Tourism aims to be ‘kind’

| 17/01/2011

(CNS): The minister for tourism has revealed that the department is about to unveil a new marketing campaign in the USA called ‘CaymanKind’. In a statement to his colleagues in the Legislative Assembly on Friday reviewing the performance of the tourism industry over 2010, McKeeva Bush said that the year had proved to be better than 09 and the department was geared up to rebound further in the coming twelve months despite the fact that 2011 is expected to be a tough year. The sector will play a pivotal role in the revival of the economy he said adding that it was important for everyone to extend CaymanKindness to those who visit.

The new brand campaign in the USA is about the entire Cayman experience, Bush said.
“CaymanKind encompasses everything that makes the Cayman Islands unique – from the friendliness of our people and our rich cultural heritage to our cosmopolitan style, stunning natural beauty and warm welcome, which we extend to those who visit our shores,” he added.

The premier said that according to Trendwatching.com, which is one of the world’s most visited sources for consumer trends and insights, Random Acts of Kindness are ranked as number one when it comes to crucial consumer trends for the coming year.

“The key to our future success relies on our ability to continually adapt and grow our product base, but more importantly, it lies within each of us, in our ability to extend CaymanKindness to those who visit our shores,” he added.  

He noted that following on the improvements of 2010 the growth, sustainability and economic viability of the Tourism industry would remain top priorities this year. Despite budget cuts he said the DoT would continue to work assiduously to identify new offers and further develop existing products and infrastructure. 

“Competition from destinations outside of our usual competitive set like Latin America and the Gulf States is expected to increase and the playing field is likely to become much tougher than it’s ever been. In addition, we can be certain that consumers will be researching more, spending smarter and demanding more value for money which is why the DOT is placing emphasis on improving customer service standards and enhancing the visitor experience.”  
 

The premier said that over the last year DOT had conducted over 180 PRIDE workshops in an effort to train people working in the hospitality industry – particularly those on the front line. More than 2500 ‘tourism ambassadors’ have completed PRIDE (Personal Responsibility in Delivering Excellence) workshops since it started. In addition, a pilot programme has also been developed for schools for year 11 and 12 students.

Addressing the issue of human capital development in the tourism industry Bush said that Caymanians need to be encouraged to become involved in tourism.

“I am therefore particularly pleased to note that 52 Apprentices have graduated with CARIBCERT certification and 22 new apprentices have enrolled in the 2010/11 programme,” the premier said.

As well as key marketing initiatives and promotions he said the DoT will continue to work with Cayman Airways to keep improving airlift figures. The target to reach 300,000 air arrivals for 2010 is unlikely to be met but the air arrivals are still up by around 6% on the 2009 figure of just under 272,000. With the addition of the new direct WestJet service from Toronto to Grand Cayman and return of CAL’s Chicago and Washington services the premier said the number of overnight guests coming to Cayman was considerably more than it may have been given the global circumstances.

He also revealed that private aircraft arrivals have also increased by 5 percent this December and Cayman also received an additional 18 new aircrafts this December due to an extremely cold winter in Florida.

See tourism arrival statistics here

See the premier’s full tourism presentation below

 

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  1. Lorna E. Bush says:

    As the Public Education Officer at the Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF), I am compelled to respond to the comment submitted by Patricia X (not verified) on Tue, 01/18/2011 – 06:51.

    The Premier of the Cayman Islands and all patriotic Caymanians have every right to love their country; to tell the world of that love and to share it with others. Patricia X has chosen to exercise her right to disagree. I am sure that many others will either find sense or nonsense in what she says. That, however, does not make her statements right. If Patricia X steps back and views her own country without rose-coloured glasses (she did not tell us who she is and where she is from) she will find that its cultural heritage and physical beauty is no richer than Cayman’s.

    It seems to me that Patricia X may not understand what is meant by patriotism, heritage and culture and how they function. A bit of advice, Patricia, "Before you take out the splinter in our eyes, take out the fence post in yours."

    Patricia X, I extend an open invitation to you and all others who may be interested, to visit the offices of CNCF at the Harquail Cultural Centre, where we will be pleased to answer some of your queries. Our office hours are Mon – Fri 8:30am – 5:00pm.

    • Patricia X says:

      Thanks for the invite, forgive me if I don’t feel that welcome given the tone of the invite!

      Of course you have the right to love where you come from.  I never said you didn’t.  Some people from Detroit love Detroit. 

