TCI News

TCI: Keeping Tourism Within Sustainable Limits

Published

7 years ago

June 27, 2019

#Providenciales, June 27, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – Tourism in the Turks and Caicos Islands has grown rapidly over the last twenty-five years. Although most of this development has been concentrated in in Providenciales, the effects are being felt throughout the country as influxes of both money and people have accelerated the pace of social change.

A major obligation The Ministry of Tourism and the Tourist Board should adopt is to ensure that the tourism industry can be sustained in the long-term. On the one hand, this requires careful planning when developing and marketing the tourism product. On the other, it requires appropriate ordinances concerning buildings and protected areas, as well as enforcement of these when particular project is proposed.

The Turks and Caicos Government has been very aggressive over the past 15 to 20 years in pursuing a tourism-based economy on the grounds that the islands are resource poor, except for their physical beauty. Officials and local people alike seem to agree that tourism is the lifeline for TCI economy today. This does not mean that efforts to diversify the country’s economy should not continue, just that nothing is likely to generate the revenues that tourism does.

Currently, our principal asset for tourism is the natural beauty of the islands, but these same assets are vulnerable to degradation through over-building, over-crowding, pollution, and reef destruction.

In short, it is possible to have too much of a good thing – too much tourism, too many visitors for what the sea- and landscapes can absorb. For this reason, sustainable tourism is imperative for the long-term economic vitality of the country, and tourism planning should continue to target the smaller number of high-end visitors as the means to maximize revenues while minimizing the ecological footprint. That said, there is still room for tourism to expand within the limits of sustainability.

One constantly hears that the island is “in much need of development.” Development will bring much needed change ultimately solving the island’s many challenges. We are further told that development will “build economic resilience and create much needed employment”. Interestingly, it seems like the only kind of development being touted is tourism, and if you are critical of the traditional touristic model of development, then you are categorized as negative, anti-development and against progress.

Interestingly, research illustrates that the traditional touristic model is not very beneficial to those Caribbean islands relying on it. While the Caribbean is characterized as a “tropical paradise”, for every dollar generated by tourism, about thirty cents remains on the island.

Additionally, there has been an increase in literature discussing how tourism in the Caribbean is an outgrowth of the colonial model because it includes selling the single product of “tropical paradise” to North American and European markets, making it very similar to the historical mono-crop agricultural plantation economy.

And what of economic resilience and job creation? The fact is that tourism primarily brings very low paid service employment to the local population. The local population primarily become “the help” providing service with a smile. In essence, they become prisoners by, once again, a mono-economy, and the local “primitive” must do as he/she is instructed to do. Essentially the local becomes invisible, non-human and part of the natural landscape to be enjoyed by the tourist. Thus, the idea of “tropical paradise” is a demented fantasy, a social fabrication.

Vividly we hear that the island does not seek to develop mass tourism, but rather, sustainable tourism. Sustainable tourism is the concept of visiting a place as a tourist and trying to make only a positive impact on the environment, society and economy. The type of sustainable tourism currently being touted for development is ecotourism and is directed toward exotic, often threatened, natural environments, especially to support conservation efforts and observe wildlife.

Urban development needs to be controlled and should not be allowed to consume the fertile land that could be used for food cultivation. Rather the type of endeavor suitable to the island’s resources would be developing industries in farming and fisheries, and then using tourism as an ancillary to these industries. Thus, the government should use moral suasion to attract investors who, are not only concerned with development for personal profit, but concerned and interested in providing the necessary support for the primary challenges the island faces.

Examples of investments include a properly integrated water shed environment, hydroponic farming of agricultural and information technology etc. Tourists who come to the island could include people willing to assist with the development of these industries or simply those who admire the island’s approach toward development.

