Product Development

Marzeta Bodden is the Deputy Director, Tourism Product Development for the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism. Over the past 20 years, she has worked with organisations in aviation, tourism, education, financial services, and has held positions in both the private and public sectors. This includes working for Cayman Airways, a leading offshore law firm, and the Cayman Islands Government.

After a four-year stint in public relations at the national flag carrier, Cayman Airways, and three years of overseas undergraduate and postgraduate study, Marzeta joined leading offshore law firm, Appleby, in 2009 and there she managed the strategic business development, marketing, and financial management for three global corporate teams with responsibility for multi-million-dollar budgets as well as key client relationship management programmes for four years.

While attending graduate school at the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom from 2008 to 2009, Marzeta wrote her dissertation focused on exploring gastronomy tourism as a niche market for the Cayman Islands. This body of work sought to determine whether the food tourism niche market could be used as a source of redeveloping and differentiating the Cayman Islands tourism product. She later translated her research into a viable company by founding Cayman Food Tours in 2013, a walking food tour company that shared the history, culture, heritage, and culinary offerings of the downtown George Town area with over 3,000 visitors and residents.

From 2013 to 2018, Marzeta harnessed her entrepreneurial spirit and pivoted to a career supporting an impressive portfolio of projects including work with the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics where she supported press operations at the major international multi-sport event; TEDx where she brought the global brand’s grassroots initiative to the Cayman Islands for the very first time – TEDxSevenMileBeach; Junior Achievement Cayman Islands where she supported key programmes which helped prepare more than 10,000 young people to succeed in a global economy; and with Rotaract District 7020 where she led an international service organisation of 1,100 people in 10 countries across the Caribbean.

In 2018, Marzeta joined the Cayman Islands Government’s special project team, Celebrate Cayman, to coordinate initiatives focused on discovering the Cayman Islands’ history, engendering national pride, engaging, educating, and inspiring youth, celebrating our diversity and encouraging connection, and nurturing a spirit of a cultural community. These activities were underpinned by two national milestones: the 60th anniversary of the Cayman Islands Coat of Arms and the 60th anniversary of the Cayman Islands’ first written constitution.

From February 2020, she provided policy and communications support to the Premier, Cabinet, the Cabinet Office, and the Senior Leadership Team throughout the COVID-19 pandemic including the critical, early response phase.

Marzeta earned her Master of Science in Marketing Management from the University of Surrey, dual Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Marketing from Florida International University, and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP)® with the Project Management Institute.

Marzeta specialises in business development, experience curation, leadership development, project management, strategic marketing, and communications.

When she’s not taking action for impact, you can find Marzeta enjoying a delicious meal with family and friends, dancing up a storm to soca music, serving the community with the Rotary family, planning her next trip to discover more flavours of the world, curled up with a good book, listening to podcasts, or with legs folded and eyes closed on a yoga mat where she’s resetting and recharging.

Carol Britton works for the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism as a Customer Service Standards and Training Officer.  In 2006, Carol joined the Department of Tourism as the Inspections and Promotions Officer for the Sister Islands; then, in late 2008 she went on to accept the position of Marketing Projects Assistant.  Before joining the Department of Tourism, she worked for the Ritz-Carlton Huntington Hotel and Spa in the historically-rich Pasadena, California. There she was actively involved with service excellence through the Sizzle Team and as a QSP Analyst.  While studying at Pacific Union College, Carol was nominated for the prestigious Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities.  Carol has her BBA and MBA in Marketing.

Shameka Clarke has been with the Department of Tourism for approximately 10 years. Prior to working in her current role as a Product Development Officer, Shameka held two other positions within the Department: Enumerator in the E-Business and Research Unit and Executive Officer (Operations) in the Finance and Administration Unit. Before joining the CIDOT team, she was employed as a Customer Service Agent at the Florida airport ticket counters with Cayman Airways Ltd and later worked for the Government’s Cabinet Office in the capacity of Executive Officer I.

Shameka has an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration, a Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism and Travel Management and has begun her studies for a Master’s of Science in Business Administration.