      You seem to think that despite the fact you don’t know where I am from, there is some basis for saying Cayman’s culture, physical environs and heritage are richer than my homeland. 

      Practically given the size of Cayman and the scope of Cayman’s broader contribution to the cultural archive of mankind as a whole, that comparison is unlikely to be true wherever I am from.

      But more importantly you seem to have decided to attack the unknown rather than make any attempt to explain what is so special about your culture and heritage.  It is a shame when even the public education officer cannot make a positive contribution on this issue and rather focuses on criticism of others and dogma.

      I have never sought to enter into a "my culture and heritage is better than yours" debate.  That would be sterile and pointless.

      Rather I have tried to make the point, and it is one shared by many many people, that in terms of outsiders and most importantly tourists, Cayman does not have much to offer from a cultural or historical perspective.

      Yes Caymanians have much that may be important to them in terms of culture and heritage as Caymanians.  I am sure Detroit has similar points of local interest to locals (I have never worked out what you call someone from Detroit, apart from "unemployed").  But that is not what the tourism campaign is about.

      • Cerridwen says:

        It would be rather difficult, I expect, to cover the width and depth of Cayman culture in a single posting.  What the CNCF lady has done is invite you to come to her office where they can answer your questions as fully as possible.  That seems a reasonable response – more reasonable than attempting "to explain what is so special about [her] culture and heritage" here on CNS.

        You "never sought to enter" into a debate?  Then you should have chosen different words in your earlier post rather than to question even the existence of Caymanian culture. 

        Also, in this response you claim the CNCF lady has said that Cayman’s culture is "richer than my homeland".  WHAT SHE SAID was that one culture was no richer than the other’s.  If you are trying to make a point, then I have found it is usually best to stick to the truth.  When you start making up stuff that the other person said or did, I believe your own assertions tend to lose some, if not all, of their validity.

        XXXXX

        In the time I have been here, I have come to learn and appreciate much about Caymanian history and culture.  But it HAS taken time both to learn AND appreciate.  Perhaps youwill have the opportunity to learn a bit and lighten up a bit in the short time you are here.

      • Labour force says:

        "Cayman’s culture, physical environs and heritage are richer than my homeland."

        Patricia X I just saw your posts for the first time and I have to tell you that your first was extremely insulting. Be that as it may, because perhaps you are not in the Cayman Islands and may not know what you are speaking about, I still cannot see how you came to the above conclusion.  I don’t see where that poster gave any indication that Cayman heritage is richer than anybody’s. I think it said that you may find that Cayman cultural heritage is "as rich". Anyway, you don’t seem like a real sensible person anyway, so I don’t think we should waste too much time on you. You may end up feeling that you are more important than you really are. We are kind people, especially to those who come here with a good attitude and want to fit in to our way of life. Those who want to change Cayman to suit their style…well, you might  have a small problem!

  2. Staci says:

    I would start this project at the immigration line at the airport.
    Last visit we were treated so poorly by the incoming immigration officer my husband had to stop her and ask her what her problem was and why she was so angry and hostile as we had done nothing wrong, been very polite and were excited to have arrived.
    She then changed her very nasty attitude and was somewhat pleasant.
    What a bad start and welcome to Cayman!

  3. Pit Bull says:

    Is that “kind” in the sense of “crap and expensive”?

  4. Anonymous says:

    Maybe we can do more to expose the tourists that come here to actual Caymanians. I trevel quite a bit and on more than one occasion while i was off island i have met people who have told me that thay have visited our island on more than one occasion and that I was the first Caymanian that they have met. I couldn’t really answer them because i was at a loss for words. The worse part about this is that most of them have also said that they weren’t coming back because if they wanted to meet their own people on vacation they would stay at home. They preferred to go to other islands where they could interact with the locals. It really begs the question, who are we developing for?

  5. Anonymous says:

    Will CaymanKind extend to welcoming gay cruises? With cruise tourism falling, McKeeva should look into that option.

    Big Mac could get his supporters to pray for them on the steps of the LA rather than waving placards at them on Harbour Drive.

    Now that I think about it, the placard waving fanatics, with new signage of course, could be employed along the 7-mile strip to denounce crime. Since Moses didn’t have anything about gays in his Top-Ten List, I have always wondered why the anti-gay brigade haven’t found something more useful to do with their time like standing outside the corner stores and gas stations that are frequently robbed so that their mere presence can reduce the sin of stealing.

