Community
Cayman Tourism Alliance HadSuccessful 2000
Mr. Rod McDowall
(file photo)
The year 2000 was a very busy and successfulone for the Cayman Tourism Alliance (CTA).
Numerous projects and events for the tourism industry and theCayman Islands community as well as extensive government relationsbuilding initiatives were highlighted by CTA President, Mr. RodMcDowall, at the well-attended Annual General Meeting held onWednesday, 31st January, 2001 at the Marriott Resort.
The CTA's key achievements in the area of industry advocacy includedthe communication of its position on key issues to Governmentto create a more efficient business environment for tourism businesses.The CTA addressed various aspects in relation to Immigration,Minimum Wage, Duty on Liquor and Liquor Licensing that impacton businesses in the tourism and hospitality industry.
In the area of industry relations, the CTA worked closely withthe Department of Tourism to develop and implement internationalmarketing campaigns promoting the Cayman Islands. The CTA continuesto work with the Cayman Islands Hotel and Condominium Associationto form one tourism association to represent the Cayman Islandstourism industry.
Key events for the CTA include the organising of SCUBABOWL, theworld's largest dive familiarisation held in the Cayman Islands;the coordination and organising of Cayman Islands Pavilion atthe Dive Equipment and Marketing Association Trade Show (DEMA)in 2000 and 2001; as well as the organising of the Taste of Caymanincluding the Taste of Cayman Golf Tournament and Chili Cook-off.
The CTA was also involved with numerous other events and marketinginitiatives such as Travel Agents and Journalist FamiliarisationTours, Chillin' N Cayman, Key to Cayman, and many others.
Community events and services are a key focus of the CTA and includedthe CTA Launch Party at Discovery Point, Lighthouse School ChristmasParty, monthly lunches for residents of the Pines Retirement Home,provision of food for the annual Rotary Boxing Day Party for seniorcitizens, raising $70,000 for new 'special needs' playground forthe Lighthouse School, and the provision of funding for threescholarships for tourism-related study for Caymanians and theorganisation of the Parade of Lights.
The CTA organised a number of tourism, hospitality and business-relatedtraining courses for its members and was a key sponsor of theJobs and Career Expo.
The annual elections followed the presentation of the CTA highlightsfor the year 2000. The elected directors are:
For the Watersports sector: Mr. Rod McDowall, Red Sail Sports;Ron Kipp, Bob Soto's Diving; Troy Burke, Ocean Frontiers.
For the Hotel sector: Martin van der Laan, Marriott Beach Resort;Doug Sears, Hyatt; and Sandy Thompson, Sleep Inn.
For the Restaurant and Nightclub sector: Mike Flowers - Lone StarBar and Grill; Joey Hew, MacDonald's Chicken De-lite; Suzy Soto,Cracked Conch by the Sea.
For the Condominium Sector: Marlene Bodden, Regal Beach Club.
For the Tourism Transport Sector: Larry Tibbetts, Delta Airlines.
For the Sister Islands: Dan Tibbetts, Little Cayman Beach Resort.
The directors appointed Rod McDowall as President, Ron Kipp asVice President, Martin van der Laan as Treasurer and Troy Burkeas Secretary of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors.
The new board's first priority is the amalgamation with the CaymanIslands Hotel and Condominium Association and is united in movingthis process forward.
The AGM was followed by networking drinks, which members, guestsand newly elected directors enjoyed.
The Cayman Tourism Alliance was formed about 18 months ago throughthe successful merger of the Cayman Islands Watersports OperatorsAssociation, the Cayman Islands Restaurant Association, a majorityof the Cayman Islands hotels and condominiums, tourism transportproviders and allied tourism service providers.
The CTA represents over 140 active and allied members, and isactive in the areas of industry advocacy, marketing and events,industry development and membership services
For more information about the CTA or the CTA Annual General Meeting,please call 949 8522, fax 946 8522 or email ciwoa@candw.ky.