TCI News
TCI: High Heels in High Places
#TurksandCaicos, April 12, 2018 – Providenciales – On a day filled with activities throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands and inclement weather on the horizon, The Chamber of Commerce of Providenciales successfully greeted and hosted over 80+ Women of all backgrounds at their first Annual High Heels in High Places Luncheon in the Messel Ballroom of the Palms on the 7th April 2018.
Decorated to the nine with floral décor, candles, accents of pink and high heel ornaments set the platform for an event of noteworthy mention!
Commencing with the opening remarks by the President of the Chamber of Commerce Mr. Kyle M Smith who stated, “Today as we launch the Chamber of Commerce of Providenciales First Annual High Heels in High Places, we do so as an acknowledgment of the strides you have made and your varied accomplishments.” The president also charged all women present to,
“embrace the commonalities of your fellow women between generations, and align yourselves so as to uphold and transfer the powers that you have amongst each other. Do not give in to the growing societal stigma that suggest that women do not hold solidarity between one another. Never underestimate the force of collaboration and cohesion of women power. Align yourselves positively and present all of the beautiful attributes of the new woman. One that is unbiased and supportive in every role and show that you are a testament of leadership, success, competence, family and forgiveness.”
Of notable mention was the key note speaker of the day Congresswoman Joyce Beatty of Ohio, accompanied by her husband Otto Beatty Jr. The Congresswoman made very stirring and exciting remarks as she stepped away from the podium and made her address whilst simultaneously working the crowd through invigorating interaction. Eloquently charging the audience with inspiration and confidence in her shimmering blue dress and ordained heels and sharing the message of always being prepared, always being ready, remembering that your presentation is important. She urged women to consider” Looking in the rear-view mirror because sometimes you’ve got to back up before you go forward”
The event also included presentations by Honorable Akierra Missick on Generational Collaboration – the Power of Succession and Dr. Denise Brathwaite on Women Be Well. Live videos streams were uploaded of these great presentations for all to view on the Chamber of Commerce Providenciales Facebook Page.
The Chamber of Commerce didn’t stop there as the event took time to recognize Women of Achievement within the Turks and Caicos Islands who sat at the head tables and presented with beautiful glass trophy awards laser engraved with the signature heel, Chamber of Commerce Providenciales Logo and the recognized category. The awardees of the afternoon were Josephine Connolly- Business & Industry, Yolande Robinson- Education, Ryesha Higgs- Up and Coming, Pastor Karen Higgs- Spiritual, Marion Williams- Honorary Woman of Achievement, Barbara Johnson- Arts & Culture, Gertrude Forbes-Community Enhancement and Kendra Hall- Science/Technology/Environment/Healthcare.
The MC’s of the day Mrs. Aisha Laporte and O’brien Forbes kept this event flowing smoothly from start to finish with an array of humor blended with segments of fellowship amongst the attendees, auctions and exceptional crowd interaction.
Local Entertainer TESS had a stellar performance of “I’m every woman” having the ladies in heels stepping to the beat. A high heel competition allowed the women to showcase their heels in a modelling segment with our very own Local Prime DJ’s on the one’s and two’s allowing the nominees the opportunity to judge the participants.
The Chamber of Commerce of Providenciales is grateful to those who participated and would like to mention notably great thanks and acknowledgement to the driving force Ana Alicia Coalbrooke, the executive assistant to the Chamber of Commerce, for doing a stellar job in putting the event together. The Chamber of Commerce of Providenciales would also like to thank their sponsors, Custom Candii’s, The Make-Up Boutique, I Sparkle The Salon, Kiss and Make up Beauty Parlour, Serendipity Loox, Power 92.5 FM, Sip and Paint, Hello Gorgeous Makeup Artistry, Courtyard Chiropractic, The Palms, Bow Tie VIP transport, Lavish Life, Kandles by Katy, 102.5 kiss FM and Adamma TCI.
The Chamber of Commerce urges businesses and members of the public to join and be a part of the Organization. For more information on the Chamber of Commerce Providenciales activities and membership opportunities contact 649 332 6418 Or email at provochambertci@gmail.com.
