Topic: tourism
Minister optimistic as port process drags
Tourism Minister Moses Kirkconnell has predicted that a deal for new cruise piers will be signed before the next election, with the total cost coming in at less than $200 million – even after the design has been altered to reduce the environmental damage.
EDITORIAL – Tourism stats: Rosier than Rosa’s report
We don’t want to make too much of the ever-so-slight decline in air arrivals to the Cayman Islands so far this year, but unfortunately our tourism officials have beat us to the punch.
‘Tell it to the judge’
It appears the Cayman really does not want others to come there any more than for a short visit.
JOURNAL: Easing of US-Cuba relations could hit Caribbean tourism
Since the U.S. started loosening Cuba travel restrictions in January 2015, the opening up of Cuba to U.S. tourists spelled potentially bad news for other vacation destinations in the Caribbean.
‘Thanks for the memories’
A couple who have been spending their vacations on Grand Cayman for 25 years were so saddened to hear of the upcoming closure of their favorite hotel that they threw a farewell party for all the staff.
Tourism chiefs mindful of Brexit impact on economy
Government is monitoring the potential impacts of Britain’s decision to leave the European Union on the Cayman Islands’ tourism industry, Deputy Premier Moses Kirkconnell said Monday.
Zika fears ‘impacting tourism’
Fear over the spread of the Zika virus in the Caribbean has been blamed for a decline in stay-over tourism in Grand Cayman this year.
Waterfront development proceeds despite complaints
Work on a new tourism business on the George Town waterfront is progressing despite concerns from a neighboring landowner that it is negatively impacting plans to construct a boardwalk and beautify the area.
Margaritaville designs unveiled
The first renderings of the Margaritaville Grand Cayman Beach Resort were released this week, with the developer anticipating it will be “substantially complete” by the end of the year.
Minister hails tourist spending increase
Growing tourist numbers added almost US$90 million in direct spending to the economy between 2013 and 2015, with the contribution split almost evenly between cruise and stay-over visitors.
Tours enhance visit to Botanic Park in North Side
With the rainy season finally arriving in North Side, the plants at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Parks are benefiting from the precipitation.
Government seeks cruise pier compromise
Government is seeking to establish the cost of altering the design of the proposed cruise berthing facility to minimize environmental damage, Tourism Minister Moses Kirkconnell said this week.
Deal signed for airport upgrade
The Cayman Islands Airports Authority signed a contract Wednesday with building contractor McAlpine for a $42.5 million project which will almost triple the size of the airport’s terminal buildings.
Officials say vendors need permission to use public land
Trade and business licenses cannot be granted to Grand Cayman’s Public Beach vendors, or anyone else operating on Crown land, without prior approval of Cabinet, the head of the Department of Commerce and Investment confirmed Tuesday.
Kunkle: Checked bags should be free
The airlines could do something today that might ease your wait in airport security checkpoint lines tomorrow: Stop charging fees for checked baggage.
EDITORIAL – The curious case of the ‘$233 arrest’ at the airport
A "soccer mom" visiting the Cayman Islands was arrested and forced to spend the night in police custody ... over a disputed debt of $233. That’s not the sort of tale that supports our “Caymankind" tourism moniker.
Tourism department seeks 5-year plan
Cayman’s key attraction, Seven Mile Beach, risks losing its appeal as visitor numbers continue to rise, according to a Department of Tourism analysis of future industry trends.
EDITORIAL – Travel plan: Quality, quantity or both?
In terms of tourism, is the Cayman Islands a “quantity” destination or a “quality” destination?
EDITORIAL — Usain Bolt: On the fast track this weekend
For a few seconds on Saturday night, the eyes of the world will be on the Cayman Islands as sprint superstar Usain Bolt lines up for the 100m dash, the showpiece race of the Cayman Invitational track meet.
New Botanic Park rates aimed at wooing locals
It is now more affordable for Cayman Islands residents to visit North Side’s Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park.
First US cruise in decades arrives in Havana
The first U.S. cruise ship in nearly 40 years crossed the Florida Straits from Miami and pulled into Havana Harbor on Monday, restarting commercial travel on waters that served as a stage for a half-century of Cold War hostility.
Engineers sought for cruise berthing design
Advertisements are to appear in local and international media Wednesday seeking proposals for civil engineering design work for the proposed cruise berthing facility.
Court denies permission for large apartment building on Seven Mile Beach
In a rare court ruling concerning a planning dispute over a proposed apartment development along Grand Cayman’s Seven Mile Beach, a Grand Court judge has questioned planning regulations that, heretofore, have allowed for the development of structures higher than seven stories in hotel/tourism zones.
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.
Governor presented with Bob Soto biography
Bob Soto’s granddaughter Amanda and his wife Suzy Soto deliver a copy of the late dive pioneer’s biography to Governor Helen Kilpatrick this week.
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.
Cayman Airways in dispute with Mexico
Cayman Airways is unable to fly over Mexico because of back fees the country claims it is owed for flights more than a decade ago.
