News

The Honourable Kenneth Bryan, Minister of Tourism and Ports, recently led a delegation from the Cayman Islands to the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Conference and Trade Show held in St. Maarten. This annual gathering brings together cruise and tourism industry leaders from across the Caribbean, North America, and beyond, and provides a platform for  stakeholders to discuss mutual strategies for driving sustainable growth in the cruise tourism sector.

The Cayman Islands delegation included representatives from the Ministry of Tourism and Ports (MOTP), the Department of Tourism (CIDOT), the Cayman Islands National Attractions Authority (CINAA), the Port Authority of the Cayman Islands (PACI), and the Association for the Advancement of Cruise Tourism (ACT). Although invited by the MOTP, unfortunately no representative from the Cruise Port Referendum group (CPR) was able to attend. 

At the conference, Minister Bryan and the Cayman Islands representatives engaged in high-level discussions with cruise line executives which were focused on strengthening the Cayman Islands’ position within the global cruise market. He also delivered a destination update on the Cayman Islands tourism product, and participated in a panel discussion on the topic of ‘Refining the Guest Experience.’ 

Minister Bryan explained the significance of the Cayman Islands presence by noting that “the FCCA conference allows us to directly engage with decision-makers and influencers in the cruise and tourism sectors, and enables discussions on how best we can support the cruise industry, and be supported by it. Our commitment remains focused on creating sustainable tourism practices that benefit both visitors and the Cayman Islands community.”

Sharing his thoughts on the conference, Deputy Chairman of the PACI Board, Richard Parchment, said “The 30th annual FCCA conference once again provided a venue for governments and the private sector product suppliers to meet directly with the cruise lines. The Cayman Islands was once again advised that passengers love our destination, but the cruise lines are continuing to find it difficult to stop because of tendering.”

By facilitating critical one-on-one discussions between the Cayman Islands officials and the major cruise line operators, opportunities were created to address operational challenges and the future of cruise offerings. This open dialogue underscored the importance of Cayman’s efforts to diversify its tourism product, while positioning itself as a leading Caribbean destination with unique attractions and a commitment to guest satisfaction.

Representatives from the Cayman Turtle Centre and CINAA also had the opportunity to consider the importance of enhancing visitor experiences while balancing the protection of natural resources and cultural identity. Raymond Hydes, Deputy CEO of the Cayman Turtle Centre (CTC), said “I was delighted to be able to attend and connect with industry leaders at the 30th annual FCCA conference and tradeshow. This event offered an invaluable opportunity to engage with numerous cruise line representatives and promote the Cayman Turtle Centre's innovative sustainable mangrove tour. The feedback was incredibly positive, and I am pleased to share that cruise line executives expressed strong support for CTC’s commitment to sustainability.”

John Lawrus, Manager of the Queen Elizabeth ll Botanic Park, who attended FCCA for the first time this year, expressed that “Attending the FCCA conference last week in St. Maarten provided a platform for sharing knowledge and insights from our neighbours in the Caribbean and beyond to help understand the current trends and challenges that face the entire industry.”

The Ministry of Tourism and Ports and other participating entities will use insights from the FCCA conference to refine strategies, with the goal being to ensure that the Cayman Islands remain a top-tier destination for cruise tourism, while maximizing local economic benefits.