TCI News
Millions more in paychecks, new proposal gives hospitality workers entire service charge
#Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Hospitality workers are on the brink of seeing their salaries significantly embellished as the Service Charge (Hotels and Restaurants) Ordinance (2004) is revamped, renamed and ready for the House of Assembly for debate.
The Minister with oversight of the coming legislation, Deputy Premier and Employment Minister Sean Astwood confirmed to Magnetic Media about the split on the service charge proposal: “They will get 100 percent of the 10 percent.”
The Minister was explaining how much the resort workers will be legally expected to take home, once the service charge law takes effect.
Premier and Finance Minister, Sharlene Robinson, to the media during a press conference in late July confirmed that the work on getting the controversial ‘pay-boost’ right has been arduous but productive.
“When I came into office there was very low participation to the survey that was already introduced by the Ewing Administration, we halted it until the Budget passed. Statistics Department not until about December did the surveys and the surveys included 30 establishments who finally decided to participate and over 500 workers in the industry.”
The Premier explained that the survey uncovered a situation of utter chaos with no legal framework for government oversight, no proper record keeping of how much was being collected by resorts and restaurants and little understanding among workers about what happens to the monies being paid by guests to the tune of millions of dollars per year.
“People don’t know how it is calculated whether it is done correctly. We saw where some places didn’t even keep records and we heard persons of the different uses they had of the 40% that was allowed to be kept and it was such a colossal mess. We agreed, which we said to the people, that 100% service charge should go to the workers; that is our position, it maintains (our position) to this day.”
On Wednesday July 25, the Turks and Caicos Cabinet approved the revamped version of the Service Charge Ordinance, now renamed: the Hotel and Restaurant (Service Charge) Bill 2018.
The amended law does a lot of heavy lifting according to the Finance Minister, who said though her office will shepherd the Bill to and through the House of Assembly, it falls under Border Control and Employment with the Minister and Labour Commissioner having more direct oversight of the provision. 
“It clears up the definition of service charge, because we saw tips and gratuities was also used interchangeably which is not so; it introduces a registration process for those persons who chose to levy a service charge, they now have to register and they that we are doing it and they also have to keep records and they also have to identify someone in their establishment as the Troncmaster. That is a person that is usually in place around the world anyway when it comes to service charge, who an employee will go to and say I have questions about the calculations. Also under this bill the Labour Commissioner can ask for documents, so he can compel documents to be given to him.
The businesses will need to keep filings and records for at least two years; these will be subject – legally – to inspections.
Penalties for establishments not complying with the law are also provided for through the revised ordinance, and those penalties will be determined by the Minister responsible.
The PDM Administration says this ‘labour benefit’ will also be fixed at 10% of a customer or client bill. Establishments, to compensate for the losses which will come with activation of this law, can legally tack on a Facility Fee. This fee is open – no minimum, no maximum – is framed in the new proposed legislation.
“So for those resorts, in particular, who argue that this is going straight to our bottom line and we are used to collecting this amount. We’ve introduced a Facility Fee of up to a certain percentage that they can charge and we didn’t put a minimum because if your resort can resort one percent or two percent or three percent or up to five percent then that is your call and that is for the hotel’s use.”
The Hotel and Restaurant (Service Charge) Bill 2018 is expected to reach the House of Assembly next month.
by Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — In a country where government press conferences are virtually non-existent, ministers are often difficult for
journalists to access and regular broadcast television news has disappeared, TCI Innovation, Technology and Energy Minister E. Jay Saunders has challenged Caribbean media to become “impossible to ignore.”
Speaking at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union gathering, Saunders argued that the Caribbean does not have a relevance problem but a “discoverability and positioning problem.”
Discoverability is precisely the issue in Saunders’ home country. Even Government’s own attempts at video news broadcasting have struggled against the realities of consistently producing a daily, weekly or even monthly newscast.
The difficulties confronting TCI media extend well beyond algorithms: limited advertising revenue, underfunding, shortages of trained professionals and insufficient human capacity leave newsrooms struggling for both staff and stamina.
Then there is the reality of operating in one of the region’s smallest societies. Politicians, journalists, advertisers, businesses and the subjects of stories often exist within the same tight economic and social circles. A controversial report that might create a ripple elsewhere can produce a tsunami in TCI, intensifying concerns among journalists about commercial and professional victimisation.
Saunders believes AI can help.
He urged Caribbean media to use the technology to transform one original story into television, radio, web, podcast, social and translated content without multiplying newsroom workload.
He also wants regional journalism structured so AI systems can find, understand and trust Caribbean sources, moving media beyond traditional SEO into Answer Engine Optimisation.
His ultimate message was emphatic: “Use AI not to make Caribbean media more artificial — but to make Caribbean voices more visible.”
For Turks and Caicos media, however, becoming visible may require more than technology. It requires an environment in which journalism can survive.
That last sentence is where I think we land the plane. It acknowledges that EJ actually has some us
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