  6. Anonymous says:

    “our warm welcome, which we extend to those who visit our shores”

    Just don’t stay too long!

    • Anonymous says:

      Really? Is this the best you can come up with? There are more non-Caymanians in these islands than there are Caymanians.

      I really am tired of hearing negative comments like this.  Please stop causing problems and find something constructive to do.

      If Caymanians were such inhospitable people would we really now be in the minority? You really should go an visit an inhospitable before you make comments like that.

  7. Anonymous says:

    CaymanKind – 5 star price for 3 star quality

    • Anonymous says:

      I see you are volunteering to become the first student in Cayman Kind and in a +++ attitude lesson.  Congrats and good luck!   Thank you for signing up.  We look forward to seeing you in class.  Have a nice day. 🙂

  8. Anonymous says:

    I bet a tourists chances of having a Random Act of Kindness showed to them here is pretty close to equal to them having a Random Act of Violence committed against them on this island. Given the amount of crime we now have here . We should find a way to deter this if we want to have tourism continue here. And thank you Mr. Premier for helping out on the arrivals being up of private aircraft.

  9. Anonymous says:

    Could someone please also explain that first impression is everything!

    I am disgusted every day when I am on my drive into town and see the roads (which we just spend a million dollars to clean up) are lined by litter.

    The other day I went to the beach. My family spend the first 45 minutes picking up TWO garbage bags full of litter. This was close to where Red Sail and a lot of other diver operations run their business. I watched  numerous times in the past how all those dive operators parade the tourist passed all the litter on the beach, but it would never occur to any of them to try and keep that stretch of beach clean.

    Everyone I have spoken to about this blames it on the neighboring business, failing to realize if their neighbour’s yard looks trashed out, it makes their place look like crap too.

    People just don’t give a shit anymore and if we don’t, why should tourists want to come back and pay top dollar to be sitting on a littered beach, sipping a CI$ 10 cocktail from a crappy plastic cup!

    • TCM29 says:

      From what I have seen, it’s like that everywhere in the Caribbean, and Cayman is better than most, which is not saying much.

      I have a beach place on an island in SC (USA) and every homeowner picks up after themselves and anything laying around, no matter how small.

       I have written and pleaded with at least three different Caribbean governments (including yours) to implement a strict recycling/litter policy, but no one wants to listen. For the life of me, I cannot understand how islands that import everything (except the fine beer you make) can’t put an additional duty (called Bottle Bill) on containers to insure they are properly returned. It’s how it used to be years ago in the US, and still exists in Michigan and Oregon.

      You live in a beautiful paradise, but lack the discipline or elected authority to get things done. Please do what you can to fight litter. I love Cayman and want to return to a cleaner place someday.

    • Anonymous says:

       How about to be really kind and install "on demand" cross walks on WB road?. My heart is always aching when I see tourists trying "safely  cross it. They do not know that idiots  use a center lane as a passing lane and therefore risk their lives. How about assigning one, just one policeman to patrol daily this road from GT to TikiBeach Bar? How about doing something about aggressive tour bus and taxi drivers? How about to be kind and "welcome"with a smile  each air passenger arriving to Cayman?

       

      • Anonymous says:

        "How about to be kind and "welcome"with a smile  each air passenger arriving to Cayman"?

        They have a similar custom in Hawaii. Each passenger is greeting with a kiss and receives a flower Lai from a pretty girl in a hula skirt. The tourist immediately feels welcome on the island and it is a memorable start to their vacation. Little things like that will the them comming back over and over again.

        • Asbo Zaprudder says:

          I think the stunning scenery, top end hotels, fantastic beaches and world class golf have more to do with it than a cheesy gimmick on arrival. 

  10. Anonymous says:

    Have anyone seen the advert for "CaymanKind"? Well it pales in comparison with Jamaica. Why do we seem to run away from showing off our own instead of others? In Jamaica’s Ad, they show case the ugliest lil old man to the lil girl with no front teeth, which makes it humbling and a joy to watch, therefore showing that they are proud of its people no matter what and that is what they have to offer. Maybe we should take a page out of their book in that regard and show what Cayman is known and loved for….Its "People".

    • Anonymous says:

      Are you suggesting we go with the infamous McKeeva snarl? What kind of "kind" is that?

  11. Anonymous says:

    So there is nothing new here….all of this stuff was implemented by the past administration except that Mac has relabelled the programme “Caymankind”

    May I suggest that we figure out how we are going to deliver on this expectation before we go out and promise it !

