Approximately 70 CITA members attended the AGM, as Harry Lalli, CITA president,  welcomed attendees and talked about tourism in the past year and top tourism issues. Harry Lalli stated, “I have enjoyed my time as CITA president for the past three years, and though we have had some challenging times for tourism, the stay over numbers have increased every year for the past three years. I want to thank the Department of Tourism and the Ministry of Tourism in playing a very active role and partnering with private sector to achieve these great results in both stay over and cruise numbers. I will be sitting on the CITA board as past president and will continue to work alongside the new board and president to make sure tourism continues to grow and expand our industry.”

Jane van der Bol executive director, discussed the year in review, highlighting the Association’s accomplishments. Her presentation included information  on the state of the industry and membership announcements. The AGM was also an opportunity for CITA members to learn about CITA partnerships with Cayman Free Press, who produces the Association’s official tourism publication Key to Cayman, and with KTone/ CAYAPP who provides the Association’s mobile app, Cayman Visitor . Most importantly, the annual general meeting is where for the CITA Board of Director elections are held. Nominations for the board were submitted last month, and the final selection made at the AGM. The CITA’s Board of Directors plays a vital role in leading the affairs of the Association. The Board of Directors represents a varied background of tourism sectors and expertise. This year’s president, elected by the Association, is Kenneth Hydes, Vice President of Place Management Experiences at Camana Bay.

Kenneth Hydes brings his 25 years’ of experience in the tourism and development industry in the Cayman Islands to his role as president of CITA. He worked many years for the Cayman Turtle Farm and is serving as chairman on the board. He is also a director on the Cayman Islands Investment Council and a member of the Tourism Advisory Council.

Kenneth Hydes shared his thanks to the membership as he accepted the position of president,“ The Cayman Islands Tourism Association is uniquely positioned through the hard work of successive boards to be the driving force in the development of our industry. I would like to thank Mr. Harry Lalli, Past President and all members who show their support for the Association by standing for office during the AGM.” He went on to say, “as the new president, I am looking forward to working with the Board of Directors and all industry stakeholders to address the challenges that we face and capitalize on the opportunities that exist with a view to building on the success of our industry to date.”

The other executive roles of the board will be determined by the new board at the first board meeting scheduled to take place the second Tuesday in May.

The association also thanked and acknowledged all of the board members, including Past President Stephen Broadbelt, who served nine years on the CITA Board of Directors.

Jane van der Bol said, “CITA’s Annual General Meeting was a great opportunity for our member businesses to get together and network, learn more about CITA and vote for a new Board of Directors. I am delighted with the outcome of our new board members as they all have experience in their sectors and great leadership qualities.

Working directly with Harry Lalli as President for the past three years has been an honor and I look forward to a positive 2013/2014 year with Ken Hydes as our new president.”

The meeting was followed by a cocktail session where members could enjoy a networking opportunity to discuss key issues in tourism and the way forward. Members can look forward to continued benefits from the Association and a year that will be extremely active in lobbying the support of the newly elected government as we approach the government election period in the coming month.

CITA 2013 / 2014 Board of Directors

CRUISE DIRECTOR:

Ken Hydes (Camana Bay) – serving a second year-  PRESIDENT

ALLIED DIRECTORS:

Tim Adam (Cayman Turtle Farm)

Hugh Treadwell (Active Capital)

CONDO & VILLA DIRECTORS:

Gaetan Babin (theReef Resort)

Sherry Lee (Cayman Villas) – serving a second year

HOTEL DIRECTORS:

Marc Langevin (TheRitz-Carlton, Grand Cayman)

Morty Valldejuli (The Westin Grand Cayman Resort & Spa Seven Mile Beach)

TRANSPORTATION DIRECTORS:

Nigel Mitten (Majestic Tours)

Brian Krug (Budget Renta A Car) – serving a second year

RESTAURANT DIRECTORS:

Steven Hayes (TTRG) – serving a second year

Markus Mueri (Abacus, Deckers, KARoo)

WATERSPORTS DIRECTORS:

Ash McKnight (Go Pro Diving)

Keith Sahm (Sunset Divers / Sunset House)

SISTER ISLANDS:

Neil van Niekerk (Southern Cross Club) – appointed by the Sister Islands Tourism Assoc.