The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism (CIDOT) UK and Europe office has revealed that 2023 tourist numbers are expected to exceed the target of over 70% of 2019 pre-pandemic levels.
Air arrivals during the month of January through August 2023 are in line with the Cayman Islands’ busiest year, when 14,583 visitors from the UK arrived. Arrivals from outside the UK are estimated at 8,597 as of August 2023, with the busiest travel season still to come and forward bookings appearing healthy.
Rosa Harris, the director of the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, states, “We are thrilled with the numbers this year. The Cayman Islands’ economy is mostly dependent on tourism, and with our top-notch eating and diving options, we have enough to offer visitors of all stripes. In order to revive the Cayman Islands’ tourism industry following the epidemic, my team and I have made investments in and strengthened our ties with British Airways and the travel industry.
“Going ahead, 2024 will be a significant year for the Cayman Islands as we welcome the opening of Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman, the first of its kind in the Caribbean, Kailani, A Curio Collection by Hilton Resort, and VIDA Cayman, an eco-sustainable tourism development centered on wellness and adventure. We also anticipate welcoming the five-star Mandarin Oriental Grand Cayman and Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman Hotel & Residences, which are both slated to open in 2025, to our portfolio. Working closely with our industry partners, we will be attending events and trainings to improve trade engagement and, above all, to reaffirm our position as the premier location for unhurried exploration on vacation.
The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism (CIDOT) UK and Europe office announced this year that the Cayman Islands Training program and related agent incentive would be relaunching.
When the course was first introduced in 2019, it was updated with new and relevant information. For example, British Airways started offering a fifth weekly flight to the destination in January 2023. Other updates included information about accommodations, such as the recently renovated Palm Heights and Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman, as well as the exciting new properties that will open this year: Vida Ocean Adventure Lodge and Kailani Cayman, A Curio Collection by Hilton Hotel.
The program now offers expert-led content videos as well, which allow viewers to delve deeper into each of the three islands—Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman. Hannah Stitfall, presenter of Springwatch on the BBC, hosts the inaugural webcast. and highlights the amazing fauna of the area, such as the native blue iguanas that are unique to Grand Cayman, while a well-known TV personality hosts a gourmet series.
Source- Travel daily
Link- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/cayman-islands-on-track-to-surpass-visitation-goals/