Cruise plans make negative world headlines
Cruise ship in George Town Harbour, Grand Cayman (Photo by Dennie Warren Jr)
(CNS): From dive industry magazines to high profile media houses, the government’s decision to press ahead with cruise berthing facilities in George Town Harbour and the significant coral reef destruction that it will involve is making headlines and generating negative publicity for Cayman around the world. The news following the premier’s announcement last Wednesday that despite the significant destruction, the government was still pressing ahead, which disappointed members of the local Save Cayman campaign and began spreading rapidly through the international dive community.
Government has not yet explained how they have calculated that destroying some 35 acres of pristine coral reefs and marine habitats, as well as the impact on the local scuba, boating, fishing businesses will be worthwhile for the majority of Caymanians.
Meanwhile, Cayman’s international star, actress Grace Gealey, who plays Anika Calhoun in the TV series Empire, has also waded in on the subject, describing the decision as an “irrevocable tragedy”. Stating that she was deeply saddened and appalled in an Instagram post, the actress said it made Cayman look like a “fiscally-hungry country willing to sacrifice anything for the dollar”.
Despite the money and power behind the pro-port campaign, in which sources claim that people were paid to manipulate online polls and comment forums, such as CNS, the Save Cayman campaign is not giving up. Although it has less funding than the pro-movement, it believes it still has the numbers. This was borne out by the government’s own public consultation process, which came down three to one against.
The public consultation also revealed that the support was coming from a very limited group of people and mostly employed by Kirk Freeport, one of the main merchants hoping to increase retail sales if the project goes ahead.
Category: development, Local News
Please read this Economic Impact of Cruise Tourism http://www.f-cca.com/downloads/2012-Cruise-Analysis-vol-1.pdf.
WITHOUT a cruise berthing facility, the Cayman Islands achieved the following:
* U.S. News & World Report Seven Mile Beach ‘#1′ in the world
* Visitors rank Grand Cayman #3 in Caribbean
* Ranked #2 in 10 Best Island in the Caribbean – 2015 Travelers’ Choice Awards
FACT: Cayman would have to change its gambling law if ships stay in port beyond 6PM.
FACT: We currently have NO, cruise industry development strategy.
Another recommended read is http://newsok.com/article/5439244 – what is to stop the same from happening to Cayman after the port is built?
Why can’t we market the lack of cruise berthing facility as “preserving” the tradition of how the Pirates or seaman first came ashore these islands? Why do we want to be like every other Caribbean island?
Well said 11:33am. Thank you for sharing. Spot on.
B. Hurlstone – good if the Premier and MLA’s will read these posted opinions. But as I was told quite vehemently by one of the Cabinet puppets, er, Ministers – “I don’t waste my time reading the newspaper or the online posts”. Knowing how that particular Minister/puppet has no mind of his own I wouldn’t be surprised if that is an instructed Cabinet practice!
It looks like the anti port group have found themselves in a little bit of a sticky wicket.
There has been a massive campaign on their side trying to say that coral can’t be relocated. When the estimated cost comes in everyone says “well since the scientists and environmentalists say it won’t work why will we spend tens of millions on it”
Now not only are they going to have to prove that we should actually attempt to spend to relocate they are going to have to find much better evidence than a couple of emails exploring the possibility of tendering the big ships that in reality have no desire to call into a tender port.
Given the stupendous amount of self interest based negative publicity locally it is really not surprising we are getting negative reactions from the whole world. Leave us alone world. Docks are built in your country every single day at cost to the environment without so much as the batting of an eye so who on earth are you to say we can’t have our own.
Never seen so many ” thumbs down ” . Of course there ain’t been that many cruise ships in last few days so the Duty Free shops staff have lots of time to get on their iPads/iPhones etc.
The port should end up like the Bermuda Triangle
I think we’ve heard it all now, folks.
The blatant refusal by the government to not consider any other proposals must mean somebody is gonna get paid. Just another day in old corrupt ass Cayman.
