Topic: tourism
Record air arrivals in April boost Cayman ahead of summer season
The number of tourists visiting Cayman continues to soar with April recording 47,884 visitors, making it the best April in the Island’s history.
Luxury and family travel key to Cayman tourism growth, new report finds
A new regional travel report suggests Cayman may be better positioned than many destinations to compete for higher-value and family travelers but also faces growing risks tied to its reliance on connecting flights and seasonal demand patterns.
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.
Arianna Chin named Cayman’s 2026 tourism ambassador
Cayman Prep & High School year student Arianna Chin has been named the 2026 Tourism Ambassador after winning the Tourism Ambassador Speak-Off Competition.
Cayman smashes tourist air arrival record in March
Cayman’s first quarter of stayover tourism is off to its strongest start on record, with data suggesting that 2026 could surpass 2019 records.
Middle East crisis sends tourism spillover toward Cayman
The impact of the escalating Middle East crisis is reshaping global travel patterns in ways that could deliver a meaningful boost to Caribbean destinations, including Cayman.
Positive tourism news set to continue as records broken
The Ministry of Tourism said that Cayman is having an incredible first quarter for stayover visitor numbers and that the run of good news...
Cayman’s luxury hospitality recognised at Forbes Travel Summit
Cayman luxury hospitality and the Dart portfolio of hotels drew repeated attention at the 2026 Forbes Travel Guide Summit in Monaco.
Cayman sees record air arrivals in January
Beneath January’s record-breaking stay over tourism growth, the data points to a shifting mix of source markets, likely reflecting targeted airlift strategies.
Fans of English football club say Cayman top of the league
More than 130 international fans of top-flight English club Aston Villa converged on Cayman for an annual get-together.
US, Canadian and British supporters of the...
What 2026 winter travel trends mean for Cayman
As winter travel predictions for 2026 take shape, Cayman is entering the season with momentum firmly on its side.
Cayman starts its winter tourism season on a high note
Cayman has kicked off the 2025–2026 winter tourism season with momentum, posting solid gains in November as both air and cruise arrivals edged higher.
2025 Year in Review: Cruise at a crossroads and a bet on stayover tourism
2025 tourism year in review: while cruise numbers faltered, airlift, hotel development and marketing all pointed to a long-term bet on stayover tourism as an engine of sustainable growth.
London taxis decked out in ‘vaCay’ branding for travel industry event
The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism (CIDOT) brought Cayman's ‘vaCay’ message to the international travel industry this week with a fleet of branded Cayman Islands taxis to help spread the word.
Fitch: Cayman tourism to outpace regional peers through 2029
Cayman is set to outperform many of its Caribbean peers over the next five years, with Fitch forecasting steady tourism growth through 2029.
No dock, no problem: Major rebound projected for Cayman’s cruise industry
An estimated 1.7 million cruise arrivals are projected for Cayman in 2027 suggesting the no vote on piers has not harmed the industry as badly as feared.
How the US shutdown could affect Cayman travel
For Cayman, whose strongest travel links are with the US, the prospect of a government shutdown in Washington carries immediate weight.
Caribbean cruise ship income world’s lowest, World Bank official says
The Caribbean earns less from cruise ships than any other part of the world and a new tax is needed to rebalance the books, a World Bank official has said.
For tourism industry, the summer slow period came early this year
Empty hotel beds, half filled tours at Stingray sandbar and shuttered bars and restaurants around the island are among the signs that slow season started early and has lasted longer in Cayman this year.
Tourism dips in May, but Cayman still on track for strong 2025
Tourism numbers – both stayover and cruise – dipped in May, but Cayman’s visitor arrivals for 2025 are still on the rise, with visitation charting steady growth over the first five months of the year.
Cruise numbers plummet while Cayman’s air arrivals continue to grow
Although air arrivals in Grand Cayman remained strong in April, surpassing the previous year's monthly total for the fifth consecutive month, cruise arrivals plummeted by 26.6% compared to the same month in 2024.
Enhanced Sunshine Grill part of hotel’s renovation
The Sunshine Grill, a popular casual restaurant on Grand Cayman, will reopen later this year as part of a “re-brand, re-positioning and complete renovation” of what was previously known as Sunshine Suites.
Pro- and anti-cruise pier groups gearing up campaigns before referendum
With the cruise port referendum only a few weeks away, the battle for the hearts and minds of residents on either side of the debate is heating up.
