Connect with us

News

FORTISTCI UPDATE: RESTORATION EFFORTS AND PROVO SCHEDULE

Published

on

#TurksandCaicos, October 4, 2017 – Providenciales –  Less than one month since the passing of Hurricane Irma, FortisTCI (the Company) has restored electricity to nearly 7,000 customers across the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), currently meeting a system demand of 22MW or 57% of the Company’s peak demand for electricity.

Damage to the Company’s Transmission and Distribution Network (T&D) – poles, power lines, and transformers – was extensive across all islands. In some cases like Grand Turk, damage sustained was as much as 90%.   According to a government statement issued on September 29, “Turks and Caicos Post Irma received 79.6% damages to its housing stock and critical buildings across the entire Turks and Caicos Islands.”

FortisTCI has responded to this devastation in a massive way.   The Company has deployed over 200 linemen, planners, and support staff, including local employees, the Fortis response team, overseas, and local contractors to be involved in the restoration of electricity across the islands.

Damage sustained to the Company’s transmission and distribution (T&D) networks was substantial and full restoration will take some time.

The table below lists by island an estimate of damages and level of restoration as of October 3, 2017:

Island                                                      Estimated Damage to Transmission &  Distribution (T&D)                 Network Customers restore as of Oct. 3, 2017

Providenciales                                           65% of T&D Network, Approx. 500 downed or damaged poles                                             54%

North & Middle Caicos                           35% of T&D Network, Approx. 60 downed or damaged poles                                                85%

 

Grand Turk                                                90% of T&D Network,  Approx. 450 downed or damaged poles

With extensive damages, approximately 60 kilometers (36miles) of electricity wire needs to be run on Grand Turk.  So far, crews have restored service to 173 customers some of the essential services like the water plant.  Electricity is also available for the airport.

South Caicos                                              80% of T&D Network  Approx. 250 downed or damaged poles                                              27.85

Salt Cay                                                        65% of T&D Network, Approx. 25 downed or damaged poles

Crews will be on Salt Cay within two weeks to begin repairs.

Fortis continues marshaling the necessary resources to restore the remainder of all service territories as quickly as possible. A chartered barge delivering an additional 27 trucks, trailers and utility equipment is expected to arrive in Grand Turk on Wednesday, October 4th to further assist the restoration efforts.

FortisTCI President & CEO Eddinton Powell said, “With the support of our parent Company, our approach is to concentrate resources on all Islands. Our plan is to rebuild fast and build smart.   The Company’s investments in infrastructure over the past 10 years has enabled us to restore electricity to approximately 50% of our total customer-base in less than a month.   That is an extraordinary achievement, given the scale of the devastation.   The support of the Government and statutory agencies has been invaluable. Everyone is working together.”

A restoration schedule for Providenciales, subject to change, is now available for customers.   The Company expects to issue a similar plan for Grand Turk and South Caicos by October 13.

Each schedule accounts for the restoration of service to approximately 75% of customers in all areas.   The other 25% of customers may have additional damages to their service equipment that will need further investigation.

Estimated Schedule of Restoration on Providenciales

Location                                                                                                       Estimated Date of Restoration

Blue Hills:

Millennium Highway up to Phase II Housing Complex By October 7

Millennium Highway up to Phase I Housing Complex By October 11

Beach Road By October 17

Five Cays By October 16

South Dock Road By October 12

Chalk Sound Between October 14 and October 21

Cooper Jack and Discovery Bay Between October 14 and October 21

Venetian Road Between October 14 and October 21

Long Bay Hills Between October 14 and October 21

The process of restoring electricity begins with getting power to essential services such as hospitals, water plants, and airports.   Then crews work on repairing and restoring main power lines that will restore electricity to large groups of customers.   Then the focus moves to restoring smaller service lines that feed particular streets and cul-de-sacs from the main power lines.   Finally, crews address individual customers with damages or disruptions affecting their particular service.

As restoration of electricity service continues across the TCI, the Company reminds customers to turn off breakers, unplug appliances and equipment and turn off wall switches. Customers are also encouraged to consult a licensed electrician before undertaking any electrical repairs.

Customers with properties that may have been damaged or had their electrical systems compromised will need to make all necessary repairs and have an inspection completed by the Government Planning Department.   They will then need to provide FortisTCI with written approval from the Planning Department stating that service can be connected.