This is not the UDP govt….Commissions are not a part of govt. deals anymore.
PPM is much much worse!
Good SOMEONE thinks that is possible.
Will the elected members, not government, as most persons relate them as, please give us some concrete proof!!!!
1) Where are the threats from the cruise lines that they will no longer use Cayman as a stop if a pier is not built?
2) Where are the guarantees from the cruise industry that they will continue to stop in Cayman if a dock is built?
3) Where will the funding for this project come from? (Very important).
4) Are we building a dock to accommodate one Oasis class ship in the future?
5) How will the cost of the project be repaid and what is the time frame?
I need our elected members to please let us know these important answers. It seems that they have approved the dock, now they are going ahead with talks for financing and cruise representation. I would think that is putting the cart before the horse!!
Hmmm, makes you wonder.
How about using a fifth of that financing to enhance the capital and forget the dock for now.
Interesting how people are ridiculing those against the port and brave individuals like Grace Gealy … while giving a pass to Alden.
Alden’s decision flies in the face of all the extensive and expensive scientific research and advice that has surrounded this proposal.
Why should I / we support Alden on this matter? Who the heck is he in this regard? What divine grant of almighty wisdom has been bestowed upon him, and by whom? On what track record does he rely? (The schools fiasco?)
Give me a break.
I have not one good reason to support Alden on this proposal. In fact, I have 34,000,000 (million) reasons to not support his decision – as do you.
– Who
Looks like you”re pretty much on your own there mac…er, buddy. The people of this country elected Alden as our premier because we thought he had more intelligence than you. You dont necessarily have to.agree with that but you really should try ahowing a little respect for it.
So…are you a ‘bot like the rest of your pathetic up-voting entities?
Advice like yours makes it perfectly clear how NAZI Germany and the Rwandan genocide came to pass.
Politely receive this “‘EFF you” regarding your support of the CBF proposal.
Cheers,
– Whodatis
Nazis? Rwanda? Alden? Really?
It may be convenient to use a smartphone as a flashlight but there are good reasons not to post during the wee hours when unduly fatigued and grumbly…….
Anyone with more than half a brain cell can tell Alden is way out of line on the issue of the CBF’s – regardless of time of day.
Interestingly, some people believe we should follow right along with everything he says … on this matter.
Odd how the posters of CNS were not so supportive of Alden during Treason-gate or his silence re Gay-marriage-gate.
Lastly, the respondent to my initial post was way off base in their remarks. I am not anti-Alden in general, but as my post clearly demonstrates, anti his proposal and handling of the CBF issue.
Apparently the thick-headed in the room cannot tell the difference – yet have so much to say.
Says it all really.
Doed that mean those of us with more than half a brain cell should now shut up?
It may mean those of us with more than half a brain cell would have enough sense to proofread our smart-ass posts before hitting the button.
Just sayin’…
🙂
– Who
OK you got me Who. I give up. You worked for it. You deserve it. Its yours. Thank you so much for not swearing at me this time ok. Sorry but that really gets my few smart-ass brain cells going…
Hmmm … I forgot about this thread until now.
However, I see you and your friends have been busy crawling through the back pages.
Exhale. I have hereby officially acknowledged and replied. Be careful though guys – don’t give it away that you’ve been lurking by replying or voting.
🙂
– Who
You wouldnt know polite if it crawled up your effn south hole and cured your cronic constipation..
Just a short time back when Carnival dropped and dragged their anchor on the coral reef doing massive damage I remember everyone was upset including the CIG, now we are considering spending $40 mil to deliberately destroy the reef? Come on CIG there are other solutions and suggestions that have been put forward then the plan that is currently on the table. Please consider those, the floating dock and the sky bridge? It seems that at this point most ppl are agreeing that a dock of some kind is neccesary but the major complaint is the environmental damage.lets find another option that will be unique to cayman yet still fill the need for a dock. Please listen to the people!
This dock is nothing more than a bailout for a failing business model of the downtown merchants. The Cruise ship industry has changed and will continue to change so the dinosaurs need to adjust to the new climate or go extinct.