The challenges to building a 21st century workforce
Industry leaders discuss their take on the future of the workforce in the Cayman Islands in a series of roundtable workshops.
Mystery over tourism marketing contract for UK and Europe
The government and tourism authorities were on Wednesday tight-lipped over a new contract for a public relations agency to handle tourism promotion in the UK and Europe.
Apex chief: Cayman should use Singapore model to create new ‘golden age’
A top businessman has told a Cayman conference designed to prepare the country for the next ten years that it should look to Asian powerhouse Singapore and set up special funds to boost the country.
Under the influence: Free trips for social media celebs used to sell Cayman
The Cayman Islands spends hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to fund visits for influencers, content creators and journalists who write or post about the destination, according to data from a freedom of information request.
Cayman told not to kill business goose that lays the golden eggs
Steve McIntosh, the CEO of Cayman Finance, has warned an international conference that Caymanian complacency was a serious threat to the health of its financial services industry.
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.
Jetblue adds more flights to Grand Cayman
Jetblue has joined the list of international carriers increasing flights to the Cayman Islands ahead of the anticipated winter rush.
In photos: Foodies enjoy Cayman cuisine at Live Street Food Festival
The annual Live Street Food Festival in downtown George Town on Saturday attracted hundreds of foodie enthusiasts who enjoyed sampling a wide variety of offerings from local restaurants and chefs.
United to increase air capacity to Grand Cayman this winter
US airline United Airlines is set to increase its capacity to the Cayman Islands this winter, aiming to bring in more air passengers and boost tourist activity on the island.
Gilbert Nicoletta takes Cayman to the world on two wheels
Proudly displaying his Cayman Islands flag on the front of his leather jacket, Gilbert Nicoletta journeys around the world on his trusty motorcycles telling the story of his homeland every chance he gets.
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.
Tourism department eyes new UK-EU public relations campaign
Fresh off signing $12.3 million US marketing contracts, the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism seeks a PR firm for the UK and European markets.
Analysis: Why Cayman needs the tourism industry
Tourism's status as a pillar of Cayman's economy has been up for debate in recent times. It's an industry that comes with the potential for negative impacts, writes guest columnists Ernest Ebanks and Jasmin Siegle, of Cayman based Aquilae Consulting Group. But, done right it can provide jobs and business opportunities, complement financial services and provide the impetus to protect and cherish our natural resources.
Cayman Airways says unprofitable routes necessary for tourism
Even though only seven of Cayman Airways's 69 routes made a net profit in five years tourism officials say keeping those gateways running provide "strategic value" for the country's tourism and helps keeps travel costs down.
Bryan: Cayman focussed on sustainable tourism product
Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan, while remaining silent on what might replace the cancelled Cayman Airways route to Barbados, told regional tourism delegates that Cayman plans to concentrate on quality over quantity.
Unpopular Barbados flights cancelled after just six months
Direct flights from Cayman to Barbados have been cancelled after tourism officials pulled the plug on the failing route.
Barbados route questioned as low passenger counts revealed
Cayman Airways' Barbados-Cayman route has averaged just 34 passengers a flight through January since that connection launched in October last year.
Tourism is main pillar of economy
Is tourism not a pillar of these Cayman Islands? I would argue that it is the most important pillar as it relates to the...
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.
Economist: Tourism is not a key pillar of Cayman’s economy
Protecting financial services and improving education to allow more Caymanians to benefit from expanding 'knowledge-based' sectors is the recipe for success in Cayman's economy, argues Caribbean economist Marla Dukharan.
Bryan revives ‘go east’ theme to spread tourism impact
Cayman needs to look beyond Seven Mile Beach and Stingray City to create new experiences that can help spread the impacts and the benefits of rising visitor numbers, Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan told business leaders Friday.
Controversial sports tourism strategy targeted ‘prawn sandwich’ soccer fans
Cayman tourism officials were granted a host of free match tickets and hospitality perks as part of a controversial package of sponsorships of UK sports teams, according to unredacted documents released to the Compass under the Freedom of Information Act.
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.
Economist: ‘Cruise profits not worth the cost’
The cost of the cruise industry, both financially and ecologically, likely outweighs the benefits for the Cayman Islands, a leading Caribbean economist has said.
Cayman tourism bounces back – with a premium price tag
Rental cars are selling out, boat trips are being booked weeks in advance and hotel rooms are in demand across the Cayman Islands. As Spring Break approaches, tourism leaders say the pandemic is finally in the rearview mirror.
