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Last week, the Cayman Islands welcomed two globally respected voices in tourism – Allen Chastanet, Opposition Leader and former Prime Minister of St. Lucia, and Giora Israel, a pioneer of the modern cruise industry with over five decades of experience. Their visit, facilitated by The Association for Cruise Tourism in the Cayman Islands (ACT), brought valuable insight to the ongoing dialogue about the future of cruise tourism and cruise berthing infrastructure in Cayman.
At a press conference held Thursday at the Grand Cayman Marriott, Israel emphasized the rapidly changing cruise landscape. With mega ships now dominating the market, he cautioned that these vessels no longer tender – not in Cayman, Belize nor even parts of Europe – due to operational limitations and cruise line policies. Without the development of modern piers, Israel warned Cayman risks losing hundreds of thousands of cruise visitors in the coming years, along with the associated jobs and economic benefits. He also highlighted environmentally responsible pier construction methods and referenced several Caribbean destinations where marine ecosystems have flourished around pylon-based piers.
On Tuesday, Chastanet delivered a powerful message about the intersection of tourism and economics. He praised Cayman for its achievements and urged decision-makers to remain evidence-based in shaping the country’s future. He reminded audiences that tourism is not driven by emotion, but by economics.
The experts appeared across multiple media platforms, including Compass TV, Radio Cayman, and BOBO 103.1 FM, reinforcing a clear message: for Cayman to remain competitive and protect its premium tourism brand, investment in smart infrastructure is essential.
The conversations were further elevated by the participation of ACT’s Executive Program Manager Ellio Solomon and Deputy Premier and Minister of Tourism and Ports of the Cayman Islands Kenneth Bryan, whose presence underscored the urgency and significance of the discussion.
As the global cruise industry continues to shift toward larger, more advanced ships, Caymanians will have a crucial decision to make during the April 30 referendum and general elections: whether to evolve with the industry or risk falling behind.
