Private Sector pushing ahead with bettering brand TCI without Government, Tourism Minister takes exception to statements

#Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, April 6, 2018 – Hotel and Tourism officials are out of the closet about their view of the Government’s lethargy when it comes to progressing tourism for the Turks and Caicos Islands; reported upon in a media release yesterday where the TCHTA announced a new strategic alliance with Carnival Corporation & plc to promote and enhance the destination.

The Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association appears to be more ready than ever before to take the reins when it comes to charting a clear way forward for brand Turks and Caicos.  The organization, through its Board, spells it out, unequivocally in a Thursday media release.

“We can no longer wait for the government to match the industry’s ambitions and commit appropriate funds to overseas marketing and new product development,” says TCHTA’s Board.  “There are many options to enhance the destination’s tourism experiences and enhance our current marketing strategy, so the TCHTA together with Carnival Corporation & plc, will seek to take a proactive approach.”

While there is push back from Government on this statement, the TCHTA expressed that its 130 members are basically tired of waiting for a national tourism policy to be implemented; the sluggish pace for the activation of a formalized, ratified plan is chided especially in the aftermath of the two major hurricanes of September and a dip in arrival numbers for Provo.

From their Thursday statement: “However, the industry is at a key juncture, with a reported 4% decline in arrivals in 2017 following a 1% decline in arrivals in 2016. While recent natural disasters have played a major role in last year’s arrival decline, many other significant factors such as a lack of product development, misplaced marketing efforts, no solid or collaborative tourism strategy, and increased competition from other destinations have all affected the destination’s performance.”

Magnetic Media contacted the Minister of Tourism, Ralph Higgs who in 2015 was the Tourist Board Director, when the KMPG National Tourism Strategic Policy consultancy was contracted and completed; he is calling for a retraction.

“As it relates to the ambition of successive governments, this statement is baseless and rather unfortunate and, quite frankly, should be retracted. It was and still is the ambition of the TCI Government and its people which attracted many of the members of the TCHTA and Carnival to our shores in the first place.” 

The National  Tourism Policy and Strategic Policy is late, even for this administration.  The Minister, representing the Ministry and the Tourist Board explained the delay for the policy roll out.

“The funding of the plan has been hampered in part by the recent hurricanes and blanket exemptions on import duties which the government had to provide businesses and individuals, including members of the TCHTA, to have their business and the country open for business. As the country’s income improves, proper funding for the roll out of the strategic plan would be realized.”

However, when Magnetic Media looks back, it was announced at the PDMs First 100 days  press conference, held exactly one year ago on April 5, 2017 that funds were allotted to the policy creation and with an approved national budget, the Minister said, his government  would ensure the recommendations of the KPMG report became a living part of the islands.

Remarks from Hon Higgs from 2017 PDM Press Conference:  “For the first time since the introduction of the KPMG report, we have made funds available for the implementation of that report. So as soon as the budget is passed we will roll out a calendar of events carrying out the Change Document, consistent with the recommendations of the KPMG report”

Two months ago, a Cabinet Meeting report shared:  “…the Ministry of Tourism, Environment, Culture, Heritage and Gaming’s acceptance of the National Tourism Policy and Strategic Implementation Plan for the Turks and Caicos Islands also referred to as the KPMG Report.”

Still it is unclear when and where and how this policy will go from three-year old promise to active policy.