Photo courtesy of Cayman Islands Department of Tourism

Rosa Harris was named director of tourism for the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism this week by Cayman Islands minister of tourism Moses Kirkconnell. Harris, formerly a deputy director of the agency, has shared the acting director’s position with Oneisha Richards, another deputy director, following the December 2013 resignation of previous director Shomari Scott.

“During her tenure Mrs. Harris has played an integral role in many of the department’s successful endeavors and continuously contributes to the betterment of our tourism product locally, while elevating our positioning globally as the destination of choice in the Caribbean," said Kirkconnell.

Harris assumed the post on July 1. “Having served as acting director previously, Mrs. Harris has a proven record of bringing valuable expertise and organizational skills to the table,” said Stran Bodden, ministry of tourism chief officer.

During her period as acting director, Harris served as interim chairman of both the Public Transportation Board and the Hotel Licensing Board. She will continue those roles in addition to serving as tourism director. A native of George Town, the Cayman Islands’ capital, Harris is also deputy chairman of the Cayman Islands Hospitality School Council and the Tourism Attractions Board.

Harris takes office as the Cayman Islands reports surging tourist growth on land and sea, with 176,394 overnight arrivals between January and May (a nine percent increase over 2013) and 774,980 cruise ship arrivals (up 5.9 percent) during the same period. The Cayman Islands is preparing to launch a redevelopment of Owen Roberts International Airport and the construction of a new cruise ship pier in 2015.