SOTIC kicks off, Canadian arrivals to Cayman soar
PressToday is on location in Grand Cayman this week for the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC). Notably, Raymond Mathias, business development manager, Canada, for host destination the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, highlighted that the Canadian market saw a record-breaking summer.
Canadian stay-over visitors increased 58.7 per cent in July 2024 compared to July 2023, marking the best July on record for Canadian arrivals to the Cayman Islands.
“We are delighted to see such a significant increase in Canadian visitors, reflecting our strategic efforts to make the Cayman Islands more accessible to travellers over the summer,” he said. “The record-breaking arrivals in July affirm the Cayman Islands’ continued appeal as a premier sun and cultural destination. We look forward to building on this momentum for the remainder of the year and beyond.”
By the numbers, 1,498 visitors from Canada arrived in the Cayman Islands this past July, compared to 944 in July 2023.
Mathias credits the growth, in part, to expanded airlift, with both Air Canada and WestJet service offering up to four flights per week between Toronto and Grand Cayman this past summer.
SOTIC 2024
Under the theme “Caribbean Tourism: Fuelling our Lifeblood,” SOTIC 2024 will feature panel discussions delving into critical issues shaping the region’s tourism landscape and explore innovative strategies for sustainable growth.
Key themes include Sustainability, Technology and Innovation, Aviation and Connectivity, and Cruise Tourism. Women in travel and tourism will also be key to the conference with representation across a variety of sessions.
“SOTIC 2024 provides a vital platform for Caribbean tourism stakeholders to come together and chart a course for a resilient and prosperous future,” said Dona Regis-Prosper, CTO Secretary-General & CEO, who will moderate the session on leadership and legacy featuring female Ministers of Tourism from the Turks and Caicos Islands (Minister Josephine Connolly); Tobago (Secretary Tashia Burris); and the British Virgin Islands (Junior Minister Luce Hodge Smith). “We are excited to welcome delegates from the Cayman Islands, across the region, and around the world to engage in meaningful dialogue and collaboration.”
As current CTO chair Kenneth Bryan’s two-year tenure in the role comes to a close, a new chair will also be elected during the proceedings at The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa.
For an overview of what’s new in many CTO member countries from Anguilla to Tobago, stay tuned for more coverage.
