#TurksandCaicos, May 20, 2024 – From January to April, the Turks and Caicos Islands saw 271,326* air arrivals, an increase of 10.46 percent over 2023 which saw 245,637 arrivals in the corresponding period.

The majority of air arrivals were from the United States which saw 215, 247 air passengers, with 26, 275 passengers from Canada, and 5,031 passengers from the UK and Europe.

Air Arrivals for January to April 2024. *These numbers are preliminary

The cruise sector also saw a slight increase in passengers in the first four months of 2024 with 371,857 passengers recorded in comparison to 2023 figures of 371, 392 for the same period.

April saw 29 calls to port, the highest number for the year so far, boosted in part by four Royal Caribbean sailings to the Grand Turk Cruise following their suspension of the Haiti route due to unrest there.

Cruise numbers from January to April 2024. *These numbers are preliminary

Reflecting on the air and cruise performance for the year so far, Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Josephine Connolly said she is proud that the Turks and Caicos Islands continue to be a destination of choice for holiday seekers.

“The data shows that our air arrival numbers are projected to remain high through August which indicates that our tourism sector will remain buoyant all year. This is great news for the people of Turks and Caicos as we are working assiduously, through Experience Turks and Caicos to ensure that everyone benefits from the tourism industry,” she said.

Experience Turks and Caicos, the Destination Marketing and Management Organisation of the Turks and Caicos Islands, through its Community Connect Meetings, has been rolling out its plans to diversify the destination’s offerings, enhance the visitor experience and partner with stakeholders to ensure the success of the tourism sectors is enjoyed by everyone across all the islands.

The meetings have taken place so far in North and Middle Caicos.

Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, May 20, 2024 – Multiple restructuring exercises in areas of National Security and Justice have taken place since the arrival of Dileeni Daniel Selvaratnam, TCI Governor, she’s now explaining why locals weren’t chosen for certain top spots and how she’s working to make sure they are in the future.

“In terms of the commissioner post, what Edvin Martin brings is a depth of experience,” said Daniel-Selvaratnam while speaking on First Edition aired on RTC FM with Cheryl Foreman and Zhavargo Jolly.  She was referring to Edvin Martin, Commissioner of Police, who was brought in from Grenada in April.  Before Martin, UK officers were utilized for the top cop job for over a decade.

”It is about succession planning and how we are driving a pipeline of talent but the most important part of that is exposure,” Daniel-Selvaratnam stressed that with the rapidly changing criminal landscape experienced officers were necessary.  “We want our talented individuals to go into different environments, see different contexts of policing, different experiences, and bring that back as part of their development.”

The Governor maintained that Martin could bring that experience to talented officers in the Turks and Caicos, citing his regional criminal experience as well as his experience battling guns during his time at the CARICOM Crime Gun Intelligence Unit.

”He presented a depth of experience that could benefit us in terms of what we’re dealing with, so when you’ve got that depth of experience and a level of [local] talent, that could really help drive the Turks and Caicos.”

His experience with increasing efficiency and driving talent in Grenada was also a factor in his employment in the Turks and Caicos.  Daniel-Selvaratnam maintained that it was now the commissioner’s responsibility to groom TC Islanders in that respect.

The governor maintained that a similar process had been undertaken in the hiring of the new Director of Public Prosecutions where she was focused on bringing in a true leader that would drive change in the judicial system.

“There’s a lot between the DPP and how they are bringing up talent- in terms of the police in case preparation so that we’re not losing cases down to technicalities; in terms of how evidence is handled- but then also working with the judiciary and the defense council so that we are not looking at delays in listings and hearings.”

The issues highlighted are well documented in the Turks and Caicos’ justice system with too few prosecutors, a backlog of cases, and evidence issues causing cases to be dropped or thrown out completely.

The man hired for that turnaround job is Phillip Bennetts KC.

“He is someone who comes from the crown prosecution service in the UK and again has done a lot in that wider criminal justice partner work to drive efficiencies and effectiveness,” Daniel-Selvaratnam said.

The governor stressed that it was her intention to have a succession plan with locals heading to top positions before the end of her two-year tenure.

OFFICIAL PRESS STATEMENT

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands—The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) is thrilled to announce the resumption of significant infrastructure upgrades at Norman B Saunders International Airport. Beginning today, May 14, 2024, construction will resume on the installation of perimeter fencing, marking a pivotal milestone in the ongoing capital projects aimed at enhancing the passenger experience and bolstering security measures across the islands.

The decision to embark on this critical project comes as a response to the devastating impact of Hurricane Irma in 2017, which resulted in the destruction of the airport’s perimeter fencing. Recognizing the paramount importance of ensuring the safety and security of passengers, staff, and airport facilities, TCIAA has expedited efforts to restore and fortify this essential infrastructure.

The installation of perimeter fencing is integral to fortifying security measures at Norman B Saunders International Airport. By erecting a robust barrier around the airport premises, TCIAA aims to deter unauthorized access, mitigate potential security threats, and safeguard the integrity of airport operations. This enhancement aligns with TCIAA’s unwavering commitment to upholding the highest standards of safety and regulatory compliance in airport management. The project is also critical to restoring the airport’s capacity for international commercial flight services.

“We are pleased to announce the resumption of construction on the perimeter fencing at Norman B Saunders International Airport,” stated Godfrey Smith, CEO of TCIAA. “This infrastructure upgrade represents a significant step forward in our efforts to enhance security measures and ensure the safety of all airport stakeholders. By fortifying our perimeter, we reaffirm our dedication to providing a secure and seamless travel experience for passengers while maintaining regulatory compliance.”

The installation of perimeter fencing at Norman B Saunders International Airport underscores TCIAA’s proactive approach to infrastructure development and risk mitigation.  Through strategic investments in airport facilities and security enhancements, TCIAA remains steadfast in its commitment to elevating the passenger experience and fostering sustainable growth in the aviation sector. Construction on the perimeter fencing is expected to be completed by August 14^th, 2024, with minimal disruption to airport operations. TCIAA extends its gratitude to passengers, airlines, and stakeholders for their cooperation and understanding during this crucial phase of infrastructure development.