Cruise deal to help Cayman relay new policies

| 19/05/2022 | 81 Comments
Carnival cruise ship in George Town

(CNS): A new “tailored strategic agreement” between Cayman’s tourism ministry and the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association will improve channels of communication and help promote the destination as it shapes a new cruise policy. Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan explained that opening better channels of communication with the regional body that represents the cruise lines ahead of the likely formal reduction of passenger numbers coming here will help the PACT Government in its goal of promoting quality over quantity.

Speaking to CNS, Bryan said that as the Cayman Islands “changes the cruise tourism model, we need to inform people about the changes ahead of time and this agreement will help us do that and still promote the destination”.

Bryan said that in time he hopes some of the key issues for stakeholders will also be addressed through the new communication channels, such as the share of excursion revenue for operators and converting cruisers into overnight guests. But he warned that, as the government works on the new approach to cruise tourism, operators have to “stick together” and stop trying to undercut each other, as he pointed out that the race to the bottom on prices harms everyone.

Cayman is currently going through the process of developing a new cruise tourism and transport policy. The goal is to reduce the annual number of cruise passengers and thereby reduce the negative impact the sector has on the environment and infrastructure. The ministry is currently considering submissions made during a tendering process for consultants to undertake the policy review.

In the meantime, Bryan said that this “exclusive marketing package” will allow Cayman to market the destination directly to FCCA cruise lines. “Safely and successfully welcoming cruise passengers back to the Cayman Islands has been one of our top priorities, as it is of significant importance to our local tourism industry and community,” the minister said, adding that working strategically with the FCCA would enhance the cruise experience.

The deal gives tourism officials here open access to the FCCA Executive Committee, which includes the top players of the main cruise lines. It will give ‘Destination Cayman’ a prominent presence at industry conferences, including speaking engagements, to allow the ministry and the Department of Tourism (DoT) as well as Cayman’s cruise operators to directly promote what the islands have to offer.

“This marketing package offers the best exposure for the Cayman Islands to build a closer relationship with the FCCA and member cruise lines, as well as with cruise and travel stakeholders, consumers and more than 25,000 travel agents,” Bryan said. “It will showcase the Cayman Islands brand and image throughout the year to decision-makers, while relaying our message and displaying our offerings through the FCCA’s conferences and events.”

This Presidential Level Strategic Development Destination Partnership package is being offered to only three Caribbean destinations and is in some respects a way of taking back some control and ensuring that Cayman benefits from cruise tourism.

Some of the other features include a focus on converting cruise guests to stay-over visitors, promoting summer cruising, engaging travel agents, creating consumer demand, and developing a destination service assessment that will detail strengths, opportunities, and needs.

FCCA President Michele Paige said the agreement will expedite the recovery of livelihoods that have been on hold since the start of the pandemic. “Through this agreement, FCCA will fulfill the Cayman Islands’ individualised initiatives, which focus on assisting the private sector, improving employment, fostering cruise lines’ purchase of local goods and more that will help Caymanians prosper from the economic impact that the industry brings,” she said.

But many people now believe that the economic benefits from cruise tourism are outweighed by the multiple negative impacts of the industry. Major cruise lines continue to face criticisms over the number of positive cases of the virus aboard the ships, and their failure to report the exact numbers as they attempt to play down outbreaks as ships move from destination to destination.

While the Ministry of Tourism is keen to focus on the quality rather than quantity of cruise visitors, the whole industry is fuelling increasing controversy, with public sentiment turning against the industry. Even some people who are dependent on tourism for their livelihoods would like to see Cayman improve its overnight product and move away from cruise ships altogether.

But the DoT believes that too many people remain dependent purely on this sector to make a living and welcomed the ministry’s move to work more directly with the cruise lines.

“For decades, cruise tourism has been intrinsic to the Cayman Islands identity,” said Cayman Islands Director of Tourism Rosa Harris. “Through this partnership with FCCA, we are eager to further elevate our tourism product and welcome a new generation of adventure-seekers aboard cruise ships.”


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Category: Business, Tourism

Comments (81)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Wastemen. When will the politicians actually act in Caymans best interest ?

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  2. Anonymous says:

    Oh great, what a backwards leap. All our beaches on South Coast will be knee high with plastic and debris thrown from the cruise ships again after 2 blissful years without it.

