🏨 Cayman Islands reach record hotel capacity with new Dart Group resort

The Dart Group's latest resort, Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman, has been completed, bringing the total number of rooms available for visitors in the Cayman Islands to a record 8,022. This includes hotels, condos, apartments, and Airbnb-type units. The hotel is expected to welcome its first guests in the coming weeks. The Cayman Islands Hotel Licensing Board recently approved the licensing of Hotel Indigo, adding 282 rooms to the total. Three more hotels under construction are expected to add another 600 rooms over the next few years. 🏝️

Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Dart Group decided to proceed with the hotel project. The increase in room availability is being used to justify controversial redevelopment plans for the airports, including a proposal to extend the runway at ORIA into the North Sound to accommodate flights from long-haul destinations. However, the growth in the tourism sector is also leading to a shortage of long-term rentals and a rise in rent costs, making it difficult for low-paid overseas workers to find housing. 🏠

Despite these issues, Tourism Director Rosa Harris believes the increased capacity supports their drive for more airlift into the destination. She said, "Our goal is to develop new markets and flatten our seasonality, while maintaining quality experiences for visitors and residents. Increased accommodation and airlift are crucial to achieving this goal." However, the sector faces criticism for adding stress to local infrastructure and for the declining proportion of locals employed in the industry. ✈️