Cayman Cruise tour operators snubbed

Ally · 03-07-2008, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Small Caymanian taxi and tour operators continue to be forced out of the cruise passenger transport business by large operators who pre-sell on the ships or online and the Government has ignored their plea for help to protect their livelihood.

In an exclusive interview with Cayman Net News, six taxi and tour operators, who are having their livelihood threatened, asked for someone to listen.

When the cruise ships arrive in the Cayman Islands, passengers are directed to buses and tour companies with whom they have pre-booked prior to leaving the ship. The packages that are offered onboard and online are inclusive of transportation to and from the destination of choice, even a simple trip to the beach. The cruise lines have also recommended that guests do not engage in excursions, tours or activities that are not sold through their lines “because they have no familiarity whatsoever with these services or their operations,” according to one cruise lines site.

The smaller operators are left with almost no passengers. The taxi and tour operations, which are owned individually, are asking to be given a fair share of the business from which to earn a living.

Furthermore, any remaining passengers have to be shared among an increasing number of operators.

According to the three men and three women who were interviewed, anyone can get a licence. And people who have other jobs are given a permit to become a taxi/tour driver, including many civil servants.

“Firemen, police officers, and prison guards are given licences. These people have good jobs and are taking away from our livelihood and getting double wages when this is all we have,” said Burns Rankine. “And what about the slacking of job performance at their first job, especially if it has to do with the safety of others.”

When asked about contacting government for help with the situation, Mr Rankine said, “I had a meeting with the Leader of Government Business (LoGB), Hon Kurt Tibbetts, back on 10 October 2007, about the issue of cruise ship passengers being booked on tours with companies and leaving nothing for the smaller businesses.” He promised to be in contact with me by 24 October, and till this day I have not heard from him.”

Another one of the drivers went on to say that he recently tried to schedule a meeting with Hon Charles Clifford, Minister for Tourism, Environment, Investment and Commerce, and was unable to get a return telephone call.

The taxi and tour operators want greater regulation of the distribution of passengers among the major tour companies and the small business operators. Additionally, they want a moratorium on the granting of new licences.

“Since Hurricane Ivan there has clearly been a rise in the cost of living, and with the loss of money we are all going through due to this, how can we survive?

We have already lowered our prices to compete, and even then we get calls from government saying our solicitation is annoying passengers,” said Gerrymae Gould.

“We are Caymanians and we are being squeezed out by the rich companies who can afford to cut deals with the cruise lines,” said Donverd Kelly.

At press time for this article there had been no response from government to our requests for comment.

Cruise tour operators snubbed

**middy** · 03-07-2008, 04:43 AM

I can certainly understand their frustration.
The cruise companies are not going to stop promoting their own tours.
Giving licences to already employed persons does actually effect their livelihood, though can't see how this can be stopped. Because they have other jobs one would thnk they have better financial ability to advertise.

**middy** · 03-07-2008, 04:49 AM

Mind you I think that word of mouth is the best way to advertise, you are more likely to take a private tour if someone has given a good report/review.

**alphakitty** · 03-07-2008, 08:41 AM

I agree middy, that full time workers shouldn't get the jobs, but with there often being 5 or 6 ships in port, I'm surprised that not more cruisers are independently taking cabs to the beach, etc. Seems like there should be enough business to go around.