The antiquated type of tourism being sought the TCI, which includes investors who are only interested in personal economic gain via exploitation, is increasingly being critiqued through a moral lens. There is already a great deal of data showing that this form of development will only deplete the island’s resources, further the economic divide between rich and poor and push the local population into perpetual poverty. If potential investors want to develop, the island’s resources must not be exploited and eliminated but enhanced through sustainable practices. Most importantly, local people must become the stewards of their island and these practices, not servants to tourists.

Ranaldo Forbes

News

Durliat Delivers Bronze as TCI Swim Team Earns Hero’s Welcome

Published

4 days ago

April 14, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE TCI SPORTS COMMISSION

Turks and Caicos, April 14, 2026 – The Turks and Caicos Islands is celebrating a proud moment in aquatics, led by standout swimmer Luc Durliat, who secured the country’s lone medal at the 2026 CARIFTA Aquatics Championships in Martinique.

Durliat captured bronze in the Boys 11–12 200m Butterfly, clocking an impressive 2:39.33 after advancing through multiple rounds, showcasing both endurance and composure in the pool. His performance stood out in a highly competitive field and signaled growing strength in the territory’s aquatics programme.

The Turks and Caicos Islands Swimming Federation praised the young athlete’s achievement, stating:

“Congratulations to Luc Durliat on winning bronze in the Boys 11–12 200m Butterfly at the CARIFTA Aquatics Championships 2026, proudly representing the Turks and Caicos Islands National Team. Your hard work, determination, and strong performance in the pool have made Turks and Caicos proud.”

Durliat’s medal came amid a broader showing of progress by Team TCI, with several swimmers delivering personal best performances throughout the competition. Among them were Isaac Farley, Anaiah Alleyne, Kian Jules, Ezekiel Martin and Rishith Gururaja, all of whom posted significant improvements, underscoring the team’s upward trajectory.

Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture Rachel Marshall Taylor also commended the team’s efforts, highlighting Durliat’s resilience and the wider gains in the sport.

“In the pool, Luc Durliat showcased resilience and competitive spirit, earning a bronze medal in the 200m Butterfly… His performance stands as a testament to the growth and promise of aquatics in the Turks and Caicos Islands,” she said.

The team returned home to a celebratory reception organized by the Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission, beginning with an airport welcome at the Providenciales International Airport, followed by a motorcade and press conference.

The homecoming not only honored Durliat’s podium finish but also recognized a team that continues to build momentum on the regional stage—proving that while the medal count may be small, the impact is growing.

Developed by Deandrea Hamilton • with ChatGPT (AI) • edited by Magnetic Media.

News

Multi-Agency Enforcement Action Conducted at Caicos Lodge

Published

4 days ago

April 14, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 14 April 2026 —The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in coordination with the Planning Department and key partner agencies, conducted a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Block and Parcel 60802/49 and 60802/65, located in the Caicos Lodge area.

The operation was led by the Planning Department, with coordination by the ISU and support from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, the TCI Border Force, Pelican Energy TCI, and DevCon Power Supply. All agencies worked collaboratively to ensure the exercise was carried out in a safe, orderly, and controlled manner.

The enforcement action followed a structured and lawful process in accordance with the Physical Planning framework of the Turks and Caicos Islands. A total of fifty (50) unauthorized structures were removed during the exercise.

Section 45 Enforcement Notices were first issued on the affected parcels on December 11 2024, identifying unauthorized structures in illegal occupation. This was followed by the issuance of Warning Notices on March 26 2026, which clearly advised occupants that they were in breach of planning and land use regulations and provided a 14-day period to remove the structures voluntarily. Despite these notices and the time afforded for compliance, the unauthorized structures remained in place.

The Government wishes to emphasize that the structures removed were unauthorized developments, constructed without the required planning approvals and in breach of established building and land use regulations.

Planning regulations exist to ensure that all developments meet minimum standards for safety and structural integrity. Unauthorized settlements, regardless of appearance, often lack these safeguards and can pose serious risks to occupants and the wider community.

