Dr. Robertico Croes served as the Minister of Tourism and Economic Affairs of Aruba from 1994 to 1998, and was the Minister of Finance from 1998 to 2001.

Robertico Croes is a Professor currently serving as the Associate Dean of Research and Administration at the University of Central Florida Rosen College of Hospitality Management USA. He is also the Director of the Dick Pope Sr. Institute for Tourism Studies. Dr. Croes has authored four books and has more than 100 published works. His research has been presented and applied in many countries. Professor Croes is the recipient of numerous research awards such as the 2018 Thea Sinclair Award.

His fields of interest include: econometrics applications in hospitality and tourism, tourism economic impact, tourism development applied to poverty alleviation, well-being, and tourism specialization and management in small islands and developing countries.

Dr. Croes received his doctorate from the University of Twente, the Netherlands.