Topic: CITA
Stars from across Cayman honoured at 2026 Stingray Tourism Awards
Past, present and future stars of the tourism industry were honoured at the 2026 Stingray Tourism Awards held at the Grand Cayman Marriott Resort on 9 May.
Career fairs: Connecting students with opportunities
Career fairs provide opportunities to meet potential employers face-to-face, network with industry professionals, learn about jobs that may not be posted online, and gain insights into different career paths.
Discovering the culinary delights of Restaurant Month in Cayman Brac
Cayman Brac is known for many things such as its stunning dive spots, natural beauty and The Bluff, the highest point of the Cayman...
Restaurant Month returns with a record number of participants
Restaurant Month is returning for its 12th year this October with a record number of restaurants participating in the culinary celebration.
Stingray Awards celebrate the best in tourism
The Cayman Islands Tourism Association's 2025 Stingray Tourism Awards honoured the stars of Cayman’s tourism industry.
Resumes at the ready as hundreds of Caymanians attend jobs fair
Hundreds of Caymanian jobseekers of all ages descended upon the Grand Cayman Marriott Resort on 8 and 9 Sept. to try and secure a coveted job in the hospitality sector.
Event planned to attract Caymanians to the tourism industry
Government and the tourism industry are to hold an event aimed at connecting unemployed Caymanians with job opportunities in the industry amid a backdrop of calls to increase local employment.
Nominations open for Stingray Tourism Awards
Nominations are now open for the Cayman Islands Tourism Association's annual Stingray Tourism Awards, which recognise outstanding contributions to the industry across all three islands.
Tourism minister aims to regain the ‘lost magic’ for Cayman’s tourists
Newly appointed Tourism Minister and Deputy Premier Gary Rutty promised to help regain the "lost magic" of the Caymanian tourism experience at an industry event on Thursday.
CITA: Beach erosion hits critical point with Coral Beach closure
Closure of Coral Beach and the demolition of the Royal Palms has renewed talks about a "viable solution" for Seven Mile Beach's erosion.
Tourism minister calls beach erosion an ‘environmental and economic emergency’
Government has announced a proposed means of financing the cost of beach renourishment, as the urgency, scale and ramifications of the beach erosion crisis were centre stage on Wednesday at the Cayman Islands Tourism Association AGM.
Restaurant Month 2024 aims for international appeal
Restaurant Month, set for October, officially launched Wednesday night with a sun-drenched event at the Kimpton Seafire Beach Deck.
Troy Leacock, president of the Cayman...
Cayman’s Crystal Caves among Tripadvisor’s top 5 world attractions
Cayman's Crystal Caves has won Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice 2024 award as the fifth top attraction in the world defeating the likes of the Colosseum in Rome and Louvre Museum in Paris.
Industry leaders say tourism plan needed sooner rather than later
The decision to delay work on Cayman's new tourism plan until after the 2025 election has been met with stiff criticism from those like veteran business owners Ronnie Anglin, who are struggling amid the continuing decline in cruise calls.
Hard Rock Café among George Town business closures
The iconic Hard Rock Cafe, a signature restaurant on the George Town waterfront, is closing its doors at month's end after 20 years in business.
Businesses battle to stay afloat amid cruise decline
Cayman businesses that rely on cruise tourism are facing a battle to stay afloat amid declining ship calls as they urge government to address their plight before it is too late.
Businesses could face higher bills for 2,500 workers already above minimum wage
International comparisons of Cayman's minimum wage have caused some to ask whether the planned increase to $8.75 should go further - but others call for caution because of the knock-on costs to businesses.
January cruise visitors down almost 10,000 on last year
Tourism leaders have pointed to January's rough weather as the main reason behind a significant decline in Cayman's cruise visitor numbers for January, in comparison to the previous year.
Hospitality leaders reject minimum wage grats change
The proposed phasing out of gratuities to supplement a lower minimum wage within the hospitality industry has been met with protest from industry leaders who say the changes will further burden struggling businesses.
CITA urges community cooperation in wake of stadium shooting
The Cayman Islands Tourism Association has called on anyone with information related to Sunday's multiple-victim shooting at Ed Bush Stadium to come forward.
Tourism association concerned about robbery spike
As Cayman heads into the high winter holiday season, tourism officials say it is imperative local authorities get a handle on the recent spike in robberies.
The Resh Hour interview: CITA president Troy Leacock
Cayman Islands Tourism Association president Troy Leacock gives his take on Cayman's tourism outlook heading into the winter season.
Tourism numbers improve, but still short of 2019 levels
While Cayman's tourism performance for the last nine months has improved on 2022's statistics the island still has some way to go to hit 2019 levels.
Record-Breaking Success: Cayman Islands Restaurant Month 2023 Celebrated by Food Lovers
The Cayman Islands Tourism Association (CITA) Restaurant Month 2023 presented by Butterfield set new records this year with a lineup of 55 participating restaurants and four signature events spanning from West Bay to East End.
