The Cayman Islands Tourism Association has taken a position to oppose the proposed East End Seaport after consulting with its membership and board of directors, and after reviewing the E.I.A report released by the developer.
The issues of concern to the Tourism Industry include:
1- The proposed development has not considered nor aligned with the recommendations and guidelines established in the National Tourism Management Policy 2009-2013 for which the tourism industry was consulted extensively.
2- If all Port Authority operations were relocated to East End, the additional trucking fees would significantly increase the cost of doing business, and therefore drive up the cost of living as well as force up the prices that will have to be charged to visitors and residents. With the Cayman Islands already struggling by being perceived as an expensive destination, an additional increase would have a negative impact on this factor.
3- The project would destroy at least two popular dive sites and damage at least five additional dive sites that are frequented by tourism visitors to East End and Grand Cayman. The quality and variety of dive sites is one of the main attractors for this area of the Island.
4- The developer has acknowledged that the dredging and excavation of the proposed port basin project will negatively impact the East End Water Lens.
5- The project will stimulate negative international media coverage related to the environmental impacts caused by the project.
From a recent CITA membership poll conducted 15 June on the position of the proposed East End Seaport, the majority of the respondents were opposed to the proposed development.
CITA continues to support proposed new projects that can realistically benefit the Tourism Industry, such as the proposed medical tourism hospital; cruise berthing facilities in George Town; Owen Roberts Airport redevelopment and the redevelopment of derelict hotel properties such as the ex-Courtyard Marriott.
Read more in Tuesday’s Caymanian Compass.
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Tourists already perceive the island to be expensive. I have witnessed this myself.
I have seen tourists walk from Spotts dock to Country Side because they do not want to pay a taxi to get into town.
I dont know who thought this would have been a good idea??
Not to mention damaging our dive sites that people from all over the world come to enjoy.