News from Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman’s Ritz-Carlton will host an Outback Champions Series tennis tournament from April 16 to 20 2008. It will feature some of the greatest over-30 tennis legends including John McEnroe, Jim Courier, Wayne Ferreira, and Jimmy Arias.

Michael Ryan, owner of the Ritz-Carlton and the event’s main sponsor, said ‘The Outback Champions Series and our Legends Championships reinforces our commitment to making Grand Cayman the premier tennis destination in the Caribbean. We’re looking forward to hosting many of the best tennis players in the world and welcoming athletes and visitors alike with our relaxed Caymanian hospitality.’

The Cayman Islands Department of Immigration have a new website and logo. The site offers comprehensive information about visas, work permits, permanent residence and Caymanian status.

The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism has released air and cruise arrival figures for 2007. Air passenger arrivals for 2007 stood at 291,503, up 9 percent from 2006 but 18 percent lower than the pre Hurricane Ivan and 9/11 figures recorded in 2000. 1.7 million visitors arrived by cruise ship, down on the record 1.9 million visitors recorded in 2006.

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.

Grand Cayman’s lobster season starts on December 1 and runs until February 28. The Department of the Environment has asked residents and visitors to take note of the relevant regulations.

Leader of Government Business Kurt Tibbetts has announced that changes to the Immigration Law next year will lead to a decrease in the time it takes to process work permits. Under the new system, expected to be introduced in the first quarter of 2008, certain categories of work permits will be processed by administrative staff rather than being approved by the Work Permit Board.

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 Island’s Public Transportation Board has approved an increase in taxi fares. Effective November 1 2007, the base taxi fare will rise from CI$7 to CI$8, while mileage and hourly rates will increase by 20 percent.

Pirates Week, Grand Cayman’s largest annual festival, will run from November 8 – 18 2007. Saturday November 10 sees a mock pirate invasion in George Town Harbour, followed by a float parade through the streets, and a food and drink festival in the evening. Other events include an underwater treasure hunt at Divetech (November 11) and a turtle release on the Public Beach (November 15).

Acting Chief Secretary Donovan Ebanks revealed last week that in the last 17 months the government has issued over 41,000 work permits. The breakdown for the period between April 2006 and August 2007 was 10,367 annual permits, 20,729 temporary permits, and 10,521 renewals. He was responding to a question from Leader of the Opposition McKeeva Bush in the Legislative Assembly.