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    • Say it like it is says:

      “Opening better channels of communication” translates to the FCCA cracking their whip again and getting their way with Mr Bryan. I see he has even been taken in by the historic fantasy of converting passengers to stay over visitors- this has not happened in 30 years and never will.They like cruises as it’s much cheaper and allows multiple destinations with minimum inconvenience.

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  3. Anonymous says:

    Let’s see here. First, the PPM and PACT had two years to figure out that the vast majority of people did not want cruise ships or at least severely limited high end cruisers. Then Kenny opens the doors and the over fed damn near dead crowd returns. Next Kenny says we need to have a consultant revise our cruise policy after opening up the island and then signing up for a FCCA promotional package at who knows what cost? So what will happen is the consultant will comeback and say nope, the cruise ship promotional package is bad and drop it. Another consultants report on the ash heap. Once again for Kenny it’s, fire ready aim.

    One final thought, who do you suppose are the two other sucker islands that will fall for the FCCA promotional package🤔🤔🤔🤔

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    • Anonymous says:

      Whichever country has the politicians with either the lowest IQs or the most all-expenses paid vacations.

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    • Anonymous says:

      How can you say the vast majority don’t want cruise ships? The previous PPM government was elected by the majority of voters with a Cruise Port as part of their platform. What we have is a very vocal minority of NIMBYs that are opposed to anything and everything related to development and economic growth. The anti-cruise port campaign was financed in large part by the Cruise Tender boat operator who did it for reasons of self-interest rather than any concern for the environment.

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      • Anonymous says:

        BS nobody wants cruise ships here. Get a clue.

        We want eco tourism. We want wealthy stay over tourism. We want class and to protect our islands.

        Not this fast food tourism crap.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Your comment is deeply out of touch: the PPM did not win the previous election. The independent members did, and then some of them, with PPM and UDP backstabbers formed the Unity Frankenshitshow. Which was again repelled at polls last year, and yet some of them still aren’t accepting it.

        See elections.ky for more info.

        The 25%+ of electorate that signed petition for referendum were not paid by anyone. It was an extra hassle for them to find a location with forms to sign or it would have been an even higher total of signatures.

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      • Anonymous says:

        The airport shuttle driver doesn’t stop at the Four Seasons, but they might help you get you to a Super 7 Motel on their route. Similarly, FCCA is the wrong power broker for all of this, and especially to be holding the hand of Kenny. We can be assured the worst of the Cheeto-fingered liner reps will form a disposable company to bid on his RFP for “excellent independent advice” on what’s really best for us…

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    • Anonymous says:

      I don’t know about cruisers turning into stay over guest. Cruisers do not have the stayover guests level of funds and stayovers have no desire to take that type of cruise! There will always be a two- tier kind of visitors. Kenneth perhaps both can co- exist but they will rarely cross- over. Most times they don’t even want to cross paths!. Previous tourism Ministers thought the same thing

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  4. Anonymous says:

    Well they won’t be sailing in to the City Of George Town. What a foolish waste of time, energy and funds that shit show was.

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  5. Anonymous says:

    all the clues left the island and will not come back …

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  6. Anonymous says:

    Same puppy dog.

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  7. tom says:

    I hope its not to late for my submission as a consultant. If we want to “increase quality and decrease quantity” and convert cruisers to stay over, the solution is simple. Limit the ships to the type of ships that bring low numbers of high end travellers, such as the Star Clipper and other similar ships. a couple hundred people who fit the profile of guests that may very well return versus a cattle parade of people who will most likely never return as stay over guests, meanwhile their “floating city” is destroying our island. Save the $1m consultation BS and look past the end of your nose Kenny, you can’t say you are looking for change and yet keep doing the same thing. PS. the new tourism whatever lot is looking great, keep it up.

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  8. Anonymous says:

    What happened to Atlantis? Ernie gone! Where are the RS Cats’s. Where’s the Yellow Bus that went into the water. Where is the Big jet boat at stingray city. Where are the ogs like ebanks etc. Small guys hustling to earn a dollar!

    We had a huge opportunity to negotiate with the cruise lines to reduce capacity and increase revenue to reduce the impact and we lost it! To pay the FCCA to become a platinum member for benefit’s sold us out! We did not have to do that. Kenneth had the opportunity to set the price for 1 person from the cruise lines to pay a minimum of $100 per person to go to stingray city encompassed with the wildlife permit! Panton just said how much our sealife is worth! Guy Harvey has done studies on the value in the past and I’m sure his value on stingrays has doubled since then! Very Sad state of affairs!

