Stayover & Cruise Tourism
Tourism is a prominent sector of Cayman’s economy, with the islands renowned for their stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, vibrant marine life, and upscale tourism amenities. The Cayman Islands boast some of the Caribbean's most picturesque beaches, including the famous Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman. The islands are also known for their coral reefs, making them a haven for snorkelers and scuba divers.
Cayman’s financial sector indirectly supports tourism by contributing to the islands' infrastructure and economy, as well as hosting of many industry events at its resorts. It has been shown that business travel to the Islands often promotes further vacation tourism.
Disembarking from the Royal Watler Cruise Terminal in the morning, the class toured the Royal Caribbean Hollywood cruise ship, before returning in mid-afternoon, ready for a tour of the newly completed Hotel Indigo in West Bay, where they had dinner, prior to the seminar and breakout sessions.
Keynote speaker for the evening was Hon. Kenneth Bryan, Minister of Tourism and Ports. Panellists included Chris Kirkconnell, VP Operations Kirk Freeport; Hermes Cuello, General Manager – Grand Cayman Mariott Resort; Rosa Harris, Director of Tourism at Cayman Islands Department of Tourism
The seminar delved into the future of Cayman tourism, exploring visions for both cruise and stayover sectors. Students and panellists engaged in critical discussions to understand the true impact of tourism on the Cayman Islands, examining both its benefits and challenging any misconceptions.
Cruise passengers often disembark to explore the island's attractions, go shopping, or participate in local excursions. Cruise tourism has also shown to drive stayover and business tourism, where cruise passengers return to the islands with friends, family, or for business.
There was a debrief at Pom Pom – the rooftop terrace at Hotel Indigo.