Boom of Cuba´s Travel Industry Could Benefit the Cayman Islands, Experts Say

While Caribbean governments are pondering on the possible effects that potential growth in Cuban tourism could have on the region´s industry, the Cayman Islands says it´s prepared.

The United States, which is only 90 miles north of Cuba, has banned its citizens from visiting the island over the oast 40 years. Were travel restrictions lifted, an estimated three millions tourists are expected to flock to the island every year year.

The possibility of Cuba competing strongly with the Caribbean for market share has led the Caymanian authorities to enter into discussions with Cuba over a multi-destination package.

Minister of Tourism Charles Clifford told a recent Media Briefing that plans were being put in place to capture some of the business spilled off from Cuba in the future.

Cayman Airways, the National Flag Carrier, has been in constant talks with Havana as it tries to position itself as major airline on that route.

Even Opposition Leader McKeeva Bush sensed that the Cayman Islands would gain more than lose from the freeing up of the Cuban market, saying that there is nothing to worry about.

If the US embargo were lifted, experts believe the number of Americans visiting Cuba should top three million a year, up from roughly 50,000 a year now.

Currently, Cuba has a hotel inventory of 50,000 rooms, which means that a huge flood of visitors would overwhelm the island.