With Cayman Craft Market set to open up its cultural charms to the public on 21 September, this long-awaited artisans’ marketplace will see thousands of visitors a day.
Both the construction and the management of the market are being run by the Tourism Attraction Board under CEO Gilbert Connolly.
Since a grand opening of the Craft Market under the former Government, just before the elections, the opening of the market has been delayed until now by the new Government.
There have been a number of issues that have caused this, explained Mr. Connolly.
Firstly, the construction of the facility had not been fully completed; secondly, there were a number of administrative issues that had to be resolved; and thirdly, the new government had to find additional funding to take the project forward. The latter involved an additional budget of $75,000 to upgrade the facility, including putting air conditioning in the main building and including office space in the building.
The TAB had been given $110,000 for the project under the previous administration.
‘Now we have resolved the administrative issues and the work on the building is just about completed. The six tents still need to be erected and there are still a few remaining things to be done, but the plan is that it will all be finished by 21 September,’ he said.
The site is on the corner of Boilers Road and Harbour Drive in George Town on land donated by the Kirkconnell family.
One of the goals of the Craft Market, he explained, is to only sell Caymanian goods. There will be those products that can be identified as being 100 per cent Caymanian, such as conch shells found here. There are other semi-finished products that may be imported here, but completed here, reflecting the Caymanian culture. Resources may also be imported from abroad and used to make products locally.
‘Products made and completed abroad will not be accepted,’ said Mr. Connolly.
One potential concern is that with only a small number of Caymanians that mass produce their crafts and the majority of people making crafts doing so on an individual basis, at some point in the future there may not be enough supplies.
From the outset, 70 to 80 artisans and craftspeople had expressed interest in the Craft Market, but as it will only be able to accommodate 20 at any given time, if there are enough people signed up, a rotation system will be put in place.
This will be done in a way that tries to ensure a market with a diverse range of goods.
‘Until we have processed applications and know who will be approved we do not know exactly what the goods will be, but the indications are that we will have good representation of product,’ said Mr. Connolly.
Organisers are creating a market that offers a very high standard of customer service.
‘We have established rules of conduct for vendors who are licensed to trade at the market,’ he said.
Although bargaining will be permitted, there will be no aggressive behaviour permitted on the behalf of traders in trying to get the best price for goods.
Although the market’s main customers will be cruise tourists, it is envisaged that stay-over tourists, locals and residents will enjoy what it has to offer also.
It will initially open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 3pm on days when cruise ships are in port.
For the opening date of 21 September there will be one ship in port, to ease artisans into their new venture.
The facility may also be used in the evenings for other events such as music concerts.
Refreshments will also be on sale at the site, and another much needed facility – restrooms – will be available.
‘It is well known that there is a shortage of restrooms in George Town for tourists and this was part of the plan as a way to try to alleviate that,’ said Mr. Connolly.
TAB is also managing the Pirates Week Festival and this year’s Pirates Week, from 27 October to 6 November, promises to be bigger and brighter than ever before.
Also, the TAB is trying to better utilise the manpower and resources in running the Pirates Week office.
‘One idea we’re now working to develop and implement is that the Pirates Week office take on the responsibility for one additional annual event and that it will offer assistance to other festivals or national events,’ he said.
It is also hoped to develop a national calendar of events.
Other attractions managed by the TAB include Pedro St. James, Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park and Hell. The office is in charge of budgeting, accounting and marketing each attraction while on-site management takes care of the day to day running of the facilities.
Related Videos