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  9. Anonymous says:

    Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan explained that opening better channels of communication with the regional body that represents the cruise lines ahead of the likely formal reduction of passenger numbers coming here will help the PACT Government in its goal of promoting quality over quantity.

    and then he says,

    But he warned that, as the government works on the new approach to cruise tourism, operators have to “stick together” and stop trying to undercut each other, as he pointed out that the race to the bottom on prices harms everyone.

    I’m no cruise or financial strategist, but, but, isn’t this just a common sense contradiction in terms ? Oh boy, its not going to end well.

    PS.

    https://www.fool.com/investing/2022/05/18/carnival-what-nobody-talks-about/

    ok not everyone’s top analysts read but you’ll get the picture. Cruise lines for the most part are in a whole pile of poo, poo,and will tell you anything at this point that they think you might want hear, – that includes you Ms Cayman Islands Director of Tourism 🛳🤦🏻‍♀️

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  10. Anonymous says:

    Have you seen the sign in town “Cayman’s newest tourism experience coming soon” — a cafe!!!!!

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    • Anonymous says:

      Have you seen the tacky one zip tied to the “Historic Building Of Interest” known as the Post Office?

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      • B. Faithful says:

        Where is the import craft market sham going. Joke, not woke.

        Politicians…comedy hour here. Get that ice rink built while you at it Kenny boi

  11. Anonymous says:

    Kenneth, A no brain, clueless dimwit and sad excuse for a caymanian.

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    • Anonymous says:

      19 @ 4:50 pm – “Kenneth, a no brain, clueless dimwit….” who is vastly popular and has a long political future. Unfortunately.

      All because of the perception that he’s “so smart” because he tries to “speak well”. So his silver tongue got him to where he is and McKeeva-style politics will keep him there. Sadly!!

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  12. Anonymous says:

    Great article R.Miller, one can only wonder if the current Government recognizes the value of such a post and even reads it. We have a great opportunity to reset the wheel and the dynamics here .

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  13. Anonymous says:

    I legitimately feel bad for Caymanians (those who don’t have a say in his election, that is) that Kenneth Bryan is so young and will probably be a long-time political fixture here. I have to imagine the FCCA and executives at the cruise line have to be licking their chops with him at the helm of any negotiations involving Cayman.

    I thought negotiations about operators’ share of excursion revenue happened months ago when the FCCA came down here to be wined and dined? All I’m hearing is that it sounds like they’re talking about talking while just letting the race to the bottom persist. Good luck, Cayman–you’re going to need it.

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  14. Anonymous says:

    what a bunch of waffle trying to hide the fact they want as many cruisesships as physically possible….
    thank you again no-plan-pact.

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  15. Anonymous says:

    “Presidential Level Strategic Development Destination Partnership package”. Sounds expensive. How much did that cost, Kenny?

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  16. Anonymous says:

    Just looking on the Royal Caribbean website and their covid requirements are proof of vaccination. So why do people coming in by air who stay over and contribute far more to the economy still have to do a test the day before arrival. It seems to be one rule for cruise ships which can be “super spreaders” of the virus and and another for other travellers. Seems double standards

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  17. Pastor Alfredo says:

    If I was the chief negotiator for the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association I’d struggle to think of someone I’d rather be sat across the table from in a meeting than Kenneth Bryan.

    It must be like Christmas come early for people who are at the top of their game in terms of business strategy to have to deal with people who have absolutely no background, experience or expertise but have somehow managed to get themselves into a position where they hold the keys to the kingdom and give them away for virtually nothing in return.

    Pastor Alfredo

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    • Anonymous says:

      Same thing goes for those who profess to be Pastors. It must be like Christmas come early for people who are at the top of their game in terms of religion to have to deal with people who have absolutely no background, experience or expertise but have somehow managed to get themselves into a position where they hold the keys to the kingdom and give them away foronly something in return.

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      • Jotnar says:

        You do realize it’s a pseudonym right? A pun on Pasta Alfredo – no doubt intended to poke fun at the very group of people you are referring to.

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    • Anonymous says:

      If I was chief negotiator, first thing I would ask for is a massive increase of the per passenger head tax to help the cost of cleaning up after each visit.
      Kenny should be asked what WE got out of these “negotiations”.

  18. Anonymous says:

    Converting cruisers to stay-over is a myth from the 90’s.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Maybe he meant cruise ships staying overnight….therefore legalizing gambling?

