Cayman 2.0: Rethinking the vision for our islands post-COVID-19
10 ideas to reshape Cayman after COVID-19
Over the past two months, our Cayman 2.0 series has cast a wide net in an effort to determine what changes the coronavirus crisis will bring to Cayman. In a series of special features, we examined both the consequences of the virus and the ideas for how we can come out the other side. Here, we summarise 10 of the most intriguing ideas for the islands' future that have emerged so far.
My Cayman 2.0
Tourism
Behind the scenes at a quarantine hotel
The Cayman Compass went behind the scenes at the Ritz-Carlton's isolation wing to find out what protocols are in place for guests in quarantine and to hear how the resort hopes to adapt its safety measures to welcome back visitors.
‘Resort bubbles’ proposed to help bring back tourists
The concept of ‘resort bubbles’ has been put forward as a possible solution that could allow tourists to return to the Cayman Islands despite the ongoing threat posed by the coronavirus.
Hoteliers believe visitors could...
Editorial: Cayman’s future depends on finding tourism solution
The Cayman Islands has successfully eradicated COVID-19. While that is certainly cause for celebration, the job is still only half done. Rescuing the tourism industry will require the same energy, focus and a degree of calculated risk.
Tourism industry fighting back against devastating job losses
Over the next month, as part of our ongoing Cayman 2.0 series, we will examine the impacts of the pandemic on tourism and discuss ideas for a new vision for the industry. Here, we look at the employment impact across the sector and plans to retool Caymanians to take front line jobs when the tourists come back.
Ask the experts – The future of tourism
Cayman 2.0 is all about imagining and planning for a better Cayman. Today, we talk with experts in the tourism field to discuss what the future of tourism in the Cayman could (and should) look like.
Remote working
Remote Island: A new era for working life?
In the latest of our Cayman 2.0 series examining how the coronavirus crisis will impact the long term future of the Cayman Islands, we examine the world of work.
Work-from-home trend could impact commercial real estate
One obvious side-effect of the work-from-home movement is likely to be the demand for office space.
Guest column: How Fountainhead decided to go fully remote
How Fountainhead decided to go fully remote, along with some benefits and challenges that other services businesses should consider when contemplating a similar move.
Compass roundtable: Cayman 2.0 – a post-COVID-19 work place
Today, we discuss topics related to the work place, including remote working and its impact on various sectors, including real estate and immigration.
Green recovery
Green recovery proposed for post-COVID Cayman
Environmental protection and economic growth have typically been viewed as opposite sides of the argument in the debate over Cayman’s long-term future.
Five ideas for a green recovery
As Cayman plans its vision for a post-COVID future, ideas are emerging for a green recovery. Here we summarise some of the recommendations from various reports and advisors that they say can help grow jobs and protect the environment.
Renewable energy offers huge jobs potential for post-COVID Cayman
A genuine commitment to renewable energy could help drive a green jobs revolution as Cayman seeks to kickstart the economy in the aftermath of the coronavirus crisis, industry leaders believe.
Food security
Pandemic tests resilience of islands’ food supply chains
The COVID-19 crisis has demanded an unprecedented level of flexibility and adaptability to maintain access to essential products, like food and medicine – and as Woody Foster explains, suppliers have no roadmap to navigate what comes next.
Technology
Smart Island: Tech investment could drive new economy
In the latest in our Cayman 2.0 series, we look at how COVID-19 is sparking new ambition to put tech at the centre of Cayman’s economic recovery.
Pandemic accelerated development of food delivery app
Smartphone-based food-delivery business Let’s Eat may be the first successful new venture of the COVID era.
New push for digital payments
Cayman’s payment systems lag behind the rest of the world, and reform is needed to help businesses survive, according to Digital Cayman.
Cruise Tourism
Which way now for cruise tourism?
Covid-19 has decimated the cruise industry, killed off the controversial pier project and fundamentally shifted the key questions about the future of this sector of our tourism market. What type of industry will emerge from the shadow of the pandemic and does Cayman want to be a part of it?
Tourism Minister: Current focus is on stayover
Tourism Minister Moses Kirkconnell said government is focussing primarily on stayover tourism right now, partially out of necessity.
Cruise tourism is still banned by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and there is...
Too big to fail?
For the cruise industry the coronavirus has been a health emergency, an economic disaster and a public relations nightmare. But leaders of the major cruise lines say the sector will survive an come back stronger.
Education
Video: Rethinking workforce development in Cayman
Ten young people have been given scholarships to give their careers a kick-start at Inspire Cayman Training.
In a video-feature we talk to the centre's founder Michael Myles and to some of his students about their aspirations for themselves and for the country.
Re-educating Cayman: Economic crash highlights gaps in workforce development
The latest instalment of our Cayman 2.0 series looks at how the pandemic has exposed weaknesses in the island’s education and training system and highlights some of the solutions being proposed by business and education leaders.
Higher education key to success in Cayman’s ‘knowledge economy’
The value of higher education is expected to increase dramatically as Cayman seeks to expand its ‘knowledge-based’ economy in the aftermath of COVID-19.
Science and tech education could shape Cayman’s future
Glenda McTaggart, education programmes manager for Dart’s Minds Inspired programme, discusses the ripple effects of the coronavirus, and advocates for more technical and vocational training and a greater focus on science and technology in schools.
Transportation
Technology and innovation could help reform the way we move
The absence of bumper-to-bumper traffic was one of the features of life during the pandemic that many Cayman Islands residents enjoyed. With business and school life starting to return to something like normal, the roads are beginning to clog up with cars once again. The latest instalment of our Cayman 2.0 series examines ideas for how to reform public transport.
Waterways offer avenue for transit reform
Ronnie Anglin, owner of Cayman Ferries, says he would like to see a future where marine travel complements land-based travel, but the concept hasn’t been easy to get off the ground.
Construction
Cayman’s construction engine kicks into high gear
Cayman’s construction industry experiences a surge of activity post-COVID-19 lockdown.
