Cayman Islands set to surpass 70% of pre-Covid tourist arrivals

Tourism arrivals to the Cayman Islands are on course to surpass the goal of reaching more than 70% of 2019 pre-pandemic levels this year.

Air arrivals for the January-August period are tracking those in the Cayman islands’ biggest year when the destination attracted 14,583 UK travellers.

Figures up to August show UK arrivals at 8,597, with the busiest season still to travel and forward bookings described as looking healthy.

The UK and Europe office of the tourism department relaunched a Cayman Islands training programme and accompanying agent incentive this year.

The course, originally launched in 2019, was refreshed and updated with new information, such as British Airways adding a fifth weekly flight to the destination from January 2023, and accommodation updates.

The programme now includes expert-led content videos to take viewers on a deeper dive across the three islands of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.

The first stream is hosted by BBC’s Springwatch presenter, Hannah Stitfall, focusing on wildlife in the destination.

Cayman Islands Department of Tourism director Rosa Harris, says, “We are delighted with the figures this year. My team and I have invested in and built our relationships with British Airways and with the travel trade, whom we know has played an integral partnership role in rebuilding the Cayman Islands’ tourism levels after the pandemic.

“Looking ahead, 2024 marks an important year for the Cayman Islands, as we welcome the opening of VIDA Cayman, an eco-sustainable tourism development focused on wellness and adventure, Kailani, A Curio Collection by Hilton Resort, and Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman, the first of its brand in the Caribbean.

“We also look forward to the developments of five-star brands, Mandarin Oriental Grand Cayman, and Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman Hotel & Residences, both scheduled to open in 2025.

“We will be working very closely with our industry partners and participating in events and trainings to enhance trade engagement and, most importantly, to reinforce our position as the premium holiday destination for laidback discovery.”