Cayman recognised with awards

The Cayman Islands has been named the Caribbean’s Leading Dive Destination at a private sector awards ceremony. 

The accolade was given at the World Travel Awards, which is now in its 19th year and billed as ‘the travel industry Oscars’ by organisers. It’s voted on by travel agents worldwide and nominations are either from the World Travel Awards, self-nominations or previous winners. 

Jane van der Bol, executive director of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association, said that given the diving options worldwide, it was critical that Cayman received honours. 

“Divers take their dive experiences seriously. They spend a significant amount of money and time training to become a diver and then when they pay for a dive vacation, they want a varied, unique and incredible dive experience,” she said. “With Cayman’s DIVE365 programme of 365 dive sites in our three islands, we have a dive experience like no other for every diver. We deliver on this promise and the award confirms our product.” 

Cayman Islands Premier McKeeva Bush and Director of Tourism Shomari Scott travelled to the Turks & Caicos ceremony to receive the awards. 

“In these austere times, the tourism industry has had to make tough decisions, rethink the way we do business and work harder and smarter to ensure we provide our visitors with exceptional value,” Mr. Bush said. “Receiving awards such as these positively validates those efforts, underscoring that our collective vision and strategy is on the right track. I wholeheartedly commend and applaud our tourism industry partners for their accomplishments on behalf of their organisations and the Cayman Islands tourism product”. 

Conservation important 

Ms van der Bol added that Cayman’s dive operators cared about conservation and that the association worked closely with Cayman Islands Department of the Environment to ensure dive site moorings were kept clean to ensure minimal reef damage. 

“Cayman’s dive sites remain the best because we care about our marine life. Cayman is positioned on a large barrier reef that offers us a unique location for varied dives,” she said.  

“From sand chutes to wrecks to coral reefs to deep wall dives abundant with marine life.  

Between our natural habitat and our passion for our marine life, we maintain and promote a healthy dive opportunity in the Cayman Islands.” 

Other section awards were won by The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman for leading hotel residences and Dolphin Cove, which was named leading adventure excursion operator in the Caribbean region. 

Local awards 

In the Cayman Islands category, Leading Boutique Hotel was Southern Cross Club; Leading Hotel and Leading Resorts, Grand Cayman Beach Suites; Leading Spa Resort, Westin Casuarina Resort & Spa. 

Peter Hillenbrand of Southern Cross Club told the Compass that since its inception in 1958 the club has been “an iconic resort”. 

“But even after 54 years and the boat load of memories, laughter and tears, it is an incredible honour to be recognised for the work we are doing today. Being voted the best boutique resort in the Cayman Islands, with so many other outstanding properties within the cayman islands, is an honour my staff and I hold dear, and are very proud of,” he said. 

Morty Valldejuli, general manager of Westin Casuarina, said there was a great sense of accomplishment felt about the accolade. Je said that meeting and exceeding guest expectations by providing “lasting impressions and memories”. 

Bill Powers of Grand Cayman Beach Suiters said that it was significant that a large percentage of guests visited twice or more, which was indicative of the ‘quality experience’ the resort delivered. 

“[T] to receive a globally recognised award such as this is a real testament to the commitment and loyalty of our staff. This award really belongs to them,” he said.