The Cayman Islands tourism industry has faced disruption in various forms throughout its history and has proven resiliency which has led recovery and future successes.
With the official launch of the Ministry and Department of Tourism?s comprehensive strategic tourism reinvention plan named The Road Back to 500K (RB5), a blueprint has been laid for the phased return of tourism as the country moves to a new normal in a post-pandemic world of travel.
Deputy premier and minister for Tourism Moses Kirkconnell launched the RB5. The plan aims to be a strategic pivot from the main tenets of the National Tourism Plan (NTP) 2019- 2023.
The RB5, developed through extensive collaboration with private sector stakeholders, government partners and in-depth market research, identifies four priority areas that will guide the tourism sector to its return as a major pillar of the Cayman Islands economy. This tourism recovery strategy addresses methods to stabilise businesses; create new opportunities for displaced tourism employees; and creates a plan for the next two to three years, focusing on four priorities: Reinvent for readiness, stimulate the domestic economy, regain global market confidence and market share, Bolster future tourism sector employment.
?The business of tourism is an undeniably strong sector, encompassing a plethora of industries that are directly tourism-based as well as those that feed into the industry through a variety of services,? said Kirkconnell. ?I am confident that the RB5 plan provides the best way forward for a purposefully paced economic recovery that will see the country gradually return to the milestone years of record-breaking stayover and cruise visitation."
While led by the Ministry and Department of Tourism, all stages in the development of RB5 included consultation and collaboration throughout government and private sector to ensure the plan has the broadest and most comprehensive impact for the people of the Cayman Islands and the tourism community. This included sector surveys for domestic economy stakeholder feedback; meetings with the accommodation, dive, and attractions?sectors; meetings with the Cayman Islands Tourism Association and Chamber of Commerce; collaborations with the Public Transportation Board and Hotel Licensing Board on recommendations to support the tourism industry; developing sanitation guidelines for the tourism sector to safely welcome visitors back.
