“Beyond the Port”: Sparking Regional Dialogue on Cruise Tourism

As the Cayman Islands prepares for a pivotal referendum on April 30th regarding the construction of a new cruise port, it is more crucial than ever to take action to ensure the public is informed. The “Beyond the Port” social media campaign, spearheaded by environmental advocates and NPO ‘Sustainable Cayman’ Ambassadors Dejea Lyons and Soleil Parkinson, aims to educate and engage Caribbean citizens on the impacts of cruise tourism.

Through a series of video interviews featuring Caribbean citizens, “Beyond the Port” will explore both the opportunities and challenges the cruise industry poses. The interviews will cover key questions and topics such as general perception of cruise tourism, solutions to enhance cruise tourism sustainability, and how port development has affected their countries environmentally, socially, and economically.

The first video in the series, released on March 24th, introduces the topic and ends with a call for the public to engage and share their thoughts. It asks the question, “How do we support tourism while protecting the Caribbean’s culture, environment, and communities?” Viewers emphasized in the comment section that finding balance, fostering open dialogue, and supporting youth voices is the key.

“This campaign is about giving Caribbean people the knowledge they need to make an informed decision about their future,” said Dejea Lyons, one of the campaign’s co-founders. “We want to amplify voices across the region who have firsthand experience with cruise tourism, whether positive or negative,” added Soleil Parkinson. “Our goal is to provide a space for meaningful dialogue and ensure that all perspectives are heard.”

Videos will be shared weekly on Sustainable Cayman’s Instagram leading up to the April 30th referendum, ensuring Caymanians can access diverse perspectives before casting their votes.

To watch the first video, visit Sustainable Cayman’s Instagram page.