Tourism boss wins local leadership gong

| 25/03/2013

shomari.JPG(CNS): Despite the controversy surrounding the choice of this year’s keynote speaker, the glitzy YCLA went ahead on Saturday night at the Ritz, and it came as no surprise when Shomari Scott was crowned this year’s young leader. Scott, who is the director of tourism, has presided over a significant turnaround in Cayman’s overnight guest figures, attracting unprecedented numbers of air arrivals, not least as a result of targeted and award winning marketing campaigns in the US. Scott beat out Michael Blackburn, Marzeta Bodden, Victor Crumbley and Melanie Scott to take the annual gong.

The party was marred this year when the board selected Allen West to be keynote speaker. West has made public remarks about myriad minority groups that many consider offensive and some of the YCLA alumni boycotted the event to protest choosing him to speak at this event.

Related article on CNS:

Alumni plan YCLA boycott

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  1. Anonymous says:

    CaymanKind… was a job well done Shomari. Congrats! You are truly a Young Caymnaian Leader. Your vision in having Mr.Notch produce such a special caribbean flavoured piece of music graced by local voices and accompanied by our local musicians was unprecedented, and proof that Caymanians working together can do anything as good as it can be done on the international scene.

  2. Anonymous says:

    I had the chance to work with Shomari on many projects and initiatives when he was Asst. Director of Tourism back in 2007/2008.    He has passion for his country, unquestionable integrity and one of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet.   It's nice to see good (very good) people recognized for their positive attributes.   

  3. Anonymous says:

    The problem with this country is despite the debacle that is cruise tourism, someone can receive an award for having gone above and byeond their call of duty.  A 5% uptick in overnight guests will never make up for the permanent damage being done to cruise tourism and downtown Georgetown.  

    • Anonymous says:

      If you want to come here and tell us what is wrong, at least extend the courtesy of spelling the name of our capital correctly.

  4. Anonymous says:

    Shame CNS are trying to take the spotlight off of Shomari and are still beating the drum about the Key Note speaker.  Get over it CNS.  It was a great event, the speaker did a great job and, despite your assertions that the ALumni were boycotting it, there were a significant number of Alumni both present and actively participating in the event, introducing the candidates, speakers and generally hosting the entire event.  Let's focus on the winner, the finalists and the success that the event was.  Congratulations to Shomari and all the finalists – you were all excellent. 

    • Anonymous says:

      Job well done & award well deserved!

      Congrats Shomari & yes to all involved, you are stalwarts of integrity and are exactly the type of young Caymanians our youth need to look up to.

    • Anonymous says:

      well said – lets focus on the positives of the night and not the issues of a very small group ofthe ALumni.  Well done finalists, keep up the good work.

  5. Hon. Absurdistani says:

    Congrats Shomari. Well done.