George Town, Cayman Islands (18 May, 2022) – TheMinistryof Tourism and Transport (MOTT) is pleased to announce it has formed a tailored strategic agreement with the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) – the trade association that represents the mutual interests of destinations and stakeholders throughout the Caribbean, Central and South America, and Mexico.

The 2022 Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Presidential Level Strategic Development Destination Partnership package is an exclusive marketing package being offered to only three Caribbean destinations, and allows the destinations to be marketed directly to FCCA Member Lines which operate over 90 percent of the global cruising capacity.

“Safely and successfully welcoming cruise passengers back to the Cayman Islands has been one of our top priorities, as it is of significant importance to our local tourism industry and community,” said Hon. Kenneth Bryan, Minister for Tourism and Transport. “We are pleased to have like-minded partners such as the FCCA that not only wish to return to the Cayman Islands but will work strategically with us to enhance the cruise experience like never before.” 

Through the new agreement the Cayman Islands will have open access to the FCCA Executive Committee, comprised of Presidents and above of FCCA Member Lines. The package also enables Destination Cayman to have a prominent presence at industry conferences; including speaking engagements which allow the Ministry and Department of Tourism (CIDOT) to highlight Cayman’s cruise operators and cruise tourism experiences more overtly. Additionally, the agreement will utilize FCCA’s cruise executive committees, including new and renewed sub-committees focused on employment and purchasing, for a series of meetings and site visits focused on the Cayman Islands’ objectives.

 “This marketing package offers the best exposure for the Cayman Islands to build a closer relationship with the FCCA and member cruise lines, as well as with cruise and travel stakeholders, consumers and more than 25,000 travel agents. It will showcase the Cayman Islands brand and image throughout the year to decision makers, while relaying our message and displaying our offerings through the FCCA’s conferences and events,” said Minister Bryan.

Some of the other features of the strategic partnership include a focus on converting cruise guests to stay-over visitors, promoting summer cruising, engaging travel agents, creating consumer demand and developing a destination service needs assessment that will detail strengths, opportunities, and needs. 

This new agreement shows the momentum that both FCCA and destinations are gaining with cruise tourism’s continued recovery,” said Micky Arison, Chairman of FCCA and Carnival Corporation & plc. “The Cayman Islands has been a long-standing partner of the industry, and I am honored that this agreement signifies the return of a premier cruise destination, along with the rebound of so many lives and livelihoods.”

“We are proud of our recent joint work with the Cayman Islands that facilitated the return of cruise tourism and excited that this agreement will expedite the recovery of so many livelihoods that have been put on hold,” said Michele Paige, President, FCCA. “Through this agreement, FCCA will fulfill the Cayman Islands’ individualised initiatives, which focus on assisting the private sector, improving employment, fostering cruise lines’ purchase of local goods and more that will help Caymanians prosper from the economic impact that the industry brings.”

“For decades, cruise tourism has been intrinsic to the Cayman Islands identity. As a luxury lifestyle destination, our delicious food, award-winning beaches, five-star amenities, and friendly wildlife are meant to be shared among friends and global travellers,” said Cayman Islands Director of Tourism, Mrs. Rosa Harris. “Through this partnership with FCCA, we are eager to further elevate our tourism product and welcome a new generation of adventure-seekers aboard cruise ships.”

ENDS

About Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA)

Created in 1972, FCCA is a not-for-profit trade organization that represents the mutual interests of the cruise industry and destinations’ private and public sectors. By building bilateral relationships with cruise tourism stakeholders and providing them a forum to work with executives from its Member Lines, FCCA fosters bilateral success for all parties. For more information, visit F-CCA.com and @FCCAupdates on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.