TORONTO — The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism says it welcomes the decision by Air Canada to expand its nonstop service from Toronto to Grand Cayman. Starting Dec. 15 the airline will service the destination with six nonstop flights per week through April 2.

The addition of new carriage comes at an ideal time for the islands, says Raymond Mathias, Business Development Manager for the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism.

“The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism and our island partners in Grand Cayman are absolutely delighted with the expanded service and the impact this will have on driving tourism to the destination,” said Mathias, noting “this added lift will boost both leisure and business travel to the destination as we continue to build on the growth we’ve already seen in 2017.”

Air Canada’s General Manager, Operations, Caribbean and Latin America, Ariel Harris, said the extra lift came in response to more demand. She added: “We appreciate the efforts of the Department of Tourism to encourage travel to the Cayman Islands.”

The new 266-room Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa, which opened last fall in Grand Cayman, is proving popular among visitors, and several other developments are in progress on the islands, said Mathias.

Health City Cayman Islands, a medical and surgical facility, will open a 185-room hotel for patients and families, while a 200-room/90-residences project called St. James Point is underway.

Further developments include a $360-million Ironwood Resort golf course and hotel.

“Our hotel sector has also undergone tremendous refurbishments, with the recent opening of a Margaritaville Resort Grand Cayman and a US$50-million top-to-bottom renovation of the Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa, among other improvements,” he added.

Owen Robert International Airport in Grand Cayman is also undergoing a major expansion to its check-in hall, baggage area and departure hall “that will make air travel to the destination enjoyable and hassle-free”, said Mathias.