Cayman cruise arrivals up 80% in July

(CNS Business): While stay-over tourism figures showed healthy growth for July 2014, cruise ship arrivals for the month rose by 79.63% over the figure for July 2013, with more than 120,000 passengers, up from almost 67,000 last year, according to the last statistics from the Department of Tourism (DoT). There has been a steady rise in cruise arrivals over 2013, with the exception of January, but this July was the busiest since 2004, when around 123,000 people arrived by cruise ship, turning around the downward trend since 2006.

Cruise passengers for the first half of the year, January through June, for the Cayman Islands were up 8.6%, compared to an overall growth in the region of 4.3%, which follows a world average rise of 4.7%, according to figures released by the Barbados-based Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO).

Cayman Islands stay-over visitors in the first half of 2014 increased by 9.4%, compared to an overall increase in the Caribbean of 4.3%, with Jamaica up 1.6%, the Bahamas down 1.8% and Barbados down 0.1%, while Belize, Grenada, Haiti and Montserrat all showing significant growth, according to the CTO.

DoT figures reveal that stay-over visitors increased 15.69% in July, a total of 39,193 tourists choosing the Cayman Islands. (See CNS Business video report: Ritz-Carlton having busiest summer ever)

The biggest rise in visitors came from the northeast of the US, up 26.22% over July 2013 figures, and an overall increase of 13.52% from the US, which still dominates arrival numbers, supplying almost 78% of the stay-over market. However, although the numbers are much smaller, arrivals were also up from the UK and Ireland (3.9%), continental Europe (45.63%) and Canada (3.64%).

Every month this year so far except for February has shown a growth in visitors over last year, making this year the highest recorded arrivals in 14 years. July was the second highest arrivals month in 2014, with March data showing 44,205 visitors and all months up over last year.

The summer period, specifically June and July, has shown a year over year increase of 11.44% with 73,290 in 2014 compared to 65,768 in 2013.  Data from the Immigration Department shows that there has been a steady increase in the number of families visiting the destination, which is in line with the Department of Tourism’s strategic integrated marketing plan specifically targeting this niche in recent years.

“These numbers are wonderful and speak to the hard work of the Department of Tourism throughout the years in recognising the trends of family travel.  They have consistently targeted this niche group and we are pleased to now be seeing the fruits of their labour in this regard,” said Tourism Minister Moses Kirkconnell. “The DoT is tasked each year to increase visitation and has done an exceptional job, as demonstrated by the consistent trend of increases in air arrivals.  We recognise that the partnerships they embark on with the private sector are also key to the continuing successes of our tourism market and we applaud those partners who support the destination by being part of the promotional efforts of the department.”

Director of Tourism Rosa Harris credited creative marketing ideas for the growth. “Specific initiatives such as the street chalk art in the UK and the ice cream truck in New York help us to creatively impact messaging to our audiences,” she said. “Both were creative ideas that positively impacted our potential visitors in unexpected ways, a tactic that further positions the Cayman Islands as the destination of choice for travellers seeking an idyllic Caribbean experience.”

President of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association (CITA), Kenneth Hydes, commented, “We are very encouraged by the stellar arrivals the Islands have enjoyed in 2014, and in recent years.  Our members are pleased to be part of a number of collaborations and promotions with the DOT each year. These partnerships allow our private sector to showcase the strengths of our diverse industry such as our accommodations, attractions, water sports and dive offerings.  We look forward to continued successes as we all endeavour to ensure exceptional vacations for the discerning guests who choose the Cayman Islands.”

Cayman Islands Department of Tourism statistics

Caribbean Tourism Organisation: Caribbean tourism statistics for first half 2014

Tags: Department of Tourism

Category: Cruise Tourism, Stay-over tourism, Tourism