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.

Deputy Governor, the Hon. Donovan Ebanks, MBE, will act as governor until Mr. Duncan Taylor, CBE, takes over the position in January 2010.

Until recently, Mr. Taylor was the British High Commissioner for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, a position he held from 2005. The posting covered Antigua and Barbuda; the Commonwealth of Dominica; Grenada; St. Kitts and Nevis; St. Lucia; and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

A career diplomat, Mr. Taylor was born 17 October 1958. He has served in the UK’s Foreign Service for 27 years.

The office, which primarily acts as a hub for incoming passengers interested in tours, attractions and facilities on-island, boasts a striking mural of Caymanian photos representing the culture and beauty of the island.

Since the Royal Watler Cruise Terminal received its first cruise ship in October 2006, the Department of Tourism has been stationed in an old Caymanian-style temporary office in the open area. This new space offers a professional environment that not only allows guests to cool down from the heat, but moreover provides guests with a visual depiction of Cayman’s unique and diverse offerings with the anticipation that it will entice guests to experience something new.

‘The new space we have at the Royal Watler Cruise Terminal will positively impact the visitors’ experience with DOT staff when requesting information and brochures on the islands’ attractions, watersports, restaurants and everything else the Cayman Islands has to offer,’ said Racquel Brown, Manager – Tourism Development Services for the Department of Tourism.

In addition to supplying information and materials for incoming visitors, the office supports the Cruise Conversion Programme, ‘Welcome Back’, which encourages cruise passengers to return as stay-over guests. ‘Welcome Back’ will be relaunched November 2009. For the first time, the Department of Tourism has a physical and convenient location for guests to register for the programme and for staff to be able to deliver personalized service and enhance awareness about ‘Welcome Back’ to cruise passengers.

The day will be a public holiday in 2009 only.

Banks, many shops, and government offices will be closed for the day.

In a bid to reduce its budget deficit, government has increase a number of fees, including those for marriage licences. Licences now cost CI$150.

Fees for attorneys, and music and dancing licences were also raised.

The butterflies, which have a lifespan of around 2 weeks, will be allowed to die out and will not be replaced. The gift shop will remain open until the weekend.

The company behind the attraction also operates farms in Aruba, St Martin and St Thomas. All are doing well and will remain open.

Leader of Government Business McKeeva Bush broke the news at a United Democratic Party meeting last night. He was speaking after a week of talks with the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

The UK has given immediate approval to $50 million of borrowing. The remainder is conditional on the Cayman Islands making cuts in financial expenditure over the next two financial years. An independent study of the impact of direct taxes on the islands’ economy will also be carried out.

Mr Bush outlined significant cuts in government expenditure including new staff hire, purchases of furniture and equipment, and non-essential travel. He stated there were no immediate plans to introduce income or property taxes. Additional revenues will be raised by increasing customs duties by two percent, passport fees, tobacco duties, and introduction of new duties on luxury and other goods.

The legalisation of gambling was also mentioned as a potential source of new revenue. Mr Bush stated that if this was considered necessary, the matter would be decided in a referendum.

Under the proposal there would be a 2 percent reduction in salaries for civil servants earning more than $3,000 per month. In return civil servants would receive four days of unpaid leave each month.

Chief Secretary Donovan Ebanks said the measure could come into effect in October 2009 and run until June 2010.

Civil servants earning less than $3,000 per month and teachers employed on a daily basis by the Education Department.

Government has decided is unable to afford the $100,000 cost of staging the competition.

As a result there will be no entry from the Cayman Islands in the 2009 Miss World pageant and the 2010 Miss Universe pageant.

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.