Photo credit: Chamber of Commerce
Almost two million visitors recorded in 2025
PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS – The Turks and Caicos Islands saw an increase in stayover arrivals in December, seven percent higher than the corresponding period in 2024.
Preliminary data suggests that stay over arrivals by air for the month of December was 66,427 in comparison to 62,610 in December 2024.
From January to December 2025, preliminary visitor arrival numbers totalled 640,754; on par with the number recorded for the same period of 2024.
Stay Over Arrivals YTD December 2024/2025
The first quarter of the calendar year attracted the largest number of arrivals with visitor arrivals three percent higher than the first quarter of 2024. Reduced airlift from the United Kingdom and the United States, most notably the Virgin Atlantic and JetBlue services, was however felt from the second quarter (April to June). As a result, visitor arrivals dropped three percent in the second quarter.
By the third quarter of this year (July to September), geopolitical and economic conditions in the key source markets, namely the United States, led to further contraction of arrivals. In the last quarter of 2025, arrivals were impacted in October due to the passage of Hurricane Melissa but additional airlift from the USA and Canada resulted in an increase in arrivals in November and December.
Mr. Paul Pennicook, Interim CEO Consultant of Experience Turks and Caicos, said December’s increase in stayover arrivals is an encouraging indicator of the sustained interest in the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premier destination.
“While we note and continue to monitor geopolitical shifts that affect us, Experience Turks and Caicos is focused on increasing marketing initiatives in our primary source markets. We have spent the last two years investing in groundwork such as crucial travel advisor training to assist them in selling the destination more effectively. In the next fiscal, we will be building on those initiatives with co-op activities with partners as well as out of home advertising to increase visitation to our destination,” he said.
In Cruise, the preliminary count of passenger arrivals for the month of December 2025 was 129,346, a 22 percent increase over last December. This growth follows the berthing of 11 additional ships in Grand Turk this month.
From January to December, the cruise sector continued to outperform the same period last year, as the 1.3 million total cruise passengers recorded, marks a five percent Year-on-Year increase. 
The cruise sector experienced significant growth in the first quarter of 2025, with passenger arrivals surpassing last quarter by 53 percent. In the second and third quarter however, several cruise lines adjusted their itineraries as vessels were pulled from the fleet or from the Caribbean region, which resulted in fewer passengers.
Arrivals dropped seven percent and 10 percent in the second and third quarters, respectively. Double digit growth was recorded in the last two months of Quarter 4. This growth however, was not sufficient to outweigh the drop in arrivals experienced in October, following the cancellation of cruise calls due to the passage of Hurricane Melissa. Despite the late-quarter rebound, arrivals for the final quarter of 2025 closed six percent below the same period in 2024.
News
The Department of Trade, Industry & Fair Competition to Host Export Readiness Workshop Under the theme “Empowering TCI Businesses for Local Growth and Global Markets.”
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Wednesday, 11 February 2026: The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU) coordinated a multi-agency enforcement operation on Thursday, 29 January 2026, led by the Planning Department, with support from the Crown Land
Unit, the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force, and security provided by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. The operation, carried out at three different locations in Providenciales, formed part of ongoing government efforts to address unauthorised development and illegal occupation of land in accordance with governing legislation.
The operation commenced in Blue Hills, where five Section 58 Enforcement Notices were issued on unauthorised structures identified on Block and Parcel 60502/48.
Enforcement activity then moved to a second location off the Leeward Highway near Caicos Lodge, where six Section 58 Enforcement Notices were issued on additional unauthorised structures on Block and Parcel 60802/66.
The final phase of the operation took place in The Bight, where three unauthorised structures were removed, with all debris cleared from the site in keeping with established safety and environmental protocols.
The Informal Settlements Unit remains committed to working alongside its partner agencies to support lawful development, protect public and private land, and ensure that planning regulations are enforced in a coordinated and transparent manner across the Turks and Caicos Islands. Similar joint operations will continue as part of the Government’s wider strategy to address unauthorised development and informal settlement activity.
