Tourism Update

Grand Cayman’s tourism recovery effort reached a major milestone with the arrival of the first two cruise ships on 1 November. The familiar sight of visitors enjoying our beaches, sightseeing and shopping is expected to gradually increase as the recovery process continues. To see the cruise ship schedule, please visit the Port Authority website at www.caymanport.com/schedule.htm.

Accommodations Alert

To date all major properties have been inspected to confirm their current status and many of them will be at least partially operational by the end of November. The Department of Tourism is notifying all accommodation properties on Grand Cayman that licenses issued to them prior to 12 September are now null and void. This will alow re-inspection and re-licensing to take place, ensuring the safety and quality of properties before full re-opening.

27th Annual Caribbean Tourism Conference

In October, senior government officials and representatives from the Department of Tourism attended the 27th Annual Caribbean Tourism Conference in Aruba demonstrating the importance our Government has placed on rebuilding our tourism industry.

During the four-day conference, Minister of Tourism and Leader of Government Business the Hon. McKeeva Bush met with regional counterparts to discuss international aide programmes for hurricane-ravaged islands.

Acting Director of Tourism Pilar Bush attended meetings to discuss regional tourism management and marketing issues, post-Hurricane Ivan tourism industry openings and image management of hurricane-impacted islands in key markets.

Representatives from CIDOT Tourism Development Services staff also attended workshops, seminars and site inspections on product development.