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
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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