The UK and Europe office of the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism (CIDOT) has announced 2023 visitor figures are on track to surpass the goal of reaching more than 70% of 2019 pre-pandemic levels. 

Air arrivals for the period of January – August 2023, are tracking those in the Cayman islands’ biggest year, during which it welcomed a total of 14,583 UK travellers. Figures to date (until August 2023) count arrivals ex-UK at 8,597, with the busiest season still to travel and forward bookings looking healthy.

Director of the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, Rosa Harris, says, “We are delighted with the figures this year. Tourism is a major pillar of the Cayman Islands’ economy and with world class diving and dining, we have expansive experiences to offer all types of holidaymakers. 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 onboarding 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.”

This year, the UK and Europe office of the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism (CIDOT) announced a relaunch of its Cayman Islands Training programme and accompanying agent incentive.

The course, which originally launched in 2019, was refreshed and updated with new important information, such as British Airways adding a fifth weekly flight to the destination which began in January 2023, and accommodation updates, including the recently renovated Palm Heights and Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman, as well as exciting new properties set to open this year – Vida Ocean Adventure Lodge and Kailani Cayman, A Curio Collection by Hilton Hotel.

In addition, 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. and focuses on the incredible wildlife of the destination, including the indigenous blue iguanas found only on Grand Cayman, while a well-known television personality hosts a culinary series.