Support Our Tourism

10/03/2020

US Travel Warnings Spark Fears of Cruise Decline

For Shane Ebanks, of Tours Cayman, which runs trips to the Cayman Turtle Centre among others, lost business would be bad news.

“Of course, it is a concern for us all, but we are a small island and we have to put safety first,” he said. “We are taking it one day at a time. I hope and pray that they find a vaccine soon but, until then, we have to take all precautions necessary.

“I certainly can’t afford to lose the business. There is a lot of people that depend on these ships, so I am hoping it doesn’t get so bad that we have nobody coming in at all.”

Read the full story here - https://www.caymancompass.com/2020/03/09/471115/

10/03/2020

Premier on Port Project, from the Fidelity Economic Outlook

“Without a cruise berthing pier, I am afraid that we must again expect the inevitable decline in cruise visitor numbers over the next few years.”

He added, “Without the project, we will be exposing our economy – and our people – to more risk. And, in my view, totally unnecessary risk.”

The premier said that in a period of “almost certain economic slowdown”, the case for the project was “even more clear and obvious”.

The cargo element of the project was equally important, he noted, predicting that Cayman would struggle to import the quantity of goods it needs as the economy develops and the population grows.

Read the full story here - https://www.caymancompass.com/2020/03/08/470816/

06/03/2020

The Cayman Islands Port Authority wishes to advise the public that a false voice message has been circulating on Whatsapp which alleges that Government is not allowing any containers to come into the island.

The Port Authority would like to reassure the public that there is no cause for concern. The Port Authority discharged Caribe Navigator last night and Tropic Jade is scheduled for the evening of March 6. Caribe Mariner is scheduled for discharge for the evening of March 7, 2020.

04/03/2020

GRAND CAYMAN REMAINS ON CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE ITINERARY

The Ministry of District Administration, Tourism and Transport wishes to assure the public that there is no truth to reports circulating in the media that Carnival Cruise lines have dropped the Cayman Islands from its Western Caribbean itinerary.

In fact, the Ministry continues to work collaboratively with cruise line partners and are adhering to established medical protocols with respect to the docking of cruise ships and landing of cruise ship passengers.

Read the full release here - https://supportourtourism.com/medias/grand-cayman-remains-on-carnival-cruise-line-itinerary/

Ministry of Tourism Continues to Work Closely with Tourism Partners to Stave Off Coronavirus The Ministry of District Administration, Tourism and Transport wishes to assure the public that there is no truth to reports circulating in the media that Carnival Cruise lines have dropped the Cayman Island...

02/03/2020

World’s largest sailing ship calls on Cayman Brac

Moses Kirkconnell, deputy premier and tourism minister, said he was “extremely pleased” to welcome the increased cruise calls to Cayman Brac for the benefit of the local economy, “especially this year”.

Read the full story here - https://www.caymancompass.com/2020/02/28/worlds-largest-sailing-ship-calls-on-cayman-brac/

21/02/2020

Celebrate Honouring Women Month throughout March with events organised and co-ordinated by the Family Resource Centre.

19/02/2020

Premier’s statement on Referendum Law ruling

“Understandably, the ruling of Acting Judge Tim Owen QC of Matrix Chambers handed down this morning is not the outcome that the Government had hoped for.

“While the Court determined that the Referendum Law was incompatible with section 70 of the Constitution, the question of the appropriate relief to be granted is still outstanding. We understand that it will take some time before an order on this issue is made.

“Pending the Court’s final order, aside from the immediate issue of an appeal, the Government will take time to consider its next steps regarding the port project, and will issue another statement in due course.”

05/02/2020

38% of cruise ship passengers reported an annual household income of between US$100k-$150k, this is 695,784 individuals!

Read the full article in the Cayman Compass - https://www.caymancompass.com/2020/02/04/kirkconnell-continues-campaign-for-port-project/

Kirkconnell suggested that opponents of the port “claim that government ought to concentrate solely on stayover visitors and allow the cruise tourism industry to diminish over time”.

“Those who support this line of thinking appear to focus on cruise passenger spend rather than cruise passenger value, and erroneously conclude that cruise passengers cannot afford to spend on island and add very little benefit to our tourism industry,” Kirkconnell said.

He pointed to the 2019 bi-annual report on tourism statistics and trends compiled by the Department of Tourism, which stated that 25% of stayover visitors (125,684 individuals) reported an annual household income of between US$100,000 and US$150,000.

