Connect with us

News

International Day for Biological Diversity

Published

on

Turks and Caicos, May 19, 2017 – ProvidencialesThis upcoming week, the Turks & Caicos National Trust is having a FREE ADMISSION to visit heritage sites on Providenciales, North Caicos and Middle Caicos.   This initiative is geared towards residents of the Turks & Caicos Islands and is in line with the weeklong celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity this year which will run from May 22nd to 26th, 2017.

Under the global theme “Biodiversity and Sustainable Tourism”, the Trust aims to enhance people’s awareness at protecting our cultural, historic and natural heritage by encouraging locals and residents to take a tour, free of charge, to Little Water Cay, more popularly known as “Iguana Island”, Cheshire Hall Plantation and Bird Rock Point on Providenciales, Wade’s Green Plantation on North Caicos, and Conch Bar Caves on Middle Caicos.

Biodiversity provides an important foundation for many aspects of tourism. Recognition of the great importance to tourism economies of attractive landscapes and a rich biodiversity underpins the political and economic case for biodiversity conservation. The Turks & Caicos National Trust supports contributing significantly to reducing threats to, and maintain or increase, key wildlife populations and biodiversity values through tourism revenue.

Furthermore, establishing the free admission week shows the high importance the National Trust attaches to the protection of TCI’s heritage for its people and its future generation.

To book a free tour to TCNT-managed sites during Biodiversity Week, please call (649) 941-5710 or send an e-mail to info@tcnationaltrust.org. Prior arrangement will help us handle tour times more efficiently and ensure availability of our staff to assist you.

Below are some information about our sites:

Little Water Cay: This beautiful island is the easiest place in the world to see the endemic Turks and Caicos Rock Iguana – found only in these islands. Little Water Cay is a Nature Reserve and Protected Area. Visitors must follow our “Iguana etiquette”.  Follow the trails and signs on site. No dogs or cats are allowed, and there must be no disturbing or feeding of the iguanas and please keep noise to a minimum.  Please reduce the risk of fire by not smoking. Litter attracts rats which destroy iguana eggs so there are no litter facilities on the island – please take your garbage away with you. The visitor center has a small shop where you can buy local crafts.

Cheshire Hall Plantation: The best preserved set of plantation-era ruins on Providenciales and thus the most important site for cultural heritage on the island. A tour with a National Trust guide lasts 30 – 40 minutes. You can buy locally made craft items on this site.

Wades Green Plantation: Located in Kew, North Caicos, it is recognized by UNESCO as one of the best preserved Loyalist sites in the Caribbean. The trail starts from the King’s Road and we ask that visitors tread lightly – keep on the track/ trail path.

Conch Bar Caves: Part of a National Park, it is the largest cave system open to visitors in the islands and one of the largest in the Caribbean. It is home to colonies of four species of bats. Important notice: it is illegal to break or remove broken formations; disturb harm or remove cave creatures; disturb or remove historic artifacts; and deface the cave by leaving litter or marking on the cave walls.

Bird Rock Point: An attractive area of coastal coppice woodland. A simple trail leads from the car park to the sea and a great view. It is home to a great variety of wildlife.

EDITOR’S NOTE:  The United Nations proclaimed May 22 – The International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.   The theme for 2017 is “Biodiversity and Sustainable Tourism”, which has been chosen to coincide with the observance of 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development.

Press Release: TCIG

#internationaldayofbiologicaldiversity

Continue Reading

Bahamas News

Caribbean Bottling Supports the 27th Basketball Smiles Week  

Published

on

NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to once again support Basketball Smiles for their 27th year.

Upholding its corporate pillar of community outreach, CBC proudly donated $2,000, over 75 cases of Dasani, Powerade and Sprite, reusable Powerade water bottles and numerous marketing materials.

The annual sporting summer camp offers free basketball and life skills training to Junior and High School students.

Basketball Smiles’ mission of developing leadership qualities while fostering children’s academic achievement and self-esteem aligns perfectly with CBC’s commitment to supporting and empowering youth.

Jazmin Darling, Assistant Marketing Manager for Caribbean Bottling Company shared why the company continues to support this program each year.

“At CBC, we believe investing in our youth is one of the greatest ways to strengthen our communities. We’re proud to support Basketball Smiles each year because it goes beyond the game. This program champions healthy lifestyles, positive values and brighter futures. It’s a privilege to play a role in helping these young athletes reach their full potential each year,” she shared.

Sam Nicholls, Basketball Smiles Camp President and Founder expressed.

“Caribbean Bottling Company is an incredible partner. We are truly grateful for their generous support, which will go a long way in making a positive impact on the lives of our campers,” Nicholls expressed.

