cayman islands


	`cayman islands`
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As a member of the Cayman Islands Water Sports Association, which is part of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association (CITA), we have an elected president by the name of Steve Broadbent who would be considered a Dive Sector official, yet my understanding is that he was not contacted in reference to this article. As the main concern of your article is the hydro testing of tanks, I believe you should have done more investigating prior to your writing of this article. Point #1- After Hurricane Ivan, Bob Sotos Reef Divers was the first open for business for hydro testing both scuba tanks and storage bottles while other companies were completing repairs to their facilities. Cuba not likely to affect Cayman's cruise dollar says Minister At a Media Briefing on 4 August 2006 Minister of Tourism, Hon Charles Clifford disclosed that Cuba's effect on tourism earnings in the Cayman Islands, once that island enters its post-Castro period, had also arisen in the Government's talks with Parliamentarians from the United Kingdom (UK). The UK delegation visited Cayman between 26 July and 1 August 2006 and Mr Clifford expressed confidence about Cayman's ability to maintain a competitive edge in some areas. The area he was most confident about was Cayman's cruise tourism. Mr Clifford first admitted to recognising that Cuba already had nine ports - facilities that would be amenable to cruise shipping. However, demonstrating that he had already done extensive background work on the topic, he said that he had had discussions with cruise lines - some liners that were not even included amongst those that already had Cayman on their routes. RCIPS operation nets drug arrests The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, (RCIPS) said that it arrested four men on various drug offences last week in Bodden Town. The joint operation carried out by the Drugs Task Force (DTF) and uniformed officers from Bodden Town was part of an ongoing operation to target suspected drug dealers from the George Town area. A quantity of ganja and two vehicles were seized during this particular operation. One man, aged 19, was arrested on suspicion of possession of ganja with intent to supply and consumption of ganja, a 44 year old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of ganja, possession of a utensil and consumption of ganja, while two men, aged 21 and 24, were arrested on suspicion of possession of ganja and consumption of ganja. Anyone with information about crime taking place in the Cayman Islands should contact their local police station or Crime Stoppers on 800 (TIPS). Two long held tourism myths exposed - Tourism Minister Tourism and Commerce Minister Hon Charles Clifford last week stated that officials on the Island have been able to wipe out two long held myths in tourism industry. Mr Clifford said the Cayman Islands has proven that cruise visitors are interested in authentic experiences and that cruise tourism and stay-over tourism can co-exist. "A persistent myth about the cruise industry is that people who cruise aren't interested in authentic experiences; I want to assure you that nothing is further from the truth," he said. "Our research shows that 21.2 percent of those who have embarked on our shores this year are already participating in activities to learn about the Caymanian culture." While addressing the Chamber of Commerce on the future of cruise tourism in Cayman, the Minister said stay-over arrivals are booming. Consumers may be drawn into Middle East conflict ALREADY faced with high oil prices, motorists and other consumers in the Cayman Islands could experience further increases in their fuel and other bills as the crisis in the Middle East worsens. This week, the regional conflict between Israel and the Lebanese Hizbollah guerrillas escalated, forcing oil prices to climb over the US$80 per barrel mark. Caymanian residents have been complaining about the price of fuel at the pumps, which averages CI$4.48 per gallon. Also the cost of doing groceries has given many Caymanians and expats a headache at the cash registers. In the past, the two main fuel suppliers Texaco and Esso blamed the high fees on increasing world oil prices and transportation cost. Last year, Cayman witnessed several increases before a slight decline in prices in December. But many complain that the decreases have not gone far enough. REITs Fuel Growth in Asian Market HONG KONG, July 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Walkers, the global offshore law firm of choice for investment managers, financial organizations, and international law firms, said today that a new analysis of the Hong Kong marketplace shows that the structured finance market in Asia appears to be gaining momentum with an increased number of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and cross-border securitisation transactions. Many of these deals are employing a combination of Cayman Islands and British Virgin Island (BVI) structures. According to a recent Standard & Poor's report, the total market value of REITs across Asia, including Australia, recently exceeded the USD$100 billion mark. While rising interest rates in the region may slow down some of the short-term growth, the S&P report predicted that more favorable regulatory frameworks, strong economic growth, and continuing improvements in property markets will encourage the formation of more REITs this year -- particularly from Japan, Singapore, and Hong Kong. Hurricane Ivan Skirts Grand Cayman Sept 12, 04: GEORGETOWN, Cayman Islands - Hurricane Ivan skirted Grand Cayman with winds near 155 mph on Sunday, uprooting trees, bursting the banks of canals and flooding some homes on the island as it churned toward Cuba. The hurricane, which had grown to the most powerful Category 5 storm with 165 mph winds on Saturday, lost some strength as it approached the wealthy and well-built Cayman Islands, which appeared likely to escape its brunt. Little damage was reported as Ivan's shrieking winds and driving rain closed in on Grand Cayman, a popular offshore banking center and the largest of three islands that comprise the British territory of 45,000 people. But Ivan still was capable of causing tremendous damage and could strengthen. The storm has been blamed for 56 deaths across the Caribbean so far this week, including 34 in Grenada and 11 in Jamaica. Cayman wants FCCA to lobby US on passports The Cayman Islands Government says it is examining ways to facilitate United States (US) citizens who want to visit the Island after 31 December 2006 but do not have a passport. Effective 1 January 2007, US citizens and other nationals entering the United States must have a passport or a specific travel document to gain entry, according to the US Government. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) will require all travellers, including US citizens, to and from the Americas, the Caribbean and Bermuda to have a passport. Cayman depends on the United States for 40.5 percent of its guests and is only second to Jamaica (58.4 percent) in Caribbean countries hosting American tourists. The Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), the regional tourism umbrella body, said it is considering an option of reimbursing new US passport holders if other strategies failed.

cayman islands

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