Speakers at the fifth Cayman Islands Tourism Exchange held at the Ritz-Carlton in Grand Cayman. L-R: Director of Tourism Pilar Bush, Tourism Minister Hon Charles Clifford, President of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association (CITA) Karie Bergstrom, Executive Director of CITA Ken Thompson and Sister Islands Tourism Association Chevala Burke.

About 100 international travel wholesalers and local stakeholders on Monday 8 May heard Government’s plans to lure more stay-over visitors to the Cayman Islands using a public-private sector strategy.

Tourism Minister Hon Charles Clifford, told the audience at the fifth annual Cayman Islands Tourism Exchange (CITE) at the Ritz-Carlton in Grand Cayman that both bodies had a common goal. 

“The ministry and the Department of Tourism continue to work closely with the private sector, and with each of our industry partners, to achieve a single goal - returning stay- over visitor arrivals to pre-Ivan levels.

“In the past, a steady march forward has done much to achieve this, but a strong and sustained second year is required to turn this goal into a reality,” he said.

The 7 to 9 May event gave over 20 local tourism operators an opportunity to provide information on their products and services to the wholesalers, according to the Cayman Islands Tourism Association (CITA).

The organisers, CITA, labelled the wholesalers as an important entity for the Cayman tourism sector. 
“The local operators’ key objectives of CITE are to reaffirm existing business relationships and to form new ones where possible with this important group in the travel distribution chain.”

Mr Clifford used the occasion to further commit his administration’s support for the national flag carrier Cayman Airways.

“I encourage you to work closely with Cayman Airways. This Government considers our national flag carrier as an essential service to the industry.

“I’m happy to tell you that Cayman Airways is here to stay and the Government’s support of our airline is beyond question,” he said.  

With that came the announcement that the airline will team up with the DOT to woo more stay-over visitors to the Islands, which have seen a decline in the past few years. 

“The department will continue to work closely with Cayman Airways by putting tactical offers in the marketplace and supporting each offer with advertising and promotion,” he said.

Among the attractions being drummed up for the visitors are the Summer Splash, soft adventure and nature tourism with a special vacation package for the Sister Islands of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.

Cruise passengers are targeted with a promise of airport transfers if they convert to land- based guests and the purchase of a Cayman Summer Splash package, according to the Minister.

Some of the strategies to get more cruisers to return on longer stays are improvements to visitor experience from arrival to departure, including facilities like the Royal Watler Terminal in George Town.
Mr Clifford updated the forum on redevelopment of the terminal building at the Owen Roberts Airport and site preparations for an airport on Little Cayman.

“The development will be sited on what is currently Crown property located to the northeast of the existing airfield. It will include a 4,000-foot long by 100-foot wide runway, apron, terminal and fire rescue facilities,” he said of the Little Cayman facility. 

He disclosed that unit would be established to bring about a well-managed public transportation system in Grand Cayman. 

“With this unit will come a better organised, more credible and disciplined public transportation system, a programme to standardise public transport vehicles and uniforms for licensed operators,” he said.

He also said that the Special Management Areas in the North Sound are in the process of being drafted into legislation for better operations at Stingray City and other primary marine attractions.

He added that the safety and quality experience of guests, environment protection and the need to better manage the natural resources were vital in the development of the hospitality industry here.  

As part of their ongoing teamwork with the ministry, the private sector would be given greater say in the industry by being part of the Tourism Authority, which is scheduled to be operational next year.

“This transition is truly representative of the commitment of this Government to an increased public-private sector partnership in the management and development of this – our tourism industry,” Mr Clifford said. 

Some of the key local stakeholders present at the event were Director of Tourism Pilar Bush, President of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association Karie Bergstrom, Sister Islands Tourism Association representative Chevala Burke and General Manager of Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman Jean Cohen. 

paul@caymannetnews.com