Modern day cruise ship passengers have much lower disposable income than those of the past. They don’t spend money on island to the same degree and with a birthing dock they are more free to leave and return to the boat, which will cause them to spend even less as they will just return to the boat for meals etc. Modern day cruise passengers are just sightseers and window shoppers. So spending more economic and environmental capital to bring more of these to the island is many levels beyond stupid.
We need to market ourselves more and target the high disposable income tourist. Brand our product as the best experience in the Caribbean where you don’t encounter panhandling or a mass amount of people trying to be in a place too small to accommodate them comfortably.
Cayman is different so why follow the rest of the Caribbean with a mega dock? Lets be OURselves and play to OUR strengths and not try to be the mini jamaica or dominican republic or cuba.
40 years from now when private air travel will be the norm with technology advances, will we be happy we didn’t invest in this massive relic of the past or will we stare at it with disgust and wish we were more forward thinking?
That’s why we invest in both. Don’t put our eggs in one basket. You’re forgetting we cannot fly all our goods in. Cargo is almost at capacity, we need a cargo facility.
Great point, thank you.
You put forth some very pertinent points. Lets hope our Premier and MLA find time to read your comments.
Very sorry to inform you, but this just makes too much sense, its way over the heads of those who are in charge….
People seem to care a whole lot about coral but not much about people.
Everyone goes crazy when CIG offers $500k to an impoverished island devastated by a hurricane but don’t blink when we are thinking about wasting 40 mil on moving rocks?
CAYMAN ISLANDS GOVERNMENT if you have ANY DECENCY and if you are not entirely corrupt you will put this matter to THE PEOPLE IN A REFERENDUM!
Destruction of our natural environment to this magnitude is not a decision for the Government to make it is a decision of the people and should be put on referendum as such then no*body can complain as it is truly a decision of OUR PEOPLE
I see a lot of thumbs down on a referendum. These are certainly paid trolls. Nobody would vote against a referendum by the people. Isn’t the MLA supposed to represent the people?
EXACTLY! If this really ahs so much support it will pass on a referendum! Unless of course that’s all a lie and Alden is doing the OPPOSITE of what his people want!!!!
People are asking about the ships and their interest, I would imagine that after Carnival just hoisted the “Let’s Go” flag they are all going to be competing for space. I doubt it will take long to see the rest entering the discussion.
What ‘all’ are you referring to? The cruise industry is a cartel with Carnival owning the majority of the brands. Royal Caribbean have no real interest in the dock because their future business plans are to move away from island hopping. So who does that leave? Disney? Norwegian? Please post comments here that make sense.
Shouldn’t this distain be focused up the chain to Giora Israel at Carnival – he is the one dictating to Moses to build this or say goodnight to cruise tourism. This isn’t Amber Cove in the DR. Giora would pave the entire island if he thought it might add to the CCL share price. Has anyone polled the other liners to determine how valid his sweeping dismissal is? The ADA fines/settlements they pay are jokes, so we know the threat of future DoJ legal action isn’t the motivator. XXXXX
Unna keep pushin. There aren’t too many Caymanian land owners left holdin out. If I was the ones having to take this kind of abuse and people making up accusations I wouldn’t be sticking around much longer either.
The people at Kirk Freeport aren’t stupid. If this project does not go forward, they are good boatmen, they know a sinking ship when they see one. They will jump off and sell to the one guy who really controls the island already, Dart. Cayman will suffer because of the tender company owners have his behind phony environmental concerns, when all they are really trying to protect is their wallets. Kirk Freeport owners will be just fine either way. It’s just their employees that will suffer, along with many, many other Caymanians.
I see three sides to this triangle.
Investigate the possibility of a floating dock. We could have this installed by a Scandinavian Company at a fixed price pre construction cost.
