We’ve long advocated and given praise to the Ministry of Tourism, Department of Tourism and the private sector when they come together to market and improve our tourism product.
They’ve done it once again, this time working hand-in-hand with Cayman Airways and the Cayman Islands Tourism Association, to open a new route to and from New York City.
The maiden flight from Grand Cayman to New York was made Saturday.
The flight returned to Grand Cayman Sunday with 87 paying passengers on board.
The good news is that the load factor is expected to increase to 62 per cent to 65 per cent as passengers become aware of the direct flight to and from New York City.
That’s not too shabby for a new flight route.
Studies have been done that show the North East corridor of the United States has been the source of most of Cayman’s tourist arrivals in the past five years.
There are many affluent travellers who live in that area who would love to spend some time, and money, in our paradise.
Offering them a direct route only makes sense.
Too, there are many of us who have Caymanian family and friends who call New York their home. This will make visits easier on us all.
To make this work DoT and Cayman Airways teamed up to more effectively use advertising to show off the destination and the new route. Basically Cayman Airways stopped marketing by itself and blended into the entire Cayman Islands marketing package.
It’s a measure that is proving to work and one that should be considered in future marketing and Cayman Airways advertising ventures.
After all, we’re all in the tourism effort together.
The knock-on effect of flying visitors straight from New York to Cayman can only benefit everyone who is in the tourism industry.
It’s a sure bet the new flight will help increase stay-over numbers, which means more money will go into the coffers of restaurants, retailers and attractions.
We hope plans are in the work to make some kind of deal for those flying directly from New York to get over to the Sister Islands.
They are also part of the whole tourism pie and should share in the tourism industry wealth on Grand Cayman.
The success of this new flight will be a testament to the good things that can happen to our economy and tourism product when the public and privates sectors pull together.
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