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Investing in nature management is crucial to TCI’s economy – Strengthening nature management in TCI through capacity building and long-term financing

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#TurksandCaicos, August 18, 2017 – Providenciales – DECR staff and representatives from the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Tourism, Environment, Heritage, Culture and Gaming, and the civil society are meeting in Providenciales with research consultants from Wolfs Company to discuss the preliminary findings of the AGRRA reef assessment conducted in May, and discuss the importance of nature for TCI’s economy and opportunities to increase financing for nature management and monitoring in TCI.

During the meetings, representatives from Wolfs Company presented the key findings from the sustainable finance project conducted in 2015-2016 with the support from the partnerships of the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute and the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

“The meetings provided valuable information to the participants on the importance for nature to TCI’s economy. This will support DECR and other nature management organizations in building a fact-based business case to increase financing for nature management”, said Viviana Luján Gallegos, partner at Wolfs Company. Wolfs Company is a research company on environmental economics based in Bonaire and Amsterdam.

The project estimated that the natural resources of TCI contributed an economic value of USD 45.5 million per year to the tourism industry. This analysis did not quantify other ecosystem services provided by nature, such as coastal protection, fisheries and local recreation. Based on a financial plan that calculated the budget needs for DECR to improve their management of marine protected areas, an incremental investment needed to effectively manage and protect TCI’s natural resources could be covered by, for example, earmarking only 1.8% of the tourism-related revenues (around USD 1.1 million from USD 61.5 million).

“The economy of the Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI) depends in large part on tourism, and tourism in turn is heavily dependent on TCI’s natural resources – especially its beaches, natural landscapes, clean coastal waterways and vibrant coral reefs. However, there is a large disconnect between the revenues that are generated from, amongst others, tourism and the investment that has been made in the management of the natural capital that underpins these revenues. A relatively small incremental investment in the financing of the organizations responsible for the natural resources of TCI would contribute significantly to improve the management and protection of essential natural capital.  DECR would encourage further use of Natural capital valuation by TCIG to further demonstrate the value of nature to TCI’s economy in planning and development strategies for TCI” said Mr. Ethan Griesbach, acting Director of the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR).

The meetings also served to present the preliminary findings and suggestions of the ongoing BEST 2.0 project financed by the BEST 2.0 initiative with funding from the European Commission.

The preliminary results of the assessments conducted during the AGRRA training, held in May in Providenciales, in the framework of this project, show that in the two sites surveyed (one inside and one outside the Princess Alexandra Park) the coral cover has decreased in comparison to the findings of a baseline monitoring survey conducted in TCI in 1999. Other reef health indicators show improvement, which could be attributed to effective conservation policies, like the fishing ban on parrot fish.

To assess whether in general the health of the coral reefs in TCI is declining, a new baseline survey of all the sites assessed in 1999 will need to be conducted. In addition, suggestions were presented for other management and socio-economic indicators that could be applied by DECR to track and report the benefits of more investments in nature management. Finally, discussions were held on suggestions to improve the long-term financing for monitoring and nature management in TCI, including potential sources of revenue and legal mechanisms that will guarantee that these funds will be only used for nature management.

“I am convinced about the importance of our natural resources to the health of our economy. These types of initiatives are important to provide fact-based information to decision makers to support policy that will enhance our capabilities to manage and conserve our valuable natural resources. I will support the consideration by our government of options to achieve this, including mechanisms that could be similar to the Conservation Fund we had in the past” said Honorable Minister Higgs, Minister of Tourism, Environment, Heritage, Culture and Gaming. The Conservation Fund that provided additional financing for nature management organizations in TCI was abolished in 2009.

For more information please contact:

Mr. Ethan Griesbach at egriesbach@gov.tc

Mrs. Viviana Luján at viviana.lujan@wolfscompany.com

Press Release: TCIG

 

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DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM REGULATIONS INTRODUCES “RATE YOUR RIDE” SYSTEM FOR TOURISTS VISITING THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

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FROM THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March, 2024 – Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: The Department of Tourism Regulations is proud to unveil the “Rate Your Ride” system, a new initiative designed to enhance the vacation experience for tourists exploring our picturesque islands.

