TCI News
TCI: Give Belongers Amnesty Too – Says Attorney Mark Fulford
#Providenciales, March 6, 2019 – Turks and Caicos –
THE AMNESTY FIGHT: RIGHT FOR THE WRONG REASONS AND LIMITED IN SCOPE – GIVE BELONGERS AMENESTY ON GOVT DEBTS TOO
by- Mark A. FULFORD LLB
The recent Amnesty Bill passed by the Turks and Caicos parliament on the 4th of March 2019, has caused some consternation. The government says it was necessary as a part of doing business. The Opposition responds that it should have been done in a more prudent and transparent manner.
What if both parties have missed the point?
The current Government says previous administrations got the valuations of tax rates wrong over the years, including the Interim Government i.e. The British. They all failed year-after-year to identify the miscalculation or the “handshake agreement” upon which it was based.
Both parties may have missed the real issue. There maybe two solutions that includes Belongers and is fair to all Turks and Caicos Islanders:
I. The Government is right: governments of both parties and the Interim Government, led directly by the British missed this issue. As such, there should be no pointing of fingers at anyone. The Government is also right that in business (and reality), one must make decisions based on the larger picture, rather than narrow concerns or political emotions.
Let’s take Beaches for example, which is large and dominant because they are the best at what they do. Every other international brand in this region has fallen into bankruptcy, except Beaches.
In practical terms Beaches brings the most tourists to our shores. If Beaches accounting says that we have priced them out of the market, we must remember that affects the airlifts to our shores. This means that Beaches is actually caught between the TCIG and the airlines. Any good government understands these levels of pressure and knows that too much tax, too much red tape, means not only Beaches but eventually airlines will abandon the Turks and Caicos Islands, which presents an even bigger problem.
II. However, the Opposition is also right: More should have been done to gain a specific understanding of the actual accounting behind the Amnesty Ordinance. Governments should never try to solve just the problem before them. But a progressive government would have used this problem of misevaluation of tax, to do a “Super Development Agreement” with Beaches and other Accredited Hotel Properties which would craft a solution that will provide a stable stream of revenue for the next 10-15 years.
I am aware how fast things change, but that only means our foresight and adaptability must be on the cutting edge, so that we can create e a new model for the hospitality industry that present and new investors find attractive and will flock to our shores.
The Opposition is also right to have raised the point – argued by its leader the Hon. Washington Misick MP – that provision be made for the “little man” in this extension of Amnesty. I don’t think we went far enough and it may be a legal question.
Under the TCI Constitution (2012 Edition), the rule against discrimination is clear: No benefit can be extended to one Turks and Caicos Islander that is denied or even not extended to any other. (Under our law, Mitt Romney is right, companies are citizens). Therefore, the Opposition should have demanded and the Government should have proposed that every Belonger, whether in arrears for NIB, NHIB, Business License, Crown Land Lease etc. should all be extended Amnesty on the same terms given to the 21 entities to whom this Ordinance applies.
Since the government argues that the People of Turks and Caicos will lose no principal under the Ordinance, but the companies will have the benefit of time through an extended grace period, it is my view that the same grace is the constitutional right of every Belonger and should be extended to all of us.
Mark A Fulford
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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News1 day agoBermudAir Launches New York Area’s First Nonstop Service to South Caicos, Now Just a 3.5 Hour Flight from Newark
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Bahamas News1 day agoCBC Supports Opportunities for Young Bahamian Basketball Players
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Bahamas News22 hours agoBahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday