Public consulted on daylight savings

| 16/09/2014 | 2 Comments

(CNS Business): The Cayman Islands Government is considering whether it would be beneficial to adopt Daylight Savings Time (DST) – the practice of adjusting clocks one hour forward during the longer summer months, and back again in the fall – and is inviting the public to give their views on the subject by the end of October.

“The move to DST has potential benefits for the traditional pillars of our economy – tourism and financial services,” said Minister of Commerce Wayne Panton, whose ministry is conducting the survey.

For tourism, he noted that DST would increase the time that cruise ships are in port; stimulate shopping and dining experiences; and make it easier for some visitors to adapt to local time. For financial services, he said the move would put Cayman more in sync with its large client base in New York; and eliminate some discrepancies in travel schedules, which will simplify business travel.

DST has been in use for more than 100 years, and was first introduced by Germany as a fuel-saving measure during World War I. Today, about 80 countries and territories around the world have some observation of DST. Regionally, Bermuda and the Bahamas are examples of similar countries that have found it beneficial.

The discussion on DST’s advantages or disadvantages typically focuses on energy use, public safety, health, economic effects, and inconvenience.

The public is encouraged to read Government’s consultation paper, and to take the online survey titled ‘Daylight Savings Time’ posted here.

The consultation period ends on Thursday, 30 October.

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Category: Cruise Tourism, Economy, Finance, Financial Services, Local Business, Tourism

Comments (2)

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  1. Alan Roffey says:

    In the consultation document the following statement is made:-

    “The agriculture sector has generally been against DST, as farming activity is closely aligned to the sun.”

    Surely the statement ought to be that DST has no effect at all on farming, as farming is regulated by God’s Sun, not by Man’s Clock.

    In the true circumstances, why should farmers be against it when it makes no difference to them?

  2. anon says:

    Can we look to move the clock forward 8 hours every Friday at 9am?

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