Changes to visa regulations could help attract more visitors from emerging markets, including Russia, Cabinet Minister Cline Glidden said last week.
A move to allow travellers to use visas from the UK, US or Canada to enter the Cayman Islands is under consideration.
The tourism minister said the issue had been raised during his quarterly meeting with the tourism ministry’s global department chiefs. Mr. Glidden said there was also interest from the private sector in smoothing the process for potential visitors of “high net worth”.
He highlighted Europe as a potential growth area for tourism and singled out Russia, which now has direct flights to Jamaica and other Caribbean destinations.
Speaking during last week’s Cabinet media briefing, Mr. Glidden said: “There is great potential growth from Europe and what has been identified specifically is some interest from Russia and some of the other territories.”
“Government has been requested to look at the possibility of working towards some arrangement that will allow travellers who require visas to actually use visas, if they have them, from other countries.
He added: “We think that would make it a lot easier for individuals of high net worth who want to come to Cayman from those jurisdictions and now have significant challenges being able to make those travel arrangements.”
The idea of relaxing visa restrictions has been brought up before. Former Premier McKeeva Bush told the Jamaica Gleaner in 2010 that the rigorous process to which applicants for US visas are subjected should be satisfactory for entry to Cayman.
“The US visa process is well scrutinised,” Mr. Bush said. “If it serves the US, then it serves us. What I do believe needs to be done now is to consider allowing entry to persons with US-issued visas,” he said at the time.
“There is great potential growth from Europe and what has been identified specifically is some interest from Russia and some of the other territories.” CLINE GLIDDEN, Cabinet minister
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I do agree that persons comming to the Cayman Islands from USA an Canada should obtain a visa first. Caymanians have to obtain a visa to travel to the USA and Canada, so give me one good reason why they should not have to get a visa to come here.
United Kingdom – I only support persons obtaining a visa to come to the Cayman from the UK, if they are living in UK but does not have UK citizenship. I do not support persons with UK citizenship having to obtain Visas to come to Cayman. Although at times we tangle with the UK, we are grateful that they allowed us to have UK Passportand can go there to work and live, however that is also being abused as a stepping stone BY some foreigners with Cayman residence an status. his need to be looked into. I really support ALL nations having to obtain a visa to travel here except UK citizens.
Cayman passport holder also enjoy visa-free travel to many countries. And let’s not forget that the point of this article is to allow visa-free _tourism_ to Cayman. Not for the purpose of staying here.
Hunter, UK citizens do not require visa to travel to the Cayman Islands. They do need to make other arrangements when they come here to stay.
By the way, Russians spend _a lot_ whilst on holidays. Something to think about.)))
A TOURIST DESTINATION AS CAYMAN IS SHOULD NOT BE THAT HARD FOR ANYBODY WHO HAS THE MONEY TO ARRANGE TRAVELING;MOST COUNTRIES IN OUR AREA FEELS DISCRIMINATED BY SUCH REGULATIONS, REMEMBER THERE ARE RICH PEOPLE ALL OVER; I QUOTE RICH PEOPLE SINCE CAYMAN IS A DESTINATION FOR RICH PEOPLE BECAUSE IS NOT CHEAP TO VISIT CAYMAN FOR A WEEK. WE ARE LOOSING A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY FOR OUR ISLANDS AND IS SOMETHING TO PAY A GREAT DEAL OF ATTEMTION. NOT ONLY THE US HAS TOURISTS WILLING TO COME TO CAYMAN; THAT PERCEPTION GOT TO STOP THAT ONLY US AND CANADA IS OUR TARGET FOR TOURISTS, REMEMBER ASIA IS EMERGING IN THEIR ECONOMY AS WELL. SOMEONE IT’S NOT DOING HIS JOB IN PROMOTING TOURISM; REMEMBER IS OUR MEAN SOURCE OF INDUSTRY, LET’S TREAT IT AS SUCH.
Here-and-there did you ever meet any Russian tourists?
If you ever travelled with them (as I did in the past) you’d have a slightly different opinion. They are rude and don’t want to pay for anything. As for spending lots of money? Well they may seem to but make sure you get cash up front because their credit cards are, to be polite, problematical. One resort in the Red Sea got hit by them for near half-a-million on chargebacks not so long ago.
This move will attract bottom end tourists and mafia, neither of whom will do the Cayman Islands any favours. It’s not a market you really want to get into.
Uncledave, Cayman is a bit far for bottom-end tourists from Russia, they just won’t be able to afford it. Accommodation here is also pricey, which in turn ensures you get high earners.
Bottom-end tourists behave rather similarly everywhere in my experience. Non-specific of nationality. 😉
Here-and-there that is not what I asked. Have you (or Mr Glidden for that matter) first hand experience of dealing with Russians at any level?
All I am trying to say is that if you had I doubt you would be so enthusiastic about this prospect.
As for attracting so-called persons of high net worth, if you want them you better start building things like casinos (no, on second thoughts let them do that for you) and take on board all that involves because it is just an invitation for the Bratva and other criminal groups to move in.
This is a good move, it will attract a lot of people from various countries. I know of people who are very business minded and would love to do something in cayman but the hassels of obtaining a visa and then builiding a business but to leave in 7 years, all of that in total just kills the deal. Residents of Other country who have US visa should be allowed freely. Those who can afford it will certinly come and boost our economy.
The other major problem here in cayman just like other democracies government just talk and rarely are proactive in taking and getting things done quick.
i just hope Mr glidden you get this law in affect by Next month or so before the off season sets in.
Uncledave,
Should also extend your comments to property purchases by Russians – 80% dirty money is used for that.
Though I didn’t like your nationalistic generalizations – I am Russian, though not part of bratva or anything like that. And my guests are always well-behaved and respectful.
Though I know what your talking about, but please don’t generalize.
Stan, point well made and taken. My apologies to you and your friends.
I have also enjoyed the really great company of some of your countrymen but sadly, as you must know, the prospect of Russians bringing large amounts of mafia money on island is not one we should be exactly happy about.
While visiting Russians are fine, be careful what you wish for. Uncledave is absolutely right. Russian billionaires are seen as as crooks and thugs by Russian people. And they are, to say the least.
Thanks to stan for stepping in. Uncledave, what makes you think that there is no mafia money on island now?;) Tax-free haven and all that. By the way, mafia is a bit of an obsolete term now. It moved much higher but can you honestly say Cayman is free from corruption as it is? Russia changed a lot in the past decade or two (orphan’s law aside, dark stain for sure).
All I am saying is if you create a high-end resort you will attract high-end clientele. Who are usually well educated, speak English and just want a nice, quiet, clean and unspoiled place to relax. Relax from all the dirty money-making of course, no less.))) Just joking. The devil is not so black as he is painted. And they _will_ leave. We are still talking about short-term visits.
I will tell you a secret. Shhhhh. There are more than a few wealthy Russians residing on island. And you might not even know that as they speak well and behave themselves as civilized people.