Tourism Month launched with Stakeholders in Turks and Caicos

Providenciales, 03 Nov 2015 – Over half a dozen stakeholders turned out for the launch of National Tourism Environmental Month which this month celebrates the country’s #1 industry; Tourism.

For the Ministry of Tourism and its partners, the thrust this year will be on escalating national pride and encouraging domestic tourism.

“On this day we officially launch the start of Tourism Month, with the theme, Tourism is Key: it starts with me.”

Minister Porsha Smith officially opened the month which will be peppered with activities including a district challenge for best kept settlements; a new hospitality initiative centered on enhancing and highlighting good service led by the Hotel and Tourism Association, “and this year we are launching for the first time a program called ‘Hello Tourist’ that caters to the young children in the school communities where they will have the opportunity to experience or have a day in the life in the average tourist here in Turks and Caicos.”

The National Tourism Symposium where the KPMG’s Tourism strategy will be rolled out to the public. Minister Smith: “Because we know in order for our product to stay, number #1 island, number #1 destination we have to make sure that everyone is involved.”

Environmental officials were also on hand, Kenrick Neely of the Environmental Health Department underscored the theme for this year, Tourism is Key and it begins with me. “Just remember that it starts with you, not with TCIG, not with the Government but with us, each and every one of us.”

While Amy Avenant of the Department of Environment & Maritime Affairs or DEMA said for the TCI tourism and all habitats are inextricably linked. “It is a very encouraging initiative that DEMA endorses and likes to promote. We’ll certainly be actively involved both during the Tourism Symposium and conducting a number of school visits.”