TCI News
TCI Tourism sky high, some systems flunk in the boom
#Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – April 1, 2018 – Guests are paying thousands of dollars per night to stay in the Beautiful by Nature Turks and Caicos Islands as the country is experiencing a robust high season, despite a devastating encounter with killer hurricanes Irma and Maria a mere six months before.
In speaking with some tourists, they are awe struck by the beauty of TCI waters which appear in hues of blues and greens, most striking of all the true turquoise colour of our slice of the Atlantic Ocean. What guests are less impressed by is the long wait many still have to endure due to a shortage of immigration or border control personnel.
It was three weeks ago that a fix was determined to improve the situation at the seemingly overwhelmed Providenciales International Airport, but there remains a major issue with at least one of the private airports or FBOs.
Provo Air Center is the longest running Fixed Base Operator in the country, and a significant reason the Turks and Caicos ranks in the top three of most popular private airport destinations in the Caribbean. Still there are human bottlenecks because of the surging interest in destination TCI.
High end clientele, flying in on multi-million dollar jets with their families and paying up to $40,000 for vacation stays in Providenciales are stuck at the FBO for hours because there is no border control officer stationed at the site.
Magnetic Media was contacted as the Easter Weekend rolled in and informed that these clients, businessmen and guests arriving on private airplanes were forced to wait for hours and they were not at all pleased that their holiday and business in the luxury tourist destination was put on hold due to insufficient staff or poor scheduling.
Our news organization immediately reached out to the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Deputy Premier to inform of the matter. There had been no official replies, but the DP Sean Astwood who is also the Minister for Border Control promised to look into the situation, of which he was unaware at the time we contacted him.
Employment and management of employees in the Public Sector falls under the Governor of the territory, and is directly in the portfolio of the Deputy Governor. While there has been announcement that recruitment for officers is imminent, there is a present problem and those watching the botched scheduling of personnel are vexed and concerned that this recurring issues will blemish the reputation of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
To us it was penned, “Only in the TCI do we expect to have the highest level visitors and charge high prices but treat people like garbage because we’re completely tone deaf. People are upset, they are calling the Deputy Premier and planning to make other calls. Wow, Deandrea, I’m floored.”
To add insult to injury, Magnetic Media is also informed that private planes are waiting inordinate lengths of time to take off, due to the congestion at the Providenciales International Airport. Most of the North American carriers arrive and take off around the same time of day.
We are told that many complaints are filed with officials expressing the variety of concerns.
And while our systems and processes are obviously in dire need of ‘tweaking’, the country is boasting sold out rooms at our award-winning, luxury properties, including the largest of them all Beaches Resort Villages and Spa; proof that promotions and advertising is working to woo the type of guests that are willing to pay top dollar to spend a few days on the World’s #1 Beach.
The question looms; what are we willing to do ensure that the red carpet is rolled out at all of our ports of entry for these hundreds of thousands of people who continue to keep us in the ‘red’.
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
News
BermudAir Launches New York Area’s First Nonstop Service to South Caicos, Now Just a 3.5 Hour Flight from Newark
Twice-Weekly Nonstop Flights Begin December 20 with Fares from $347 One Way, Creating Direct Access to Salterra Resort & Spa
– New Route Expands BermudAir’s Winter Turks & Caicos Network –
[New York, NY – August 20, 2026] – BermudAir, the leading premium leisure carrier to Bermuda and the Caribbean, today announced it will introduce nonstop flights to South Caicos from Newark this winter. The route places one of the Caribbean’s most secluded island destinations just 3.5 hours from the New York area for the first time.
The new service starts on December 20, 2026, operating on Sundays and Thursdays, and will be the only nonstop service to the destination
from the New York area. This seasonal service will operate through April 25, 2027. Fares start at $347 one way ($773 roundtrip) and go on sale today.
The new South Caicos route creates gives travelers two distinct luxury resort options, with direct access to Salterra, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, recently named the No. 1 resort in Turks and Caicos by Condé Nast Traveler.
Set across 85 beachfront acres with a 3,000-foot private white-sand beach, Salterra brings a full luxury resort experience to an island still defined by its historic salinas, pristine waters, bonefishing flats and uninhabited cays. Upon landing at South Caicos International Airport (XSC), guests are approximately 10 minutes from the resort.