CBC is always ready to lend its support toward initiatives and programs that uplift young Bahamians. The impact Basketball Smiles makes on the community is undeniable and is why CBC remains a historic sponsor.

For more information on sponsorship, events and new products, visit www.cbcbahamas.com today.

Continue Reading

Bahamas News

CWS Supports Transforming Spaces with Premium Products and Unique Cocktails

Published

on

CWS brand representative for Bottega and Excellsior wines posing with attendees enjoying glasses of Bottega Gold Prosecco at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas.

NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines and Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wine and spirits distributor is thrilled to once again lend its support to Transforming Spaces (TS).

CWS is a proud historical partner of the annual art week which highlights Bahamian art and art spaces. Under this year’s theme, “Chasing Light” Transforming Spaces and Caribbean Wines & Spirits created a memorable art experience.

To mark 21 years of the upliftment and exposure of culture and Bahamian art, CWS offered award winning wines St. Francis, Rebellious, Bottega and Excellsior; premium spirits, Cross Keys Gin, El Tequileno Tequila, Angostura Rum and Nemiroff Vodka, along with the newly added Coors Light Beer from its portfolio.

To kickstart the annual art week, CWS delighted attendees with a tasting of globally renowned Bottega Wines at TS’ Poetry Jam, held at ICE Bahamas. Throughout the event, Bottega brand representatives shared tasting notes, ideal pairings, and insights into the brand’s portfolio.

During the highly anticipated Saturday and Sunday tours, CWS showcased its premium products at select art galleries.

Attendees enjoyed Rebellious and St. Francis wines at The Current: Baha Mar Art Gallery and Museum, Bottega and Excellsior wines at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, Coors Light beer at the University of The Bahamas Pro Gallery and hand-crafted Schweppes mixes featuring Cross Keys Gin, El Tequileno Tequila, Angostura Rum and Nemiroff Vodka at CAB Gallery & Studio.

Throughout the two-day tour, CWS product specialists enriched the experience by providing a deeper appreciation for their exceptional beverage portfolio.

Members of the Transforming Spaces Committee expressed their appreciation towards CWS’ support after another successful art week.

“Transforming Spaces is deeply grateful for the continued support of Caribbean Wines & Spirits over the years. Their partnership has become such an important part of the TS experience, helping us create welcoming and vibrant moments for our audiences across the tour weekend. From signature wines and cocktail bars to refreshments at gallery stops and pop-up events, their contribution brings an added sense of hospitality, celebration, and connection to the journey through Bahamian contemporary art.” — TS2026 Committee.

Caribbean Wines & Spirits is proud to partner with Transforming Spaces in supporting and elevating the voices and works of Bahamian artists and looks forward to strengthening this partnership for years to come.

To learn more about CWS’ involvement in the community, follow on social media @caribbeanwinesandspirits or visit the website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.

Continue Reading

Government

Government Outlines New Healthcare Vision as Interhealth Exit Accelerates Reform  

Published

on

By Magnetic Media Newsroom

 

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Turks and Caicos Islands Government says the breakdown of its relationship with InterHealth Canada presents an opportunity to reshape healthcare delivery, with plans to expand local medical services, strengthen primary care and reduce dependence on overseas treatment.

During a national briefing following InterHealth Canada’s notice terminating its hospital contract, Premier Charles Washington Misick acknowledged publicly for the first time that Government and InterHealth had been negotiating an exit from the arrangement for more than a year after what he described as an “irretrievably broken down” relationship.

Despite the contractual dispute, Misick and Health Minister Kyle Knowles stressed that healthcare services will continue uninterrupted during the transition.

“Allow us to do our job,” Knowles appealed, assuring residents that Government is actively managing the transition and safeguarding patient care.

The Premier outlined what amounts to a broader healthcare transformation built around four connected levels of care: strengthened community-based primary healthcare; expanded polyclinic services; enhanced hospital-based secondary care with greater specialist capacity; and overseas tertiary treatment only for cases that cannot be managed locally.

Among the proposals are the long-discussed establishment of intensive care units, expanded use of currently unfinished hospital space, recruitment of more resident specialist physicians and stronger contract management to oversee future healthcare agreements.

Knowles said the new polyclinic model will broaden services available outside the hospitals, including dentistry, ophthalmology, laboratory services, diagnostic imaging, gynaecology and preventative screening, helping to reduce pressure on emergency departments while improving early intervention.

Misick also acknowledged that while the hospital system significantly improved healthcare access after opening in 2010, Government believes further reform is necessary to improve affordability, sustainability and the range of services available within the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The briefing marked the Government’s most comprehensive explanation to date of its plans beyond the InterHealth contract, signalling that officials now see the transition as an opportunity to redesign healthcare delivery rather than simply replace one operator with another.

Continue Reading

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

TRENDING