Information has been obtained by CPR Cayman from publicly available reports found on the websites for the Department of Tourism www.supportourtourism.com and Department of Environment www.doe.ky.
Jobs
Cruise industry jobs provide an average monthly income of US$1,662 (BREA report). How will (1) short-term construction jobs and (2) more of the same cruise industry jobs, regardless of the number, help Caymanians obtain financial security for a decent standard of living?
The EIA (Baird Report) estimates direct losses of US$9‑10.5 million per year of revenue and associated jobs from the loss of the harbour reefs, including two historic shipwrecks, the Balboa (directly) and Cali (indirectly). What is the net number of jobs after water-sports businesses can no longer operate in George Town harbour and restaurants have closed because of noise pollution during construction?
Carrying capacity
Cruise vs. stayover constraints: With only 76 square miles, Grand Cayman’s infrastructure and natural environment cannot handle mass cruise tourism, which displaces overnight tourists as well as local residents from our most desirable locations. The Department of Tourism (PwC Outline Business Case, Appendix D, page 7) gave a limit of 2.1 million cruise passengers “to maintain the delicate equilibrium between cruise and overnight tourism”.
Proponents of a cruise berthing facility are calling for 16 to 18 thousand cruise passengers per day—that is over 4 million cruise passengers per year!
In 2019 we were at an arguably unsustainably high number of 1.8 million arrivals, pushing our Island’s carry capacity.
As a result of Covid-19 and erosion of 7 Mile Beach, our island has lost a significant number of attractions1, leading to the logical conclusion that our Island’s capacity for cruise tourism has further decreased from 2019.
1 Royal Palms, Calico Jacks, The White House, Hard Rock Café, Da Fish Shack, Atlantis Submarine, Coral Beach, Pageant Beach & Paradise.
A comprehensive assessment of Cayman’s carrying capacity needs to be undertaken for long-term planning and identifying tourism caps, which many popular travel destinations are being forced to implement.
Air pollution
Air pollution risks, monitoring and mitigation have not been highlighted by the government despite an entire section of the Baird report dedicated to air quality (Appendix G). Perhaps this is unsurprising as the Cayman Islands has no numerical standards on ambient air quality. There will be significantly more air pollution as a result of ships closer to shore and increased road traffic.
Does the government have any pollution mitigation strategies? How is the government planning to prevent health-related illnesses from increased air pollution? Will the government provide better health insurance over and above the SHIC plan? Is it fair that those working and living in the immediate George Town harbour area are exposed to these toxic fumes?
Storm Impacts
Low-lying George Town residents and merchants risk an increased susceptibility to storm flooding once the naturally occurring coastal coral reef defences are permanently destroyed.
Seawalls are costly and unsightly and protection is not guaranteed.
Economic Impacts