Housing development threatens future ‘Hell East’ tourist site
“Unique landscape” that was earmarked as a possible tourist attraction may be lost forever if the Central Planning Authority allows a residential development to be built over it.
Gov’t revenue crosses $1 billion mark, surplus recorded
Core government revenues hit a milestone at the close of 2022, crossing the billion-dollar mark, according to Deputy Premier Chris Saunders.
Sports figures angry over cash for overseas sponsorships
Cayman tourism sponsorships of European sports teams likely go beyond the $500,000 spending outlined in a Compass investigation, sparking concern and resentment from local athletes and associations struggling for funding.
Cayman looks to tap ultra luxury yacht cruise market
The sighting of ultra luxury yacht Evrima on the horizon off Grand Cayman Thursday morning sparked the curiosity of many, but also offered a glimpse into what might be an emerging opportunity for the islands.
Compass Investigation: Sun, sea and suspect sponsorships
The Cayman Islands spent half-a-million dollars on sports sponsorships for UK teams, including $30,000 for an obscure field hockey team linked to its regional manager for UK and Europe, a Compass investigation has revealed.
Waterfront tourism project moves ahead as bids invited
More than a year after government first purchased land, for $5.6 million, for a tourism attraction along the George Town waterfront, the project appears to be moving forward.
Tourist arrested after health supplement mistaken for heroin
An American visitor to Cayman has told how she was strip-searched and arrested after an over-the counter immunity supplement was wrongly identified as heroin.
Special report: Public Beach ‘out of control’ as vendors vie for trade
Following the resumption of cruise tourism, vendors have returned to public beach prompting complaints about unregulated trade, illicit beer sales and and a scene that creates a bad image for Cayman tourism.
Tourism leaders look to high season amid global economic uncertainty
Local tourism leaders say they are looking to brighter days ahead, as they ramp up efforts to get Cayman bookings back on track to make the most of some much needed tourist spend, now that Cayman's COVID travel restrictions are a thing of the past.
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.
‘Under siege’: Sargassum invasion dents tourism recovery
An unwelcome return visitor to Cayman’s shores is putting a dampener on the tourism recovery for bars, restaurants and hotels across the island.
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.
No immediate plans to disband Travel Cayman
As countries around the world wind down their remaining COVID restrictions, Tourism and Transport Minister Kenneth Bryan has said the country is not quite ready to disband Travel Cayman and the pre-travel approval requirement to enter the jurisdiction.
Cabinet mulls lifting mask mandate, pre-arrival testing
Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan has said changes to government's COVID-19 regulations are on the way and many in the community will be "happy" with what is to come.
Dart aims to retain ‘casual vibe’ with Calico Jack’s revamp
The Dart group aims to create a ‘toes in the sand’-style bar at the site of Calico Jack's on Seven Mile Beach after applying for permission to carry out a $5 million renovation of the derelict establishment.
High-achieving student urges Caymanians to dream big
Caymanian Liam Bulgin is proof that small jurisdictions can produce great academic results, and wants local students to know nothing is impossible for them.
Air Canada returns 1 May
Air Canada is set to resume flights to the Cayman Islands on 1 May, Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan has confirmed.
Buses stuck in park as ‘red tape’ holds up driver recruitment
Do you know the name of Cayman’s first financial secretary, the colour of the underside of a parrot’s wings in flight or the distance in miles between George Town and Miami? If the answer is no, then you might not want to apply for a job as a bus driver in the Cayman Islands.
Hundreds attend Dart hospitality job fair
Job seekers, armed with resumes in hand, turned out in their numbers for a Dart organized hospitality industry career fair Saturday morning to fill vacancies at three of its hotels.
Selling Cayman: Tourism’s marketing machine ramps up
For the past two years, Rosa Harris, has had one of the most difficult jobs in tourism - marketing the Cayman Islands to people who couldn't come here. Now the island's marketing machine is cranking back into gear.
Government pays $5.6m for waterfront land for multi-purpose tourism attraction
Government has paid $5.6 million for almost two acres of land along the George Town waterfront for the creation of a new tourism attraction.
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...
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.
Our world in 2022: Ten trends that could shape the year ahead
The key issues in 2022 are likely to centre on how Cayman moves on from the worst of the pandemic and adapts its policies on quarantine and testing, travel and tourism, and its healthcare infrastructure to adjust to the long-term reality of life with COVID.
