LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Less traffic, more luxury
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Dear Sir,
I would just like to comment that I agree with much of
what was said in the Editorial “Questioning the High Cost of Tourism in the
Cayman Islands”, but I believe that one significant issue has been missed.
That issue being the impact on overnight guests of
having too many cruise ships/tourists in port.
I understand that the cruise industry may have been
needed to jump start the tourist industry in Cayman after the effects of
Hurricane Ivan, when space to stay on the islands was limited, but now that
hotels are back up and running and condos are rebuilt, I think it is important
for those in charge to decide what they want to be.
If you are looking to be a luxury vacation destination,
then I believe the increase in cruise traffic will do nothing but detract from
the luxury experience. If you want to be a destination that makes its money
from high volume of visitors, then inviting more cruise ships is the way to
go. I don’t believe you can have it both ways.
I enjoy your island when the atmosphere is relaxed and I
do not have to fight for a spot on the beach or fight my way to a counter in
one of the shops.
As a visitor to the island, I would never attempt to
purchase a nice piece of jewelry for my wife, or a watch or pen for myself,
when ships are scheduled to be in port. In fact I would stay away from the
stores entirely, which would prevent me from stumbling on to that “unexpected
find” that I can’t do without.
Is it really necessary to double the population of Grand
Cayman with one week’s cruise traffic?
To use the Hawaiian islands as an analogy, would you
rather be Oahu or Maui? I am hoping you choose to be like Maui. Less traffic,
more luxury.
That is what is going to attract the overnight guest who
is willing to spend the money to stay at the Ritz, Westin, Hyatt, Mandarin
Oriental or to rent a luxury house.
Kevin Hammons
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