- Owen Roberts International Airport to be Officially Opened by British Royal Visitors
Their Royal Highnesses, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall are set to officially open Grand Cayman’s newly expanded Owen Roberts International Airport as part of a visit to the Cayman Islands from 27-28 March 2019.
The official opening marks the completion of a US$ 80 million expansion project and has tripled the size of Grand Cayman’s airport facilities, allowing the island to accommodate close to 2.5 million pas- sengers and international travellers. The airport will include an expanded departure hall, food court, VIP lounge, restaurant, additional restroom facilities, a children’s play area, mother and baby room and a variety of concessions.
The CIAA owns and operates the Owen Roberts International Airport (ORIA) in Grand Cayman and the Charles Kirkconnell International Airport (CKIA) in Cayman Brac.
For more information visit www.caymanislandsairports.com
- British Airways Summer Schedule Grand Cayman Starts 6 April 2019
British Airways switches to its summer schedule on 6 April and will operate a Saturday departure from London Heathrow to Grand Cayman replacing the existing Sunday service. British Airways operates four direct flights a week from London Heathrow to Grand Cayman. www.ba.com
- 2019 Events Calendar
An exciting range of themed events and festivals are due to take place in the Cayman Islands during 2019 to celebrate the culinary, cultural, historical and sports achievements of this unique Caribbean country. There’s something for everyone and visitors will receive a warm Caymankind welcome!
- Taste of Cayman – Grand Cayman (6 April 2019)
In its 31st year, the one-day culinary celebration ‘Taste of Cayman Food & Drink’ held at Festival Green, Camana Bay on Grand Cayman is an open-air event for all foodie-lovers wanting to enjoy the best of Cayman cuisine. The biggest food festival on the islands features tastings of food and drinks from the best local restaurants as well as Cayman culture and music. Savour the Cayman Islands’ famous Seven Fathom’s rum and incredible seafood whilst listening to traditional folk singers, steel pan bands and even conch-shell blowing! www.tasteofcayman.org
- National Carnival ‘Batabano’ – May 2019
Enjoy the spirit and colour of the Cayman Islands’ national carnival ‘Batabano’ alongside the turquoise clear waters and white sandy beaches held during the first weekend of May.
Batabano is a spectacular and vibrant cultural celebration in the entertainment calendar offering a weekend of colour, music, dance and camaradie. Events include Le Masque Ball, the Street Parade from the Public Beach on Saturday 5 May as well as a street dance at Harbour Drive and boat cruises to Rum Point on Sunday.
The festival’s original name is a salute to Cayman’s turtling heritage – the word ‘Batabano’ refers to the turtle tracks in the sand where they go ashore to nest. www.caymancarnival.com
- Flower Sea Swim – 15 June 2019
The beautiful Caribbean Sea is the backdrop for the Cayman Islands’ ‘Flowers One Mile Sea Swim’, with 2019 marking the 27th year, this annual swimming event has taken place.
The Flowers Sea Swim is Grand Cayman’s flagship sporting event. Last event’s race boasted over 1000 registrants. Participants vary in age from 8 to 80 years old and in skill from novices and first- timers to gold medal Olympians and world championship open water specialists from around the world. The Flowers Sea Swim welcomes swimmers from all strokes of life!
www.flowersseaswim.com
- Pirates Week - First Week November 2019
The Cayman Islands celebrates its pirate legends and cultural heritage like no other Caribbean coun- try with a whole week of celebrations, colourful spectacles and pageantry. Events are spread across all three islands of Cayman Brac, Grand Cayman and Little Cayman. Special events include mock pi- rate invasions, parades, firework displays, steel pan music, street dances and even sporting events. The perfect event for Pirate aficionados, as well as visitors wanting to join in the carnival atmos- phere. www.piratesweekfestival.com
- Cayman Islands Marathon – 8 December 2019
Marathon runners wanting a new challenge with a spectacular backdrop of the Cayman Islands can take part in the annual Intertrust Cayman Islands Marathon is due to take place on Sunday 8 December. Celebrating its 17th year, the event consists of a full marathon, half marathon, 4-person relay and a Kids Fun Run. Being a looped course, walkers are welcome to walk the half marathon with the route being open for six hours. www.caymanislandsmarathon.com
- KAABOO Cayman 2020
Building on the success of the first-ever lifestyle event of its kind to be held on the Cayman Islands, KAABOO Cayman will be repeated next year. Tickets for the February 2020 event have already gone on sale.
This February saw the first KAABOO Cayman debut on the world-famous Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman and made island history. The sold-out event brought together fans from around the world while hosting one of the largest festivals of its kind to ever hit the Caribbean. Not only did KAABOO
Cayman deliver an incredible line-up of chart toppers such as The Chainsmokers, Duran Duran, Bryan Adams, ZEDD, and Jason Derulo, but the two-day lifestyle event offered visitors live contem- porary art installations, culinary demonstrations, comedy, and health + spa treatments.
www.kaaboocayman.com
- Refurbishments and New Hotel Updates
Refurbishments have taken place to enhance the facilities of a range of hotels and suites in the Cayman Islands and plans have also been announced to open new luxury and boutique hotels in the next few years.
Grand Cayman’s five-star Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach & Spa celebrated the completion of a two-phase, $50 million renovation.
The Cayman Islands Beach Suites overlooking the famed Seven Mile Beach has recently undergone a phase of refurbishment, with a second phase due to be completed in May 2019, adding additional rooms.
- New Hotels/Residences
- Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Grand Cayman
Scheduled to open in 2021, The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Grand Cayman, will feature 89 of the most select homes on the island. The Residences, part of Mandarin Oriental, Grand Cayman are situated on 67 acres at St. James Point, on the southern shore of the island.
The property will benefit from an elevated position overlooking its own secluded white-sand beach and offers guests and residents a truly private luxury retreat.
www.mandarinoriental.com
- New Luxury Wellness & Business Boutique Hotel
The NCB group broke ground on a 60-suite luxury wellness and business boutique hotel close to downtown George Town. Featuring 1-3 bedroomed options, the hotel is the Cayman Islands first wellness boutique hotel and is set to be completed at the end of 2021.
www.ncbgroup.ky
- Rum Point Club Residences
Rum Point Club Residences will open in late 2019 with 36 units. These one-four bedroomed condominiums will be in a rental pool operating as a luxury boutique hotel.
https://www.rumpointclubresidences.com/
Hyatt announced a partnership with Pageant Beach Hotels Ltd for the 351-room Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman Hotel & Residences.
http://grandhyattgrandcaymanresidences.com/seven-mile-beach/