TCI News
Million dollar marketing plan, Government Budget gives slight boost to TCI Tourist Board
#GrandTurk, Turks and Caicos Islands – Wednesday July 11, 2018 – Just under $1 million will be spent on marketing and promotions through the TCI Tourist Board announced Premier Sharlene Robinson, who on Tuesday presented her Government’s fiscal plan in the 2018-2019 Budget Communication. 
An over two hour speech was delivered on Tuesday afternoon at the House of Assembly in Grand Turk, in a sitting which was historically carried on live video stream on the newly launched HOA website.
The Tourist Board was identified as being a hard working entity, with need of resources to capture and build on visitors to the territory, which is home to the World’s #1 Beach, #GraceBayBeach.
Premier and Finance Minister Robinson said, “We all know Mr. Speaker, that tourism is the lifeblood of our economy; and we are satisfied that the tourist board is doing a lot of work to properly position the Turks and Caicos in the travel marketplace.
TCI Tourist Board Director: Ramon Andrews and US Region Marketing Manager: Pamela Ewing at Virtuoso NYC
We have an experienced team of professionals at the board; and we have a Minister who has come from that background with a wealth of experience to help guide the further development of the industry.
This year we will forward 3.3 million dollars to help in its operations. A third of that will go to marketing and promotions, as we seek to improve the number of visitor arrivals.”
Tourism arrivals for the Turks and Caicos were down for 2017, as reported by the Turks and Caicos Weekly Newspaper; the source was identified as the TCI Tourist Board. An excerpt from an article in February this year explains:
“In 2017, 1,243,843 visitors came to the Turks and Caicos Islands by both land and sea. When compared to 2016’s arrivals of 1,300,575, this is a four percent decrease for 2017.”
The four percent decrease is attributed to the sharp dip in arrivals in the aftermath of back to back encounters with historic hurricanes Irma and Maria; both slamming the Turks and Caicos Islands in September 2017.
The information within the news story points to an increase in arrivals for August 2017 by 14 percent; a drop in September 2017 by a whopping 94 percent; another major decrease was recorded in October 2017 with 46,135 less guests to the country, a 67 percent drop when compared to the year before and November 2017 saw another double digit decline at 12 percent fewer tourists than the previous year.
Hon Ralph Higgs, Minister of Tourism
The Premier explained that, “We are not only seeking to consolidate our traditional markers, but also looking to expand into new areas. The core of our market will always be the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom; but there are opportunities in South America, other parts of Europe and Asia that we can better position ourselves to exploit.”
Stronger spending will come in marketing the destination on social media.
“Increasing spend on the use of social media must be an integrate part of marketing this destination. And we must engage partners in that regard.”
The $3.3 million represents a slight increase for the TCI Tourist Board in this fiscal year.
PRESS RELEASE
FROM THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
YOUTH, SPORTS, AND CULTURE
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 8th October 2024 – The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, and Culture under the leadership of Hon. Rachel Marshall Taylor is pleased to announce the successful evacuation of all Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) students from the Orlando and Tampa area in anticipation of Hurricane Milton, a Category 5 storm. Protecting the safety and well-being of our
students remains our top priority, and swift action was taken to protect them from potential danger.
A total of six (6) students returned to the Turks and Caicos Islands today and two (2) students will return, tomorrow, Wednesday, October 9, 2024, while four (4) students will remain with family members in other states.
The Ministry remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding the welfare of all Turks and Caicos Islanders, particularly our students, both home and abroad. Special thanks is extended to the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) for their support in this endeavour.
On behalf of the Premier, Hon. Charles Washington Misick, we extend our thoughts and prayers for the people of Florida and all other nations impacted by Hurricane Milton, hoping for their safety and swift recovery.
***MEDIA RELEASE***
Turks and Caicos, October 08th, 2024 – Marine Branch Officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) responded early today (October 8) to a report from the Radar Station regarding a suspicious vessel near Bird Rock, Leeward Settlement, Providenciales. 
At 1:28 a.m., officers aboard the Sea Pursuit intercepted a 34-foot grey Panga fiberglass boat with a 250hp Yamaha engine, transporting THIRTY-TWO (32) illegal migrants—two females and 30 males, suspected to be of Haitian descent.
The illegal migrants were handed over to the Immigration Task Force for processing. Border Force, TCI Regiment, and TCI Customs also participated in the operation.
The RTCIPF can confirm the following statistical data for the year (October 08) thus far:
Number of Interceptions: Fifteen (15)
Number of Males: Nine Hundred and Forty-Seven (947)
Number of Females: One Hundred and Ninety-Five (195)
Total number of Illegal Migrants: One Thousand One Hundred and Forty-Two (1142) Included in the 1142 figure are TWENTY-FOUR CHILDREN.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Mat Newton said, “The number of people interdicted this year is considerably lower than last year when we detained a total of 4016 illegal migrants at sea. In the previous six months, we have seen an expansion of our radar capabilities, and the collaboration and coordination with the Border Force and the TCI Regiment, together with air and marine assets from the United States and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, has never been better. We will continue to work closely with national and international allies to deter people from making these perilous journeys and target the gangs who facilitate the illegal trade. We build our national capability every month and will do whatever it takes to interdict illegal vessels bound for the Turks and Caicos Islands.”
The RTCIPF asks the public to notify the closest police station, contact 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 to anonymously provide any information on illegal activities.
Additionally, individuals are encouraged to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app to share information anonymously.
Turks and Caicos, October 8, 2024 – Mr Fitz Bailey was officially sworn in as Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Turks and Caicos
Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) today, October 7, in a ceremony led by H.E. Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam at Police Headquarters in Providenciales.
His appointment is set for three months to enhance the RTCIPF’s leadership capacity.
Mr Bailey brings extensive experience from his time with the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), where he held senior roles in critical areas such as the Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB), the Intelligence Branch, and the Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigation Branch. (C-TOC). His accomplishments include reorganizing the JCF’s Crime Reporting and Case Management Policy and establishing a Cold Case Unit.
Mr Bailey holds advanced degrees in Psychology, Criminal Investigation, and National Security and has a background in Accounting. Acting Commissioner Rodney Adams, Assistant Commissioner Kendall Grant, Acting Assistant Commissioner Mat Newton, and HR Consultant Joe Perry were also present at the swearing-in ceremony.
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