“Conversely, the report notes that 38% of cruise ship passengers reported an annual household income of between US$100,000 and US$150,000. This equates to 695,784 individuals. This is particularly relevant because one of the main impediments to developing small and micro businesses in the outer districts is the small size of the market,” he said.

31/01/2020

Kirkconnell: Caribbean tourism ‘stronger together’

"I think it’s fair and safe for us to say that for us to be able to take advantage of this opportunity, we need cruise berthing. We have a product mix and this should be very simple to understand. We have a product mix that makes 100% of our product that we sell. It’s a lot of different things, but cruise picks up 20 to 25% of that product mix. And we don’t have anything that will attract or bring the type of economic benefit to replace losing 25% of that product mix" Hon. Minister for Tourism, Moses Kirkconnell.

Read the full article here - https://www.caymancompass.com/2020/01/30/kirkconnell-caribbean-tourism-stronger-together/

29/01/2020

The need for a new cruise berthing and cargo facility has been a long-discussed topic for successive administrations. Opponents to the current proposed project have said the referendum on the facility should separate the cargo aspect from the cruise side.

But Woods said there can be no separation, as both aspects are interrelated.

“You cannot separate both. There’s no way to separate both. If you only built a cargo facility, you still have inadequate cruise facilities that will have to depend on the cargo facility. You just can’t separate them,” he said.

Read the full story here - https://www.caymancompass.com/2020/01/28/port-director-business-as-usual/

24/01/2020

Kirkconnell expects swift review of port EIA scoping report

Tourism Minister Moses Kirkconnell has said he expects the Environmental Assessment Board to move swiftly in its review of the environmental impact assessment scoping update for the cruise berthing and cargo project.

Kirkconnell added, from government’s perspective, the EIA may be a 2015 document, but “It’s a 50-year project, so I’m going to assume the 2015 document was extremely well done again by best in class”.

Read full story here: https://www.caymancompass.com/2020/01/23/kirkconnell-expects-swift-review-of-port-eia-scoping-report/

22/01/2020

We are very pleased the awaited scoping document has been submitted to the EAB (Environmental Advisory Board) for review. We look forward to receiving their assessment.

Read full statement here - https://supportourtourism.com/?post_type=medias&p=1581&preview=true

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands (21 January, 2019) The Cayman Islands Government and Verdant Isle Port Partners (Verdant), the preferred bidders for the proposed cruise berthing and cargo enhancement project, have confirmed that an Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping Update was submitted by Verdant...

21/01/2020

We are always concerned about the environment and ensuring the least impact. The revised CBF plans move the cargo port facility much further away from Eden Rock to ensure this.



https://www.caymancompass.com/2020/01/20/swimmers-call-for-protection-of-eden-rock/

16/01/2020

What is the potential impact to jobs if the project does not happen? This is the question!

Listen as The Premier of the Cayman Islands explains the potential impact if the cruise berthing facility does not happen.

13/01/2020

Another question and answer from the public meetings that we hope will continue to provide more information about the project.

We also have all these questions and more within our comprehensive FAQ section on our website - https://supportourtourism.com/faqs/

if you have a question that you don't see posted please post here so we can add it for others to see. It is important for everyone to fully understand the project and know all the facts.

13/01/2020

Brac Seeing More Cruise Tourism

“Having another cruise line calling in on Cayman Brac means more business for the craft vendors and the island,” said Chevala Burke, Cayman Brac District Administration marketing and promotions manager.

https://www.caymancompass.com/2020/01/09/cayman-brac-seeing-more-cruise-ships/

10/01/2020

We had many great questions asked at the public meetings hosted to provide more information about the cargo port and cruise berthing facility.

We will be posting select ones for people who may have similar questions or concerns. We also have all of them within our comprehensive FAQ section on our website - https://supportourtourism.com/faqs/

if you have a question that you don't see posted please post it here so we can add it for others to see. It is important for everyone to fully understand the project and know all the facts.

08/01/2020

This is a great story highlighting some of Cayman's 200 ship wrecks. Of all these shipwrecks only one will be directly impacted by the proposed cruise berthing facility, the wreck of the Balboa.

Because of this project we will have the opportunity to move the Balboa from its current location with limited access, to a new location nearby where it can be enjoyed by everyone, all the time.

