Hotels

New legislation banning smoking in public places came into effect today.

One of the key elements of the Cayman Islands’ Tobacco Law 2008 is that smoking restrictions will apply in certain public places from December 31 2009.

Buildings covered by the law include enclosed restaurants and bars, public transportation terminals, public toilets, shopping malls and shops.

The legislation permits designated smoking areas in open areas of bars and restaurants. These must be clearly signed and 10 feet from non-smoking areas.

The Cayman Islands Government has stated that it will stick to promises made by the previous administration to the developer of the proposed Dragon Bay project.

Developer Michael Ryan was promised numerous concessions to secure the project including

• A dedicated space for resort guests and owners at Owen Roberts International Airport
• A 99 year lease on the land
• 50 work permits for staff
• Waiving/reduction of import duties

Dragon Bay was announced in March 2009. The proposed project incorporates the Ritz Carlton hotel and the land formerly occupied by the SafeHaven golf course.

Leader of Government Business McKeeva Bush held an emergency meeting at the Ritz Carlton hotel yesterday to outline the financial difficulties government is currently facing. Over 400 people attended.

He revealed that:

• For the year-ended June 30 2009 the public sector had an operating deficit of CI$81.1 million.
• On August 25 2009 government held net cash reserves CI$65.6 million, of which CI$76.1 was in restricted cash reserves.
• In order to pay the wages of civil servants on payday on August 25 2009 government postponed payments to contractors, and postponed the payment of employee healthcare and pension costs.
• Government is forecasting a cash shortage at the end of September of CI$44.1 million.
• Since government incurred an operating deficit for the 2008/09 financial year, it needs the permission of the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office (UK FCO) to borrow additional funds.
• Government has agreed with local banks to borrow CI$372 million to finance its commitments until June 30 2010. To proceed, permission must be granted by the UK FCO.
• On August 28 2009 government wrote to the UK FCO requesting permission to borrow CI$272 million.
• On August 30 2009 the FCO advised government they were unlikely to allow the additional borrowing.
• On August 25 2009 he spoke with the FCO seeking urgent permission to borrow CI$30 million to meet current obligations.
• He had received a letter that day from Chris Bryant of the FCO stating that government needed to present a realistic plan to turn around public finances before they could consider a request for additional borrowing. In the letter Bryant stated ‘To give me the confidence that you will be able to service any new borrowing you will have to widen the tax base. I fear you will have no choice but to consider new taxes – perhaps payroll and property taxes such as those in BVI.’

Bush then went on to suggest a number of measures that could increase revenues. These included:

• Widening the channel in the North Sound to attract mega yachts and their rich owners.
• Building cruise ship berthing facilities.
• Building a sewage system.
• Making additional efforts to attract five star resorts to the Cayman Islands.

He also stated aggressive cost cutting measures were required.

Grand Cayman’s Ritz-Carlton hotel has been named as the 17th best resort in the Caribbean, Bermuda and Bahamas region by readers of Travel + Leisure magazine.

Travel + Leisure’s annual World’s Best Awards poll is determined by reader input on hotels, cruises, airlines, travel companies and top cities to visit.

Property developer Michael Ryan has unveiled plans for a 360 acre resort, incorporating the Ritz Carlton and the land at the former SafeHaven golf course.

The project, known as Dragon Bay, will include an 18-hole golf course, a marina, boutique hotel, private residences, and the existing Ritz Carlton hotel.

The Ritz-Carlton hotel in Grand Cayman was voted the number 1 resort in the Caribbean by readers of Conde Nast Traveler.

Over 30,000 readers of the influential travel magazine participated in the survey. The results were announced at a ceremony in New York last week.

The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) have arrested a 46-year old man in connection with the theft of a million-dollar catamaran.

The Spirit of Calypso, owned by Red Sail Sports, disappeared from its mooring at the Westin Casuarina Resort sometime between 6 pm on Sunday and 8 am on Monday.

Staff from Red Sail Sports alerted police when they arrived for work and noticed the vessel missing. An aerial search located the boat 150 miles south west of Grand Cayman and the boat was intercepted by the RCIPS Marine Unit.

The Global Hyatt Corporation has announced that they will not be renewing their contract to operate the Hyatt Regency Grand Cayman when it expires at the end of this year. The main part of the hotel has been closed since being severely damaged by Hurricane Ivan in 2004. The Beach Suites element of the property has been open for two years. Owners Embassy Investments are expected to rename the property Grand Cayman Beach Suites.

The 4th annual Cayman Jazzfest will be held November 29 to December 1 2007. Acts appearing include Chaka Khan, Brian McKnight, Diane Reeves, BeBe Winans and Monty Alexander. Venues for the event are the Westin Casuarina Resort and Pageant Beach. Tickets and further details are available on the festival website.

The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism is hosting its annual food and drink festival at the Grand Cayman Beach Resort from May 10 – 13. This year’s Cayman Classic will feature a number of seminars featuring world class chefs Scott Tycer and Cornelius Gallagher.