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Ambassador, Cuban Delegation Meet Top Bahamian Businesses at Palm Cay Captain’s Table

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Nassau, 06 Sept 2015 – The cucumber mojitos were served on linen-draped trays and the white-gloved waiters quietly whisked plates to and fro, but make no mistake about it. The real meat of a recent evening at Palm Cay Club & Marina was serious business as Cuba and The Bahamas began talks about how they could work together to create a dual-destination product to attract a tourist market that is expected to explode as Cuba prepares to open its doors to millions.

The event, the first in a series called The Captain’s Table aimed at bringing business and civic leaders together with a noteworthy guest of honour, was held September 2. It was the first day of the Cuban delegation’s visit to The Bahamas and the private setting was designed for exploratory overtures.

“We wanted to create an opportunity for business representatives and a few top hoteliers and tour operators to meet
with an impressive delegation from Cuba in an environment that afforded all parties the chance to talk openly about their interests and to see where those interests might overlap,” said organizer Diane Phillips. “The members’ lounge at Palm Cay was perfect. The privacy allowed people to speak freely and to find common ground on which they could work together. As a dual destination, The Bahamas and Cuba will be a winning combination. And the Cuban delegation saw that immediately – it was not an either-or, but a let’s work it out so we can work together to make this happen.”

The delegation, led by Cuban Ambassador Ernesto Guzman, included the General Director, and other top-ranking persons from the Ministry of Tourism of Cuba and from Havanatur, along with Yoslaidy Clemente Lopez of the Cuban Embassy in The Bahamas.

“The opportunity offered by the Captain’s Table to facilitate the exchange between Cuban and Bahamian business men and companies involved in the tourism industry was unique for both sides,” said the Ambassador. “The evening allowed us to get to know the existing potential in our countries for the development and expansion of an industry that can catapult other areas of interest such as agriculture, health and education among others. I think that the Cuban and Bahamians people will benefit of any project intelligently developed by our countries in an unforeseeable way.”

Guests knew in advance that there would be no politicians, no media and no more than 18 at the single table to allow for free flow of conversation and exchange of ideas. According to Palm Cay General Manager Richard Browning, the Captain’s Table concept struck a chord.

“We see the Captain’s Table as a great initiative for like-minded business people in The Bahamas to meet in a relaxed environment, an attractive setting that offers intimacy and encourages openness,” said Browning. “This Cuban visit has clearly proven that there is a desire for this type of get together.”

Among those at the dinner were Gowon Bowe, Chairman, Bahamas Chamber of Commerce; John Conway, General Manager, One&Only Ocean Club; Ed Fields, Sr Vice President, Atlantis; Paolo Garzaroli, Graycliff (and Historic Charles Towne); Gary Williams, Sandals consultant representing Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart; Youlanda Deveaux, Regional Vice President, Caribbean and Central America, Mandara Spa Bahamas Ltd, Steiner Resort Division; Simone Morgan-Gomez, Partner, Callenders law firm; Chris Ryan, Chief Financial Officer, NAD; Richard Browning, General Manager, Palm Cay Development, John Gomez, Cable Bahamas, A.J. Saunders, Majestic Tours and the Cuban delegation, including Richard Boadi, Sales Manager, Havanatur Bahamas. Attorney Morgan Gomez, who is bilingual, was among several who spoke Spanish.

“One of the things that made the evening so magical was the openness,” said Ms. Deveaux. “I know for our part we are very interested in exploring the luxury spa experience in Cuba. There were hoteliers who were quite frank about being interested in putting their brand in Cuba as soon as they reasonably can. Just about everyone present saw opportunities not only for them to invest in what will be the new hotspot for Caribbean tourism because it has been off limits to Americans for so long, but to work with key players in Cuba to present a marketing strategy that will appeal to those who think a trip to both places is a better choice than a visit to either one on its own.”

Palm Cay is a nearly 70-acre development on New Providence’s southeastern coast and includes an array of single family residences, townhomes and condominiums along with the island’s largest marina in terms of boat slips, a multi-storey restaurant and clubhouse with members’ lounge, swimming pools, tennis and 1,200 feet of pristine white sand beach.

Magnetic Media is a Telly Award winning multi-media company specializing in creating compelling and socially uplifting TV and Radio broadcast programming as a means for advertising and public relations exposure for its clients.

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The Turks and Caicos Islands Set Positive Start to 2026 with Increase in January Stayover Arrivals  

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Grace Bay Strip Stone Creek Travels

PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS – (February 25th, 2026) – The Turks and Caicos Islands began 2026 on a positive note, with stayover arrivals in January surpassing the same period in 2025.

Preliminary figures indicate that 56,830 stayover visitors arrived in January 2026, representing a two percent increase year-on-year. The steady growth continues the positive momentum experienced at the close of 2025.

Mr. Paul Pennicook, Interim CEO Consultant, attributed the encouraging performance to new collaboration with tour operator partners as well as increased airlift from key source markets.

“We anticipated a strong January performance following the growth recorded in November and December. The winter season has traditionally been a robust period for the Turks and Caicos Islands, and this year that strength has been further supported by enhanced collaboration with partners and expanded airlift from Canada and the United States We are cautiously optimistic about maintaining this upward trajectory in the weeks and months ahead.

