The Cayman Islands Tourism Attraction Board (TAB) has relocated its administrative offices to Pedro St. James historical site, one of the attractions managed by the TAB. The move took place on Friday, July 24.

The Board has announced that the CEO Gilbert Connolly will now assume direct responsibility for the management of Pedro Castle, taking over the reins from Carson Ebanks, who retired at the end of June 2015 after 20 years as General Manager. Assisting Mr. Connolly in this role will be Ms. Debbie Bodden, in the new position of Operations Manager.

Mr. Connolly will continue to have oversight responsibility for the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, Pirates Week Festival, Cayman Craft Market and the Hell site.

“The relocation of the TAB is part of the Board’s strategic plan to reduce cost and grow revenue,” stated Carla Reid, Chairperson of the TAB. “The Board expects that the new management team will increase the admission numbers and improve the events business at Pedro Castle,” she added.

“Pedro St. James is one Cayman’s most beautiful and important historic sites and I welcome the opportunity to be more involved with the challenges of managing the attraction,” Mr. Connolly stated. “Our first priority is to improve the product offering and make it more interesting to visitors,” he added.

Ms. Bodden said “this process began last week with the introduction of local craft artists on site, demonstrating the production of Caymanian craft to visitors.” Plans are underway to have more local artists on site on a regular basis. Landscaping and signage will also be improved.

Additionally, Pedro Castle’s two popular exhibitions, ‘How Cayman was 1940s-1960s’ and the Cayman Stamp Collection have been relocated to the Steadman Bodden House on the site.

“The Board’s next priority is to find the right person to lease the Pedro Café,” Ms. Reid stated.