The enforcement of these regulations is therefore not only a legal obligation, but a necessary measure to protect lives, property, and public health.

The Turks and Caicos Islands Government remains fully aware of the housing challenges currently facing the country. However, unlawful development cannot be allowed to proliferate in a manner that compromises safety, undermines planning systems, and infringes on property rights.

All persons undertaking construction or occupation of land must do so in accordance with the law, including obtaining the necessary planning approvals.

The Government will continue to work collaboratively across agencies to:

Uphold planning and development regulations
Protect private and public lands
Prevent the expansion of unsafe and informal settlements
Advance long-term solutions for sustainable community development

This exercise represents part of an ongoing commitment to ensuring that development within the Turks and Caicos Islands is lawful, safe, and aligned with national standards.

News

What Planning Board Meeting Exposes about Housing Development in Providenciales

Published

4 days ago

April 14, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Turks and Caicos, April 14, 2026 – Planning data from the March 31, 2026 Physical Planning Board meeting points to a clear and consequential trend in Providenciales: a steady rise in approvals for multi-unit residential developments, reflecting growing demand for rental housing on the island.

Applications reviewed at the meeting include apartment buildings ranging from small two-unit structures to larger developments with up to 15 units, along with extensions to existing buildings to add additional floors and living space. The pattern is consistent across multiple submissions—developers are no longer focusing primarily on single-family homes, but instead are maximizing land use to accommodate more residents per parcel.

This shift signals more than just a change in construction style; it reflects mounting pressure within the housing market. Providenciales has been experiencing sustained population growth, driven by economic opportunity, migration and labour demand, all of which are placing strain on available housing stock. As a result, rental inventory has tightened, with many residents facing limited options and rising costs.

In that context, the Planning Board’s approvals suggest that the market is responding—perhaps not through a coordinated housing policy, but through private development adapting to demand. Multi-unit dwellings, apartment complexes and building expansions are emerging as practical solutions to increase housing availability in a setting where land is finite and demand continues to climb.

At the same time, the data reveals that not all proposed developments are moving forward without delay. Several applications, including larger-scale residential projects, were deferred, indicating that regulatory review remains active and that some proposals require further scrutiny or modification before approval. This points to a balancing act between facilitating growth and maintaining planning standards.

What emerges from the meeting is a picture of an island adjusting in real time. Housing development is becoming denser, more vertical and more responsive to immediate needs, as opposed to long-term master planning.

For residents, the implications are significant. Increased rental units could help ease the current shortage, but questions remain about affordability, infrastructure capacity and whether the pace of development can keep up with demand.

In the end, the Planning Board data offers a grounded look at how Providenciales is evolving—not through announcements, but through approvals that reveal where the pressure truly lies.

Beyond housing, the meeting also revealed a mix of supporting and stalled developments shaping the wider growth picture. Among the notable approvals were a warehouse and distribution centre, pointing to expanding commercial and logistics needs, and a boat ramp in Providenciales, signalling continued investment in marine access infrastructure.

At the same time, several applications were deferred, including proposals for solar farms and larger-scale residential developments, suggesting that while demand is strong, not all projects are advancing at the same pace. The combination of approvals and deferrals highlights a development environment that is active but still navigating regulatory checks, infrastructure readiness and planning requirements.

The 786th Ordinary Meeting of the Physical Planning Board was held on March 31, 2026, in Providenciales, with participation both in person and via video conference. Acting Chairman Trent Dickenson presided over the session, joined by members Dondre Brooks and Terrell Gardiner, along with ex-officio members Dainer Lightbourne from Planning and Jamall Blair from the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources. Supporting the Board were key technical staff, including Deputy Director of Planning Toriano Williams, Assistant Director and Secretary Reginald Charles, and Land Use Planner Britney Simmons, reflecting a full complement of planning and environmental oversight at the sitting.

Developed by Deandrea Hamilton • with ChatGPT (AI) • edited by Magnetic Media.