Outside of her tourism background, Shameka is also a professional singer and brand ambassador. She has performed at notable events for the Department and other charitable governmental events over the years.

Janet Holness is a Customer Service Standards and Training Officer for the Department of Tourism͛s Product Development unit. She joined the department in 1985 as a clerical officer and then moved up to the position of Senior Hotel Inspector before becoming a Customer Service Trainer. 

In this position, Janet conducts CIDOT’s PRIDE workshops in which she trains service providers and those employed in tourism-related industries in providing excellent customer service. She particularly enjoys having the opportunity to work with and empower young people.  While working with the Department, Janet earned her Associates degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in Tourism and Liberal Studies from the University College of the Cayman Islands.

Ethel Dral is a Hotel Inspector for the Department of Tourism, working with the Hotel Licensing Board (HLB) to ensure that the Cayman Islands tourism product meets the highest of standards. Her inspections allow the Cayman Islands to provide safe, quality accommodations to visitors in order for their stay to be a pleasurable one.

Tourism has always been a passion for Ethel and, as a result, she has developed a love for learning different languages; she is fluent in English, Spanish, Dutch and some Brazilian Portuguese. Her most interesting foreign language experience occurred when a distressed Japanese visitor got separated from his group. With Ethel’s quick thinking and Google Translate, she was able to assist him immediately.

Ethel values the importance of good customer service, as she believes that experiences stay in one’s memory and are the underlying factor in a person’s decision to return to or recommend a destination.

In 2015, Yvonne joined the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism in Cayman Brac as an Inspection and Promotion Officer. Prior to joining CIDOT, she worked for LIME, formerly Cable and Wireless, where she started out in 1991 as an Office Clerk. During her time there, she worked her way up and attended the Cable and Wireless College in St. Lucia. In September of 2000, Yvonne was promoted to the position of Manager (Brac) which she held for the remaining of her twenty-two years with the company. Yvonne has held positions on various government boards including the Chairman and Deputy Chair of The Sister Islands Affordable Housing and a member of the Education Council. She was a member of The National Hurricane Damage Assessment Committee, Sister Islands Sustainable Development Committee and continues to serve as a volunteer for the Cayman Brac Annual Agriculture Show. On Hero’s Day 2010, Yvonne was awarded the Spirit of Excellence for Exemplary Christian Service.

Mitzi Scott-Canigon has been employed with the Department of Tourism for a total of 17 years. She currently works in the capacity of Product and Promotions Assistant in the Product Development unit. Her duties include inspecting tourism properties, records management, and assisting with the Familiarisation and Visiting Journalists programmes. Mitzi has been working in the Tourism industry for 26 years. Previously, she worked as a mixologist, beverage supervisor andfood server at DIVI TIARA Beach Resort in Cayman Brac. She then began working for the Department of Tourism as a temporary placement in December 2000. She returned to CIDOT in 2001 as a Clerical Officer and was promoted to Product and Promotions Assistant in 2009. Mitzi also earned her career diploma in Hotel and Restaurant Management in 2002. 

Johanna has been working for the Department of Tourism since 2014. She started her career and gained experience in tourism by working in the hospitality industry for over 16 years. Johanna now works as a Customer Service Representative at CIDOT’s ports of entry. She engages with visitors in a positive and approachable manner, assisting them with information and ensuring that they enjoy their visit to the Cayman Islands. Johanna takes pride in having returning visitors remember her and express gratitude for her wonderful service during their previous trips. She loves working for the CIDOT because she has the opportunity to introduce people to her wonderful home. Johanna has a Bachelor’s in Hospitality and Tourism Studies.

Melissa is a 12-year veteran of the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism’s Customer Service Team team. She provides visitors with a warm CaymanKind welcome every time they set foot on the Cayman Islands. Melissa loves sharing her expertise with guests and aims to ensure that they leave the destination with memories of an unforgettable experience and an urge to return for more. Melissa truly enjoys meeting interesting people from around the world, sharing Caymanian culture with them and learning a bit about their cultures as well. As Melissa says, “It’s not just a job to me; it’s a big part of my life.”