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
STUDENT JOB PLACEMENT WITHIN THREE MONTHS OF GRADUATION IN FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT
- 2020-2021 (full-time employment) with 50% in the hospitality industry or related field
- 2021-2022 (full-time employment) with 57% in the hospitality industry or related field
OUR THREE YEAR RETENTION RATE PERCENT OF STUDENTS
- 2019-2020 67%
- 2020-2021 70%
- 2021-2022 66%
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.
John Wardlaw is born and bred in England, with close to 40 years of experience in 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 from the Open University (UK), and a Master in Education from LeHigh University in Pennsylvania (USA). John merged those experiences when he joined the University of Aruba 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. In 2014 John was awarded the CHE. Certified Hospitality Educator which was renewed in 2019.
Email : john.wardlaw@ua.aw
Phone : (297) 526-2240
Vice Dean, Full-Time Lecturer and Researcher, Faculty Accreditation Officer. Madhu has over 27 years of professional experience in the private and public sector in Europe and the Caribbean. She holds a doctorate (PhD) degree in Management Sciences from University of Aruba, a post-graduate degree (post-doctoraal) in Financial Auditing (Registeraccountant-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 lecturing and conducting research in Leadership and Management. Her expertise lies in the Leadership area.
Field of Expertise
Management, Leadership, Leader Behavior
Email : madhu.jad@ua.aw
Phone : (297) 526-2242
Thais Nierop-Kappel has since 1998 experience in the Hospitality Industry and Public Sectors both in Aruba and in 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 at Colorado Springs (USA). She has 15 years of teaching experience and has been a full-time lecturer since 2006 specializing in Human Resources, Marketing, and Tourism. She is also the Academic Advisor and is passionate in guiding students to be successful in their studies.
Field of Expertise
Human Resources, Marketing, Principles of Tourism
Email : thais.nierop@ua.aw
Phone : (297) 526-2241
Don Taylor is a Certified Public Accountant and an Attorney with post graduate degrees from the University of the West Indies, City of London University and DeMontfort University. He has over 20 years management experience in the hospitality industry throughout the Caribbean including Bonaire, St.Kitts, Dominican Republic and St. Maarten . In addition he has attended post graduate programs on Corporate Finance and Financial Engineering at Harvard Business School in Cambridge , Massachusetts and Stanford Business School at Palo Alto .He is currently pursuing his PhD in Law focusing on property rights theory and economic outcomes in the Caribbean.
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.
Jo-Anne Croes has over 15 years of professional experience in the tourism and hospitality industry, including digital marketing strategy; timeshare sales, and small business consulting. She holds Bachelor Degrees in International Hospitality Management from Christelijke Hogeschool Noord Nederland 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, Meetings and Events Management, Timeshare Management, Destination Marketing, and Introduction to Tourism Marketing.
Field of Expertise
Events, Meetings, Timeshare, Digital, Destination Marketing and Management
Email : jo-anne.croes@ua.aw
Phone : (297) 526-2243
Sue-Ann Lee holds a Master of Science degree in Economics with a major in Business, and specialization in Marketing and Management from the University of Groningen. Sue-Ann has been a lecturer at the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management Studies (FHTMS) since 2016 and started her new role as Dean of the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management Studies April 1st 2022. She has over ten years of experience in the public and private sector working in roles such as consultant, manager, advisor. She gathered her experience at different places such as Deloitte, Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association (AHATA), Ministry of Tourism and Ministry Tourism and Culture . She also worked as an entrepreneur in setting up her own consultancy business, working and advising on different projects in the field of business development, marketing, and reorganization.
Field of Expertise
Marketing, Business and Management
Email : sue-ann.lee@ua.aw
Phone : (297) 526-2240
Kimberly Grêaux is a PhD-student with a background in health promotion (Health Science). Her research interest is the implementation and continuation of health promotion interventions and an integrated approach to target obesity and alcohol and drug abuse. Kimberly has also a broad experience of teaching at the Maastricht University with Bachelor as well as with Master students. Her teaching specialties are a combination of the theoretical and practical aspects especially focused on developing research skills.
Field of Expertise
Research and Health Science
Email : kimberly.greaux@ua.aw
Phone : (297) 526-2246
Dr. Hepple currently serves as Assistant Professor with the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management Studies at the University of Aruba. His areas of expertise include tourism policy and development and tourism destination marketing. Jim has broad experience of hospitality and tourism management within the Caribbean having served for eight years as head of the Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association and prior to that as Director of Tourism for Trinidad and Tobago as well as for Curacao. He was also a special advisor to the Saint Lucia Tourist Board and served as Deputy Director of Tourism for the Bahamas. He taught for a number of years at the tourism campus of the University of the West Indies. His primary responsibility within the FHTMS is the MBA program but he also teaches at the undergraduate level.
Field of Expertise
Tourism policy and development
Email : jim.hepple@ua.aw
Phone : (297) 526-2245
Dr. Rosabelle 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.
After conducting research on mediation techniques designed to navigate and resolve value-based disputes, she successfully defended her doctoral dissertation entitled “Between a Rock and Hard Place: Challenges, Strategies and Resolution of Value Conflict Mediation”, granting her a PhD in Psychology from Leiden University.
Currently, Dr. Illes is an Assistant Professor at the University of Aruba’s Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management Studies, where she teaches psychology courses to both undergraduate and graduate students and coordinates the Master of Business Administration program.
Field of Expertise
Social Psychology, Conflict Management and Communication
Email : rosabelle.illes@ua.aw
Phone : (297) 526-2248
Everick 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.
Field of Expertise
Spanish Language and Culture, Applied Linguistics
Email : everick.rincones@ua.aw
Dr. Robin DiPietro (Honorary Professor) 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, 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 foodservice operations. She currently teaches Strategic Management, Training and Development, and Advanced Foodservice Operations courses at the University of South Carolina.
Email : rdipietr@mailbox.sc.edu
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