Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, October 29, 2015 – Recognized for its unmatched underwater visibility and plentiful marine life, the Cayman Islands is rightfully ranked among the world’s best dive destinations. In celebration of this iconic tourist attraction and the various operators who contribute to its ongoing success and popularity, the Cayman Islands will return to the annual Dive Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA) trade show from November 4-7, 2015 in Orlando, Florida with its well-received Cayman Islands Pavilion (Booths # 1608-1617). During the four-day event, the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism (CIDOT) will share special news and promotions from key on-island partners and members of the dive community – and tease details of next year’s International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame inductees.
Visitors to the Cayman Islands Pavilion, which is located near the main entrance and registration area, can look forward to a variety of different events and celebrations relating to the dive industry, and catch a glimpse into sport’s fascinating past with preserved dive artifacts from the Cayman Islands. Among the featured artifacts to be displayed this year include: Sea Net Wooden Fins (circa 1947), which were popular with post-WWII free divers in search of seafood, an original La Spirotechnique Calypso photo camera (circa 1958), and an original production La Spirotechnique CG45 Regulator (circa 1947/1948), which was the first model of the Aqua Lung regulator developed by Jacques-Yves Cousteau.
This year, the Cayman Islands will also announce the 2016 International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame inductees to DEMA attendees on Thursday, November 5 at 2 p.m. Further, a celebratory reception will be held for T’Anks A Lot Rewards Program Members on Thursday evening, where winners of the program will be announced. The grand prize winner will walk away with his and hers Tag Heuer Aquaracer Cayman Islands Guy Harvey Limited Edition watches. For more information on how to become a member of the T’Anks A Lot Rewards program and to join one of the most rewarding dive travel incentive programs, please visit www.divecaymanrewards.com.
In addition to enjoying special DEMA promotional rates, attendees can speak with representatives from some of the best dive operators in the Caribbean from resorts throughout the Cayman Islands. Several top dive operators from Sunset House, Little Cayman Beach Resort, Cayman Brac Beach Resort, Red Sail Sports, Divetech, Indepth Watersports and Compass Point Dive Resort & Ocean Frontiers Diving Adventures will be in attendance this year. Additionally, Sister Islands Tourism Association, the tourismassociation responsible for overseeing tourism efforts in Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, will also be on hand to discuss the latest dive excursions and news from the Sister Islands.
Booth visitors will also be treated to the launch of the Cayman Island’s new 8-part dive video series. This series is aimed at showcasing the destination’s distinguished and renowned wrecks, diversity of dive excursions, experts and leaders throughout the islands, and educating consumers about the ease of diving in the Cayman Islands.
Furthermore, CIDOT will also commemorate pivotal anniversaries of two of their famous dive sites and artificial reefs, the USS Kittiwake and the MV Captain Keith Tibbetts. USS Kittiwake, a former submarine rescue ship will celebrate its fifth anniversary in January of 2016 and the MV Keith Captain Tibbetts, the only diveable Russian warship in the Western Hemisphere, will celebrate its 20th anniversary in September of 2016.