Crime spike touches Seven Mile Beach
The recent spate of robberies has impacted Cayman's prized tourist attraction Seven Mile Beach after a man was robbed at gun- and knife-point on Sunday night.
CITA president urges more ‘Caymanian flavour’ in tourism
Caymanian entrepreneur and newly re-elected Cayman Islands Tourism Association president Troy Leacock says tourism is at the "tipping point of a crisis" with "insufficient" numbers of Caymanians getting involved in the industry.
Nominations sought for Stingray tourism awards
The Cayman Islands Tourism Association is seeking nominations for "hard-working and dedicated individuals" within the local tourism industry for the upcoming Cayman Islands Tourism Awards.
CITA boss: Stingray mishandling ‘unacceptable’
A social media video showing a stingray being taken out of the water and placed on top of a couple has prompted an investigation by the Department of Environment.
Tourism leaders: Strategy for development vital to success
Local tourism leaders say, with Cayman's post-COVID recovery moving in the right direction, focus must now shift to next steps for the industry which means formalising a tourism development plan.
CITA boss: Regulate beach vendors, Stingray City operators
Cayman Islands Tourism Association President Troy Leacock says vendors on Seven Mile Public Beach and operators in the North Sound should be regulated as Cayman rebuilds its post-COVID tourism industry.
Lawmakers vote for Gov’t to consider a freeze Sandbar licences
Legislators voted unanimously in favour of private member's motion to consider putting a freeze on new Wildlife Interaction Zone licences and create a multi-agency task force to address issues affecting Caymanian operators plying their trade on the water.
Staffing, crime top concerns for tourism industry
President of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association Troy Leacock says as Cayman’s winter season looks set to see high visitor numbers, steps need to be taken to tackle the recent spate of robberies on island.
CITA boss eyes busy holiday, urges action on crime
President of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association Troy Leacock has said Cayman's winter season is set to see high visitor numbers, a welcomed relief for the recovering tourism industry.
Troy Leacock appointed new tourism association president
Troy Leacock is the new president of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association, taking up the role from Marc Langevin, who has served for the past two years.
Restaurant Month returns this October
Foodies can officially rejoice, as after a COVID-imposed hiatus, Restaurant Month is making its triumphant return in October.
The Cayman Islands Tourism Association announced that over...
Ditching COVID rules will ‘jump start’ tourism
Tourism leaders are predicting a packed high season that could “jump start” the Cayman Islands economy following the decision to drop the remaining COVID-19 regulations.
Tourism leaders: Scrapping of pre-arrival COVID testing a ‘positive step’
Local tourism leaders have welcomed changes to government's COVID-19 regulations which will see the end of pre-arrival testing and mask mandates starting 30 June.
Cayman’s problem with airlift
As airlines tackle staffing shortages, the rising cost of fuel and increasing airport fees, there are fewer seats and more expensive fares for travellers seeking to escape to sun destinations like Cayman, tourism officials say.
CITA: Mask mandate, COVID regulations impeding tourism
Tourism chiefs are calling on government to drop Cayman’s mask mandate and a requirement for incoming airline passengers to obtain travel authorisations from Travel Cayman, which they say are a deterrent to travellers.
Stayover numbers just over half of 2019 levels
By April this year, Cayman was seeing 55% of its pre-pandemic stayover visitor numbers, Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan told Cayman Islands Tourism Association members at their latest meeting.
Tourism leader predicts rapid recovery after COVID measures ditched
Cayman’s tourism leaders believe the industry is primed to immediately bounce back following government’s surprise decision to ditch its unpopular post-arrival COVID testing regime.
Cayman...
Tourism sector optimistic about phase 5 reopening but concerned about testing
The Cayman Islands Tourism Association, reacting to Cayman moving to phase 5 of its border-reopening plan, said the news is likely to increase guest bookings for the spring break and Easter holidays, but that a requirement for repeated COVID tests for travellers may act as a deterrent.
Water-sports businesses seek support as Omicron impacts recovery
Water sports and dive businesses across the Cayman Islands are seeing little sign of recovery despite the return of some tourism over the past two months.
CITA ‘frustrated’ by gov’t’s lack of consultation on large gathering decision
Cayman Islands Tourism Association president Marc Langevin has expressed frustration over government's decision to recommend cancelling large events without any consultation with industry stakeholders.
Tourism chiefs say not enough Caymanians to fill hospitality jobs
Even with every Caymanian who has expressed an interest in working in restaurants and hotels taking up a position, there will still be 600-700 jobs that need to be filled in those fields as the industry gears up to receive growing numbers of visitors, tourism chiefs say.
Tourism, business sectors welcome border-reopening announcement
Premier Wayne Panton's announcement that Cayman's borders will reopen on 20 Nov. was cautiously welcomed on Friday by tourism and business industry leaders, as well as members of the public and tourists hoping to visit the Islands.
