master’s degree in business administration with an interest in International Business earned at the University of Colorado Springs (USA). She has seven years of teaching experience and has been a full-time lecturer since 2006 specializing in Human Resources, Marketing, and Principles of Tourism.
Field of Expertise
Human Resources, Marketing, Principles of Tourism
Email : thais.nierop@ua.aw
Phone : (297) 526-2241
University lecturer, Mr. Wardlaw was born and bred in England, with nearly 40 years of experience teaching and working in the hospitality and tourism industry. John earned a teacher’s certificate from De La Salle College in Manchester (UK), a Bachelor’s from the Open University (UK), and a master’s in education from Lehigh University in Pennsylvania (USA). John merged those experiences when he joined the UA in 2007 as a lecturer in FHTMS where he has taught a variety of subjects. Until becoming Dean he was the Faculty Advisor and Vice Dean.
Email : john.wardlaw@ua.aw
Phone : (297) 526-2240
University lecturer. Ms. Croes has 10 years of professional experience in the tourism and hospitality industry, including digital marketing strategy; timeshare sales, and small business consulting. She holds bachelor’s degrees in international hospitality management from Christelijke Hogeschool NoordNederland in Leeuwarden (NL), and Business Information Technology and Communication from Hogeschool Rotterdam (NL). She also has a master’s degree in international Leisure and Tourism Studies from the University of North London (UK). Mrs. Croes teaches Information Systems, Guest Services Management, Timeshare Management, Destination Marketing, Digital & Social Media Strategy, and Introduction to Tourism Marketing. Ms. Jo is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in Education at the University of South Carolina.
Field of Expertise
Events, Meetings, Timeshare, Digital, Destination Marketing and Management
Email : jo-anne.croes@ua.aw
Phone : (297) 526-2243
University lecturer, Ms van der Linden has a Master of Science in Strategic Management and a Research Master in Business, with a focus in strategy and organization from Tilburg University. She is an adept business researcher, and strategist and has a tenure of 10+ years encompassing business advisory, finance, and the tourism industry. She is also the co-founder and partner at Business IQ a strategy and business research consulting firm that seeks to guide clients with better market insights and decision-making through evidence-based and applied studies. Ms. van der Linden is a lecturer at the University of Aruba’s Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management Studies, where she teaches business and strategy courses.
University lecturer (part-time), Honorary Counsel of Jamaica in Aruba. Mr. Taylor is a Certified Public Accountant CPA with post-graduate degrees from the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, De Monfort University, and the City of London University and with almost 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry as Director of Finance throughout the Caribbean including the Dominican Republic, St Maarten, Bonaire, and Jamaica and Aruba.
Field of Expertise
Corporate Finance, Corporate Valuations
Email : donald.taylor@ua.aw
Phone : (297) 526-2244
Publications
An overview of his publications can be found here: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Don-Taylor.
University lecturer (part-time). Mr. Rincones has a Master of Arts in Spanish Language and Culture and is specialized in Applied Linguistics. He Graduated from the University of Utrecht in The Netherlands and has researched in the areas of Language and Vocabulary Acquisition. Rincones has broad experience in education, both in The Netherlands and in Aruba. Since 2001 he has taught Spanish at Colegio Arubano and is also a mentor and thesis coach. He has also taught courses in Language and Communication at the Instituto Pedagogico Arubano.
Email : everick.rincones@ua.aw
Entrepreneur, Sommelier & University lecturer (part-time), finished his Bachelor of International Hospitality Management at CHN Leeuwarden, The Netherlands, and obtained a Master of Arts in International Service Management in 2009. Opened The Wine Room, a wine bar and fine wine importer and distribution in 2012 and joined the University of Aruba in 2018, teaching Restaurant Management for the Juniors and Wines, beer, and spirits as an elective for the Seniors. In 2018 also obtained a Sommelier Certification from WSET (Wines & Spirits Education Trust).
University lecturer (part-time) and project coordinator for Metabolic Foundation. Ms. Mettes has a master’s degree in environmental science from the sustainable development program at Utrecht University. She has been a part-time lecturer at the University of Aruba since 2017. As project coordinator for Metabolic Foundation, she has worked in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Kingston Jamaica, and since 2016 has been based in Aruba where she works on plastic recycling and digital fabrication.
University lecturer (part-time) and Multi-Property Director of Casino Operations finished his Bachelor of Science in Finance at The University of Tampa, U.S.A., in 2014 and holds a Gaming Management Certificate from the University of Nevada- Reno. Has been working with The Ritz-Carlton Aruba as of 2015, grew progressively through multiple finance leadership roles until the executive position of Director of Operations for multiple Casinos in the Caribbean for Marriott’s luxury brands ( St. Regis & The Ritz-Carlton) and joined the University of Aruba in 2022, teaching as an elective Casino Management for the Seniors.
University lecturer (part-time) and General Manager for Stellaris Casino. After graduating with his Master of Arts in International Service Management from London Metropolitan University, Ben joined Marriott as a Revenue Analysis Manager at the Curacao Marriott and progressed in his career as Director of Revenue Strategy for Aruba Marriott while supporting Curacao. In 2013 Ben took over the leadership of Stellaris Casino at Aruba Marriott as Casino Director of Operations and was later promoted to General Manager where he continues to lead the business to all-time high results. Ben enjoys reading about the economy, investments, and real estate.
With a passion for tourism and a commitment to the well-being of Aruba, Marisol has built a career in the tourism industry, with various positions in the public and private sectors. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in International Tourism Management from the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management Studies at the University of Aruba in 2011 and went on to achieve a master’s degree in International Management from Tilburg University in 2015. Currently, Marisol works as a Communications Manager at the Aruba Tourism Authority, overseeing international communications. She also shares her expertise as a part-time lecturer at the FHTMS, nurturing the next generation of tourism professionals.
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