Happy New Years just don’t simply happen. They are planned, and with a lot of behind-the-scenes effort, hopefully, they come to fruition.
It’s a continuous process of change driven by adapting, renewing and innovating. We see that happening in Cayman, sometimes in a very understated way, which has skyrocketed this jurisdiction on a rapid trajectory to becoming a significant global financial and tourism player.
That didn’t happen overnight, although in some respects the transition over the past five decades especially has been at warp speed and Cayman as a society is still adjusting to its new status.
It’s all part of the never-ending change process. And as the world changes, so must Cayman…but in a manner that is best for Cayman.
Over the past new years, we have seen a stream of changes that have impacted key aspects of how we do business and even our social mores as we adjust to these ‘ever-changing times’.
To list a few: same-sex relationships have been normalised in law, sweeping legislative changes have been made to our financial sector, far-reaching changes have been made extending the limits of building heights, and our liquor licensing laws have been amended to accommodate demands for extended opening hours of bars and restaurants.
There are moves underway to relax some of the restrictions on the gambling laws, and decriminalising marijuana is being considered beyond current laws recognising CDB for medical purposes.
Cruise ships are now calling on Sundays, and even the issue of a cruise ship pier could be revisited as we continue to seek a balance between economic growth, economic development and protecting our very fragile environment which is a tourist attraction in its own right, and further expansion of the main gateway Owen Roberts International Airport is on the cards including jet bridges.
Post-pandemic, the concept of remote working - in our case working from home (WFH) as a business continuity strategy during the pandemic - has now embedded itself in the way we work both in government and the private sector, and not just the preserve of a new global tourism marketing trend of remote working digital nomads.
Change is constant and Cayman is changing with the times; embracing new realities and adapting them in a manner that reflects the best of Cayman.
So too it is with our newspaper as we step into the new year of 2023 taking further significant steps in our evolution.
In 2023, we’ll continue to report and comment reflecting the activities, events and developments in this gem of a multi-cultural, cosmopolitan and inclusive society as Cayman continues to change with the times…and being a changemaker at the same time.
Happy New Year!!
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