    Perhaps Mac could learn to practice what he preaches.

  12. Bobby Anonymous says:

    I would like to submit a very detailed proposition on how to get tourism back to the Cayman Islands.

    I have put many hours into my solution so please bare with me.

    And the solution is………………………………………………………………………………

     

    AFFORDABILITY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Most people visiting this Island are NOT on the same income bracket as our MLA’s.

    Wake up, Get real and look at the picture!

    We are Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy overpriced!

    • Lachlan MacTavish says:

       Exactly…..we are way over priced. Saw an add for Aruba the other night. Airfare, hotel, car rental equals airfare to Cayman. Over priced due to antiquated duty and fee system. Overpriced food, adult beverages and airfare which no politician has looked at in 20 years. No amount of being "kind" or "the island time forgot" will bring stay over tourists. This is a waste of tax payer money once again. If you really want stay over tourists Mr. Bush…….

      Waive all duty to hotels for equipment, furniture etc for 5 years. Reduce the ridiculous duties for beer, wine and spirits to 5%. Waive duty for hotel restaurants and free standing restaurants on all food products purchased through local wholesalers and reduce Cayman Airways to $150.00 roundtrip Miami Cayman. Forget about "being kind" and mount a hard television ad campaign and stick to it. 

      IMHO you will see stay over tourism come back and the trickle down to the middle class will be welcomed.

      • Anonymous says:

        "Way over priced" is exactly why we do not go back to Cayman anymore, plus the crime problem. And we are the type of tourist you want.

      • NJ2Cay says:

        I’m sure all these government fees could be waived or lowered if they started Income and Property Taxes in Cayman. Wake up People, the reason the Government has to charge these fees is to avoid taxing thier own people. You should be thankful and do your part to encourage more tourism and foreign investments it is what’s currently paying the bills.

    • Visitor from NJ says:

      Yes the Island itself is expensive.  I do not find that the airfare is expensive ($750 for two people) or renting a nice home on the NorthSide.  What is expensive is the food and alcohol!  It is the most expensive Island I have been to.  Someone mentioned Aruba.  I went to Aruba and while the food and alcohol is cheaper, there is nothing beautiful to see, except desert!  The land is flat, there are limited places to swim and the people were no where near as pleasant as the Native Caymanians I met.  I choose to go to Cayman because I love good food and don’t drink much.  If I was a drinker, I definitely would not be going to Cayman because it is way too overpriced. The best part of Cayman is going to ANY beach and being able to swim. Yes there are currents in certain areas, but basically you can swim or snorkel anywhere.  I do believe that the crime is going to be a big deterrant to many travellers.  Peace Cayman, see ya in April! – the best time of year in Cayman.

  13. Patricia X says:

    “CaymanKind encompasses everything that makes the Cayman Islands unique – from the friendliness of our people and our rich cultural heritage to our cosmopolitan style, stunning natural beauty and warm welcome, which we extend to those who visit our shores,”

    Can’t you get sued for saying things like this in America. I can imagine lots of tourists suing after their holiday. “Rich cultural heritage” where? “Cosmopolitan style”, now I know Mac is not one of the Sex and the City girls but here is a clue, pirate t-shirts are not chic. “Stunning natural beauty” – they missed out the bit in brackets “on view while you are flying over Cuba to get here”.

    The only unique thing about Cayman is the overinflated perception of its tourist product and the prices charged for the quality of the product. There is only one tourist attraction in Cayman : diving. If you are not a diver go elsewhere for a vacation.

    • Anonymous says:

      I’m not a very angry or unreasonable person. However, I always find that after reading one of your posts I feel very incensed. You, my dear,are the epitome of the kind of expat that a Caymanian despises. You feed of off the discord and anger that your abrasive attitude causes. Perhaps you have a reason for your attitude, but no reason you could ever give will excuse your ignominious behaviour in your various posts over time on CNS (and perhaps in your daily life). Perhaps, you’re just not a likeable person at all. Perhaps you are an ingrate who lives here in the Cayman Islands because your anti-social behaviour (which I have discerned from your various postings) caused you to become alienated in your own community…or maybe not, maybe you’re just here for the money. In any case, whatever your reasons you have no right to continually sh*t upon Cayman and Caymanians…and I know you’ve heard this before, because you’ve acknowledged it in other posts, why don’t you leave Cayman if it’s so horrible? You are not a nice person, nor do you provide constructive criticism. Your behaviour is that of a tick.

