Topic: tourism
Balancing act: Hoteliers look to hire locally, but still face work permit challenges
The hospitality industry is facing a possible recruitment crisis as it prepares for the return of more tourists in the new year. Efforts to train and hire local talent are intensifying, but further action is needed, say hoteliers.
1,300 stipend recipients actively seeking work
Just over 1,300 tourism stipend recipients are registered as actively seeking employment.
Caymanian jobseekers flock to tourism job fair
Caymanian and permanent resident jobseekers descended on a job fair held the Westin hotel Thursday to try to find work within the tourism industry.
Tourism job fair set for Thursday
A tourism job fair offering more than 200 positions for Caymanians and permanent residents will be held on Thursday afternoon, 9 Dec.
McLaughlin urges gov’t to address work permit delays
Red Bay MP Alden McLaughlin has called on the PACT government to sort out delays in processing work permits, saying the backlog was impacting local businesses, as the islands begin to open up to tourists.
Bryan: Hire Caymanians for more sustainable tourism sector
Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan has urged companies in the tourism sector to hire Caymanians in what he called a “carrot approach” of collaboration.
Gov’t has made poor decisions concerning COVID
Government has been wrong about almost every event since the COVID shutdown; why would they be right now?
Tourists have little confidence in government and...
Tears and cheers at airport as Cayman unlocks borders under phase 4
In what could be scenes straight out of the Hollywood classic Love Actually emotions of every kind erupted at the Owen Roberts International Airport Saturday afternoon as at long last Cayman's borders were unlocked under phase 4 of government's reopening plan.
Tourism business still facing cancellations, survey shows
Cayman’s watersports businesses are still seeing more cancellations than new bookings, despite the announcement that the border will reopen next Saturday.
Caribbean tourism is on the comeback trail
Caribbean tourism leaders are cautiously optimistic about the revival of the industry with preliminary data suggesting the region outperformed the rest of the world in the first half of 2021.
Turks and Caicos: A rival and a trailblazer in post-COVID tourism
The Turks and Caicos Islands is enjoying record tourism numbers even amid the pandemic. Has the success of a fellow British Overseas Territory come at Cayman’s expense or has it ‘cracked the code’ that our leaders can follow to revive a crumbling pillar of the economy?
Tourism workers look to rebuild lives and careers
After more than a year out of work, Caymanian tourism employees are hoping the skills they have built in the interim will help them build their careers.
Light at the end of tunnel for beleaguered tourism industry
Tourism businesses are expecting a trickle rather than a flood when visitors start to return to the Cayman Islands from next month.
Cayman’s changing culinary scene
In the approximately 18 months since Cayman closed its borders to cruise and commercial air traffic, the culinary and bar scene has shifted. Some...
UK to remove pre-test for vaccinated travellers
United Kingdom Transport Minister Grant Shapps has announced to the removal of Britain's traffic list travel list and the introduction of a new two-tier plan which will ease travel requirements for the vaccinated passengers.
Editorial: It’s time to take the reopening leap
Cayman has done an exemplary job at every stage of this pandemic, but the days of prevention are now gone. COVID-19 is in our community, even with the borders closed. Handling the reopening is the final hurdle. We must have the courage to take that leap.
Opposition continues calls for cooperation despite chilly response
Opposition legislators have renewed their offer of assistance to Premier Wayne Panton and his administration as Cayman navigates the reemergence of COVID-19.
Bryan: Tourism revenue loss not sustainable long-term
In a radio interview on Friday, 3 Sept., Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan addressed fears that a border reopening may represent too big a public health risk.
Bryan: 5 airlines confirm readiness to return to Cayman
American, United, Southwest and Delta airlines, as well as British Airways which already operates repatriation flights, have applied to fly commercial routes to and from the Cayman Islands from October, according to Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan.
Survey: 13% of tourism stipend workers have full-time jobs
Just over half of the people receiving a monthly tourism stipend from government are employed, though many are working far fewer hours than before COVID, a survey of recipients shows.
