The main priority for the Cayman Islands Tourism Association in its new fiscal year is to regain the ground it lost this past year.
Having undergone a loss of about $100,000 over what was termed a ‘very tough year’ at the non-profit organisation’s Annual General Meeting on Friday at the Westin Casuarina Resort, re-elected President Mark Bastis said there are a lot of challenges to be met in the year ahead. The CITA’s fiscal year runs from 1 April to 31 March.
Mr. Bastis pointed out that the losses were caused by additional expenses brought about in the wake of Hurricane Ivan through the association’s efforts to help its members. The association’s finances were also hampered by last year’s Taste of Cayman because of bad weather conditions and the late arrival of the car, the top raffle prize.
Mr. Bastis said the organisation, like so many of the businesses on the island, suffered from the storm and its new priority is to regain the ground lost through that.
However, Mr. Bastis said the membership had not suffered very much as a result of the hurricane.
According to its mission statement, the Cayman Islands Tourism Association provides leadership, guidance and appropriate services for the benefit of its members and so contributes a viable and sustainable tourism industry.
The re-elected President said he was honoured to be in the position again.
‘Now more than ever we’ve got lots of challenges ahead both physically and from a marketing standpoint.’
He said that along with the committed Board of Directors he looked forward to growth of the organisation in the next year.
The financial report read at the AGM by Karie Bergstrom on behalf of Treasurer Tom McCallum, said although it was a tough year financially for the association, it was growing stronger and stronger as an organisation.
Rod McDowall said membership would have to be looked at with a view to raising revenue. He said there would be proposals to have the membership fee varying depending on the size of company.
Those who were newly elected in the Allied Sector onto the Board of Directors were Karie Bergstrom, Senior Manager, Human Capital Consulting, Deloitte; and Kenneth Hydes, Managing Director, Cayman Turtle Farm Ltd.
Newly elected for the Condo Sector was Effie Mitchell, General Manager Casa Caribe.
Those elected for the Hotel Sector were: Mark Bastis, General Manager, Hyatt Resort; and Nadia Stradling, Sales and Marketing Manager, Comfort Suites.
Elected for the Restaurant Sector was Tom Lasley, Managing Partner, Tropical Trader Restaurant Group.
Elected for the Sister Islands was Max Hillier, SITA President/Divi Tiara General Manager.
Elected for the Transportation Sector was Richard F. Blake, VP Marketing and Sales Cayman Airways; and Kenrick Webster, owner of Webster’s Tours.
Elected in the Watersports Sector was Stephen Broadbelt, owner of Ocean Frontiers.
Newly elected members with the most votes who will serve for two years are: Karie Bergstrom, Richard Blake, Stephen Broadbelt and Nadia Stradling.
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