Customers still experiencing an interruption in areas where service has been fully restored, and all necessary checks have been completed with an electrician, are asked to contact the FortisTCI customer call center to report the outage.   The call center can be reached by dialing 946-4313 and is open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 am – 5 pm.

FortisTCI wishes to thank customers and the public for their patience during this period. For further information, please visit us only at www.fortistci.com, follow us on Facebook.

Press Release: FortisTCI

Continue Reading

News

Beaches Turks & Caicos wrapped up another successful Provo Men’s Premier League season  

Published

on

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — Beaches Turks and Caicos continued its strong commitment to sports development in the Turks and Caicos Islands with its sponsorship of the 2025/2026 Provo Men’s Premier League, a partnership that has significantly elevated the competition for a second consecutive year.

The season, which saw an increase in participating teams and heightened competitiveness across the league, has been widely regarded as one of the most successful in recent years. The top honours were shared between two of the league’s most dominant sides, SWA Sharks FC and Academy Eagles FC, both delivering consistent and high-level performances throughout the campaign.

Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association (TCIFA) Technical Director Dane Ritchie highlighted the critical role Beaches Turks and Caicos played in strengthening the league’s structure and overall quality.

“The sponsorship from Beaches Turks and Caicos for the second year helped tremendously in making the competition a success,” Ritchie said. “This season we were able to have a more structured programme with the inclusion of youth talents coming to the fore, as well as the improvement of the coaching staff for the different teams being certified by Concacaf.”

Ritchie noted that the enhanced organisation of the league created more opportunities for emerging players, while also raising the standard of coaching and match preparation. The integration of youth talent into senior teams was particularly impactful, signaling a positive shift toward long-term player development within the territory.

Provo Men’s Premier League President Patrick Baptiste echoed these sentiments, describing the season as a milestone for both football and youth advancement in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“This was a very good year for football and youth development,” Baptiste said. “We were able to overcome a few challenging moments, but the overall grade for this season is an A.”

Baptiste emphasised that the continued support from Beaches Turks and Caicos has been instrumental in driving the league forward, providing much-needed financial backing and stability.

“With a title sponsor like Beaches Turks and Caicos providing the financial support again for this season, we are grateful,” he added. “We have come a far way and we still have a way to go, but the TCIFA team has been charged to continue to be creative in our marketing and being more inclusive in how we seek to showcase the talents of the TCI.”

Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort General Manager Deryk Meany also expressed satisfaction with the partnership and the overall progress of the league.

“Our commitment to youth development and the growth of sports and community throughout the TCI is of paramount importance to us as an organisation,” Meany said. “We are satisfied with this partnership and being the main sponsor is a major accomplishment for the resort. We are happy to have fielded a team this season that was placed fourth in the knockout round of the competition. We are seeking to continue to provide growth for our team members as well as the development of talent throughout the TCI.”

The 2025/2026 season also reflected broader efforts to professionalize football operations locally, including improved scheduling, officiating standards and fan engagement initiatives. Matches drew increased attendance, while community interest in the sport continued to grow, particularly among young athletes aspiring to compete at higher levels.

Continue Reading

News

Platinum Sponsor Beaches Turks & Caicos celebrates top Corporate Engagement title at DG’s 5K 2026  

Published

on

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — Beaches Turks and Caicos has been recognised with the corporate engagement award after fielding the largest number of participants in the second staging of the Turks and Caicos Islands Deputy Governor’s 5K Run/Walk, held recently.

The resort, which also served as a platinum sponsor for the event, mobilized an impressive team of 100 participants, demonstrating its strong commitment to community engagement, health, and philanthropy. Proceeds from the initiative will benefit three key organisations: the Turks and Caicos Islands Cancer Society, the United Way of the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Ashley Learning Centre.

General Manager Deryk Meany praised the collective effort of the Beaches team, highlighting the significance of the initiative both for employee wellness and community impact.

“This was a team effort that saw the resort mobilising a strong team to participate in this event,” Meany said. “It provided a healthy activity for participation as well as giving back to a worthy cause. Congratulations to the Deputy Governor and her organising team for staging such a successful event.”

Participants from across various departments joined the early morning run/walk, showcasing camaraderie, determination and a shared commitment to making a difference.

Hotel Manager Ghislain Boutoulle described the event as both physically rewarding and meaningful.

“The route was very good. It was challenging at first but once I got the pace of the run, it was a good morning workout that was done for a worthy cause,” Boutoulle shared. “The Beaches team were well organised and showed the grit and determination to complete the run.”