I’ve finally figured out what’s missing in the Cayman Islands
There’s a very important tourist product missing on Grand Cayman.
EDITORIAL – Cydonie good as gold for Cayman
The news that Usain Bolt plans to compete in the Cayman Invitational track meet is a coup for our country and meet organizer Cydonie Mothersill, who is the queen of track and field in the Cayman Islands.
Seven cruise ships bring 24,000 tourists
Grand Cayman saw a huge influx of tourists on Wednesday as seven cruise ships arrived in port.
Residents: Seven Mile Beach being destroyed by vendors
Unlicensed businesses, carelessly discarded trash and dangerous watercraft operations are adding to a “lawless mentality” on Grand Cayman’s Public Beach that residents have warned is in danger of being “destroyed by a growing horde of unlicensed vendors,” according to complaints filed last week with the government’s Ministry of Tourism.
Dart hotel plan hinges on rock removal
Developer Dart Realty is seeking permission to remove “beach rocks” from shallow coastal waters off a Seven Mile Beach property where it is proposing to build a five-star hotel.
Weather keeps 54,000 cruise passengers away
Poor weather conditions in January and February caused Cayman to miss out on nearly 54,000 cruise ship passengers, and as a result, millions of dollars in...
Giant leaps for Caribbean tourism, small steps for Cayman Islands
Despite recording record visitor arrivals in 2015, the Cayman Islands was outstripped in tourist arrivals by the rest of the Caribbean, which enjoyed record growth.
West Bay updates: Cobalt Coast
West Bay’s Cobalt Coast Resort and Suites was officially acquired by JEM Holdings Ltd. on Dec. 1, 2015 from owner Arie Barendrecht, who opened the resort in 2000. Dive operations are now managed by Reef Divers.
Cayman Islands Marathon runs to Miami
Runners attending the Miami Marathon Expo late last month had a chance to hear all about the Cayman Islands Marathon.
Branson, Harvey urge ocean conservation
British business magnate and philanthropist Sir Richard Branson and marine wildlife artist and conservationist Guy Harvey made an appeal to the audience at the Cayman Alternative Investment Summit on Friday evening to invest in ocean conservation projects.
Street fair offers Cayman experience
Cruise ship passengers joined with locals in enjoying a street fair on Cardinall Avenue on Thursday. Local food and crafts were for sale.
Carrying on a family tradition
The Travis family represents four generations and four decades of stay-over visitors.
Port Authority helped fund cruise pier report
Government appealed to the Port Authority for help to cover a $1.8 million shortfall in funding for the environmental impact assessment on the proposed cruise pier project, according to Port Authority meeting minutes.
Asia’s economic climb presents scant threat to Caribbean tourism
Frank Bentayou
“Concern in Caribbean is unfounded.”
That’s the pithy first line of an email Stewart Chiron sent during a mid-trip pause in Dallas last week...
50 Years ago: An old friend pays a visit
In the Feb. 2, 1966, edition of the Caymanian weekly, a precursor of the Cayman Compass, George Town correspondent Miss Frances wrote: “A very delightful party was given at South Sound on the 26th Jan. by Mrs. Lawrence Thompson in honour of her husband Lawrence’s birthday."
New tourism commercials launched
A new tourism advertising campaign focusing on the Cayman Islands’ core strengths of beach, ocean and water sports has launched in the U.S.
Runway extension pushed forward
Plans to begin expanding the runway at the Owen Roberts International Airport to allow long-haul flights into Grand Cayman are being pushed forward.
Cayman tourism chiefs disappointed with BBC documentary
Tourism bosses say they are disappointed with the content of the recent BBC documentary on the Cayman Islands.
Overgrown Alexander Hotel remains in limbo
Partially obscured by grass and weeds, its walls crawling with rampant bougainvillea, the vacant Alexander Hotel on Cayman Brac provides a striking counterpoint to...
Tourist dies in first water death of 2016
A 65-year-old American tourist died Wednesday morning after getting into difficulty while snorkeling off Cemetery Beach in West Bay.
Police reported that someone called 911...
EDITORIAL – The Tibbetts family legacy continues on Cayman Brac
The grand reopening of the Cayman Brac Beach Resort deserves three cheers — one for each generation of the Tibbetts family, starting with patriarch...
Splashy mural brings Cayman icons to George Town cruise terminal
Muralist Tansy Maki hopes her newest artwork featuring iconic Caymanian sights gives tourists and residents a sense of gratitude for visiting or living in...
Grand opening for Brac resort
The newly named Cayman Brac Beach Resort opened Friday with a new bar and sprawling lagoon-style swimming pool at the ocean’s edge.
The hotel and...
Tourist brought in drugs without prescription
A tourist from Arizona was fined $1,250 Thursday after pleading guilty to five charges of importing controlled drugs.
Missing links: New airport needs jetways
Last week, the premier announced that the government will forge ahead with the cruise dock project. Today, we’d like our readers to turn their attention to Grand Cayman’s “other” port project – the expansion of the Owen Roberts International Airport.
