Berthing facility in the works for Cayman

Pilar Bush, Hon Charles Clifford and Michele Paige

Hon Charles Clifford and Will Pineau

Tuesday,  February 21, 2006

Eight months before Grand Cayman hosts the biggest cruise conference in the world, the Government says it has hired two agencies to determine the best location for a berthing facility here. 

Tourism Minister Hon Charles Clifford made the announcement at the Ritz-Carlton Resort on Friday, 17 February as he addressed stakeholders on the upcoming Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association conference in October. 

Mr Clifford did not give details on the agencies investigating that prospect and which locations were being considered. 

Meanwhile, Caymanians are being urged to secure about 80 percent ownership of the local tourism product if they want to remain financially secured. 

That caution came from MLA Lucille Seymour who was at the time addressing the luncheon put on by the Department of Tourism (DOT) last Friday. 

“We have to have ownership of this tourism product. It’s one thing that’s going to keep us financially secured,” said the George Town MLA. 

Ms Seymour explained the principle behind her 80-20 rule for the local tourism and hospitality sector. 

“What we want is for 80 percent of our people to own 80 percent of the product. 

“It’s our way of life, it’s our livelihood, it’s what will make us, it’s what will save us,” she noted. 

She called for a broadening of involvement, the embracing of existing Cayman-owned companies and the encouragement and training of would-be partners.

The luncheon was held to brief stakeholders and the media on the Island’s state of readiness to host the 13th annual Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Conference & Trade Show.

The 31 October to 3 November 2006 event will take place at the Westin and the Ritz-Carlton resorts with over 1,000 cruise partners and executives expected to attend. 

The FCCA said the show would provide a “superb forum to cruise industry partners for the exchange of information, sharing of ideas and cultivation of valuable business relationships”. 

Caribbean Tourism Ministers and the President of Colombia, Alvaro Uribe, are expected to analyse trends and discuss current issues facing the industry. 

Tourism Minister Hon Charles Clifford said the event could lead to more local businesses showcasing their products to leaders and decision makers of the FCCA.

Mr Clifford said the conference would provide “opportunities for strengthening the cruise tourism product”.

“But will also provide our stay-over tourism product with a healthy injection of business,” he added. 

He said the success of the conference hinged on the public-private sector partnership. 

President of the FCCA, Michele Paige, called on the local industry players to be creative to remain competitive. 

“In order to be able to compete in this world market, there has to be a lot of creativity,” she said. 

The FCCA official also urged the business community and residents to take ownership of the sector.

“The Government brought it about to be able to have the people take the benefit. Don’t throw it away,” she said.

Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Commerce, Wil Pineau, gave his organisation’s blessings to the cruise meeting. 

“This conference gives us a great opportunity to really showcase the benefits of cruise ships. This is an opportunity for Cayman to shine. All of us could become ambassadors, taxi operators,” he said.

Mr Pineau had a response to critics of the cruise industry, saying without it the economy could not have been strong.

“Cruise ships are more than just concerns about congestion in George Town, it really impacts on all over lives. Without cruise ships here our economy would not be where it is today,” he said. 

The Chamber of Commerce, he said, is very excited that the FCCA has decided to hold the conference in the Cayman Islands. 

“It’s quite significant the economic benefits it will bring to our country,” said the spokesman for the agency that represents over 600 businesses. 

Mr Pineau also said there are a lot of livelihoods that depend on the cruise industry. 

MLAs Alfonso Wright, Osbourne Bodden and Mrs Seymour, who are serving on the conference organising committee, and a wide cross section of industry leaders and public officers attended the forum.

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