Investigate the possibility of independent Caymanian operators, transferring cruise passengers to their specific tourist destinations in world class tourist boats. An experience that most people would truly enjoy. Just think, how many of us here on the island would not jump at a boat trip from Hog Sty Bay to Stingray Sandbar, the Turtle Farm etc. over crystal clear azure waters. This would for many landlubbers be the highlight of their whole 7 day cruise. In addition it would force the existing tender monopoly to be broken up to an extent.
A and B together as a long term answer to a problem that could, in its current form bankrupt the country.
Lastly but not leastly , REFERENDUM REFERENDUM REFERENDUM.
Who runs this country? Its people or just few with money? You have no one to blame if you remain active only in the virtual world.
The few with money.
Cruise ship tourism depends on world’s stability. Political and financial stability. Remember what had happened to the worldwide tourism after 9/11? Count your blessings and save your money preparing for the unpredictable.
That’s correct, there were articles a couple of years ago saying that terrorist groups were thinking of cruise ships as good targets. Even the stranding of the Carnival Triumph in the Gulf and the sinking of the Costa Concordia had people thinking twice about cruises. It is not a resilient industry and we shouldn’t be sacrificing what we are considering sacrificing to facilitate it. Not a good bet.
35 acres of Pristine coral reef??? Just right there i lost my confidence in you. Using a Celebrity statement as a reference? really? That is just her opinion, is like giving professional credit to anything Kayne says.
Once the reef is plowed, it’s 36 acres of dredging the powdery iron pan and cavernous limestone geology from 30-40 down to a uniform 60 feet, which will need to be guaranteed and certified for the life of operations by the Port Authority. Carnival isn’t going to park their multi-Billion dollar hardware unless Cayman guarantees depth. If they ding a prop, it’s an enormous cost. Obsessive risk-control dredging will be a continuous reality in a blue water scenario not a one time event – budget for which still isn’t even a talking point from either side. It will be nearly impossible to contain the suspended particulate. We can’t even say for sure what we’d be digging into, or whether there exists sufficient stable rock to support the pier pilings. These are the type of predictable complications that emerge after stubborn morons press ahead with bad plans.
You guys have really lost the plot.
Now you’re just making stuff up.
60 ft BULL they won’t ding a prop because the back end of the pier isn’t going to be dredged as its in 65 ft already.
You’re an absolute idiot. Docks have been built all over the Caribbean and world and no problems.
Please show us 1 that has not caused extensive environmental damage..
Why isn’t anyone focusing on the reality that the cruise industry in general will not depart totally from today’s class of cruise ships in favour of the Oasis class? This is fundamental. The Oasis class will appeal to and claim a segment of the cruise market but the present large class of ships will survive and remain. Why doesn’t our Government see fit to satisfy with serving this existing class??? Why? Because they are reacting to the special (& family) interests. There has clearly been no inclusive assessment of all factors affecting this issue – only the “expand at all costs because we can’t satisfy with what we have” view.
There have been no definitive answers as to how the upland development of George Town will be undertaken – which will definitely be required. How many streets will have to be closed or re-aligned? How will public access to waterfront areas be addressed? How will all of this – marine and land re-development – be achieved for $189 million?? Impossible!!
Typical “blindness by greed” syndrome!!
All this talk about greed…..holding the country hostage and holding the entire cruise dependent industry behind the times just so some greedy guy with a bunch of obsolete boats can rake money in at the countries expense is sickening.
They even threatened as was published in the EAB statement that CMS threatened to pull out their boats if government decided to build the dock.
The greedy finger is being pointed in the wrong direction!
GT merchants like Kirk Freeport and CMS are equally greedy
At least the Kirkconnells are not holding the entire country hostage!
They have been successful but they are not the only store in town.
How would people feel if one private company or individual owned the land between the airplanes and the airport and the only way to get people from the airplane to the airport that will benefit our country and tourism was to pay that one person? Would you really think it is ok for government not to control it’s own infrastructure for the arrivals by air?
