Port bid partners to meet stakeholders
Representatives from the cruise lines and the engineering firm that are involved in the Verdant Isle group, which was selected by government to build the cruise berthing facility if it goes ahead, will be meeting with government and other stakeholders here in Cayman this week. In a press release the group said that these would be the first in a series of meetings over the coming months, which will include an open town hall. However, no date has been set for a face to face with the public.
The representatives include Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean; David Candib, Vice President Development and Operations of Carnival Corporation; Barry Loudermilk, Director, Business Development of Orian Marine Group; and Richard Noel, General Manager of McAlpine Limited in the Cayman Islands.
CNS understands that the group was due to meet at the George Town Yacht Club on Monday evening with tour operators, though it was said to be an invitation only event. The representatives are due to meet other stakeholders on Tuesday and the media on Wednesday. They will also meet with the Cruise Port Referendum campaigners, the National Trust for the Cayman Islands, and the young local climate activists from Protect Our Future.
In the press release about the arrival of the consortium representatives from local marketing company Tower, Michael Bayley said the meetings were to share information about the project and to listen to stakeholder needs and concerns.
“We are committed to being a proactive, approachable and positive community partner, emphasizing stakeholder relationships based on transparency and authenticity,” Bayley said.
It is now more than one year since government held the last public meeting regarding the controversial project. This was during the tendering process but well before the bidders were selected. However, Candib from Carnival and Miguel Reyna from Royal Caribbean were in attendance and sat with the tourism minister and civil servants from the procurement office overseeing the process.
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