Cayman Islands Launches Summer 2025 Campaign with Free Night Stay, Enhanced Air Connectivity

21 May 2025 7:42pm

As part of the 43rd Caribbean Travel Marketplace in Antigua and Barbuda, Gary Hendricks-Dominguez, Deputy Director of International Market Promotions at the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, shared the latest updates from the destination, highlighting new promotions, improved air access, and an expanding hotel offering.

“It’s a pleasure to be here and connect with you to share updates about our three beautiful Caribbean islands: Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman,” said Hendricks-Dominguez at the start of his presentation.

A Free Night to Create the Perfect Vacation

The Cayman Islands' new summer promotion offers a seventh night free on bookings made between April 28 and August 17, for travel between May 1 and August 31, 2025. Available through visitcaymanislands.com, the campaign also includes resort credits and unique experiences.

“A free night in the Cayman Islands sounds tempting,” joked the executive, “but beware—you might forget how a clock works and never wear shoes again.”

Sustained Tourism Growth in 2025

In Q1 2025, the Cayman Islands welcomed 144,395 stayover visitors, marking a 5.3% increase over the same period in 2024. The U.S. market continues to dominate with 83.6% of total arrivals, followed by Canada (8.6%) and Europe (4.2%).

The destination recorded 860,102 available airline seats, thanks to 5,195 flights from 26 cities operated by 10 airlines.

“You can’t have the perfect vacation if it’s hard to get there, so we’ve worked hard to expand connectivity,” said Hendricks-Dominguez.

New Routes and Increased Frequencies from the U.S. and Canada

Highlights include:

Daily flights by American Airlines from Chicago starting December 18
New Delta Airlines routes from Detroit and JFK, now making three carriers operating from New York
Expanded service from Dulles (Washington D.C.), with daily flights from December 18 to January 5
Cayman Airways continues service from Los Angeles and Denver, with LA being the only direct route from the U.S. West Coast to the Caribbean

Hotels: Expansion and Renovation

The recently opened Hotel Indigo celebrates its first anniversary with innovative culinary events, including Sunday brunches and nine-course dinners.
The new 1GT Hotel (100 rooms), aimed at business travelers, is set to open in December 2025.
The upcoming Grand Hyatt, opening April 2026, will be the largest hotel in the Cayman Islands, featuring 382 rooms and 16 event spaces, including a 16,000-square-foot grand ballroom.
The Sunshine Hotel and Suites has been renovated, now granting access to amenities at the nearby Westin Hotel, boosting its value proposition.

Events, Festivals, and Music

The cultural and sports calendar aims to drive year-round visitation, including:

Flower Sea Swim, one of the world's top open-water tournaments, with $100,000+ in prizes
Caymass Carnival, Margarita and Rum Festivals, Art Week, and the new Wine Festival
Alchemist World Music Fest on May 31 in Carana Bay, featuring artists like Ludacris and Transia

Worry-Free Guarantee for Hurricane Season

In preparation for the hurricane season, the Cayman Islands reactivates its Worry-Free Guarantee, launched in 2018. This program offers flexible terms for participating properties, allowing visitors to reschedule trips affected by weather disruptions.

Commitment to Travel Agents and the UK Market

The destination continues its Cayman Specialist Program for travel agents and has strengthened its UK presence, appointing Joanna Baldwin as Business Development Manager and hiring a new sales executive.

“With this team, we’ll continue building strong relationships with the UK travel industry, where we’ve had a presence for over 30 years,” noted Hendricks-Dominguez.

“If anyone is looking for the perfect vacation, our offers are live right now. Take your break, travel responsibly… and if you come to the Cayman Islands, you just might not want to leave.”