The Cayman Islands, a small nation of less than 70,000 residents, is making waves in the tourism industry. Led by the approachable and engaging Minister of Tourism, Hon. Kenneth Bryan, the islands are experiencing record visitor numbers and a commitment to providing a worry-free vacation experience.
Minister Bryan, a key figure at the recent SOTIC 2024 conference, emphasized the vital role tourism plays in the Cayman Islands’ economy, driving both prosperity and growth. He highlighted the government’s “Worry Free Hurricane Guarantee” – a unique initiative offering visitors a refund or rebooking in the event of a hurricane watch from June 1 to November 30, 2024. This initiative demonstrates the islands’ dedication to providing peace of mind for travelers, even during hurricane season.
The first half of 2024 saw a remarkable 250,699 stay-over visitors, the third-highest visitation in the islands’ history for this period. This represents a 6.5% increase from 2023, with visitors staying an average of six nights. Notably, 43.2% of travelers were repeat visitors, and the majority (45%) were between the ages of 36 and 60, with an average age of 42.9. March 2024 marked a record-breaking month, welcoming 57,040 visitors, the second-highest monthly total ever recorded after March 2019. The United States remains the top source of visitors, contributing 84% of the total, followed by Canada and the United Kingdom.
The Cayman Islands’ hospitality sector is experiencing rapid growth. With over 8,000 rooms available across condos, villas, and hotels, the territory continues to expand its capacity. Several new hotel openings are planned, including the Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman and VIDA, a luxury boutique hotel focused on wellness and sustainability. By the end of 2025, George Town will see an addition of over 600 rooms with developments like ONE GT, Grand Hyatt, and Kailani, part of Hilton’s Curio Collection.
The Cayman Islands are also emerging as a culinary destination. With a growing number of restaurants and entertainment venues, the islands are gaining recognition for their diverse and high-quality food scene. Delegates at SOTIC 2024 were able to experience 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 tourism’s benefits across all three islands: 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 ensure the industry’s future success.
Beyond its beaches and resorts, the Cayman Islands offer a vibrant festival scene. The Cayman National Festival, scheduled for November 2024, will feature celebrations across all three islands, including Pirates Landing, parades, fireworks displays, and cultural and heritage days showcasing the unique traditions of the islands.
With its record visitor numbers, commitment to innovation, and ongoing developments, the Cayman Islands continue to position themselves as a premier destination for travelers seeking both relaxation and adventure.
