New era begins for national attractions
(CNS): A name change and the rollout of new modern legislation relating to what are now “national attractions” heralds a new era for the sites previously managed by the Tourism Attractions Board. Pedro St. James, the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, Hell Geological Site and the Cayman Craft Market are now under the new umbrella of the Cayman Islands National Attractions Authority (CINAA).
The new legislation and new name took effect on 1 June. According to officials, the new name reflects the organisation’s expanded focus on promoting and preserving the unique cultural, historical and natural attractions as well as developing new attractions and experiences that showcase the best of Caymanian culture and heritage.
CINAA Director Patrick Thompson said the new name reflects a commitment to showcase the attractions that make Cayman a special place to visit.
“All Caymanians are owners and custodians of these attractions, and it is our collective responsibility to preserve them,” he said. “We believe that this change will help us to better communicate our mission and connect with travellers who are seeking meaningful, authentic Caymankind experiences.”
Part of a larger effort to position the Cayman Islands as a leading destination for travellers seeking authentic experiences, it was also about modernising the law, which was passed some 27 years ago.
Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan said the law had not been amended since it came into effect in 1996, predating current legislation relating to good governance, and sections of it were not in compliance with the Public Authorities Act.
“It was considered to be so outdated that the Legal Department advised against amending it and recommended creating a whole new Act,” Bryan said. “The Ministry of Tourism seized this opportunity, changing the name to reflect the functions the Tourism Attractions Board actually performed. The new CINAA Act is now both adequate and effective in dealing with the complexities of a modern tourism environment.”
Carla Reid, the former TAB board chairperson, said the new law was the culmination of several years of work by the TAB board of directors, who had recognised the need to modernise the legislation and allow for the growth of the organisation.
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Category: Business, Heritage and Culture, Local News, Tourism
Pushing the envelope on the words “nation” and “attraction”.
Good thing the turtle farm isn’t in this lot. They forever demonstrate fiscal and managerial immaturity.
new name and same old poor management!! another subsidized entity that has failed to innovate or attract any new visitors
And they will keep getting poor management because they people who run it are not caymanians! And are far out of sight in Savannah where they don’t have to worry about the CIG eyes on them every day.
Pedro staff been unhappy for years.
The comments section is so entertaining.
The most rediculous waste of time and money .
With just 80k population and all this money and surplus the country cant provide for it’s people . it’s a joke
Dump included?
Let’s see, new logo for CINAA, new polo shirts with the new logo, new wind breakers with logo. Same do nothing board other than increased cost for rebranding nothing has changed🤡🤡🤡
Cayman HAD only ONE “national” attraction- Seven Miles Beach.
When our government is bored they create new authorities just to add to the illusion that they’re doing something.
National attractions? Building everywhere there is an inch of space is ruining everything Cayman was known for…..peace, quiet, island life.
Creating jobs for un-employables.
Bigly in CIG
Pedro staff been unhappy for years.
Can we please put a dry ski slope on the dump…sorry, Mount Trashmore…..and maybe a ski jump that point towards the harbour and see if the passengers can make it back to the ship quickly?
LOL
what about the blue iguanas
You mean the ones that are only available for view on certain hours on certain days that isnt widely publicized?
What about our Parliament? It’s enough of a zoo to deserve the status of National Attraction, just need to install one way glass and a viewing gallery.
I believe your suggestion — while tongue-in-cheek — has considerable merit. I just imagined myself in a queue, having paid $6.00 (minimum wage) for an hour of watching Parliament live. Enough irony to go around.
Preserving our natural attractions? Don’t make me laugh. Cayman is doing nothing to preserve our natural environment, and our elected officials are doing everything they can to line their own pockets while destroying it.
The parliamentarians are the one passing ridiculous laws to enable them to destroy what little “natural attractions” we do have and now they are pretending that they care. They passed laws preventing persons from removing our endemic orchids and rightly so but then they continually give developers permission to bulldoze all the habitats for the orchids, tear them down and burn them . Once upon a time Wayne before, he became the premier appeared to care but now he is part of the destruction. The Cayman Islands are 3 little islands, apparently there is a good amount of wealth and knowledge on these islands, therefore it should be fairly easy to have three little pieces of paradise to live on. There is so much still lacking, so much that doesn’t take billions of dollars to accomplish. e.g.proper garbage disposal system, little parks and open spaces for relaxation, reliable public transport system , protection of our flora etc. etc. until then I encourage those of us who continue to grow our private gardens and grow plants /trees , share with our neighbors and encourage each other.
Laws on the books for illegal dumping and clearing of lots, but no robust enforcement and fines are minimal.
Pass the rum
Another waste of public funds to overpaid staff and Board members!
Where’s the experience? Where’s the beef??
You got that right! Kenneth need try put a Caymanian up in there to run that place.
What about Stingray City/Sandbar or doesn’t anyone on the new Board know how to swim?
doubt that….chec the staff at Pedro
They got Spaniards up in the shops that can’t even speak English to the customers.
What/where is the official budgeted “craft market” that the public is married to preserving? Is it the sporadic imported made in China straw goods market on sidewalk space next to Ugland house? Is it Camana Bay hodgepodge on Wednesdays? Is it Cricket pitch farmer market? Is it public beach vendor hawkers? How much money does the ad hoc vendor-supplied “craft market” get budgeted per year? Most stayover tourists regret leaving their beach towels for these “attractions”. DoT only gets one chance to hoodwink would-be customers, no guaranteed sales, and most go back to advise other visitors to save their time and cab fare. We need to do much better with our public attractions budgets, and/or cancel some of them and layoff people that haven’t been delivering for decades.
What is Caymanian about the craft market when they selling trinkets made in china and rasta caps and bead bracelets made in jamaica?
Which craft market the abandon one or the makeshift one?
Nobody knows
And lets not forget they get $140k to manage the Craft Market. Page 12
http://www.legislativeassembly.ky/portal/pls/portal/docs/1/13132597.PDF
9.38am Don’t forget sold by Jamaicans.
“Authentic Caymankind experiences” my backside!
Sounds expensive.
When Caymanians don’t know what to do with their time they create something that is expensive to build.
I am compelled to disagree, it is unfortunate that Caymanians are the least in number at what is meant to be National Attractions which promote and preserve Caymanian history and culture.
Whether is it an old name or a new name, if there aren’t Caymanians at the helm of the organization, there will never be a true movement to showcase our heritage in a meaningful manner.
I truly do not mean to offend but what do foreigners know about Cayman culture, hertaige and tradition? We do not have many of historical records, our traditions have been held felt passed down through word of mouth and through the examples of our grandparents and their parents before them.
I have heard the good Minister say that he wants more Caymanians in tourism jobs, but he must not only review and upgrade the law, he must truly make a commitment to identify Caymanian/s to uphold the law.
As well, he must also commit to have any foreign worker trained at length in Caymanian history and culture. From the lowest to the highest position.