Ready to serve? The challenge of empowering Caymanians in tourism
Tourism businesses say they are taking on the challenge of putting Caymanians at the forefront of tourism as the island prepares to reopen its borders. But the reality of trying to recruit and retain local talent is more complex than many believe. The Compass takes a deeper look at the issue through the eyes of one restaurant.
Bryan seeking to put Caymanians at forefront of tourism
The survey of displaced tourism workers currently receiving the government stipend will also serve as a skills assessment to help link them with job and training opportunities, Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan has said.
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.
People need to recognise importance of tourism to Cayman
A reader writes: "There are several pillars of the Cayman Islands economy, but the tourism sector is the key financial driver for the average Caymanian".
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.
American Airlines poised for Cayman return, expects Caribbean tourism boom
American Airlines is scheduling more flights to the Caribbean this summer than it did during a record-breaking 2019, and is poised to return to Cayman as soon as feasible once the borders reopen.
Cayman excluded from UK’s travel ‘green list’
Cayman has been excluded from Britain's new quarantine-free travel 'green list' despite having a vaccination rate of almost double the UK and no community transmission of COVID-19 since last year.
After 13 months closed, Westin resort plans June reopening
The Westin resort on Seven Mile Beach, which has been closed to guests since March, is preparing to reopen for staycations from June.
Government must make plan for tourists’ return
I love the Cayman Islands; I even got married on the island 10 years ago. I want to go back and stay for a...
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...
Airlines blast Britain’s travel restart plan, Jet2 cancels holidays until June
British travel company Jet2 said it was cancelling holidays until late June, blaming uncertainty in UK government plans for restarting international travel, which were condemned by airlines.
‘Happy Monday’: English lockdown measures ease but Johnson urges caution
England's stay-at-home lockdown order ended on Monday with people allowed to meet up outside in groups of six for the first time in nearly three months, though Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged caution due to rising coronavirus cases in Europe.
British Airways calls for vaccinated people to travel without restrictions
British Airways's new boss said vaccinated people should be allowed to travel without restriction and non-vaccinated people with a negative COVID-19 test, as he set out his ideas for a travel restart a month before the UK government finalises its plans.
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.
Gov’t mulls tourism stipend increase
Government is considering increasing its tourism stipend, Finance Minister Roy McTaggart has confirmed.
Cayman travellers to UK required to isolate
Those travelling from the Cayman Islands to the United Kingdom will now be required to isolate as Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that the UK will be suspending its travel corridor initiative from Monday, 18 Jan.
HSA expands COVID testing in response to new restrictions
Cayman's Health Services Authority has extended its COVID-19 testing clinic hours to accommodate those now facing new travel requirements for international travel.
Poll: Should visitors be required to show proof of vaccination?
With a possible reopening of the islands to tourists at the end of March, should proof of a COVID-19 vaccination be a requirement for visitors to the Cayman Islands?
‘We are hanging on by the skin of our teeth’
The arrival of a COVID-19 vaccine on Cayman's shores means there is finally light at the end of the tunnel for self-employed Caymanians and business owners impacted by the pandemic. But with bills mounting, many operators fear they may not survive long enough to be there when the tourists return.
Tourism industry welcomes vaccinations, pre-arrival testing
The Cayman Islands Tourism Association is urging all its members, particularly their frontline workers, to be vaccinated as the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is rolled out locally.
Tourism industry needs local support
News from abroad has offered us a glimpse of the damage wrought to societies around the world. We may not truly appreciate the full...
Water-sports operators concerned over grant rejections
Struggling water-sports operators say they are being turned down for financial aid as they strive to keep their businesses afloat.
Eagle Rays, Taco Cantina latest casualties of East End economic crisis
East End chef Ron Hargrave is selling two of his three restaurants in the district as the impact of COVID-19 continues to take its toll.
Government extends tourism stipend until June 2021
Tourism Minister Moses Kirkconnell announced the extension of the $1,000 monthly stipend for displaced workers in the tourism industry until June 2021.
Marriott GM urges gov’t to rethink border strategy
John Hazard is calling it a day after five years at the helm of the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach resort, doing so with a heavy heart and some frustration fuelled by the continuing closure of Cayman’s borders.
