GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands – Deputy Premier and Minister of Tourism Hon. Moses Kirkconnell is in Cartagena, Colombia, this week to attend the 20th Annual Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association Cruise and Conference Trade Show.

The Minister, Chief Officer Stran Bodden and Director of Tourism Shomari Scott left the Cayman Islands 30 September, 2013, and will return 5 October, 2013.

Councillor Joey Hew will be acting Minister of Tourism and Transport in Mr. Kirkconnell’s absence.

On Thursday, the Deputy Premier will meet one-on-one with FCCA President Michele Paige to discuss cruise tourism and the status of cruise ship berthing on Grand Cayman. A business case for berthing in George Town Harbour is being developed by PricewaterhouseCoopers.

He will also be talking one-on-one to partners in the cruise industry about Cayman’s tourism product and the Cayman Islands Turtle Farm as an on-shore destination for cruise ship passengers and meeting with regional tourism ministers to discuss the industry.

“It is important for the Cayman Islands to be represented each year at this conference to let those in the industry know that we are still a viable destination for cruise ships and their passengers,” said Mr. Kirkconnell. “We had more than 1.5 million cruise visitors last year and we would like to work with the industry to see that number grow. Based on current forecast, our cruise passenger numbers are showing steady increase for this up and coming season. One way to continue that increase is attending conferences like this one.”

For many cruise executives, destinations, suppliers and tour operators, the annual FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show is the premier industry event of the year to meet with key industry players, analyse trends and discuss current issues. It is because of the unique forum provided by the Conference that nearly 1,000 cruise industry partners, including approximately 100 cruise executives, attend each year.

The Conference offers a number of round-table discussions led by a roster of industry experts and guest speakers who are specialists in marketing, sourcing, shore excursions and operations.

The FCCA is a not-for-profit trade organisation comprised of 15 member cruise lines operating more than 100 vessels in Floridian, Caribbean and Latin American waters. It was created in 1972 to provide a forum for discussion on tourism development, ports, safety, security and other cruise industry issues. It works with governments, ports and all private/public sector representatives to maximise cruise passenger, cruise line and cruise line employee spending as well as enhancing the destination experience and the amount of cruise passengers returning as stay-over visitors.

The Conference is being held at the Cartagena de Indias Convention Center.