For many team members, the experience extended beyond fitness, offering opportunities for personal connection and memorable moments. Soraha Jolly from the resort’s entertainment department highlighted the event’s emotional significance.

“This was good. I got the chance to participate with my mother and we ended the run feeling healthy,” Jolly said. “The event was a combination of partnership, healthy lifestyle and camaraderie. I am looking forward to the next staging to be the first to register for the Beaches team. It was a great experience for the entire team, but a very special one for me and my mom.”

Deputy Governor Her Excellency Anya Williams commended all participants and sponsors, with special recognition given to Beaches Turks and Caicos for its outstanding contribution.

“The three beneficiaries for this year’s staging were carefully selected to benefit from this event,” the Deputy Governor noted. “Giving back to the community, providing support for health through the Cancer Society and building a strong platform for education with the Ashley Learning Centre allowed the team to give back to a great cause.”

She continued, “We are grateful for all our sponsors but a special commendation to our platinum sponsor, the Beaches Turks and Caicos team, for not only donating but having the largest contingent of participants for this event. This is what true partnership looks like as we continue to build a strong relationship to make our community and the Turks and Caicos Islands better.”

The Deputy Governor’s 5K Run/Walk continues to grow as a signature community event, promoting wellness while raising critical funds for organisations that support health, education and social development across the islands.

Beaches Turks and Caicos’ strong showing this year underscores the resort’s ongoing commitment to corporate social responsibility and community partnership. With its record participation and enthusiastic team spirit, the resort has set a high benchmark for future events, reinforcing its role as a leader in both hospitality and community engagement in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Continue Reading

News

Experience Turks and Caicos and Statistics Authority Publish Latest Visitor Exit Survey Report    

Published

on

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (June 16th, 2026) — Experience Turks and Caicos, in collaboration with the Statistics Authority, has announced the completion and publication of the latest Visitor Exit Survey Report, providing enhanced insights into visitor behaviour, spending patterns and overall travel experiences in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The Visitor Exit Survey is a joint initiative designed to better understand the characteristics of visitors to the destination, including their travel motivations, length of stay, expenditure, satisfaction levels and perceptions of the Turks and Caicos Islands as a tourism destination.

While exit surveys have been conducted in previous years, this latest publication marks a significant enhancement in the way tourism data is collected and shared. It introduces a new quarterly reporting framework, with surveys conducted at the end of each quarter and findings published on a more frequent basis throughout the year.

This improved reporting cycle is intended to provide more timely and actionable insights to support tourism planning, policy development, marketing strategy formulation and broader industry decision-making.

“The Statistics Authority is pleased to partner with Experience Turks and Caicos on the Visitor Exit Survey program,” said Mr. Shirlen Forbes, Director. “As tourism remains the cornerstone of our economy, reliable and timely data is essential for understanding visitor behaviour, measuring tourism’s economic impact and supporting informed decision-making. We value our ongoing collaboration with Experience Turks and Caicos and believe these quarterly reports will provide stakeholders with valuable insights to help guide the future growth and development of the industry.”

Miss Sharissa Lightbourne, Marketing Intelligence Manager of Experience Turks and Caicos, noted that the expanded approach will allow government and industry stakeholders to better track trends in visitor behaviour and assess the economic contribution of tourism beyond traditional arrival statistics.

“Data is the foundation of informed decision-making and plays a critical role in shaping the future of our tourism industry. The insights contained in this report provide a deeper understanding of who our visitors are, how they experience the destination, and how they engage with our tourism product. This information is invaluable to our hotel partners, service providers, investors and other stakeholders as they refine their business strategies, enhance the visitor experience and identify new opportunities for growth. I would like to thank the Statistics Authority for its continued collaboration and commitment to strengthening tourism intelligence in the Turks and Caicos Islands. I encourage everyone in the industry to download the report and explore the valuable insights it contains,” she said.

The findings will also support more targeted destination marketing efforts, improved visitor experience initiatives and more informed investment decisions across the tourism sector.

Experience Turks and Caicos and the Statistics Authority reaffirm their commitment to strengthening tourism intelligence and ensuring that stakeholders across the industry have access to reliable, timely and relevant data.

Download the report here: https://issuu.com/myexperiencetci/docs/tci_departing_visitor_survey_report_q1_2026

Continue Reading

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

TRENDING