Government weighs removing verifiable vaccination requirement for Cayman arrivals
The requirement to present a QR code in order to demonstrate an arriving passenger has been verifiably vaccinated could soon be off the table for those travelling to Cayman, according to Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan.
Forks at the ready!
To say that the restaurant industry has been hit hard by COVID would be the understatement of the year.
Nearly two years, in fact.
Venues around...
Tourism businesses: ‘We are casualties, not villains’
Tourism business owners are contemplating whether to shut their doors in the face of continued uncertainty over the future of the industry.
Cayman’s tourism leaders condemn delay in reopening
Tourism business leaders have condemned government’s decision to delay the reopening of the border, claiming it is not based on scientific evidence and threatens the livelihoods of thousands of Caymanians.
Gov’t tells tourism industry 80% remains as vaccination target
The government has rejected calls from the Cayman Islands Tourism Association to reconsider its target to vaccinate 80% of the population against COVID-19 before launching a soft reopening of the borders to tourists.
CITA: Expanded vaccine list a ‘small step’ but not enough
Cayman Islands Tourism Association President Marc Langevin says that while the tourism industry welcomes the government's expansion of the types of securely verifiable COVID-19 vaccination records it is now accepting, the process does not go far enough.
CITA boss suggests strict COVID-jab policy
If the Cayman Islands is to hit its 80% vaccination target for the border reopening, government will have to move to mandatory vaccinations and not just for work permit-holders, Cayman Islands Tourism Association President Marc Langevin has said.
The Resh Hour with CITA president Marc Langevin
CITA president Marc Langevin joins Compass journalist Reshma Ragoonath to discuss the post-pandemic future of tourism in Cayman.
Tourism association responds to Cayman reopening plan
The Cayman Islands Tourism Association, while welcoming the government's announcement of a border reopening plan, has raised concerns with a number of elements involved, including the timeline and a lack of consultation with the private sector.
Cayman had just 5,000 visitors in the year since COVID struck
Cayman had a total of 5,566 stay-over visitors in the year since the pandemic began - about half of what the island would see in a single week during normal times.
$10,000 cash prize up for grabs in new vaccination raffle
People who get vaccinated are being offered a chance to win US$10,000, as well as 280 other prizes worth a total of US$15,000, as part of an initiative by the Cayman Islands Tourism Association and the charity R3 Cayman Foundation to encourage residents to get their COVID-19 jabs.
CITA: Recruit staff now to prepare for border reopening
The local tourism industry should be recruiting staff now to prepare for the possible reopening of the borders later this year, the Cayman Islands Tourism Association advised its members this week.
Tourism leaders seek clear path to reopening
Tourism business leaders are hoping that vaccination passes for visitors can allow the Cayman Islands to welcome back tourists this summer.
Marc Langevin, president of...
Grills are heating up for Seaspice culinary event
Tickets for the Seaspice culinary gala, being held at the Kimpton's Beach Deck venue on Saturday, are selling at a brisk pace.
The all-inclusive event...
CITA bosses meet with government
Cayman Islands Tourism Association President Marc Langevin says he is optimistic that lines of communication between his organisation and the government are opening up.
The Resh Hour with CITA president Marc Langevin
Newly appointed Cayman Islands Tourism Association president and Ritz Carlton General Manager Marc Langevin joins The Resh Hour to discuss tourism
Ritz-Carlton boss Marc Langevin new head of CITA
Ritz-Carlton general manager Marc Langevin is the new president of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association (CITA.)
Kirkconnell: COVID vaccine could drive early-2021 border reopening
Tourism Minister Moses Kirkconnell has told representatives of the tourism industry that Cayman could have access to COVID-19 vaccines in December, which may enable the islands to reopen borders early next year.
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.
Online Easter Egg hunt offers multitude of prizes
The Z99 radio station has teamed up with the Cayman Islands Tourism Association to bring Cayman an online Easter egg hunt and raffle.
To participate...
New executive director at tourism association
Former Radio Cayman reporter Jay Ehrhart will take up the post of executive director at the Cayman Islands Tourism Association on 1 Nov., succeeding Tiffany Dixon-Ebanks.
EDITORIAL – This weekend, dig in to Taste of Cayman
After weeks of waiting, our islands’ appetite is more than sufficiently whetted for this beloved event.
Football referee assaulted during game
Two players from the Bodden Town Football Club attacked a referee during a match with the Academy Football Club on April 17.
Hydes back in as tourism chief
Ken Hydes was re-elected president of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association for a third consecutive year on Wednesday.
Tourism Association to vote for new leaders at AGM
The Cayman Islands Tourism Association will elect a new board of directors and possibly a new president at its annual general meeting on Wednesday.
Taste of Cayman winners and sponsors honored
Taste of Cayman’s Best of Competition winners and the event’s major sponsors were recognized by the Cayman Islands Tourism Association at a reception Wednesday afternoon.
