THREE months into his new job, Cayman Islands Department of Tourism manager UK and Europe Don McDougall has devised his game plan to take the destination into the millennium.
High priorities on his list are increasing the Cayman Islands’ share of the lucrative weddings and honeymoons market and marketing the islands as part of a two-centre holiday.
“The destination is very much one in its own right. But due to its position, it is ideally suited for a two-centre with Florida, southern US states, or other Caribbean islands,” McDougall said.
Currently, British Airways’ twice-weekly service to Grand Cayman flies via Nassau, Bahamas.
In November, when the airline begins its winter schedule, it will switch one of its flights via San Juan, Puerto Rico. Either destination could be combined with the Cayman Islands.
He predicts BA’s winter service will also help attract more honeymooners as one of its mid-week flights will be switched to a Sunday service.
Next year, the department of tourism will have £800,000 to spend on marketing, an increase of 10% on 1999. The Cayman Islands achieved £23,895 UK visitors in 1998. McDougall predicts an increase of 5% for 1999.