TCI News
The Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board Welcomes New Team Members
#Providenciales, September 21, 2018 – Turks and Caicos – The Turks and Caicos Tourist Board recently welcomed five new team members 
namely Sharissa Lightbourne, Elisha Jennings, Yanike Lee and Jennifer Pardo (all based in Providenciales) and Shaleeya Richardson (based in Grand Turk).
Sharissa Lightbourne joins the team at the Tourist Board as the Statistical Officer. Ms. Lightbourne is a Grand Turk native and 2005 graduate of the Helena Jones Robinson High School. She continued her education at the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College where she earned an Associate Degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management in 2007. Her educational pursuit continued at Barry University in Miami Shores, FL where she majored in Computer Information Sciences and earned a Bachelor Degree in 2010. Ms. Lightbourne has extensive community involvement and professional experience and most recently served as the administrative officer at The Office of the Complaints Commission.
Elisha Jennings has joined the team as the Senior Public Relations Officer. Ms. Jennings is a native of Providenciales and graduated from the Clement Howell High School in 2005. She completed tertiary education at Johnson and Wales University in North Miami, FL where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing in 2010. Upon returning to the Turks and Caicos Islands, she gained notable experience in the private sector in public relations, marketing, sales, revenue management and hospitality. In 2014 Ms. Jennings completed training to obtain the Certified Revenue Management Executive designation by the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International. Ms. Jennings is also a Star Awards Manager of the Year nominee and was most recently employed as the Reservations Manager at the Windsong Resort. With a passion for mentoring and empowering young people, Ms. Jennings currently serves as the Youth Director at the Jericho Baptist Church.
The Tourist Board is also happy to welcome Yanike Lee to its team as Executive Assistant. Ms. Lee has an impressive professional record having held previous roles in the areas of accounting, office administration and customer service in the private sector. Ms. Lee graduated from the Clement Howell High School in 2005 and then continued her studies at the Turks & Caicos Islands Community College where she earned an Associate Degree in Hospitality Studies in 2008. She later attended the University of the West Indies in Jamaica, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Management Studies in 2012. Not only is Ms. Lee academically and professionally driven, she is also actively involved in community programs and has served as Treasurer for the TCI Volleyball Federation since 2016.
Jennifer Pardo, the Tourist Board’s new Marketing Executive, was born and raised in the island of Grand Turk. Ms. Pardo has a record of academic excellence and attended the Ona Glinton Primary School where she became the top performing GSAT student in the Turks and Caicos in 2006. She then went onto the Helena Jones Robinson High School where she became the top performing CXC student in 2011. In 2013 Ms. Pardo received an Associate degree in Business Administration with honors from The Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Grand Turk campus and was the top performing Business Student in the College. In 2016 she received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management with honors from King’s College London and in 2017 earned a Masters degree in Advertising and Marketing with honors from Leeds University. Ms. Pardo was most recently employed at Radio Turks and Caicos as the Sales and Marketing Officer and previously has completed several internships at Digicel, Fortis TCI and the TCI Government Statistics Department. Ms. Pardo is passionate about community service and is an active member of the Rotaract Club, living by the club motto “service before self”. She is also a Red Cross Volunteer and DDME volunteer, having recently become a certified Disaster Shelter Manager.
The newest addition to the Grand Turk team as Visitor Reception is Shaleeya Richardson. Ms. Richardson was raised in Grand Turk and graduated from the Helena Jones Robinson High School in 2014. She is currently a student at the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College pursuing an Associates degree in Business Studies. Thereafter, she will pursue a Bachelors degree in Tourism Management and plans to further her career in the tourism sector. Ms. Richardson has expressed her gratitude to be a part of the Tourist Board’s team and lending her skills to market our destination.
While she is not new to the team, we would like to take this opportunity to re-introduce Candesha L. Mills, Product Development Officer of the Turks and Caicos Island Tourist Board. Mrs. Mills is a native of Grand Turk and a graduate of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, having earned an Associates degree in Business Studies from the institution. She matriculated to Johnson & Wales University in North Miami, FL where she earned an Associate and Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing. Mrs. Mills is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Global Tourism and Sustainable Economic Development. Her employment at the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board commenced in July 2007 as Statistical Coordinator and she was appointed as Product Marketing Officer in 2008. Her role was subsequently changed to Product Development Officer and she is tasked with the responsibility of assisting with the implementation of the strategic product development plans, formulation of a sustainable development plan, and exploring new product developments and visitor attractions. Mrs. Mills has expressed that her goal is to develop new and innovative ideas to ensure the longevity of the industry and discover new ways of expanding the Turks and Caicos Islands tourism offering such as the cruise ship industry.
Release: TCIG
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.
-
Health1 week agoAstraZeneca withdraws COVID vaccines after millions took their jabs
-
Caribbean News7 days agoBelize, Jamaica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and Syphilis
-
TCI News6 days agoEquity in Energy says Bahamas Energy & Transport Minister in legislative roll out
-
TCI News6 days agoFamily of 16 tourist claims negligence in Grand Turk jet ski death; Coroner’s Court hearing evidence
-
TCI News4 days agoAMERICAN MOTHER AND DAUGHTER ALLEGEDLY ARRESTED FOR TWO BULLETS
-
Caribbean News7 days agoMagnetic Media attends Caribbean Media Summit, in focus AI in Journalism
-
world news1 week agoElectricity Access for 600 Million a goal of UN Sustainability Week
-
Bahamas News6 days agoThe Bahamas Successfully Hosts Its Fourth World Athletics Relays