      I know also that many people may take umbrage to the way I chose to respond to Patricia X, however, she seems only to understand the language of degradation. Attitudes like hers is a main factor in the division of expats and locals.

      • Ex-pat says:

        Go ahead and be angry.  She pisses us off too, and she certainly doesn’t speak for us.  If we can figure out who she is, I’ll be glad to help you deport her.

        • O'Really says:

          "If we can figure out who she is, I’ll be glad to help you deport her."

          If ever there was an argument in support of remaining anonymous on CNS, this is it! I guess freedom of speech, much talked about on the site, is fine as long as the person speaking agrees with you.

          • Anonymous Free Speaker says:

            I disagree O’Really, so you’re going to have to go too.

            • O'Really says:

              Are you my wife? 

            • Rorschach says:

              Why do you guys all assume that whoever the poster is, she(or he) LIVES HERE…???   This nice little wonder called the WORLD WIDE web allows people from…GASP….All over the WORLD…to view this newssite…

              I know, a REALLY hard concept for some people to wrap their heads around, seeing as they think the world consists of just the Cayman islands..

              but just try, for once, to let go of all of the, "If you don’t like it, you can leave" rhetoric and try to be open to the idea that maybe…just maybe, this person, is somewhere OTHER than in Cayman….

          • Observer says:

            Come on O’Really, it’s not like irritating expats aren’t run off regularly with complaints to somebody’s cousin in Immigration. 

            And just so I am clear, you are trying to protect her right to call down the Cayman Islands, in a public venue, read by potential tourists, with words she is unwilling to sign her name to?  That helps us how? 

            • O'Really says:

              I have spent 10 minutes laughing and trying to decide if you have a wicked sense of humour or have just hilariously missed the point. I’ll keep my conclusions to myself.

              Having voiced your concern for the image of the Cayman Islands, exactly how does this quote from your post portray a "kind" Cayman?

              "Come on O’Really, it’s not like irritating expats aren’t run off regularly with complaints to somebody’s cousin in Immigration."

              To quote you " that helps us how?"

              Thanks though, I’ll be chuckling all day 🙂

                

        • Anonymous says:

          Who do you meanby ‘us’?  You certainly don’t speak for me.  Your attitude and language is just as bad.

      • Patricia X says:

        Thank you for your opinions, I will file them in the "Things I Don’t Give A Hoot About" folder. 

        • Dr Ruth says:

          Patricia:
          You need to get your pipes flushed to release some of that tension. Dont be embarrassed – just do it, it reveals a whole new world.

    • Ex Ex-pat says:

      Hey Patricia X:

      Sure, Cayman doesn’t have a heritage as deep as the Roman Empire, and the cosmopolitan style might not rival New York’s, but it does have a pleasing, warm and welcoming heritage and a vastly more cosmopolian experience than you would find in, say, Cuba (which is a toilet), or most other hole-in-the-wall islands.  Beauty is also in the eye of the beholder, and Cayman does have beauty to a lot of eyes, both below and above the water.  If Cayman does not hold beauty for you, or if you don’t find the culture or amenities agreeable, please please please do yourself and us a favour and get your a$$ on a plane and get the xxxx off the island.  It’s people like you who are screwing it up for the rest of us expats who found the island most agreeable. 

      • Anonymous says:

        you lost the argument when you called cuba a toilet……

        very typical ‘caymankind’ comment

        • Ex Ex-pat says:

          I’ve been to Cuba and it’s a rotten place to vacation.  Cayman is much nicer.

          As to your "Caymankind" bit, my post was one expat telling another to shut up and stop hacking on our hosts.  It has nothing to do with the tourists.

          As to your negativity, well you can just go XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX and your cat too.

          As to your suggestion that there was an argument and I lost it, see the preceding sentence.

          PS – God loves you.

          • anonymous says:

            I’ve also been to Cuba on 5 different occasions, and other than the food, it beats the Cayman Islands hands down.  Once the Americans get back in there and start up their 5* hotel chains, kiss the Cayman Islands good-bye!!!

          • Anonymous says:

            You sound just as bad as Patricia X.  Profanity is not necessary.

            • Asbo Zaprudder says:

              xxxx you, you xxxxxxx xxxxxxx.  It is people like you that really xxxxx  xxxxx me and I just want to xxxx the xxxxxxx xxxxx xxxxx you.  So why don’t you xxxx xxx and xxxx xxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx yourself. 

