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Product Development

To support and develop programmes which enhance the quality, competitiveness, and sustainability of the natural and built tourism product of the Cayman Islands for the benefit of Caymanians, residents, and visitors.

Top Functions

Tourism Development Services:
- Support the regulatory mandate and functions of the Hotel Licensing Board.
- Develop and promote programmes that showcase Caymanian culture and heritage through activities or physical enhancement initiatives with partners such as Tourism Association Board, Cayman National Cultural Foundation and National Trust.
- Promote sustainable tourism and environmentally friendly initiatives.
- Promote cruise conversion programme, CIDOT’s initiative to incentivize cruise visitors who return to the destination for a stayover vacation.
- Provide technical advice on tourism development and destination management issues
Human Capital Development:
- Support the training and development of young Caymanians for future jobs in the tourism industry.
  - Ministry of Tourism Scholarships promotion and administration
  - School of Hospitality support
- Increase tourism awareness in schools
  - Participate in school seminar and career fairs to promote tourism education and career options
  - Collaborate with Ministry of Education for tourism Curriculum infusion
  - Promote and encourage student participation in tourism-related competitions and activities (e.g. Tourism Speak-Off, Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Tourism Youth Congress and Student Colloquium, Cayman Through My Eyes Short Film Competition
  - Support partner programmes, such as Disney Christmas event, and student participation in Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI) – Little Cayman Summer Programme
- PRIDE Programme – enhance visitor experience through service excellence focused training products
  - an IslKnow Your Caymands – History, Heritage, and Culture; Destination Cayman – Cayman Islands Tourism Product Knowledge; Promises – Customer Service; and PRIDE in Schools – to promote customer service awareness in schools year 10-12

Marzeta Bodden

Marzeta Bodden

Deputy Director, Tourism Product Development

Marzeta Bodden is the Deputy Director of Tourism Product Development at the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, where she leads initiatives to enhance the destination’s offerings and improve the visitor experience.

Carol Britton

Tourism Development Supervisor

Carol Britton works for the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism as the Tourism Development Supervisor. Before joining the Department of Tourism, she worked for the Ritz-Carlton Huntington Hotel and Spa in the historically-rich Pasadena, California. There she was actively involved with service excellence through the Sizzle Team and as a QSP Analyst.

Marina Payne

Tourism Development Coordinator

Marina Payne joined the Department of Tourism in 2023 and serves as the Tourism Development Coordinator for Scholarships and Education. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing tourism and hospitality training programs supported by the Ministry of Tourism, administering tourism scholarships, and leading education and awareness initiatives.

Hannah Peralta

Tourism Development Coordinator

Hannah Peralta serves as the Tourism Development Coordinator at the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, bringing a well-rounded combination of academic achievement and practical experience to the role.

Tina O’Connor

Tina O’Connor

Product Development Officer (Licensing & Inspections)

Tina O’Connor has over 26 years of experience in the tourism and hospitality industry and brings a wealth of knowledge to the Product Development Unit. Tina has spent the past 20 years with the CIDOT. She began as a hotel inspector and became a Senior Hotel Inspector in 2017.

Yvonne Walton

Inspection and Promotions Officer, Cayman Brac

In 2015, Yvonne joined the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism in Cayman Brac as an Inspection and Promotion Officer.

Mitzi Scott-Canigon

Mitzi Scott-Canigon

Product and Promotions Assistant, Cayman Brac

Mitzi Scott-Canigon has been employed with the Department of Tourism for a total of 25 years. She currently works in the capacity of Product and Promotions Assistant in the Product Development unit.

Johanna McLaughlin

Johanna McLaughlin

Customer Service Representative (Ports of Entry)

Johanna has been working for the Department of Tourism since 2014. She started her career and gained experience in tourism by working in the hospitality industry for over 16 years.

Melissa Hamilton

Melissa Hamilton

Customer Service Representative (Ports of Entry)

Melissa is a 12-year veteran of the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism’s Customer Service Team team. She provides visitors with a warm CaymanKind welcome every time they set foot on the Cayman Islands.