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Travel Agent Star Awards- Press Release 2016

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Beaches and Sandals Resorts celebrated The 15th Annual Sandals Travel Agency Recognition (S.T.A.R.) Awards December 1-4, 2016 at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa.   Over 500 travel agents, guests, VIPs and media from North America, UK, Canada and Latin America was in on island last to be recognized for their diligence and fortitude in selling destination Turk & Caicos as well as the Caribbean .

Spear headed by Resort Sales Manager Tanya Swann, the weekend’s activities celebrated and honored the hard work of agents with a number of special events including a “Wete Fete” water party, a foam party at the resort’s waterpark, and a Gala followed by a performance from Grammy nominated singer Taylor Dayne.

“It’s always a pleasure for us here at Beaches Turks & Caicos to Host the Sandals Resorts International Star Awards.” Said Tanya Swann, “ This year it was the 15th Annual Star Awards and it was for over three hundred Travel Agents & their Spouses.  The hype and the enthusiasm of the Agents for been chosen as the top sellers was just magnificent as well as they were all glad that it was at Beaches Turks, the Resort that they all love to come to.”

650347135Sandals Resorts International CEO Adam Stewart addressed the agents thanking them for their dedication and providing them with insight on future developments.   Sandals Resorts created the S.T.A.R. Awards in 2002 as a way to recognize top travel agents and their agencies as well as showcase the latest resort products and on-island attractions.  Among the impressive awards taken home this year, the distinguished group of winners included the following:

“Making preparations for this event is such a wonderful experience for us all, has it’s up to us to show them exactly what we at Beaches Turks have to offer, from the Arrivals to the settings of each function to just going out on the boat and relaxing while basking in the beauty of our “Beautiful by Nature” Islands.”  She continued, “Our aim each time we host one of these Star Awards we present something to the Agents that is breath taking and not only for them but also something that they can sell to their Guests.”

Winners includes:

Worldwide Contribution to the Sandals Foundation

  • Maria Snyzik, The Vacation Van, Beavercreek, Ohio

Outstanding Sales Achievement – Weddings

  • VIP Vacations Inc.
  • Royal Travel
  • Discerning Journeys
  • Wedding Vibe
  • Island Getaways

CEO Award – Social Media

  • Maria Snyzik, The Vacation Van, Beavercreek, Ohio
  • Mary Fowler, Riverside Tours And Travel

CEO Award of Excellence

  • Wanda Keefer, All Seasons Vacations LLC.
  • Renee Cannon, Marlin Travel
  • Karen Lippett, Lattitudes Plus Smart Travel

Chairman’s Royal Club Elite 2017

  • Jennifer Doncsecz, VIP Vacations, Inc.
  • Terri Flood, Escapes Unlimited
  • Nancy Finn, Island GetawaysEileen Nason, Discerning Journeys
  • Elizabeth Jones, Vacations To Go
  • Ryan Speakman, Got 2 Go Travel, Wigan

Chairman’s Award

  • Cindy McCabe, Bethany Travel, USA
  • Lois Barbour, Travel Time, TPI, Canada

 Lifetime Achievement Award

  • Jackie Friedman, Nexion Inc.
  • Julie Lanham, Vacations To Remember
  • Naomi Kalata, Everafter Travel
  • Jim Ehehalt, Brookside Travel
  • Veronica Kastukevich, Custom Travel
  • Sally Jane Smith, Travelsmiths
  • Kim Hartlen, Tripcentral.Ca, Bedford
  • Danielle Sotera, Travel3000
  • Tony Sotera, Travel3000
  • Monica Mckay, 510 Travel

Sandals Hall of Fame Induction

  • Dean Smith. – Flight Centre Travel Group

Top Beaches Travel Agency Chain

  • Liberty Travel

Top Sandals Travel Agency Chain

  • Liberty Travel

Top Host and Home Based Travel Agencies

  • Nexion Inc.
  • Cruise Planners/American Express
  • Travel Professionals International

Top Ten Travel Agencies

  • VIP Vacations Inc.
  • Royal Travel
  • Twinsburg Travel & Cruise, Inc.
  • Travel Quest
  • Enchanted Honeymoons
  • Island Getaways
  • Dream Makers Vacation Services
  • Escapes Unlimited Az, LLC.
  • Avoya Travel/ American Express
  • Loyaltyone Travel Services

The event was also made possible by its sponsors, American Airlines, Air Canada Vacations, TravelWeek Canada, Island Routes Caribbean Adventures, Sandals Foundation, Logistical Outsourcing Inc. and Travel Agent Magazine. To learn more about how to become a STAR agent of Sandals Resorts through the exclusive CSS (Certified Sandals Specialist) program, contact your local Sandals Business Development Manager or visit https://taportal.sandals.com for additional details.

 

 

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Caribbean News

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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News

Multi-Agency Enforcement Action Conducted in Five Cays

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 20 February 2026 — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in collaboration with key government agencies, coordinated a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Block and Parcel 60609/33 in the Five Cays area.

The exercise was led by the Crown Land Unit, pursuant to its statutory mandate under the Crown Land Ordinance to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown land. The ISU coordinated the operation, with support provided by the Planning Department and the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force, while the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force ensured security throughout the activity.

The enforcement action followed a series of inspections conducted by the Crown Land Unit throughout Five Cays, which identified several illegally constructed buildings made of concrete and timber on sections of the subject parcel. In keeping with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance, occupied structures were served Letters of Illegal Occupation, delivered by hand to occupants and posted on structures where individuals were absent. Incomplete and unoccupied structures were served Notices of Unauthorized Occupation pursuant to section 22 of the Ordinance. A total of ten (10) Letters of Illegal Occupation and three (3) Notices of Unauthorized Occupation were issued during the exercise.

The Informal Settlements Unit reiterates that these coordinated enforcement exercises form part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to uphold the law, protect Crown land, and manage informal settlements in a structured and lawful manner. Members of the public are reminded that unauthorised occupation and development on Crown land is unlawful and subject to enforcement action.

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Health

What to Look for with Self-Checks at Home

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February is National Self- Check Month and family medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic, OH, John Hanicak, MD, highlights why at home self-checks are extremely important when it comes to not just early cancer detection but identifying other illnesses too and offers tips on what to look out for.

“Sometimes Ilook at them as sort of like your check engine light on the car, just like therewould be a red flashing light that tells you that there’s something wrong with acar and prompts you to bring that in and get serviced. Your body does the samething. It gives you warning signs tolook intothat symptom a little bit further,” said Hanicak.

Dr. Hanicak saidself-checks are going to be a little different for everyone. 

However, in general, he recommends looking for anything that may seem abnormal, such asunexplained weight loss,blood in your urine, bumps and bruisesthat won’t heal,and changes in bowel habits. 

For example, if you suddenly start going to the bathroom a lot more than you used to, that could bea signof something more serious. 

He also suggestsdoing regular skin checksanddocumentingany molesor spotsthat start to look different. 

“Realize that you are your own person.There’s nobody else in the world exactly like you.You’ve got your own set ofideas, your own family history and your own genetics.Know what is normal for you, and when that changes, that’s the kind of thing thatwe would be interested in talking about,” said Dr. Hanicak. 

Dr. Hanicaknotes that self-checks are not meant to replace cancer screenings, as those are just as important to keep up with. 

Press Release: Cleveland Clinic

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