Dave Holloway's feelings on the trip

Natalee's father, who I personally have a great deal of empathy for, speaks early on that he was not in favor of the trip at all. He seemed not to win the discussion with Beth and of course would pay the price with having a missing daughter. Dave Holloway said this about his daughter in his book, The Tragic Untold Story of Natalee Holloway and Corruption in Paradise'

"Robin and I have maintained a close, loving relationship with Natalee throughout her childhood and teenage years. We have tried to instill certain values and traits in all of our children that would enable them to succeed in life. Those values include honesty, integrity, morality, and a deep faith in God. We believe that Natalee has a solid foundation in those values."

Dave offered these feelings in the book about the trip when Natalee asked for permission to go. "In February 2005, Natalee called me and asked for permission to go on a trip to Aruba with her graduating class. This is apparently a rite of passage for teenagers all over the country. They convince their parents to allow this onetime privilege as a gift for all of their hard work, and parents often agree, even when their instincts tell them otherwise. I was apprehensive about Natalee taking this type of trip, and I tried to talk her out of it. I did not like the idea of her traveling that far away with so many other students and so few chaperones."