"Beneath the crystal-clear waters of the Cayman Islands lies the wreckage of almost 200 ships. Spanning the centuries from sail-powered British naval frigates to modern submarine rescue vessels, the wrecks of the Cayman Islands are fascinating to historians and divers alike."

https://www.caymancompass.com/2020/01/06/wrecks-of-the-cayman-islands/

IssuesWrecks of the Cayman IslandsBy James Whittaker - January 6, 2020Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Linkedin Email Beneath the crystal-clear waters of the Cayman Islands lies the wreckage of almost 200 ships. Spanning the centuries from sail-powered British naval frigates to modern submarine rescue vess...

07/01/2020

Calico’s owner: ‘We should have built piers years ago’

"We have developed a strong cruise ship business in the Cayman Islands. Quite frankly, we should have had a cruise ship pier 35 years ago. It’s like the can you keep kicking down the road." Handel Whittaker

Read the full story here - https://www.caymancompass.com/2019/12/12/calicos-owner-we-should-have-built-piers-years-ago/

06/01/2020

"I support the proposed development of this project, because I believe it is necessary for the long-term survival of our tourism product, and our economy as a whole."



https://www.caymancompass.com/2019/12/10/port-will-benefit-cayman-over-the-long-term/

OpinionLettersPort will benefit Cayman over the long termBy Letters - December 10, 2019Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Linkedin Email The ongoing debate regarding the cruise berthing piers/cargo port facility has, in my humble opinion, focussed too much on SHORT-TERM implications. I do pray that our young...

06/01/2020

Happy New Year to everyone in our beautiful islands and beyond!

20/12/2019

At the end of the agreement period the Cayman Islands will own a world class cargo port and berthing facility.

11/12/2019

10/12/2019

Orion: Upgrades essential for efficiency and safety

"If at any time there is impact to the environment that is catastrophic or even to a point where we can’t live with it, our legacy as a company is we won’t live with it. We will basically say that’s enough, we can’t go forward with it and I know the cruise lines stand behind that statement as well. We are stewards of the environment. I know there have been a lot of questions about that, but we are. As Orion Marine Group, we operate in Alaska, Tacoma, Houston, Florida, East Coast, Caribbean so we are in a lot of places and we cannot afford to make a mistake nor will we." Barry Loudermilk - Business Development Director for Orion Marine Group.



Read the full interview here - https://www.caymancompass.com/2019/12/09/orion-upgrades-essential-for-efficiency-and-safety/

10/12/2019

We need enhanced cargo port

“The time to expand is now, before we reach the critical point in the very near future,” a Port Authority spokesman said in response to questions from the Compass.

“No one waits until his clothes are two sizes too small before acquiring better fitting ones. In the case of our facilities, we are already one size too small for the cargo dock and two sizes too small for cruise.”

Read the full story at link below -
https://www.caymancompass.com/2019/12/09/focus-on-cargo/

05/12/2019

Cousteau Clarifies Cayman Port Position

We truly hope everyone will follow this advice and 'get an understanding of the latest plans'

"I am impressed by the amount of work that has gone into responding to the concerns raised by members of the Cayman Islands community. Now is the time for all interested parties in the community to get an understanding of the latest plans and collectively determine what is best for the Cayman Islands." Jean-Michele Cousteau



https://www.caymancompass.com/2019/12/05/cousteau-clarifies-cayman-port-position/

03/12/2019

Please be advised for the scheduled public meetings this week.

02/12/2019

“Take a look at our average arrival statistics over the last 10 years. We do 200,000 in January, 170,000 in February, 194,000 in March, 146,000 in April, then all of a sudden, boom. It drops to less than 100,000 a month for the summer.

The growth that we want for the industry that will take us to 2.5 million is not in January, February or March, but it is in June, July and August when we have capacity.” Hon. Moses Kirkconnell, Minister for Tourism.



https://www.caymancompass.com/2019/12/01/tourism-minister-moses-kirkconnell-makes-his-case-for-cruise-piers/

30/11/2019

Our next public meeting is in East End. Join us on Tuesday, 3rd December at the East End Civic Centre at 7pm to have any questions you have about the Cruise Berthing Facility answered.

28/11/2019

This column in the provides great insight into the project.

"What we are witnessing is a uniquely beneficial deal for the Cayman Islands and frankly if it passes us by we may never see the likes of it again.

Based on the assessments we did back in 2010 the port area does not have anywhere near the amount of coral that some opposing the project have suggested. There is a difference between coral habitat which has no coral and habitat which has live coral.

The area dock footprint as currently proposed, has no more than five acres of live coral directly within the area to be dredged, which by the way, is substantially smaller than that proposed in 2010. The current plan also involves relocation of that live coral."



https://www.caymancompass.com/2019/11/27/we-may-never-see-a-deal-like-this-again/