(CMR) The number of cruise passengers visiting the Cayman Islands is expected to decline by about 25 percent over the next two years, Minister of Tourism Kenneth Bryan said.
Mr. Bryan said the number of cruise passengers projected to visit the Cayman Islands next year is 1.4 million, a drop from 1.9 million passengers in 2019. Mr. Bryan was speaking on a local talk show recently.
He said the numbers are expected to drop further in 2024 to about 1.32 million.
The Minister of Tourism said the numbers are expected to decrease as the larger cruise ships will not call on Cayman due to the country's decision not to build a berthing cruise in Grand Cayman. He said he respects the people's decision not to build a pier to keep the environment green.
Last year, the former administration announced that plans for a new cruise port which was to be financed by several cruise lines, would not proceed.
Mr. Bryan said greater emphasis will be placed on stayover tourism. This will take in a new development plan for the Owen Roberts International Airport.
Meantime, as Cayman Airways gets ready to make its first flight to Los Angeles this Saturday, Mr Bryan said consideration is being given to Panama as Cayman considers the South American market.
“We are strongly considering Panama as a route,” the Minister said, adding that he could not make any official announcement yet but that Cayman was looking to go into the South American market.
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