Minister for Tourism Charles Clifford and a large delegation from the Cayman Islands are at an international dive trade show in Las Vegas this week, following last week’s visit to a cruise conference in St. Kitts.
DEMA (Diving Equipment and Marketing Association) Show 2005 (4-7 October) sees a delegation of about 30 to 40 representatives from the Cayman Islands. These include Director of Tourism Pilar Bush and DoT staff members along with large representation from the private sector, mostly dive operators and hoteliers.
Booths in the Cayman Islands’ pavilion include Hewlett-Packard, Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, Cayman Airways, Cayman Islands Tourism Association, Brac Beach Reef Resort, Dive Tech, Divi Tiara, Don Foster’s Dive, Little Cayman Beach Resort, Ocean Frontiers and Red Sail Sports.
It is understood the Minister returned from St. Kitts last week only to fly out to Las Vegas on Monday where he participates in the business of the show and will host a special Cayman Islands social event. He is expected back on island by this weekend.
Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism Timothy Hubbell said the event is most important for the Cayman Islands because a significant amount of dive tourism business is booked through it.
A large delegation from the Cayman Islands also attended the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association Conference which took place from 27-30 September. Promotion of next year’s conference which takes in Grand Cayman was a big item on the delegation’s agenda. The conference will take place at the Westin Casuarina Resort in Grand Cayman from 23-27 October.
Technology highlighted
According to a press release sent to US media from the Department of Tourism, this year at DEMA, the Cayman Islands Pavilion has a digital underwater theme, exemplifying the destination’s reputation as being a leader in the digital age of underwater photography.
‘The technology of underwater photography has changed drastically over the past few years allowing novice photographers to capture the stunning images of underwater life that only a true professional could do in years past,’ reads a press release.
‘Technology is also now paired with convenience, as the Cayman Islands is one of the only dive destinations to offer high speed internet at most resort properties, allowing divers to download underwater images as soon as they’ve finished the dive, and send them off to friends and family right from the comfort of their hotel room or even the pool deck. This luxury holds true for select properties on the Sister Islands (Cayman Brac and Little Cayman) as well.’
Attendees visiting the Cayman Islands Pavilion will enter an underwater gateway created to simulate the dramatic underwater landscape of Cayman’s crystal clear waters. Photographers will be on-hand to create a special keepsake, superimposing images of the guests diving Grand Cayman’s Stingray City or Cayman Brac’s MV Capt. Keith Tibbetts, the only diveable Russian warship in the Western Hemisphere.
Representatives from Hewlett-Packard will also demonstrate the latest in underwater digital photography equipment, says the release.
‘Underwater photography is a key component of scuba diving, where aside from professionals, beginners have taken a passion to the art,’ said Shomari Scott, the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism’s Marketing and Promotions Manager for the US. ‘We pride ourselves on being at the cutting edge of digital underwater technology through classes and services offered by our dive operators and the fact that many of our properties allow divers to send their images to friends, family and partners back home with ease.’
‘Pristine walls, fascinating shipwrecks, an unrivalled variety of marine life and more than 250 dive sites…the Cayman Islands’ underwater playground is continually named among the top five destinations in the world for diving and snorkelling; and the variety and splendour of its shallow reefs and majestic walls will thrill the explorer in even the most jaded diver.
‘Cayman is the ideal destination for both the advanced and beginner diver and, of course, the underwater photographer,’ says the press release to US media.
Related Videos
