With the start of direct flights from Grand Cayman to Barbados from Wednesday, some Caribbean countries will have the opportunity to visit the Cayman Islands without the need for a visa and connecting through the United States of America.
The discussion surrounding opening gateways and building partnerships for businesses was held during a meeting on Monday with Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.’s (BTMI) Chairperson, Shelly Williams; BTMI’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, Craig Hinds; and Minister of Tourism and Ports in the Cayman Islands, Kenneth Bryan, who is also Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization.
Back in July, via a joint virtual press conference between Barbados and the Cayman Islands, the announcement was made that Cayman Airways would start direct flights to Barbados from October 18. Leading up to the inaugural, the officials met to discuss the prospects to be derived from the new venture.
The new service from the Cayman Islands to Barbados will offer an easier way to connect Barbados and the rest of the Eastern Caribbean with the Northern Caribbean, for example, Jamaica and Cuba, and hopefully, increase inter-regional travel. It is also expected to open a gateway between the Northern Caribbean and Los Angeles.
Cayman Islands stands to benefit from the new service by having easier connectivity to the United Kingdom and other European countries as the Grantley Adams International Airport is seen as the aviation hub for the Eastern Caribbean to Europe.
Following the meeting, BTMI officials met with key stakeholders from the Cayman Islands, at a reception held at George Town Yacht Club. They included travel agents, influencers, and events promoters, who are all interested in building relationships and bonds for the bilateral movement of people across the two markets.