They’re upset that they can’t hire decent staff and cover their crazy overheads anymore. No rich people = no big commissions = less appeal to qualified salespeople. My previous favourite salesman there was pulled away from showing me something once so that he could take a 1/3 share of a family purchasing 5 watches. They spent over $100k on this one stop. That was 10 years ago. Some people say these wealthy cruisers are now on Oasis class ships with uniquely grand and high quality facilities due to their size and scale. Others say they are on smaller ships offering a more refined, intimate and social experience (1000>) that are coming back into fashion (these latter ships could align perfectly with our stayover focus and are more likely to contain people who would return as stayovers). (Some say those people don’t cruise at all anymore). The first type of ship requires and demands CBF. The second type of ship would prefer to avoid anywhere with CBF and therefore masses of the great unwashed. Nobody seems bothered to get the truth on this.
What is clear from activity in George Town over the last decade is that the luxury goods market in Cayman will die without the oxygen of wealthy customers – and this itself will have a further depressant effect on cruise activity because George Town even now is still considered the place to buy luxury goods on Western Caribbean itineraries. Demand for the destination will fall if this changes (ie. if places like Kirk Freeport, who made huge investments when times were good – probably with commercial funding – have to close). Hence why the Ritz now has more jewellery stores including a Kirk Freeport branch. They need to get closer to their target customers and this is the next best thing they can do to stay alive while they hold out for CBF. So they are insisting that the government bring the customers to them by building CBF.
The trouble is that Kirk and others may be able to sell more of their products but it will be at the expense of the product – natural beauty – sold by so many others. It is a question of fundamental fairness in economic policy. Cayman used to be about growing the pie, not taking some people’s slices away and giving them to others. Kirk Freeport and others are essentially asking the government to subsidise their industry. It’s the antithesis of what Cayman has done over the years. We don’t pick winners, we support those most likely to win and skim off of their success. And cruise is a dying industry whereas uniqueness, natural environment, living history, are only growing in importance and appeal to the tourist dollar. It’s a clear call for me, but then I don’t have a stake in it either way. I do know that there is no way CBF ever happen without the project surviving legal challenges and those will not be without merit.
Sounds like someone is a little salty that their business got run over by DART. The only part of the cruise industry that is dying is the cruise industry in Cayman.
I don’t sell things my friend, I sell services. I thought that would have been obvious by the clarity of thought and lack of desperate venality in my post.
If it wasn’t for the tendering company, the likes of Kirk Duty Free and other George Town retailers would not exist or have grown as they today! Be thankful Cayman for those who have provided and be careful of those that take away…
I don’t like to reply to alot of this crap, but when you claim the owners of the tender service are the greedy ones, you are just dead wrong. Adrian Briggs did not stand up and be counted out of greed. He has more than enough money to retire and spend the rest of his days doing what he wants. He stood up not because he is an owner of CMS, but because he is a responsible, caring human being and he has a conscience. He can see the destruction that this government is going to cause to this island and its one true asset. No body comes here to see the mountains (except Trashmore) or the rivers or the tropical rain forests, they come to see the ocean although some will buy cheap watches or mouldy cakes. The money grubbers are not the ones bringing the tourist to the dock, they are the ones at the end of the dock. I hope they do pull out the boats, then all you will see who really squirms. But you know, they probably won’t as they know how many people that would hurt and they have too much class and dignity to do that, unlike some other people. Get a life.
You mean he has hidden away and pulled the strings of his resort manager?
Drink some more koolaid.
Any talk about the money behind the port proponents is only a misdirection to take attention away from the fact that Save Cayman has been heavily funded and done so by companies related to the tender operators.
At least they are on the right side of this.
If by the right side you mean the money making side the tenders are on then you got that right my friend
We drive on the left in Cayman.
