Cruise ships arriving at Spotts have been banned from dropping their anchors. The Department of the Environment say that one ship anchoring for a day can destroy over 3,000 square metres of reef. Modern cruise ships can hold their position without dropping anchor.
Figures released by the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism reveal that tourist arrivals in the first quarter of 2007 showed a significant improvement on the prior year. Total arrivals by air reached 86,819 compared to 76,660 in 2006. Cruise visitors rose to 682,975, a 5.8 percent increase on the corresponding figures for 2006.
The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service has released figures showing a drop in serious crime in the first quarter of 2007. Compared to the previous year total serious crimes have dropped from 194 reported offences to 167. Speeding and drink driving offences rose sharply, but the police put this down to increased enforcement.
Minister of Tourism Charles Clifford has announced that the national carrier Cayman Airways will, subject to regulatory approval, begin direct fights between Grand Cayman and New York’s JFK International Airport on June 23 2007. More than 30% of visitors to the Cayman Islands come from the New York Area. He said, ‘The data clearly indicates how important the Northeast market is to our tourism industry. I commend the Board and Management of Cayman Airways for responding to this demand with the introduction of the New York route. As we have stated in the past, one of the key roles of our National Airline is to support the Islands as an engine of economic growth. I am therefore extremely pleased to see the industry come together in this fashion. Moreover, I am confident our local residents will enjoy the convenience of the non-stop service for leisure, cultural and shopping opportunities in the Big Apple.’
A discussion White Paper was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on Monday that proposes banning smoking in all enclosed and collective public places in the Cayman Islands. This would include bars, restaurants, buses, taxis and parks. Members of the public have 60 days to voice their opinion on the proposals.
Arden McLean, Minister of Communication, Works and Infrastructure, has proposed a number of measures designed to reduce Cayman’s increasing number of traffic accidents and offences. These include a points system for driving offences, immediate disqualification for excessive speeding, and restrictions on the importation and tinting of vehicles. Cabinet approval is required before the measures become law.
Minister for Aviation, Charles Clifford, has unveiled plans for a massive expansion of Owen Roberts International Airport, Grand Cayman. The work will be finished in approximately two years and will involve doubling the size of the terminal building, separating arriving and departing passengers and increasing the number of aircraft parking positions. The airport currently serves around 800,000 passengers a year. Once development work is complete the airport will be able to handle around 1.25 million passengers a year.
Minister of Tourism Charles Clifford announced that a record 1.9 million cruise visitors arrived in the Cayman Islands during 2006. The figures for air arrivals were equally impressive, with numbers up 59 percent on 2005.
Figures released this week by the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service show that traffic accidents and offences rose sharply in 2006. Fatal accidents rose 180 percent, non-fatal accidents rose 60 percent, while traffic offences increased by 80 percent. The police are looking at the possibility of installing speed cameras to curb the increase.
Louise Gales, a 55-year old passenger on the cruise ship Carnival Valour, died December 28 after suffering difficulties on a snorkelling excursion with Frank’s Watersports. The Royal Cayman Islands Police are investigating to determine the cause of death and whether there was any negligence by the tour operator.