While flights go on sale today, the airline’s BermudAir Holidays vacation-packaging division will offer curated travel to South Caicos from next month, featuring flights, hotels and authentic island experiences, with bundled discounts and value-added perks, making it even easier to explore the destination.
Previously BermudAir announced seven new routes to Providenciales in Turks and Caicos, from Newark (EWR), Boston (BOS), Baltimore-Washington (BWI), Raleigh-Durham (RDU), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), St Petersburg/Tampa (PIE) and Toronto (YYZ) which will all start in December except for Fort Lauderdale which begins October 26.
Expanded Winter Season
- To South Caicos:
- Twice-weekly nonstop from Newark (Sundays and Thursdays) from December 20 through April 25, 2027.
- To Turks and Caicos:
- Weekly nonstop from Newark (Saturdays) and one weekly direct service (Thursdays) from December 19 through April 29, 2027;
- Weekly nonstop service from Boston (Saturdays), from December 19 through May 1, 2027;
- Weekly nonstop service from Baltimore-Washington (Thursdays), from December 24 through April 29, 2027;
- Twice-weekly nonstop service from Raleigh-Durham (Thursdays and Sundays), from December 20 through May 2, 2027;
- Thrice-weekly service from Fort Lauderdale (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays), from October 26 through May 3, 2027;
- Twice-weekly nonstop service from St Petersburg/Tampa (Mondays and Thursdays), from December 21 through May 3, 2027; and
- Weekly nonstop service from Toronto (Saturdays), from December 19 through May 1, 2027.
“We’re thrilled to continue expanding our Caribbean network as the premium leisure carrier from North America,” said Adam Scott, Founder and CEO of BermudAir. “Now New Yorkers can fly nonstop to two distinct sides of the Turks and Caicos Islands — Providenciales and the secluded island of South Caicos, home to the exquisite Salterra and Sailrock South Caicos resorts.”
The airline consistently earns Net Promoter Scores of 70+, one of the highest ratings in the airline industry. All flights will be operated on comfortable Embraer E190 aircraft, offering passengers the airline’s signature warm service and authentic island hospitality.
“South Caicos has always felt worlds away, and that is part of its magic,” said Michael Tibbetts, Founder and CEO of Salterra. “Beginning this winter, guests can fly nonstop from Newark in 3.5 hours, land at one of the newest international airports in the region and be at Salterra minutes later. This route makes a long weekend escape and an extended stay to one of the Caribbean’s most unspoiled islands remarkably easy, without changing the sense of discovery that makes South Caicos so special.”
For more information or to book flights, visit www.flybermudair.com. Salterra will offer dedicated stay packages timed to BermudAir’s Thursday and Sunday nonstop service. To book a stay at Salterra, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, visit www.salterra.com
SALT CAY — Residents say Salt Cay’s prolonged water shortage remains unresolved, with no visible activity or relief from the measures Government said would be advanced last week.
The crisis began in June after a critical filter failed at the island’s reverse osmosis plant, severely disrupting local water production.
Residents told Magnetic Media Tuesday morning that neither the replacement filter nor the promised bulk shipment of emergency water appeared to have arrived.
Minister of Innovation, Technology and Energy E. Jay Saunders, however, said the filter is already on Salt Cay.
“The RO filter is on Salt Cay and it’s being installed,” Saunders told Magnetic Media.
The large emergency water shipment has not materialised. Saunders said transporting more than 1,000 gallons in a single container requires a barge, and officials are still attempting to source one.
Government had previously indicated that it would try to deliver up to 2,500 gallons to partially replenish Salt Cay’s depleted storage tanks while repairs continued.
Saunders had initially projected that the RO plant would be fully operational by August 19. He now says the system is expected to return to full operation “in a few days.”
For residents, however, the immediate reality remains unchanged: the shortage continues, the bulk water has not arrived and the promised relief is not yet flowing.
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News1 week agoBeaches Turks & Caicos shares dining etiquette training at Provo youth summer camp
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News3 days agoBermudAir Launches New York Area’s First Nonstop Service to South Caicos, Now Just a 3.5 Hour Flight from Newark
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News5 days agoSalt Cay Water Shortage Unresolved as Residents Question Promised Relief
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Bahamas News3 days agoCBC Supports Opportunities for Young Bahamian Basketball Players
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Bahamas News3 days agoBahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday