Trippers pick Cayman for top Caribbean destination

| 06/05/2011

(CNS): The tourism industry has received another welcome boost this week with the Cayman Islands being voted the number one travel destination in the Caribbean by TripAdvisor travellers. The news comes on the heels of arrival statistics that reveal both air and cruise visitors are on the increase, despite recent downtown closures of restaurants. Premier and Tourism Minister McKeeva Bush said he was delighted as the Trip Advisor awards are based on more than 10 million real and unbiased traveller reviews. Headded that it was particularly encouraging and showed that visitors leave Cayman extremely satisfied with their vacation experience.

“In addition to being selected as the number one travel destination in Caribbean and Mexico category, the Cayman Islands is the only Caribbean country listed in the top 25 destinations in the world, which is extremely gratifying and exciting,” the premier said.

According to the TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Destinations Awards 2011 Cayman was touted for its pristine beaches, exciting attractions, plush accommodations, delicious dining options, and caymankind approach to life.

“We are delighted to have been chosen by travellers in this poll,” commented Shomari Scott, Acting Director of Tourism. “Winning an accolade of this calibre is a huge testament to the beauty, quality and service that visitors experience when they visit our islands. This award highlights how special our beach and resort community are, and we are thrilled that the Cayman Islands have received this international recognition.”

TripAdvisor.com represents the world’s largest travel community The Travellers' Choice Destinations Awards honour the world's top destinations, earning their distinction from those who know them best – real travellers. The winners are determined by a combination of TripAdvisor's travellers' favourite places and the destination’s overall popularity on the popular travel review website. 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Category: Tourism

About the Author ()

Comments (22)

Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed

  1. Anonymous says:

    I have lived therebut started as a visitor. On our first trip back in 1979 we fell in lovge w/EVERYTHING. Most of all the wonderful people. We went home and talked about buying a house there. Within a week we were back and  days later bought our beautiful house.

    My sons first schooling was on the island. Since we love the water we bought on the beach (on South Sound). What a wonderful place 2 raise children. We never worried about crime even locking our doors.

    Sadly it seems that has changed like all fine things. Although thats true the people will go on living their island ways .

    Love u Cayman

  2. Kung Fu Iguana says:

    I think this says more about the clientele of Trip Advisor – which is generally penny pinching fly-over state travellers – that thequality of Cayman's tourist product. 

    What the award should say is "Voted Best Caribbean Destination For Unimaginitive Culturally Bereft Lower Middle Class Americans".

     

    • Anonymous says:

      To: Kung Fu Iguana

      Whose side are you on?  It cannot be for Cayman or Caymanians!!!!!

  3. Knal Domp says:

     What is more significant is Cayman’s 22 out of the 25 World’s Best Destinations also ranked by TripAdviser. In this ranking, we’re up against everywhere, so that makes us 22 out of, um, 3,728 possible destinations worth travelling to. Nice!

  4. Anonymous says:

    This is actually a really big deal. We have beaten all of our direct competitors in the listings. I am suprised that not more is being made of this by the Government and in the press. Cayman should feel very proud of itself. Some positive news at last!

  5. Anonymous says:

     What u got to say now Treadwell!

  6. Anonymous says:

    I hope Hugh Treadwell and Mac Dicktator and all the others who are trying to convince us, the people, that we need to build a cruise berth and make Cayman more attractive have read this. This should put them and their ideals to shame! This rating has come from peoplewho have come here and will come back again without a dock!!!! And the money they spend here can be put to bettter use than wasting it on a dock! Please lets not hire consultants now to try to prove our visitors wrong!!!! The people who really count have spoken so listen up!!!!!!

    • Anonymous says:

      you're nuts….its true, this award is awesome to see (unbelievable that other posters try to criticise it)….but Treadwell, Bic Mac and others who support the cruise berthing also support cruise berthing as PART of the Cayman tourism needs, not the ONLY one….if we had proper berthing, we'd be able to show millions of people each year what the lucky few on tripadvisor already know…..thats the whole point……everything in tandem, with the ultimate goal that everyone wins…'wasting money on berths' – thats such a naive comment when the reality is that it could be the single biggest revenue generator for the islands if its done correctly and carefully

  7. Shock and Awe says:

    Beaches are nice. Nice hotels are wonderful. Fine dining is great too. But in the end it’s the people.

  8. Anonymous says:

    Wow! Top Caribbean destination, and without a cruise ship berth, casino or overnight ships. Congrats!

  9. petermilburn says:

    Great news now lets build on our stay over visitors.where the money really is.

  10. Anonymous says:

    Cayman is wonderful! I visit often and absolutely love it. The prices are much higher than most Caribbean locations but the excellent food,people and beaches make up for it. go Cayman! See you soon!!

  11. Anonymous says:

    The Premier loves traveling from the Cayman Islands on a regular basis.

    • Anonymous says:

      Why dont you ask the Premier to take you on one of those trips? maybe you can help be a part of these negotiation…try to think positive my friend, do not follow the rest of those hypocrites.I will bet that you and many more that are criticising the Premier, are doing well under his administration…..but of course we are who we are. (Crab in the barrell mentality )

  12. Anonymous says:

    Absolute hogwash,  I love these Islands, have Lived and Vacationed here but top or even near the top for a Caribbean destination?  whoever wrote that has been sniffing too much of the poison coming from mount trashmore!!  Want somewhere nice with mountains and waterfalls, dont come here!

    • Island lover says:

       I disagree with you.  You need to re-visit the Eastern Caribbean, it does not compare.  After traveling to and living in over 15 Caribbean Islands, I think Cayman still has the nicest beaches, great hotels, and the best cuisine.  Go Cayman!  

    • Anonymous says:

      Shame on you "lover"

      Obviously people who want mountains and waterfalls would not come to Cayman, and with Trip Adviser’s help they would know that before they come. I would think that a majority of travellers would have investigated what is on offer before choosing Cayman as a holiday destination. The reviews are written AFTER visiting, and people are actually more likely to bother to write negative reviews, as taught in customer service courses…  a customer will tell you about good service, but tell the world about bad…. I have often said to friends that they should not expect a lush tropical island of the stereotype picture of the Caribbean, but have been pleasantly surprised (and relieved after they have spent so much on flights etc) when Friends have visited how much they enjoy it here, and they have chosen to return, and recommend others to visit too (and stay at local Hotels such as Turtles Nest, which has also won Trip Adviser award(s) in the past). Cayman has much more to offer than scenery, although a walk along the Mastic Trail gives a wonderful example of Cayman flora and fauna.

      It is a shame that you would write such a negative comment in these times when the islands desperately need to boost income, especially via stay over tourism…Unfortunately if you Google "Trip Adviser top destinations this news article is likely to pop up with your negativity and sarcasm….

      Shame you didn’t stick with the fact you "love" theseislands…you have a funny way of showing it….

  13. Whodatis says:

    Such an award / title is HUGE considering the source.

    ‘TripAdvisor’ is compiled via the direct reviews and experiences of travelers and tourists.

    I use their website to research each and every hotel / accommodation booking when traveling abroad – especially to Europe! (It is so ‘hit or miss’ over there it is beyond ridiculous!)

    This is excellent news! Nothing trumps a good reputation by way of personal experiences – absolutely nothing.

  14. Anonymous says:

    Does this mean the prices will go even higher? 

  15. big whopper says:

    Congrats Cayman…I have been visiting here for 12+ years and hope to make my home in the near future. Cayman is paradise and the locals should never forget it.

  16. Anonymous says:

    The Cayman Islands is the only Caribbean destination in the top 25, placed at 22..fantastic news…full list:

    http://www.tripadvisor.com/TCDestinations