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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.’