Cayman Government developing recovery plan for tourism

By Lindsey Turnbull on 3rd June, 2020

2019 saw the Cayman Islands receive a record 502,739 stayover visitors, but restrictions put in place to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus have meant it has had to shut its borders to visitors for a few months. Never-the-less, getting back on track and welcoming visitors again is obviously the number one priority for the Cayman Islands Government’s Ministry of Tourism.

To that end, a multifaceted three-year strategic plan is in development to guide the country’s tourism sector through the phases of recovery in the medium to long term.  

Since the closure of borders in March, the Ministry and Department of Tourism have been focused on collaboration with key stakeholders in government and the tourism community, addressing the challenges currently facing the industry, as well as finding solutions for what lays ahead.   This outreach has included undertaking surveys, training, meeting with key stakeholders, working with the Public Transportation Board and Hotel Licensing Board on recommendations to support the tourism industry, creating a needs registry of tourism employees, and developing sanitation guidelines for the tourism sector to safely welcome visitors back.

As a result of this intensive discussion and collaboration, the Government is developing a three-year strategic tourism recovery plan, focusing on how to better prepare for the reopening and looking at how domestic tourism can help with the transition to a full return. The Government will also be undertaking extensive global marketing and promotions of the best practices and methodologies put in place to ensure the Cayman Islands’ tourism products and services are operating with the highest safety and sanitation standards for accommodations, events, dive, tours and attractions, transportation, and culinary experiences. 

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Moses Kirkconnell said the plan was crucial to the recovery of Cayman’s tourism industry.  

“We look forward to continued stakeholder engagement to receive their valuable insights and expertise to this holistic recovery plan. Together we will engage with the sector to ensure that new policies and safety measures are in place to ensure that our guests know we are ready to welcome them back.  This is a plan for success for all Caymanians and those who support our dynamic tourism industry,” he said.