ORANJESTAD, Aruba
-- The government of Aruba dismissed its employees at mid-day June
6 so they could join police, Dutch marines and FBI agents in the
search for Natalee Holloway, the missing Alabama teen, who
disappeared more than a week ago.
Aruba, long
considered a "safe" island for tourists, "has never dealt with
anything like this," a spokesman said. "Everyone on the island is
consumed by the search and is participating in any way they
can."
The tourist board
and the government both contributed portions of the $50,000 reward
posted by the family.
Meanwhile,
although the tourist board has fielded some consumer queries and
concerns about travel to the island, wholesalers have reported no
cancellations or postponements.
To contact
reporter Gay Nagle Myers, send e-mail to [email protected].