Monday, September 9, 2024 Cayman Islands at the Forefront of Tourism Led by Hon. Kenneth Bryan, Minister of Tourism. Known for his approachable and engaging nature, Minister Bryan played a key role during the recently concluded SOTIC 2024 conference, hosted in the Cayman Islands.
During the event, Bryan proudly highlighted how his small nation of fewer than 70,000 residents takes tourism seriously. He emphasized that tourism is the lifeblood of the economy, driving both prosperity and growth for the islands. His message to potential visitors? The Cayman Islands offer a government-backed guarantee of a worry-free vacation experience, even during hurricane season.
The Cayman Islands have introduced the innovative “Worry Free Hurricane Guarantee” for travelers. This initiative, according to Minister Bryan, reflects the islands’ commitment to providing an unparalleled vacation experience, ensuring that visitors can relax without worrying about unpredictable weather. From June 1 to November 30, 2024, the guarantee promises a refund or rebooking if an official hurricane watch is issued by the Hazard Management of the Cayman Islands, offering peace of mind to all visitors.
In the first half of 2024, the Cayman Islands welcomed 250,699 stay-over visitors, marking the third-highest visitation in its history for this period. This represents a 6.5% increase from 2023, with visitors staying an average of six nights.
Remarkably, 43.2% of travelers were repeat visitors, and 45% of the visitors were between the ages of 36 and 60, with an average age of 42.9.
March 2024 saw a record-breaking 57,040 visitors in a single month, the second-highest month on record after March 2019. The top countries of origin were the United States (210,712 visitors), Canada (17,186 visitors), and the United Kingdom (7,120 visitors), with U.S.
travelers making up 84% of the total. Cayman Airways, the national carrier, along with foreign airlines, handled 425,870 seats on 365 flights in the first half of 2024. Expansions are underway, including Jet Blue adding a third frequency from Boston and United Airlines increasing nonstop services from Chicago, Houston, and Washington Dulles.
Delta is also introducing three weekly nonstop flights from Minneapolis, while American Airlines will boost its Dallas-Cayman service to daily flights by February 2025. British Airways continues to connect the islands to Nassau and the U.K.
The Cayman Islands’ hospitality sector recently surpassed a major milestone, now offering over 8,000 rooms. With 3,864 condos, 1,387 villas, and 2,831 hotel rooms, the territory continues to expand its capacity. Upcoming hotel openings include the Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman and VIDA, a luxury boutique hotel centered on wellness and sustainability.
By the end of 2025, George Town will add over 600 rooms with developments like ONE GT, Grand Hyatt, and Kailani, part of Hilton’s Curio Collection. Cayman is fast becoming the culinary capital of the Caribbean, with a growing number of restaurants and entertainment venues enhancing its reputation as a top food destination. Delegates at SOTIC 2024 were treated to a taste of Cayman’s world-class culinary offerings.
Minister Bryan emphasized the importance of niche markets like Ageless Tourism and Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism. He also discussed the Cayman Islands National Tourism Plan for 2024, which outlines a strategic roadmap to maximize the benefits of tourism across Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman. The plan includes ambitious goals to protect natural resources, improve connectivity, enhance visitor experiences, and develop a highly skilled workforce to future-proof the industry.
The Cayman Islands are also home to a vibrant festival scene, with events ranging from scuba diving to gourmet experiences. The Cayman National Festival will be held in November 2024, with celebrations across all three islands. Highlights include Pirates Landing, parades, fireworks displays, and cultural and heritage days that celebrate the unique traditions of the Cayman Islands.
With these initiatives and ongoing developments, the Cayman Islands continue to position themselves as a premier destination for travelers seeking both relaxation and adventure..