The “Rate Your Ride” system empowers tourists to provide valuable feedback on the quality of transportation services they receive while visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands. Through an easy-to-use online form, tourists can rate factors such as cleanliness, comfort, safety, and professionalism of drivers, helping us to assure the highest quality of service standards across all modes of transportation.

By participating in the “Rate Your Ride” system, tourists play a crucial role in shaping the future of transportation services in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Their feedback will enable us to identify areas for improvement and ensure that every visitor enjoys safe, comfortable, and convenient travel throughout their stay in the Turks and Caicos.

The code will also be publicly accessible through the cooperation of volunteer drivers who will make the rating code available in their vehicles. Flyers and stickers displaying the code will be distributed at hotels, resorts and airports. The mandated display of these codes is expected to align with the rollout of our tourism regulations in 2025.

For more information about the “Rate Your Ride” system and other initiatives by the Department of Tourism Regulations, please visit gov.tc/tourismregulations/or contact us via telephone at 946-4970 and email at tourismregulations@gov.tc.

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THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIOURAL HEALTH SERVICES CONDEMNS RECORDING OF PERSONS WHO ARE IN CRISIS

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FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March 2024– The Department of Behavioral Health Services is appealing to the general public to refrain from recording and circulating videos of persons who may appear to be experiencing a mental health crisis. Anyone can experience a mental health crisis at some point in their life. According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in any given year. Persons may struggle with very common conditions such as Anxiety and Depression or be diagnosed with more serious conditions like Bipolar Disorder or Psychosis.

“There are a lot of misunderstandings about various mental health conditions and how they may manifest. In addition, there are a number of negative perceptions and misconceptions that society exhibits towards people with mental health problems. However, just as we would show care and concern for someone diagnosed with Cancer, or any other physical illness, in the same way, we need to be as caring and helpful to persons with mental illnesses”– stated Director of the Department of Behavioral Health Services, Dr. Alicia Malcolm.

The Department is urging the public to call the following numbers if you see someone who appears to be experiencing a mental health crisis:

338-5473/338-3616: Providenciales, North or Middle Caicos

338-3614/338-3612: Grand Turk, South Caicos, Salt Cay

338-6301: Nights and Weekends

If someone is putting themselves or someone else in immediate, serious risk of harm, call 911.

The Department of Behavioral Health services is here to help and provides the following services which are free and confidential:

Location of above services:

o             Sam Harvey Building, Down Town, Providenciales,

o             Primary Health Care Department, Cheshire Hall Medical Center, Providenciales 

o             Department of Behavioural Health, Duncombe Alley, Grand Turk

 

Let’s all do our part in creating a community where people with mental health problems feel respected, supported and cared for. 

For additional information, please visit the Ministry of Health’s Facebook page on https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/ or the Department of Behavioral Health Services Faceebook on https://www.facebook.com/TCIDBHS/.

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Breaking Ground: TCI Could Lead in Regional Communication Standards

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Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom, 27th March 2024: The PR, marketing, and communications sector is poised for potential growth and could lead the Caribbean region in terms of industry standards says Damian Wilson. Wilson’s suggestion comes after the release of a new research report into the current trends and future direction of the sector as a possible emerging industry in the Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).

Wilson is the report’s author, which conveys the findings of research which he initiated. “One of the key research results is the considerable optimism by industry practitioners and government alike, with persons seeing growth potential. I believe that we can become regional leaders in this field. I believe that one of the initiatives that could be used to do this is by establishing a ‘TCI Centre of Communications Excellence’ within the TCI Community College. Such an institute would be dedicated to communication and media innovation with a particular focus on digital communications and ICT,” says Wilson.

He further explained, “I believe that the PR, marketing, and communications sector, like much of the country, is at a crossroads and could have an even greater impact on our socio-economic fabric. Some may have concerns about our small size, but I believe this makes us far more agile than our neighbours. All in all, any potential growth must be underpinned by new investments, professional development, and a strategy to integrate the sector into the broader economy.”

Wilson also said that he sees his research as a first step in understanding our own industry sectors in the TCI and would love to see more profound research and analysis conducted. He’s hoping that the report will spark discussion along those lines. The report is entitled ‘Current Trends and Future Direction: A Preliminary Report on the PR, Marketing, and Communications Sector in the Turks & Caicos Islands’. Anyone wanting a copy of the report can contact Damian Wilson via his email, damian.wilson.pr@gmail.com.

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