Tag: Stran Bodden
Bryan denies any failings over tourism policy
(CNS): In parliament last week, Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan denied that there are any issues relating to the UPM policy on tourism or that the decision to enhance and continue with the existing National Tourism Plan was a shortcoming on his part. Hitting back at the opposition for their criticisms of how he is handling […]
PPM hits out at minister’s failure to reboot tourism plan
(CNS): The Cayman Islands Ministry of Tourism is waiting until the end of next year to launch a new tourism plan after the current document expires in 2023, according to Chief Officer Stran Bodden. However, the opposition has criticised this decision. In a statement, PPM Leader Roy McTaggart urged Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan to “do […]
PAC to quiz CAL and ministry execs over OAG report
(CNS): The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will hold a public hearing this Thursday at 10:00am to examine the Office of the Auditor General’s recent performance report, The Efficiency and Effectiveness of Cayman Airways Limited. President and CEO of CAL Fabian Whorms will attend as a witness alongside CAL Board Chair John-Paul Clarke and Ministry of […]
Route enforcement protest puts brakes on bus service
(CNS): Bus drivers objecting to the sudden enforcement of what they believe is a poor route plan put the brakes on the service Wednesday and began strike action. Further stoppages were reportedly averted after the drivers had a Zoom meeting with Transport Minister Kenneth Bryan, who was off-island. A compromise was reached as suggestions by […]
Port board embroiled in new HR turmoil
(CNS): The long-running problems impacting human resources at the Port Authority of the Cayman Islands (PACI) appear to be lingering, as CNS has learned that an internal audit is now underway into various appointments made directly by PACI’s board in relation to numerous vacancies. Meanwhile, on Friday afternoon the board announced the appointment of Brac […]
Tourism spent $3.5M on cruise port in 2019
(CNS): The tourism ministry spent almost CI$3.5 million of public money on the now abandoned cruise berthing project last year, according to the chief officer. Stran Bodden told Finance Committee the cash was spent on promoting the project and professional services. Meanwhile, the private sector consortium selected to build the controversial dock said this week […]
CO made misleading claims in sworn document
(CNS): Chief Officer Stran Bodden made several misleading claims in an affidavit he swore was true used by lawyers representing government in the recent court case about the cruise project. Bodden said tendering was “dangerous” and was cutting down the time and money passengers were spending here, without evidence to support the claims. He said […]
Minister fuels further cruise confusion
(CNS): Tourism Minister Moses Kirkconnell spent more than two hours on Monday morning talking about the tourism industry, but failed to address the questions surrounding the controversial cruise and cargo project. Despite claims that his ministry had been “as open as we can possibly be”, Kirkconnell did not explain the increasingly confusing financing model. He […]
Tourism ministry refuses FOI on cruise line deal
(CNS): The tourism ministry has issued a blanket denial to a freedom of information request for more details on the recently announced deal struck with two cruise lines that secured their involvement in the cruise berthing project proposed for George Town Harbour. Following an announcement last month that Royal Caribbean Cruises and Carnival Corporation had made […]
CIG spends $55k promoting cruise port
(CNS) The Cayman Islands Ministry of Tourism has admitted spending more than CI$55,000 of public cash advertising the cruise and cargo port project and engaging a public relations company to promote the controversial proposal, largely via social media. Following what is believed to be several freedom of information requests about how much government has spent […]
Consultants guiding ministry in cruise dock tender
(CNS): The chief officer in the ministry of tourism told the Public Accounts Committee Thursday that KPMG is guiding government through the procurement process of the cruise ship dock after Cabinet recently gave the green light to press ahead with the controversial development. Stran Bodden told PAC that the overall project was being coordinated and […]
