To support your global practice, ACC Docket offers country-specific fun facts from your peers who've been there — literally.
| Economy | GDP (purchasing power parity in USD) $3.268 billion |
| Population | 56,732 |
| Corruption | According to Transparency International’s Control of Corruption score, which reflects perceptions of the extent to which public power is exercised for private gain, the Cayman Islands falls within the 84 percentile, with a score of 1.126, which means it is less corrupt than the majority of comparable nations or territories. |
| Economic forecast | According to the Caribbean Tourism Organization, there was a 2.5 percent year over year decline in stopover arrivals, as only US travelers came in larger numbers. Cruise passenger arrivals expanded 12.5 percent for the same period however. |
| Additional resources | Cayman Compass, newspaper |
| Cayman Islands Official Tourism |
It’s mid-February and you secured the plum assignment of meetings in the Cayman Islands — lucky you! Before you leave, make sure you know about the British Dependent Territory, which combines elements of local laws (financial centre, property laws, etc.) and the UK authority headed by a UK-appointed governor.
Grand Cayman is your likely destination, but Little Cayman and Cayman Brac (the sister islands) have charm, warm waters, and fewer people. The island’s Discovery Day celebrates the first known European observation of the islands by Christopher Columbus in 1503.
If you are not a Caymanian or permanent resident, you will likely need a permit of some kind to travel here on business, even for a short trip. Make sure you know what you need to bring with you before hopping on the plane.
Visitors to the islands are welcomed warmly. In fact, 47 percent of the nearly 60,000 residents are not Caymanian.
Business meeting attire is most often sans jacket, although the odd suit or jacket wouldn’t raise any eyebrows. In the business world, island time doesn’t exist and you can expect business meetings to start as scheduled. Cell phone coverage is excellent, but outside of WiFi hotspots, roaming charges can dramatically increase your bill.
Outside of the business environment, attire is casual. However, make sure to leave your bathing suit at the beach or pool. If you hunt, make sure you don’t use your hunting bag as luggage. Bringing even a single bullet into the country will ensure a date before a magistrate or judge.
North American tourists will be outside of their comfort zone driving on the left side of the road and are likely to crash into the seemingly ubiquitous roundabouts on the island. For roundabout newbies, check the local rules and regulations but don’t assume everyone follows them.
Lastly, when in Cayman: wear sunscreen and have fun!
