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Minister of Tourism andDeputy Leader of Government Business calls for...

Unity in Tourism

Photo: Miguel Escalante

Hon. McKeeva Bush, Minister of Tourismand Deputy Leader of Government Business

Minister of Tourism. the Hon. McKeeva Bushhas called for unification of the various organisations representingthe tourism industry "for the benefit of the country."

In a meeting with over 100 representatives of the Cayman IslandsHotel and Condominium Association (CIHCA) and the Cayman TourismAlliance (CTA) held on Friday, 24th November, which the Ministerdescribed as "positive,"he told the representativesof the two bodies that there was no room for both and that theregional Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) would recognise onlyone umbrella organisation.

CIHCA, which has been around for 30 years, is already recognisedby the CHA as well as other international industry bodies. CTAwas formed just under a year ago and includes representativesof the hotels, condominiums, restaurants, transport, watersportsand allied trades.

In the same vein, Mr. Bush spoke of the need for a closer workingrelationship between the ministry and the Department of Tourism(DoT) and for collaboration between the sector and the Departmentof Environment (DoE) in monitoring tourism's effect on the environment.Mr. Bush also has portfolio responsibility for the DoE.

He is currently in Miami for meetings with the heads of the DoT'sregional offices and the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association.

Noting that "tourism is for everyone," Mr. Bush addressedat the meeting, a wide range of issues affecting Cayman's tourismproduct. These included beach erosion; additional tourist attractions;ensuring that all players in the sector receive a fair return;reports of poaching of fish pots by divers, and the expansionof the port and cruise ship pier. While he said that he did notfavour deepening of the George Town harbour, he noted that allproposals for the port's expansion would be considered.

Mr. Bush acknowledged that there had been complaints by some hoteliersof the high cost of airlines seat to Cayman. Airline industrysources indicate that fares to the islands are among the highestin the region.

The Tourism Minister said that he would be seeking the assistanceof the players in the sector to reduce expenses and to ensurethat the sector got "value for money," and more forwhat is spent on advertising and marketing. He pledged that therewill be accountability in his ministry's discharge of its duties.
The tourism budget is $25 million.

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