Major boost expected from upcoming Cayman Airways flight
Barbados is ramping up the marketing and promotion efforts for the Cayman Airways service ahead of the first flight on October 18.
The new route was first announced in July during a joint press conference between Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Ian Gooding-Edghill, and Minister of Tourism and Ports for the Cayman Islands, Kenneth Bryan.
This is the first direct, scheduled service between the two islands and ticket sales began in September. Chairman of the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), Shelly Williams, gave an update on some of the activities the BTMI is undertaking to promote the new service.
“Next week, we will be hosting a special launch event in the Cayman Islands to promote Barbados; especially the Barbados Food and Rum Festival which coincides with the inaugural flight from Barbados to Cayman. We will be inviting businesspersons, diaspora, and key travel and tourism agents and influencers who will sell destination Barbados,” she said.
At the activation, there will be one mixologist and two chefs from Barbados that will be present to give Caymanians a taste of what they can expect in October for the Barbados Food and Rum Festival.
The Chairman added that they will be giving a door prize, which is a trip to Barbados for one week for two guests, with accommodation at Courtyard by Marriot Barbados; and tickets onboard Cayman Airways inaugural flight.
She noted that the BTMI is working in conjunction with the diaspora on the ground to raise more awareness and excitement for the flight. This includes working with Honorary Consul for Barbados in the Cayman Islands, Juliette Gooding.
“The Barbadian diaspora in the Cayman Islands is large and there is a buzz on the ground as everyone prepares to welcome the start of this service in October. We have a mix of diaspora in the Cayman Islands and we are all ready for the possibilities that come along with this service such as introducing some of the Caymanian business partners and expats to the beautiful island of Barbados,” Ms. Gooding said.
Targeting a variety of travellers
Mrs. Williams also addressed how this flight fits into the BTMI’s overall strategy.
“This new service allows us to address some of the challenges we’re currently facing in the region as it pertains to airlift, while also diversifying our source markets by giving us access to the Northern Caribbean; in particular, connectivity with Jamaica and Cuba,” Mrs. Williams said.
“More importantly, in a few weeks, I hope to announce a second service using Cayman Airways through LA. Regional travel has always been an area that we in Barbados have been working towards improving and this service is critical as it opens Barbados and the Cayman Islands to the rest of the region. Cayman Airways is currently the only Caribbean carrier providing this service to this gateway. It will improve connectivity with Jamaica, New York, Havana, Miami and most importantly Los Angeles. Therefore, we welcome this fruitful partnership with Cayman Airways.”
The Cayman Islands has a vibrant Barbadian population and these services opens up the opportunity for the diaspora to travel home. Additionally, the Cayman Islands is known as a major financial centre and many international accounting and finance business entities have significant connections and bases in Cayman.
The Chairman anticipates that these business professionals would be the major users of this flight.
Mutually beneficial service
Williams highlighted that Barbados is considered the airlift hub for the Eastern Caribbean and currently, the island boasts of having the largest number of flights out of the UK and Europe.
Therefore, Caymanians and Barbadians stand to benefit from these new services as they connect Barbados to the Northern Caribbean, and offer the Cayman Islands easier connectivity to the UK and Europe through the Grantley Adams International Airport.
“This new gateway continues to see Barbados as a hub in our strong connectivity into the UK and Europe. We anticipate that this will be an advantageous and valuable partnership for both Barbados and the Cayman Islands,” Mrs. Williams said.