CI Gov Funds Visitor Experience Development Grant

By Stuart Wilson

The Ministry of Tourism and Trade Development’s Visitor Experience Development Grant Programme (VEDGP) has assisted local businesses with up to CI$50,000.

The initiative’s mission and objectives are to identify and nurture local talent, accelerate growth, promote market aligned experiences and foster innovation, per the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) website page devoted to the programme.

Among the businesses to already receive the grant are 2024 recipients:

1. 1503 Apparel

2. Arnovo Limited

3. Brac Ventures

4. CayMedia

5. Coloring in Cayman

6. EpiC ReCreations

7. Global Vision Concepts

8. Goosebump Tours

9. I am Drum

10. Islands Charter Ltd.

11. Sea Breeze Jet Ski Tours and Charters

12. See Cayman

13. The Cayman Experience

14. Tibby Souvenirs 

2025 recipients included:

1. Cayleidoscope

2. Cayman Kind

3. The Pottery Porch

4. Wave (by Reach)

“The Cayman Islands is committed to maintaining its status as a world-class tourist destination by constantly evolving and diversifying its offerings. The Visitor Experience Development Grant Programme (VEDGP) is designed to support emerging tourism entrepreneurs by providing them with the necessary resources to create unique and authentic experiences that resonate with modern travelers,’ according to the DOT.

“Whether it’s eco-tourism, cultural heritage, wellness retreats, or luxury experiences, this grant programme seeks to elevate the Cayman Islands’ tourism industry by fostering innovation, creativity, sustainability, and economic growth,” the statement continued.

According to a Freedom Of Information Act, “Successful applicants were granted up to CI$50,000. However, applicants may still draw down funds, as there was no requirement for all disbursements to be completed in the same year.

Of the 110 applications received in 2024, 14 were successful. Whilst 4 applications from 65 were successful in 2025.

As part of the eligibility criteria, policies and guidelines used to assess applications, 100 percent Caymanian-ownership and staff were pre-requisites, among other stipulations such as a current Trade and Business License or a Public Transport Unit License.

Evaluation criteria for applicants was based on innovation and creativity, customization and inclusivity, community and economic impact, cultural relevance and sustainability for a total of 85 points.

The highest score among the applications in both years was 64.75, with the lowest being 35.45, respectively. Scores were not linked to any particular applicant in order to protect their identity.

Companies’ identity with regard to corresponding scores is exempt under section 21 (1) (b) of the Freedom of Information Act.

As a matter of transparency, the DOT provided the names of the Tourism and Cultural Assessment personnel.

These included Deputy Chief Officer Perry Powell and Policy Advisors, Kaleigh Thompson and Eldon Chisholm from the Ministry of Tourism; Senior Policy Analyst from the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage, Tunisia Barnes and Manager of Tourism Product Development for DOT, Sebastian Bodden.

“Funding has been awarded across 10 different project categories and 18 recipients received funding. We have met our programme objective of diversifying the tourism product. The businesses are still receiving funding and are operational. All other information is exempt from disclosure under section 21(1)(b) of the FOI Act,” noted the DOT responding to an FOI request.

The total amount disbursed for the programme thus far is CI$870, 337.42.

“No reports, analysis or reviews have been conducted at this juncture as the businesses have recently completed their first busy season (Nov 2025 – May 2026),” according to the FOI Request.

Key Performance Indicators to be measured for the programme include total products/services sold monthly, monthly revenue, monthly engagement with local culture, total local customers monthly, number of visitors engaged, total international visitors monthly and number of locals engaged.