“Welcome to vaCay” is a new platform and campaign that offers travellers the antidote to over-scheduled, exhausting holidays. It’s been conceived off the back of new research, commissioned by the tourist board, which shows the vacation (or holiday) is broken.
Rosa Harris, director of the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism (stand S6-439), explains: ““Welcome to vaCay” is a bold new brand platform and campaign that offers travellers the antidote to over-scheduled, exhausting holidays: no to-do lists, no alarms, no jam-packed itineraries. Rooted in the name of the destination itself, vaCay is the vacation, vacation wishes it took, found only in the Cayman Islands.”
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Cayman Islands Department of Tourism’s research highlighted how holidays have become stressful, overwhelming and demanding, leaving travellers more exhausted than when they left.
Harris adds: “The data shows that the pressure to 'do it all' and make the most of every holiday minute is leaving Brits feeling overwhelmed and facing post-holiday stress, with nearly half (48%) feeling they are missing out on much-needed R&R time while away.”
“Travellers want something different and that is exactly what the Cayman Islands delivers. ‘Welcome to vaCay’ is our way of inviting the world to experience our three-island destination, where a holiday is stress-free, rejuvenating and effortlessly luxurious.”
In addition to this global campaign, the Cayman Islands will be highlighting new openings such as the 382-room Grand Hyatt Cayman Resort & Spa, and ONE | GT, the island’s first Small Luxury Hotels of the World property, with 177 rooms and residences, rooftop dining and 360-degree infinity pool. Both these are due to open by the end of 2025.
There are also dining and lifestyle launches to talk about – including Uncle Liu, a Szechuan kitchen; Coconut Room, a tropical-inspired Asian kitchen and Whale Rider Records, the destination’s first vinyl listening bar and cocktail lounge. There are also pioneering wellness experiences such as Island Soul Cayman’s floating sound baths and Meraki’s 16,000 sq. ft. spa destination.
There’s been a small uptick in international arrivals (2.6%) comparing January to August 2025 with the same period in 2024. Harris says there’s evidence that the Cayman Islands’ interconnectivity within the Caribbean region is helping long-haul travellers to visit multiple destinations such as Cuba, Jamaica, Panama and Honduras in one trip, using Grand Cayman as a hub.
Another talking point is the Cayman Islands’ world-leading dive sites and snorkelling expeditions. Harris explains: “Marine life is a crucial part of the Cayman Islands’ tourism industry. We pioneered ocean sustainability in the Caribbean, creating designated marine park areas almost 40 years ago, with a significant expansion in 2019.”
The government has also established ‘no take’ zones (48% of coastal waters) where it’s illegal to remove any species of marine life. This includes the local delicacies of conch and lobster to ensure the continued survival of these species.
