For a Thriving Cayman:
Smart Growth, Strong Future
CPR Cayman is committed to advocating for responsible tourism development that balances economic growth with environmental stewardship. We empower Caymanians with data-driven insights to make informed decisions about our shared future.
We have three main areas of concern for Cayman: the social, economic and environmental well-being of the country and its people.
April 30th: A Critical Moment for Cayman
The cruise port referendum on April 30th is a critical moment—your vote can help protect Cayman’s natural beauty, local businesses, and long-term prosperity.
Join us in shaping a smarter, sustainable future for our islands.
What You Need to Know
No Transparency
The Government has provided no information to the public on the cruise berthing facility they are asking the public to vote on: no plan, no cost projections, no location, nor environmental impact assessments—critical data that should be available before Caymanians are asked to make a decision of this magnitude.
In the absence of new information from the Government, we base our analysis on the 2015 and 2019 proposed cruise berthing designs and studies.
It is expensive
It will cost at least CI$200 Million to construct a cruise berthing facility, and we will have to repay over CI$400 million incl. interest over 25 years.
There is too much at stake
The estimated economic value of the affected coral reefs will equate to a loss of CI$19 to CI$22 million per year, or CI$550 million of natural capital loss over 25 years.
It is a man-made disaster
We would be destroying over 22 acres of Cayman’s natural aquatic habitat. Coral reefs are the backbone of life in our oceans, the blue heart of the planet.
Jobs will be lost
During construction, Cayman will lose approximately CI$30 million from loss of other tourism endeavors.
Overcrowding
This would be the largest project in Cayman’s history: will we be able to accommodate the the 4 million cruise passengers per year (16-18k per day) that the proponents of piers are calling for?
Special Interests
Cruise Tour Operators & Retailers
Tour buses, water sports operators, taxi drivers, downtown shops and other such businesses that derive most of their earnings from cruise passengers have been told by the Government that a berthing facility will bring bigger ships and more tourists. How well have those tour operators and retailers benefited from the cruise lines over the past decade? Has it been a fair environment? What happens if the cruise lines have a greater control of our port and open their own onshore tours or better yet, roll off their own tour equipment from their mega cities?
Harbour Watersports Operators
Caymanian businesses that benefit from the cruise and stay-over visitors through selling shore dives, snorkelling, and other water-based activities, will lose their livelihood.
7 Mile Beach & Stay-Over Tourism
Many businesses and property owners who depend on our world-famous “Seven Mile Beach (SMB)” are concerned about a decline in stay over tourism as well as overcrowding of key attractions like Seven Mile Beach and Stingray City. SMB has experienced devastating erosion recently, exacerbating pressure and overcrowding there. World-famous dive sites such as Eden Rock and Cheeseburger Reef will also be severely affected – harming our tourism even further.
George Town Infrastructure
We have seen the ravaging effects of storms like Hurricane Dorian. With the construction of the port and the loss of God’s created protection, we know that a destructive storm surge will affect the buildings and residents of downtown George Town in a magnitude not yet seen in Cayman. Protection from natural disasters should be a crucial priority in the discussion of building the port.
The Government
The current minority Government says Cayman’s cruise arrivals will continue to decline without a pier as cruise lines switch to mega ships that won’t tender. However, cruise lines are continuing to build smaller ships that will tender. With over 1 million cruise arrivals and at 6th in the region for cruise arrivals, Cayman is in a strong position to enhance its facilities and attractions and nurture a thriving boutique cruise sector.
Cayman has the opportunity to be a leader in responsible tourism, ensuring thoughtful, community-centered development that protects our economy, environment, and quality of life for generations to come. By working together, we can create a future where local cruise operators continue to thrive, tourism flourishes, and growth and preservation go hand in hand.
The Environmental Interest
An environmental Impact Assessment commissioned by the Government in 2015 indicated that the levels of silt during the construction and operational phases of the CBF would have deadly consequences for the surrounding marine ecology. The death of George Town harbour’s coral reefs is irreversible.
