What Is New in Cayman Islands Tourism

As travel to the Caribbean booms post-pandemic, the Cayman Islands are taking a slow and steady approach to tourism growth.

The three-island destination isn’t looking to expand its tourism offerings too quickly – it’s all about “quality over quantity,” Cayman Islands Minister of Tourism and Ports Kenneth Bryan told TMR. 

Bryan is also the current Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) chairman and spoke to TMR during the recent Caribbean Week in New York City. 

“The North American market is essential to us, and I don’t think that’s going to change much because of the proximity,” Bryan said. “It’s close by. Travelers don’t want to be too long on a plane, and they do want warmth and hospitality.” 

The Cayman Islands has a strong North American relationship, with 80% of its travelers visiting from North America. The country continues to add new hotels, monitor airlift capacity, and ensure top quality experiences for visitors. 

New hotels

With the opening of Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman earlier this year, the Cayman Islands reached 8,000 rooms available for tourists. Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman offers 282 guest rooms and the island’s first rooftop restaurant and bar, plus an infinity pool overlooking the ocean, meetings and events space, and dining. 

Next year, the country expects to surpass 9,000 room accommodations with the opening of three new hotels: ONE GT, Kailani, and Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman Hotel & Residences. 

ONE GT, currently in construction and set to open in 2025, is located close to the airport and will be ideal for business travelers, as the financial sector is still Cayman Islands’ largest. It will have a library with lots of workspace and offer both guestrooms and residences. 

Kailani, a Curio Collection by Hilton hotel, is expected to have 80 guest rooms and suites and open in summer 2025. The Grand Hyatt property will have a mix of guest rooms and residences set on a beachside resort with dining, meeting spaces, and a spa. 

Airlift update

Bryan was pleased to report that all major airlines are either maintaining or adding service to the Cayman Islands.  

“We work closely with the airlines, reminding them of the products coming online, watching the trends, where people are coming from, and even making the routes more direct,” Bryan said.  

This summer Southwest has added nonstop daily flights between Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Owen Roberts International Airport (GCM). American Airlines is starting nonstop daily service between Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Grand Cayman in December. 

Cayman Airways, the country’s national airline, also gives the destination an advantage in controlling flight schedules based on demand. 

Wellness on the rise

Whether staying on the main, bustling leisure island of Grand Cayman or straying to the small, sparsely populated islands of Little Cayman or Cayman Brac for diving and cave adventures, Cayman Islands offers many activities for visitors. Grand Cayman is especially well known for its famous Seven Mile Beach and Sting Ray City, where tourists can feed the sea creatures. 

In addition to the typical sand and sea experience, more guests than ever before are looking for a wellness retreat when they visit the Cayman Islands. 

“We’re starting to see a lot more focus on structured, planned vacations, rather than just showing up and figuring it out when you get there,” Bryan said. “Wellness is becoming a major part of that.” 

Vida Cayman Islands, a boutique luxury hotel that has been open for a few years now, is an example of where tourists go for curated wellness trips. The hotel offers individual wellness consultations for guests who can then fill their stay with fitness classes, spa treatments, healing sessions, and more. 

It’s this kind of personalized, quality service, especially in the wellness space, that Bryan says the Cayman Islands is “sticking with” when it comes to future tourism growth.