International travel wholesalers, members of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association and both international and local media will attend the seventh Annual Cayman Islands Tourism Exchange from 30 April to 2 May hosted by the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman.
More than 25 travel wholesalers mainly from the US and Canada, identified and recommended by local tourism operators and the Department of Tourism, were invited to attend the event, said a press release from the CITA.
Wholesalers include both traditional and web-based operations, which have supported the Cayman Islands in the past or have the ability and interest to do so in the future. The format of the event includes a business session with presentations and updates on tourism developments, property tours, pre-scheduled appointments, networking functions and activities for all delegates.
The wholesalers will be met by over 20 local tourism operators who will have the opportunity to provide information on their products and services directly to the wholesalers during the three day event.
‘The local operators’ key objectives of CITE are to reaffirm existing business relationships and to form new ones where possible with this important group in the travel distribution chain,’ said the release. Local suppliers include many of the local hotels, condos, transportation providers, watersports representatives and Tourism Attractions Board Attractions, Boatswains Beach and this year The Grounds will be stepping out to introduce their tourism development project.
CITE will commence Wednesday, 30 April with a welcome reception from 6:30pm – 8pm for the delegates, hosted by the Governor, Mr. Stuart Jack.
The opening ceremony will be on Thursday morning, 1 May at the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman from 8:30am – 10am, and local Government officials will be present including the Minister of Tourism Charles Clifford. Opening remarks and presentations will be by various tourism officials, including, Deputy Director of Tourism, Shomari Scott, Executive Director of the CITA, Trina Christian, and Carol Johnson of Caribbean Travel & Life.
Afterwards the delegates are off on one of many excursions including a day trip to Little Cayman, island tours and water activities. Thursday evening will be a dinner function at LUCA Restaurant on Seven Mile Beach.
Prearranged one-on-one business appointments between the international wholesalers and local operators will make up the third and final day of the event on Friday, 2 May. And to close off the event delegates will be treated to a traditional Cayman Islands experience hosted by the Department of Tourism at Rum Point.
International delegates have been invited to stay on after the show to inspect additional accommodations, attend The Grounds, Batabano, or experience the attractions and activities the Sister Islands have to offer.
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