Share This Article
ACT Condemns Calls for Boycott of Cruise Referendum Debate
CAYMAN ISLANDS (January 30, 2025) – Friday, January 31, 2025 marks a pivotal moment for democracy in the Cayman Islands, as elected officials face a defining choice: to stand up for the people they represent or to bow to pressure from fringe groups seeking to stifle open debate. The Association for Cruise Tourism in the Cayman Islands (ACT) is deeply concerned about calls from faceless activists urging elected representatives to boycott Parliament and abandon the crucial referendum debate. Such actions set a dangerous precedent for democratic governance.
“A responsible democracy is built on debate, engagement and decision-making within the legislative framework – not on political grandstanding that undermines the institutions designed to serve the people,” said Ellio Solomon, Executive Program Manager of ACT and a former Member of the Cayman Islands Legislative Assembly.
“Friday is D-Day for democracy in Cayman. It will separate the men from the boys and determine whether we truly have a functioning democracy or not. Democracy is about ensuring that both the majority and minority have a voice – not about sacrificing it on the altar of controversy. Any elected official who willingly undermines this process should be held accountable at the polls on April 30, 2025,” Solomon declared.
The association leader further criticized the justification that certain issues are “too controversial” to warrant parliamentary debate. “Controversy is no excuse for derailing democracy. If our financial services industry were under attack and required urgent legislation, would these same officials walk away? Yet, in the case of cruise tourism, they are willing to let political maneuvering override progress,” he argued.
Environmental Extremism Driving Opposition
Solomon also called out the opposition for being dominated by “environmental fundamentalists”, who, in his view, are using obstructionist tactics to push their agenda. “A lot of these opposition members are being influenced by groups like CPR Cayman and Sustainable Cayman, who refuse to engage in meaningful discussions. They are not acting in the best interest of Caymanians – they appear to be prioritizing an environmentalist agenda without fully considering the economic well-being of Caymanians.”
Boycotting the Debate is an Assault on Democracy
Furthermore, elected officials have a duty to represent their constituents through participation, not abstention, Solomon asserted. “Walking away from legislative discussions does not serve the interests of the Caymanian people – it silences the very voices that need to be heard. Democracy requires courage, debate and engagement – not cowardice and retreat.”
ACT warned that refusing to engage in the debate undermines public confidence in Cayman’s governance and economic future. “The reality is that democracy itself is built on controversy,” Solomon added. “Politics has always been a battleground of ideas. Debate is fundamental to the democratic process, and to run from it is a betrayal of the people we serve.”
ACT also pushed back against claims that cruise tourism is in decline across the Caribbean. “The place where cruise arrivals are declining most significantly is the Cayman Islands, where they have dropped by approximately 45% since 2018 – while the rest of the Caribbean region is experiencing double-digit growth,” ACT stated.
Cruise and Stayover Tourism: A Vital Partnership for Cayman’s Future
Opponents have argued that stayover visitors spend more and should be prioritized over cruise tourism. However, ACT maintains that cruise and stayover tourism must coexist. “Many of our stayover visitors first experience Cayman as cruise passengers. Cruise tourists are essentially on familiarization trips when in port and play a key role in supporting the stayover industry. Cayman’s tourism economy thrives on the synergy between cruise and stayover tourism, not on prioritizing one at the expense of the other,” Solomon stated.
With the referendum debate on cruise berthing infrastructure set for tomorrow, ACT is urging elected officials to fulfill their democratic duty. “The Caymanian people deserve a transparent and engaged government – not one that hides behind excuses,” Solomon stated. “The decision to participate or abstain from tomorrow’s debate will reveal who truly stands for democracy.”
PHOTO CAPTION: Isaac Rankine, Cayman Islands’ Minister for Youth, Sports, Heritage, and Home Affairs (second from right), with ACT Steering Committee members (L-R) Ellio Solomon, Monique Hamaty-Simmonds, and Tim Adam at ACT’s East End Town Hall meeting on cruise tourism last week.