              There is no way that those sentiments can be expressed as concisely and as accurately other than with profanity.  And by the way I have a xxxxxxxx huge vocabulary.

              • Ex Ex-pat says:

                I concur. That was very eloquently stated, and I agree that your vocabulary is indeed very xxxxing impressive, very xxxxing impressive indeed.  Oxford, was it?

                Ex "thexxxxing" Expat

  14. Michel Lemay says:

    Please add that my response of 20:40 was indeed intented for the post 17:57. Thank you. And yes please add kindness. Thank you 20:22. Michel

  15. Anonymous says:

    It looks to be a good promotion and we should give it a shot. Politics often get in the way of positive ideas and maybe just maybe it might work. What I would suggest is that Caymanians and residents should all view tourist as our meal ticket and be more friendly and helpful. Let’s all be a bit more mindful that tourism is a global business and not view Cayman as a special destination. I suggest that we have more Caymanians get involved in tourism and more unique experiences that can be offer would be of a benefit in attracting tourist. We have to cut crime, high prices and put more heritage educational projects in place.

    DOT should look at South America and try to tap in to the Brazilian, Argentinian and Chilean markets this is a strong middle and upper class segment. Barbados has started direct flights from Sao Paulo and Rio so we could have Gol or use AA or Delta strong links in expanding in this region. Also have more B&B’s where tourist get to engage with Caymanians instead of only having the 7MB experience. Each district could promote it’s own cultural identity and have more tourist visitor centres and utilize the older Caymanian as visitor guides you won’t have to pay them more than $75 a day as many would happily volunteer as it’s an opportunity for them to share their experiences.

    Look at the statistics and see that we haven’t got past the 350,000 mark which is what we should be getting. Get Southwest to start flying from the west coast and Caribbean Air to get more regional flights. The summer months look very promising with the family vacation programs and DOT should have a cultural or a Caribbean music festival ( not $1million Jazz festival) to keep the restaurants and hotels busy during this slower period.

    Blessings to all

    • Anonymous says:

      Cayman Airways should be negotiating a code share arrangement with TACA.  Panama’s Tocumen Airport had more international arrival/departure traffic than Miami International last year.  

  16. Dred says:

    This comes from someone who spent 12 years in and around tourism. The #1 complaint we always got was price. Cayman is just far too expensive to keep coming back to. While things were good in the US this was less an issue but now things are bad you can bet it’s resurfaced.

    So what do we do? We lower the cost of flying to and from the Cayman Islands. This should increase load factors on Cayman Airways.

    Your promotion should be…Cayman….IS ON SALE…

    This promotion should be followed up by a hard sit down with CITA to have them all follow suit and reduce prices 10-15%. This needs to be a solid 5 year game plan to re-establish the Cayman Islands in the tourism game but now as a price leader.

    People the day Cuba open we are going to take a serious hit…don’t let anyone fool you.

    Cuba has beaches, culture, scenery and low prices. Let’s not forget people dying to serve if it means a better tomorrow.

    What we need is to start moving in a direction to compete with them in anyway we. The one thing we can not afford to do is to stick our heads in the sand.

    • Anonymous says:

      Thought Cayman was already sold?:)

    • Anon says:

      As I said a gazillion times before, Dred for Premier.

      I always enjoy your well contructedand reasonable arguments, Dred.

  17. Anonymous says:

    Can someone explain to me what is Cayman rich cultural heritage? I am serious this is not a criticism.

    • I see you says:

      Our rich cultural heritage includes our beaches, our caves, our oceans, our people, our crabs, conch and lobster season, our turtle farm, our artificial "warship" reef, Pedro Castle, our Mastic Trail, our cemeteries, our religion, our birds, our dogs and OUR KINDNESS.

      If you need more explanation of our rich cultural heritage, please ask.