Cruise Sector

In cruise, preliminary figures show 122,935 cruise passenger arrivals in January, reflecting a 15 percent decrease compared to January 2025. The decline is attributed to a reduction in cruise calls during the month. A total of 33 vessels called on Grand Turk in January, seven fewer than during the corresponding period last year.

Marketing Shows

As part of its ongoing efforts to position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premier luxury destination, Experience Turks and Caicos has been actively participating in the Travel & Adventure Shows across several major cities in the United States.

The destination has already been showcased in Washington, D.C., New York, and Chicago, with Fort Lauderdale and Denver scheduled in the coming weeks.

Public Relations Manager Laura Dowrich represented the Turks and Caicos Islands alongside the destination’s U.S. marketing agency, ABA Global.

Beaches Turks & Caicos – Stone Creek Travels

“One of the most encouraging takeaways from these shows is that the Turks and Caicos Islands is indeed on travellers’ radar. We met many visitors who shared fond memories of their time here, others who already have trips booked and were seeking recommendations on activities and dining, and many more who aspire to visit. It was a pleasure highlighting our multi-island destination and sharing the many experiences that make the Turks and Caicos Islands truly special,” said Ms. Dowrich.

Awards & Recognition

Building on a stellar year of accolades in 2025, the Turks and Caicos Islands has begun 2026 with additional international recognition.

The destination earned a Gold Badge in the U.S. News & World Report rankings, placing #5 in Best Family Vacations in the Caribbean and #5 in Best Beaches in the World. In the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, Grand Turk was ranked #10 among the Best Caribbean Islands to Visit.

About Experience Turks and Caicos

 Middle Caicos Dragon Cay Resort

Experience Turks and Caicos is the official destination marketing and management organisation (DMMO) for the Turks and Caicos Islands. The organisation is committed to positioning the destination as a premier, sustainable luxury tourism hub. By leveraging smart tools, data-driven strategies, and stakeholder collaboration, Experience Turks and Caicos focuses on enhancing the visitor experience and fostering long-term industry success.

About the Turks and Caicos Islands

The Turks and Caicos Islands consist of two island groups in the Lucayan Archipelago—the larger Caicos Islands and the smaller Turks Islands. Home to some of the world’s most pristine beaches, including the award-winning Grace Bay Beach, the destination is renowned for its crystal-clear turquoise waters, luxury accommodations, and rich cultural heritage. Each island and cay offer a unique experience:

  • Providenciales boasts world-class resorts, fine dining, and high-end tourism offerings.
  • Grand Turk serves as the vibrant hub for cruise tourism and historical exploration.
  • The sister islands provide a gateway to nature, adventure, and authentic local culture.

Recognised as the world’s best-kept secret, the Turks and Caicos Islands offer effortless luxury, with seamless connectivity via direct flights from major cities in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Photo Captions:

Grand Turk – slow travel with us

North Caicos – Correy Forbes

South Caicos Sail Rock

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DDME Staff Strengthen Disaster Management Capacity Through Professional Development Workshop

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Ms. Yolande Williams, Community Preparedness Officer for South Caicos speaking to Dr. Clerveaux

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Wednesday, 25 February 2026: Staff of the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) participated in a one‑day Professional Staff Development Workshop on Thursday, 19th February 2026. The session was facilitated by former DDME Director (2011–2021) and current Permanent Secretary of the Governor’s Office, Dr. Virginia Clerveaux.

The in-house workshop was organised by the DDME Training Unit, to focus on the National Disaster Management Framework, strengthening staff understanding of their roles and responsibilities within disaster management. The session also aimed to enhance the effectiveness of the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) and reinforce inter‑agency coordination.

Drawing on her extensive experience in disaster management in the Turks and Caicos Islands, as well as several deployments to CDEMA member states including Haiti, The Bahamas, and Jamaica, Dr. Clerveaux provided practical insights that reinforced key concepts and clarified operational expectations. Staff members actively participated in discussions and shared recommendations to improve sub‑committee performance and overall departmental efficiency.

To support learning retention, the workshop incorporated pre‑ and post‑assessments, enabling participants to evaluate their understanding and track improvements.

Acting Director of DDME, Mr. Kevaun Lucas stated: “Investing in the continued development of our team is essential to strengthening national resilience. This and future planned workshops will help to reinforce our commitment to building a highly skilled, well‑coordinated workforce capable of leading and supporting disaster management efforts across the Turks and Caicos Islands. I am proud of the team’s engagement and encouraged by the meaningful contributions they made throughout the session.”

This Professional Staff Development Workshop forms part of DDME’s ongoing commitment to enhancing internal capacity, strengthening operational coordination and improving overall departmental synergy as the agency continues to advance national preparedness and response capabilities.

 

Photo Captions:

1st insert:   Ms. Tamara Hylton, Training and Education Manager for DDME
2nd insert: Dr. Virginia Clerveaux with DDME Staff Members
3rd insert: Mr. Kevern De Bellott, Deputy Director for DDME speaking to Dr. Clerveaux

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Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion  

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Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.

The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.

“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.

“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”

Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.

Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.

Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”

Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.

Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.

Photo Caption: 

TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain

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