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      • Anonymous says:

        Just what we need…. all night gambling! Maybe slot machines in all the stores and in public buildings? I talked to Reverend Knowitall and he said they might put them in the churches, too.

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  19. Sunrise says:

    I was shocked when I went down to the port the other day and saw that there are no improvements whatsoever!!! Two years they had the opportunity to improve, however, it is still a joke!! The taxi and tour operators are still running around with signs from ancient days, trying to get customers, fighting against each other, cutting prices, etc.. No wonder these cruise lines are taking advantage of the situation, we have no foresight when it comes to improvements with our services. 20 years from now, they will still be chasing people with the same signs, complaining how the cruise lines are taking advantage of the situation. Of course they are going to take advantage, they are business people!!! My dad used to tell me; you can only think as deep as your mind allows. In this case, must be a lot of shallow ones working the cruise lines. Just a thought; you cannot complain about others when they are improving on their situation and you are stuck in reverse!!

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    • Anonymous says:

      We need Kenneth to climb down from his self promoting billboards and deal with real issues.
      He seems to crave popularity rather than deal with difficult taxi drivers and port workers, in case he upsets his voting base.

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    • Anonymous says:

      And giant orange cones littering the middle of the main road for months now.

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  20. Anonymous says:

    “This marketing package offers the best exposure for the Cayman Islands to build a closer relationship with the FCCA and member cruise lines, as well as with cruise and travel stakeholders, consumers and more than 25,000 travel agents,” Bryan said. “It will showcase the Cayman Islands brand and image throughout the year to decision-makers, while relaying our message and displaying our offerings through the FCCA’s conferences and events.”

    So let’s see if I can put this in simple terms. Kenneth Bryan signed a contract to pay the FCCA (call it marketing) to do what they already wanted to do, which was bring cruise ship tourist to Cayman.

    Why isn’t this man our Premier?

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  21. JTB says:

    I’ll believe it when I see it

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  22. Anonymous says:

    Putting lip stick on the pig doesn’t change it. Mass cruise tourism does NOT benefit Cayman no matter how you try to sugar coat it.

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  23. Anonymous says:

    Q. What could be propelling a further premature secret agreement with the wrong emissary agency – with a history of abusive and dishonest representations to mega-liner cabal – BEFORE our RFP even goes out to seek new cruise policy submissions? The top action item should be not to bend any more with the FCCA pay-to-play intermediary. Cut them out.

    FCCA do not represent our target market, which are the passengers aboard the superdeluxe luxury liners: Viking, Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, Seabourn, Atlas, SeaDream, Azamara. Even Virgin would be a step up. Kenny doesn’t offer any skill set or knowledge to be the lead negotiator on anything other than a drug deal.

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  24. Unhappy Caymanian says:

    What’s the difference?

    These ships are all floating Petri dishes

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  25. Anonymous says:

    Why do we have to spend exhorbitant amounts of money to market the islands to the cruise lines? Have they not heard of us by now? Are they unaware? Shouldn’t they be coming to us and begging us to allow their ships to stop here? Sounds like the power is in the wrong hands.

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  26. Anonymous says:

    Piers soon come…

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  27. Sheriff says:

    I don’t even know what to say about this. SMH

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  28. Anonymous says:

    KB out of his league.

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  29. Anonymous says:

    Cruise ships are not money makers.

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  30. R.MILLER says:

    https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20220517-palaus-world-first-good-traveller-incentive?utm_source=bbc-news&utm_medium=must-see

    Let’s do something smart, not short-sighted. Quality…stay-over…forget daytrippers, unless you can advise us who is really benefitting financially Mr. Bryan.

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  31. Cheese Face says:

    Start by kicking out #1 and work your way down (where applicable).

    Caribbean cruise lines ranked by price

    1 – Princess Cruises (Cheapest)
    2 – Holland America Line.
    3 – Royal Caribbean International.
    4 – Norwegian Cruise Line.
    5 – MSC Cruises.
    6 – Carnival Cruise Lines.
    7 – Celebrity Cruises.
    8 – Disney Cruise Line.

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  32. Anonymous says:

    Back to business as usual. What a wasted opportunity to get a better tourism product here.

    Quality over quantity with FCCA…what a joke…

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  33. Anonymous says:

    PACT better not mess this up because the PPM have proven to be no better for Caymanians

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