Verdant Isle. Hosts Job Fair

Representatives from the Verdant Isle Group hosted a job fair at the Margarittavile on Tuesday, 28th of October.

The event featured a presentation for tour operators, as well as booths for job seekers wishing to launch a career in the cruise industry. An area for business persons to proffer ideas for possible partnerships was also facilitated.

According to Representatives on hand some 200 construction jobs would be available in addition to opportunities for locals to work on Cruise Ships.

People in the Cayman Islands have - by now - become familiar with the Verdant Isle. Group, whom have been chosen by the Cayman Islands Government to carry out the development of a controversial Cruise Port.

T.J. O’Sullivan, Director of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., (one of the members that make up the Verdant Isle. Group one of the members that make up the Verdant Isle. Group) spoke with the Caymanian Times about the port project.

“We are really neither here nor there with this project and at the end of the day, if the Caymanian people say they don’t want it, then we are absolutely fine with that, explained Mr. O’Sullivan.

“This is a good deal for the Caymanian people and there is no risk for them. We are financing the project entirely. If the loan defaults it’s Verdant that is going to be responsible.

“As you may know, there is an inability for the Cayman Islands Government to spend large amounts of money in their budget.” (a precautionary measure put in place by the United Kingdom to rein in spending)

In making his case for the new Cruise Port and Cargo Facility, Mr. O’Sullivan explained that the current cargo pier was built in 1977 and at that time it saw CI$50 million dollars in imports. “….Last year the same facility did 1 billion dollars and there has been no investment to upgrade during that time.”

Mr. O’Sullivan said one of the special features of the project was that the Verdant Isle. Group would be designing, building, financing and maintaining the project. This is different than how these projects are usually done in that these kinds of arrangements are usually design, build and operate initiatives.

“We want to do this because Cayman is such a desirable location. That is why multiple parties want to accommodate this,” Noted Mr. O’Sullivan. He added: “The win for us is having our Oasis class ships, which carry our higher spending clients, able to include the Cayman Islands on their journeys.”

The Cayman Islands score exceptionally high in two main target areas for the cruise industry, “Satisfaction” and “Appeal”, according to Mr. O’Sullivan.

The Cruise Director also revealed that maintenance of the project would cost in the neighborhood of $100 million over 25 years. Verdant Isle is responsible for that cost over 25 years.