    • Anonymous says:

      For those of you who say we have no culture, I would recommend you take out a membership with and participate in all the activities of the following organizations and learn more about who we were and are:

      Cayman Islands National Archive

      Cayman Islands National Museum

      National Gallery of the Cayman Islands

      National Trust for the Cayman Islands

      Take a Cayman cooking class, vist the Blue Iguanas at the Botanic Park, walk the Mastic Trail, explore the caves of the Brac, sit by the peacful Booby Pond at Sunset, go talk to Ms Nell in Breakers about her thatch, eat an Island Taste Pattie, visit a few churches on Sundays, visit the Mission House and Pedro St. James, go find Mr. Bertrum in East End and ask him about is life as a young man, ask Mr. Kem how to build a Cat boat, ask Mr. Boosie how he builds a pine box or restores a historic home, taste Ms Zelmalee local grown fruit juices, go fishing, race some soldier crabs, play marbles, run ghoul with the kids, eat some of Ms Elrita’s fish dinner with dumplings, go and read the West Bay dictionary, vist Mr. Linton’s museum in Little Cayman, dive Bloody Bay Wall and Kittiwake, play with the rays, go talk to Ms Carmen about her crafts and Mr. Alvin about Ag Fair and Mr. Paul about his cattle, buy some yams from Mr. Merch in the Brac and check out his big ol pig, go see Mr. Willie’s ducks, wear some caymanite, get Quincy to tell you some stories or go to Hell and learn about our geology….

      You need to get our more and improve you attitude, my friend.  Otherwise you will be as bitter a cocoplum.  🙂

  18. Anonymous says:

    says the masked gunman….

     

    hello mr/mrs tourist… "kindly" hand over your valuables!… thank you!

  19. Anonymous says:

    caymankind??? give me a break….tell that to the next family that gets rolled over and booted off the island!

    • noname says:

      Yes, because we are supposed to allow every single individual, along with his or her family members, that has landed acontract of employment on this tiny island a pass and guarantee to stay forever.

      Just like they do in the USA, UK, Germany … oops, no – that’s not quite the case is it?

      Honestly, the twisted logic of some people in this country is astounding.

    • Anonymous says:

      Mr anonymous 21:54 should we continue to invite people into the country and let our own local people here suffer. Everyone paints there own picture of hardship but there is a big difference between not being able to come down live and work in the Cayman Islands to those fighting for a living. Individuals who are wondering where there next meal is coming from not if they will be able to afford there next exotic car or extra condo.

      If you want to argue this world is not fair go ahead. It is not. For every story the expat comes up with that he is being treated unfair the local Caymanian can match you and more.

      It is true we have quality expats that work hard to keep Caymanians in jobs. Work to train them. Work to keep them employed. These people I have no problem with in giving them citizenship. However there are many expats that work completely against the local and hold him down. These same people tell you how bad Cayman is, but wont leave. These are the people that are feeding this conflict between the expat and Caymanian.

       

    • jack the turtle says:

      100 % agree with you, and just tell all the poor dogs that are tied to a stump all day long in the sun without any water or food Caymankind will help you !

       

  20. Michel Lemay says:

    That truly would be the icing on the cake. That will take searching within ourselves for tolerance, forgivness and a spriritual relationship with each of our own Supreme Being. Remember that Jesus died for ALL of us so with HIM nothing shall be impossible. Michel

  21. I wha deh says:

    So this is all good. Mac has taken 3 of Chuckie’s projects and continued them because they are producing good results. Yes PRIDE, The Tourism Apprenticeship programme and Westjet were all started  by The Chuckster……..yes Westjet too……these things don’t happen overnight you know.

    Good to know politics ain’t getting in the way of good policies.

    I wha deh 🙂

    • Anonymous says:

      I still deh…….and you’re right this is simply a repackaging of the programme from Mr. Clifford’s tenure. Makes sense though because these things are working for our destination so I guess we should thank Mr. McKeeva on this occasion.

  22. Michel Lemay says:

    Mr.Premier let me be the first to congratulate you on your approach to Tourism as you know it is dear to my heart. Caymankind is fine for marketing and after reading the whole text I can see that it will and must work. Back to the basics because many are new to the type of friendly service that the Cayman Islands were reknown for back in the days. If I may suggest it would be a good idea to make certain it is being done and followed by creating a Tourism Task Force. Mystery shopping that can be achieved for every one who caters to tourism such as Mystery lunch, Walking thrue the Warefront and then, relate to the proper authorithies such as managers, owners. Much can be done with it and once set up properly and followed the cost of doing so would be a win situation for everyone and I look forward to see us move towards #1 one day on the Conde list. Michel Lemay

    P.S. And you are right Mr. Premier, it’s everybody’s business.

  23. Anonymous says:

    Caymankind should not just be extended to those that visit us, it "should" be a way of living that extends to ALL of us…gay, straight, black, white, expat, Caymanian!

    • Anonymous says:

      Agreed.  Practicing kindness towards others in our community would be a good start.