“The Cayman Islands is proud to host a conference of this calibre,” said the country’s minister of tourism, the Honourable Charles E. Clifford. “With the current revision and update of our National Tourism Management Policy and new environmental regulations, the objectives of the Conference are aligned with our own objectives for developing tourism here at home. We understand the importance of sustainability and are looking forward to discussing these vital issues and showing the delegates our unique brand of Cayman hospitality.”

Titled "Keeping the Right Balance: Health and Wellness – Communities, Environments and Economies", the conference will look at how to design and implement sustainable tourism policies and programmes and will provide a regional forum for information exchange on the successes and pitfalls of regional, national and international initiatives.

As part of CTO’s Strategy for Sustainable Tourism, the conference will stress the importance of developing a tourism product that takes into account the health and wellness of surrounding communities, environments and visitors.

The Cayman Islands has planned a number of activities for conference participants and the Caymanian community, including an official welcome party for delegates and an evening dedicated to showcasing Caymanian heritage and culture. Approximately 300 international and local delegates are expected to attend.

STC-9 will include informative sessions on the following topics: Heath and Wellness Tourism: Opportunities and Challenges; Community Sports Tourism; Recreational Carry Capacity; Integrated Coastal Zone Management and Climate Change. Other sessions will focus on Cayman’s heritage, offerings and unique positioning in the Caribbean.

Discussions will feature the following: Developing Valuable Tourism Resources Within Our Communities: the Grand Cayman Go East Initiative; The Economics of Greening Your Business and The Role of the National Trust in Tourism Development.