I cannot believe this garbage that CNS continues to write. The first exaggeration in this campaign to oppose and block the development of the port is the 15 acres of coral reef which has now increased in this article to 35 acres. It is obvious that no one is reading either the EIA, the CSA Benthic Habitat Characterization survey and mapping report or the Baird Mitigation report. The coral reef affected in the area of the port development is 6.9 acres and when you apply the various percentage coverage as estimated in the EIA 14-30% or as stated by the Director of the DOE 15-18% the corrected area is between 1 acre to 2 acres of live exposed (Spur & Groove) coral reef. This is translates to an exaggeration by CNS of 1750%. As for the manipulation of polling what is more important is the manipulation of the true facts by CNS.
Have you been down there and seen the coral? Have you measured it? Are you one of the people expecting great profits from the dock are just a hireling? Since you are “Anonymous, you could be either one.
You can’t handle the truth!
A) You can’t just scrap the icing of Balboa Reef and still have a cake; B) Eden Rock and Soto’s reefs will experience lethal effects from the dredging from the silt.
Sad to say but all we are is a bad PR page in the world’s history. All we are seen as are greedy little crabs that can never get enough…thousands of people spoke against this initiative and still PPM is pushing through and going against the people’s wishes to leave the GT harbor the way it is. Obviously, these politicians and elected leaders feel they can do as they please with no consequence to their actions….near-sighted they all are.
One word says it all, Greed!!!
Build more hotels and resorts for long stay guests on existing aged sites or redeveloped brown field sites. Cayman needs sustainable tourism, not drop in tourism from budget cruise ships whose spend per head is minimal.
Encourage the 500 million passport carrying citizens in Europe that Cayman is a world class destination and compete head on with the Bahamas for the thousands who are stopping off there instead of coming on to Cayman with BA.
The tourism product on this island is a joke, run by amateurs with no clue how to maximise the spend of visiting guests. Just because it’s expensive doesn’t make it good.
This madness for a dock facility is going to have long term effects as news of Caymans environmental vandalism reaches the world.
And as for Kirkfreeport, they needed their monopolising wings clipped years ago. People on budget cruises from Carnival aren’t going to raise this islands GDP sufficiently to warrant such wholesale vandalism and KF are delusional if they think duty free sales of luxury goods, (that are available cheaper elsewhere) will justify this abhorrent project.
No, the only ones to gain from their willingness to sell their soul to the developers are the Kirkconnell family, as always. Their XXXXX prices will remain artificially high. No change there then!
But Cayman is not a world class destination. It is a bland psuedo-Caribbean experience for fly-over state Americans. The Sunday Times ran an entire Caribbean vacation section this weekend. It did not mention Cayman once. For good reason.
They’d be better off if they sold to Dart. They are one of the only ones not to sell to him so far and to stand up against his bullying ways. But that can change if some foreigners are able to persuade the government to not build the pier.
Cayman was built on world-class diving. That’s what we have and what this port will significantly diminish.
Maybe in the 70s or 80s
It is for diving, one of the fastest growing activities in the world. And why don’t you read the damn piece properly, it clearly urges Cayman to build hotels and resorts so that the millions of Europeans that currently visit the banal island of Nassau come here instead. However, if Cayman is comfortable with the trailer trash US market, then good for them, but don’t expect a low spending budget cruise line tourist to get its over expansive backside any further than KFC.
The reason why The Times doesn’t run many articles on Cayman is because Cayman doesn’t have the facilities demanded by discerning Europeans. There are too many condos and rental properties, not enough quality resorts and definitely not enough quality attractions. Europeans want package holidays that are protected by IATA and ABTA, and they want them at all levels of affordability and service. Why do you think Sandals is the most successful all inclusive vacation company in the Carribean, if not the world?
Why do you think the Atlantis resort is so popular, it’s because there’s plenty to do and you are well looked after.
It’s because you pay for the level of service you require, you don’t just land on an overly expensive island and get shafted by greedy locals who run amateur ‘tourism’ operations.
Why would anyone travel half way around the world to visit a disgusting Turtle Farm, visit a weird local dressed as the devil outside a post office or sit opposite the local docks whilst eating a pizza?
BA are returning to the 777 this year, it should be at least half full of money spending Europeans, but it won’t be because Cayman has failed to invest in its tourism product.
