Interest in the Cayman Islands is growing from the Italian market.
Fulvio Bonati, a Cayman-based divemaster originally from the European country, recently returned from two major tourism events alongside the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism.
“The BIT International Tourism Exchange in Milan is the biggest event in Italy,” Mr. Bonati said of the conference, which ran from 14 to 17 February. “We also went to the EUDI and DIVEX European Dive show, which is the biggest in Europe [from 15 to 17 February]. My company, Mete Subacque, had stands and the Department of Tourism at EUDI. We worked with Don McDougall and his assistants [from the European office of the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism] and it has been great.”
During the conferences, many contacts were made and there was a lot of interest in coming to Cayman, he said.
“There is a crisis in Italy, as many places, but Italians always go on vacation regardless,” Mr. Bonati said. “Italians are also tired of the same places like Cuba and Santa Domingo, for example. They want new, safe and clean places with different options for nightlife.
“The Cayman Islands offer good food, great diving and also lots to do on land along with the relaxation,” he noted.
Disposable income
The age group generally expressing interest at the shows was 30 years old and older as they tend to have more disposable income. In the four days following the event, 25 reservations were made for holidays in Cayman, with more to follow, he said.
Mr. Bonati’s company has produced the first catalogue that can sell directly to the Italian market from the Cayman Islands, he said. The website and catalogue are in Italian and agreements have been made with Italian restaurants, he noted. There’s also the possibility to get PADI qualification through the Italian language, which he said was a major draw.
“People say that Cayman is expensive,” said the divemaster and tourism associate. “But it is in the mid- to high-end sector and is safe. The healthcare is good and as there is an Italian speaking doctor here that reassures families with kids. Trips to the other islands are also popular and there’s no problem with needing vaccinations or anything like that.”
Mr. Bonati noted that there were two more events forthcoming this June and July in Milan and Turin, during which he and the European representatives of the Department of Tourism are likely to attend.
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