Westin lays off more than 100 staff as tourism crisis continues
The Westin resort has laid off just over half of its staff amid the continued impact of the coronavirus on tourism in the Cayman Islands.
70 apply for Global Citizen scheme
Seventy people have applied to join Cayman's Global Citizen Concierge programme, which would allow them to live and work remotely here for up to two years. As of Wednesday, one application had been approved.
Cuba reopens Havana airport ahead of tourism high season
Havana airport will open to regular commercial flights on Sunday after being closed for seven and a half months due to the coronavirus pandemic
Tourism industry to discuss COVID impact at AGM this week
At a time of year when the tourism industry is usually gearing up for its busiest season, this year members of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association will be meeting to discuss how they can survive and re-emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Home quarantine allowed on Sister Islands
The Cayman Islands Government has approved residents of the Sister Islands to self-quarantine at their homes on Cayman Brac or Little Cayman, from 7 Nov.
Villa-rental companies propose new bubble concept
Two of Cayman’s largest villa rental companies are in talks with government over a new vacation-bubble concept.
Cayman Villas owner: ‘There is no light at the end of the tunnel’
Cayman Villas, the 50-year-old pioneer of the vacation property rental industry in the Cayman Islands, has become the latest business to suffer the impacts of the coronavirus crisis.
Testing, testing, testing: How Bermuda restarted tourism
Bermuda has seen a slow but steadily increasing trickle of tourists return to the island since opening its borders in July. The island has no quarantine measures for visitors, instead opting for a policy of testing, social distancing and detailed contact tracing. It has worked so far, say political and industry leaders.
Impact of tourism collapse hits home at Cayman’s biggest resort
The Ritz-Carlton resort is not expecting to run at close to full capacity until November 2021 at the earliest, according to general manager Marc Langevin.
Kirkconnell: Soft reopening a first step
The soft reopening of the borders this week is the first step in a cautious, phased approach to bringing back visitors, Tourism Minister Moses Kirkconnell said.
Caymanian hoteliers advocating for ‘bubble resort’ trial
Two Caymanian hoteliers are continuing talks with government over a pilot project for ‘resort bubbles’ that would allow some tourism to resume on the islands.
Could super yachts be a new niche for Cayman?
Mega yachts can bring big business with relatively low impact, but for Cayman to pursue the industry major and potentially controversial infrastructure upgrades would be needed.
Jobs cut as Dart scales back hotel operations amid COVID impact
The Dart group is scaling back operations at The Ritz-Carlton and Kimpton Seafire resorts in a move that will impact hundreds of jobs.
Tourism stipend registration reopens
Workers who lost their jobs in the tourism sector and who are not already receiving a government stipend can now apply for the $1,000-a-month financial assistance. Applicants have until the end of this month to register.
Premier: Resort bubble plan proving difficult, but not impossible
Discussions around working out a way forward to introduce “resort bubbles” as an avenue to boost Cayman’s tourism is proving “difficult,” Premier Alden McLaughlin has said.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Border reopening still scheduled for October
Premier Alden McLaughlin confirmed Tuesday that Cayman's borders were still on track to reopen in a phased manner from 1 Oct.
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?
Tour bus drivers: “It’s a scary situation”
Cayman's tour bus operators have been among the worst hit by the tourism shut down. With little prospect of cruise ships returning any time soon, they don't know where to turn for help.
Gov’t to pay out more tourism-worker stipends
Jobless tourism workers who missed the deadline to register for stipends from the government can still apply for financial assistance when registration reopens on...
Tourism Minister: ‘We won’t take undue risks’
Tourism Minister Moses Kirkconnell says the island is not taking any 'undue risks' with its soft reopening of the border in September.
Tourism plan targets route back to half a million visitors
Cayman Islands tourism leaders today unveiled a comprehensive action plan for the recovery of the industry following the devastating impact of the coronavirus crisis.
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.
Ritz boss: ‘Risks must be taken on road to recovery’
The Cayman Islands may have to take some ‘calculated risks’ to bring tourists back to the destination.
That’s the verdict of Marc Langevin, general manager of the islands’ biggest resort, The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman.
