Sebastian Bodden

Manager, Tourism Product Development

Sebastian Bodden is the Manager of Tourism Product Development at the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, where he leads the destination’s initiatives and operations of the Port of Entry, Hotel Licensing and Inspections, Tourism Education and Awareness, Human Capital Development, and Policy Culture and Heritage sub-units. With over 25 years of experience across sectors in energy and utilities, audit, information systems, luxe event management, finance, operations, product development, strategy, property management, and sustainability. His role involves overseeing the development of tourism products and guest experiences that reflect the cultural heritage and natural beauty of the Cayman Islands as a premier Caribbean destination, whilst fulfilling local entrepreneurial opportunities and optimizing workforce longevity. Sebastian is passionate about preparing Cayman’s youth as leaders and has been an after-school Mathematics Teacher and Mentor for over 10 years. In his ongoing theme of improvement and innovation, he is also recognized as the founder of the destination’s first fully online shopping and delivery platform, bridging B2B and B2C relationships.

Sebastian's career started with the Big 4 accounting firm, Ernst & Young, and subsequently Rothstein Kass & Company Ltd. in the role of Auditor. Before his current role, he was at Caribbean Utilities Company, Ltd (CUC). and its subsidiary Datalink Ltd., where he held various senior roles for over 16 years. In his capacities, he was instrumental in optimizing revenue, payables, data analysis and reporting, new services, telecom sub-contracts and permits, regulatory interactions, managing credit risk, and enhancing customer service standards.

Sebastian serves as a Cayman Islands Government (CIG) Sustainable Champion, an Advisory Panellist for the Institute of Finance and Management, is a Certified Professional Controller (CPC), an Accredited Payable Manager (APM), and a Member of the Institute of Leadership & Management (MIoL). He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI), Postgraduate Degree studies in Business Administration from the University of Bradford, along professional certificates in Sustainable Tourism Destination Management from The George Washington University School of Business and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebodden