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’.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – May 14th, 2024 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Government and Molo Hotel Group reached a pivotal juncture on Monday, May 13th, 2024, with the ceremonial signing of a development agreement at the Premier’s Office on Providenciales. The agreement, which received official Cabinet approval on March 13th, 2024, signifies a steadfast commitment to advancing the economic landscape of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Molo Hotel Group is a family-owned business, renowned for its distinguished portfolio of high-quality hotels worldwide. The
development initiative encompasses the construction of three distinct IHG branded hotels: InterContinental Turks and Caicos, Kimpton Turks and Caicos and Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos. Scheduled for completion by 2027, each resort boasts a distinctive design from luxury to laidback sophistication spanning across the shores of Grace Bay Beach.
Kimpton Turks and Caicos – an epitome of luxury lifestyle living, will feature 192 guest rooms including three outdoor pools, a luxury spa and a fitness center. Additionally, seven dining options ranging from a beachfront restaurant to a rooftop bar.
Adjacent to the Kimpton, InterContinental Turks and Caicos will offer 59 classic luxury suites with panoramic ocean views. Mirroring its counterpart, this resort will offer an array of dining options and upscale facilities.
Steps away from the Intercontinental and Kimpton resorts, Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos will embrace a sense of community and contemporary elegance, offering 56 bedrooms. The resort will feature an onsite restaurant, lobby bar, outdoor pool, and fitness room.
Beyond the realm of hospitality, this development agreement underscores the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth and enhancing employment opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Molo is partnering with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) to actively promote hospitality as a career choice and support in developing training programs, career fairs, seminars, workshops, and events to raise awareness about hospitality careers. Molo has committed to provide employment and apprentice opportunities to TCICC students and provide mentoring and practical on property training to students.
The signing event was graced by Hon. Charles Washington Missick, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon. Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier, Hon. Kyle Knowles, Minister of Public Safety and Utilities, Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Łukasz and Marcin Slominski, Owners of Molo, Ross Morrow, Managing Director Molo, Arik Kono, Vice President Upscale Development for IHG, Dr. Candice Williams, President and CEO of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Angela Musgrove, InvestTCI CEO, Dr. Barbara Ambrister, Chairperson of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Dr. Delores Stapleton- Harris, Vice President of Academic, Vocational and Student Affairs for the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Mr. Kevin Baxter, Dean of Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) and Sheryl McLaughlin, InvestTCI Investment Services Executive.
Commenting on the development agreement, Premier, Hon. Misick, stated “The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing of
IHG/Molo Hotels is a significant step towards a sustainable future for hospitality in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Three hotels, Kimpton, Intercontinental, and Hotel Indigo, will be introduced, enhancing our tourism product and creating employment opportunities.”
He further added, “Partnerships with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission are underway, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to developing human capital and elevating tourism offerings. This project will bring economic growth, embrace local talent, and enrich our economy.”
Additionally, Mrs. Angela Musgrove, CEO of Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, emphasized “This collaboration confirms our commitment to fostering economic growth and prosperity within our country. We have worked closely with Molo Hotel Group, and we are confident that this transformative project will further position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premier destination for travel and investment. Much to our delight, it will also provide opportunities for engagement with our Community College and small business community.”
The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, operating through its primary Investment Promotion
Agency, Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, remains committed to attracting and facilitating Foreign Direct Investments to the country by providing a comprehensive suite of services. Through strategic initiatives and targeted promotion, the agency catalyzes sustainable development, driving innovation and small business opportunities across various sectors of the economy.
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