Our former Premier spent a good deal of time at Atlantis. That should tell you something. About Atlantis. And Cayman.
That would be the 777 that was coming in October 14, December 14, March 15, etc etc.
More like never. 767s are the only equipment scheduled for BA253/252 until the Dreamliners are introduced in 2016. At that point BA are very likely to make other arrangement for the small number of pax who fly on the NAS-GCM leg, either contracting the service to another carrier or offering alternative routing through MIA, JFK or KIN. That isn’t all bad news, because CAL might (if they get the head in gear!) be able to pick up a lot of regular business from BA.
Absolute BS. The 767 is being run down by BA as we speak, in fact it only services a couple of destinations, GCM being one of them. As a BOT Cayman will continue with a flag carrier flight.
As for the Dreamliner, no chance, the crews aren’t being trained for this flight and the engineers in Nassau are 777 trained only. BA do not have any other option than the 777 as there aren’t enough 787′ s to go round.
And how do I know this?
I work for BA LHR, unlike you.
Are the discerning Europeans the same ones packed into the 777 and going to the “all inclusive resort”? I think you are confused (and probably no fun.)
8:34 The majority of the UK tourists opting for all-inclusive packages in regional destinations other than GC arrive in 767s and 787 Dreamliners.
I haven’t as yet tried a 787 but the 767s are a heck of lot better than the ones BA are currently operating to GC and you can get a seat upgrade without paying stupid fares – in fact a week AI in Cuba often works out less than the economy fare into GC on BA.
UK-European tourists are probably the most cost conscious people on this planet and you aren’t going to attract them by charging sky-high (if you’ll excuse the phrase) air fares on tired old jets and inflated room rates that rival central London.
Wrong, all Carribean destinations serviced by BA are on 777 and fly from Gatwick. Only GCM flies from LHR on the tired 767. BA does not fly 787’s from Gatwick and have no plans to do so.
I should know, I fly them.
The goods they sell are cheaper than the states, and the same as the other Caribbean islands. Glad to see you don’t do your research before you make an argument. Ignorance.
Really, that’ll be why I got my TAG from St Thomas $100 cheaper. Idiot
The mass European market needs direct flights. Sadly the work on the runway came second to helping private companies sell more watches.
The mass European market needs all-inclusive accommodation at sensible room rates. To compete we need to offer seven-day packages that come in under £1000 (US$1500) including flights, transfers, meals and alcohol because that’s what they can already get in Cuba, Jamaica, the DR and other destinations in this region.
While its all fine and good for Gealey to have and express her own opinion all that she and many of the people against the port are really going to accomplish is unnecessary negativity about Cayman in the middle of an infrastructure project that will solidify George Town, thousands of jobs and inject much needed life into the economy of the island for the long term future.
Jobs for who? I certainly do not see many Caymanians working in any of the businesses that would benefit. The vast majority of them are all permit holders who send their money elsewhere, contributing very little to the local economy….In essence, the government is planning to destroy the environment, to save jobs for people who contribute nothing to Cayman, then when they hop on the plane and head home to live like kings, Cayman will be left with a destroyed environment, paid for by Caymanians who are discriminated against in the workforce of their own country.
You crazy bro. There are way more Caymanians in cruise industry than in the hotels.
What about the taxi cab drivers, tour bus operators, stingray city tour operators, turtle farm, hell, restaurants, bars, beach bar bartenders and servers, water sport rental operators, souvenir shops, retail shops and other tour guides?
Just to name a few businesses that will be positively affected that employs many, many Caymanians. You also forget even if work permit holders make money, they use that to pay their bills, buy groceries, buy gas, go to restaurants and bars etc. you obviously don’t understand how an economy works and how money trickles down throughout it.
I think you mean jamaicans
Thank you….
I wonder if this country has an emergency fund in case of another direct hit from the mother nature?
Of course not! If they did, they would take care of the dump.
The dump is a bigger issue as all the additional ships wit a dock will do is create more trash, The dump should be addressed first and foremost the figure out the dock issue
Ever heard of the Cayman Islands Recovery Fund? It provided crucial aid after Ivan and Paloma and is ready for the next hit – whatever and wherever that may be.
Downright outrageous the decision by your Premier. Destruction of valuable assets such as the environment by public servants is an Act of treason.
No dredging is needed, no removal of coral is required, no removal of natural habitat is necessary! Oil welds are erected in the oceans around the world on pylons. why cannot that be done here? Do not tell me about costs, when you figure in the damage to the environment, the possible damage to 7MB (no one can say it will not happen) the constant dredging, etc, etc.
Do not forget the cruise industry have to be included in this destructive plan as they are the ones who keep demanding a dock and threatening to pull out. They cannot invest in the development and have no responsibility for the destruction of the things their customers, our visitors come here to enjoy and Caymanians have enjoyed forever. Now put the pressure on the industry and see how quickly things will change. It is all about getting the money from tendering fees back into their pockets, Greed pure and simple from a few merchants and the industry. If the shops were at Spott’s they would be telling us that is the best location for the docks.
Great job by Moses K Minister of Tourism and team by destroying the product Cayman sells!
when they get in my taxi they don’t care about that litle bit of coral in the harbour where the cruise ship is anchored
thank you minister for helping us keep our customers coming
Maybe if you didn’t try to rip everyone off with outrageous prices locals would use your taxi and you would need to prey on cruise tourists who don’t know any better!!!
GREEDY merchants OWN Alden and PPM. A curious decision after reading EIA proves it all
The Kirk-bots will be stirred out of “sleep mode”
Cache refresh ready. Check.
Kirk-bots ready. Check.
Operation Thumbs re-commence in 3-2-1-Go!
If you are going to steal my jokes from other threads, can you please do it after 10am so I get the chance to get in there first?
One thing I find curious is the complete silence (as in ‘no comment’) from Royal Caribbean. It is after all the arrival of their Oasis-class cruise ships that the pro-dock lobby are, although there are no apparent plans to actually bring them here, hanging much of their argument for building the facility on.
The cruise lines don’t have interest because they know Grand Cayman cannot handle that many tourists.
Build the dock longer & bigger I say ! – Cayman has maintained it’s appeal to a great many of it’s visitors for their previous experience of non solicitation, non intimidation, and simple ability to fully enjoy it’s beaches for what they are. If the pro-dock movement is driven by bringing more people to Cayman to immerse themselves in such experiences they better think again. Government needs to be sure they have the policies in place tied with the immediate relationship of requiring vendors to operate within the law and more importantly their visitors rightful wish of solicitation immunity. Public beach is a zoo, – jet skis towing bananas through swimmers along the shoreline touting for business, rogue operators (and others) walking the beach with signs soliciting right in front of other established operators, jet skis operating in/through the swim zone, all some of what was witnessed during just a 5 minute visit to the beach. Unless the proper underlying infrastructure to admonish such practices and related is recognized and adhered to, build the pier bigger and longer because the expansive visitor base will be required to maintain any static inflow or returning guests. . . . this is exactly the trend that harms other Caribbean destinations and why they are reasoned for aversion.. Sure the environment is the overriding factor here but perhaps a vastly different yet very important arena is too being overlooked.
Beaches? Plural? There is only one beach to go to on a day trip from a cruise and it really is not that great a beach despite its own hype.
Government needs to have a commitment from the cruise lines, signed in blood, guaranteeing the numbers of ships and passengers they will bring to Cayman if the dock is built. At least one line has already made negative comments about the changes to what their passengers expect to do, snorkeling on the reef area to be destroyed. More may have concerns about being seen to tacitly support a development which is receiving international condemnation. As to moving coral to another site to mitigate the damage, someone should check the outcome of a similar plan in Falmouth in Jamaica – it does not seem to have had much success. It would be a hell of an issue if government spends $ 30/40 million dollars and the relocated coral doesn’t take – very red faces all round.