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Turks & Caicos Islands Triumphs at 2020 World Travel Awards Caribbean Gala

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Minister of Tourism Hon. Ralph Higgs and Chairman of TCI Tourist Board Adelphine Higgs-Pitter accept the awards for Caribbean’s Leading Beach Destination 2020 and Caribbean’s Most Romantic Destination 2020 for the Turks and Caicos Islands.

#PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands (January 22, 2020) – The 27th Annual World Travel Awards Caribbean Gala was held on January 20, 2020 at Sandals Royal Bahamian in Nassau, Bahamas. The Turks & Caicos Islands once again captured the prestigious awards for Caribbean’s Leading Beach Destination 2020 and Caribbean’s Most Romantic Destination 2020.

The entertainment at the 27th World Travel Awards Caribbean Gala included Junkanoo

In addition to the above awards won by the destination, several Turks & Caicos Islands resorts were awarded as follows:

Ø  Turks & Caicos’ Leading Boutique Hotel 2020 – Beach House

Ø  Turks & Caicos’ Leading Car Rental Company 2020 – Hertz

Ø  Turks & Caicos’ Leading Destination Management Company 2020 – Olympia Destination Management Company

Ø  Turks & Caicos’ Leading Hotel 2020 – The Palms

Ø  Turks & Caicos’ Leading Hotel Suite 2020 – Three Bedroom Executive Penthouse at The Shore Club

Ø  Turks & Caicos’ Leading Resort 2020 – Amanyara Villas

Ø  Caribbean’s Leading All Suite Hotel 2020 – The Palms

Ø  Caribbean’s Leading All-Inclusive Family Resort 2020 – Beaches Turks & Caicos

Ø  Caribbean’s Leading Boutique Hotel 2020 – Point Grace

Ø  Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Suite 2020 – Grace Bay Penthouse Suite at Grace Bay Club

Ø  Caribbean’s Leading Luxury Island Resort 2020 – Sailrock Resort

The ceremony, which celebrates excellence in the travel and tourism industry, was attended by Caribbean Ministers and Directors of Tourism, industry leaders and international media. The Turks & Caicos Islands delegation was led by Minister of Tourism Hon. Ralph Higgs and included Chairman of the Tourist Board Adelphine Higgs-Pitter, Board Member Kendra Parker and USA Regional Marketing Manager Pamela Ewing.


L-R: Pamela Ewing, USA Regional Marketing Manager; Leandrea Missick, Ministry of Tourism Executive Administrator; Hon. Ralph Higgs, Minister of Tourism; Graham Cooke, Founder of the World Travel Awards; Adelphine Higgs-Pitter, Chairman of the Tourist Board; and Kendra Parker, Board Member of Tourist Board.


Graham Cooke, Founder, WTA, said, “What an incredible evening it has been here at the magnificent Sandals Royal Bahamian to mark the opening of our 27th annual Grand Tour. We have had the privilege of recognizing the Caribbean’s leading destinations, hotels, resorts, airlines and travel providers and my congratulations to each of our winners.”

Representatives of Sailrock Resort at the World Travel Awards Cocktail Reception.

Minister of Tourism Hon. Ralph Higgs stated, “It was my pleasure to have accepted the World Travel Awards on behalf of the Turks and Caicos Islands we are extremely honored. Being recognized as the Caribbean’s most romantic destination in particular, is an excellent attainment as we have taken steps to position the destination as a preferred wedding and honeymoon destination. These achievements are testament to the commitment and hard work of our amazing team and partners, who continue to work diligently in promoting brand TCI”.

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Chairman of the TCI Tourist Board Adelphine Higgs-Pitter said, “I wish to express my sincere thanks to the general public for voting for the Turks and Caicos Islands in all eight categories that the destination received nominations in. We are thrilled that Turks and Caicos won and maintained the awards for Caribbean’s Leading Beach Destination and Caribbean’s Most Romantic Destination which demonstrates the service consistency and product quality of brand Turks and Caicos”.

The Turks & Caicos Islands, as a destination, has won the World Travel Award for Caribbean’s Leading Beach Destination every year since 2015. From 2012 to 2014 the award for Caribbean’s Leading Beach Destination was won by Grace Bay Beach specifically which seized the title from Negril, Jamaica. The 2020 nominees for Caribbean’s Leading Beach Destination were Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Jamaica, Martinique, The Bahamas, Trinidad & Tobago and U.S. Virgin Islands.

This year marks the second win for the destination as the Caribbean’s Most Romantic Destination. Turks and Caicos Islands won the award in 2019 for the first time, capturing the title from Antigua and Barbuda who held the coveted title every year since 2015. The nominees for Caribbean’s Most Romantic Destination 2020 were Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, St Barth, St Martin, The Bahamas and U.S. Virgin Islands.


Graham Cooke, Founder of the World Travel Awards and Gordon Butch Stewart, Chairman, Sandals Resorts International

The World Travel Awards Grand Final Gala Ceremony 2020 will take place in Moscow, Russia on Friday, 27 November 2020 and the Turks and Caicos Islands expects to receive nominations in several world categories.

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Guilty Verdict Announced

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***MEDIA RELEASE***

 

Turks and Caicos, 13th June 2025 – The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF) confirms that a guilty verdict was delivered yesterday (12th June) in the firearm-related case involving SHAQUAZE FORBES of Over Back, Grand Turk.

Forbes, aged 22, was found guilty of:

  • One Count Possession of Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life
  • One Count Discharging a Firearm

His co-accused, JERREAL MISSICK, also aged 22 and from Over Back, was found not guilty following the judge’s directions to the jury.

Forbes has been remanded in custody at H.M. Prison, Home of the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation, and will be sentenced on 18th July, 2025.

On 13th February 2024, reports of a firearm discharge were made to the police. Following a thorough investigation and subsequent consultation with the Director of Public Prosecution’s Office, both individuals were formally charged.

The RT&CIPF is requesting the public to notify the nearest police station, contact 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, and provide any information anonymously regarding illegal activity.

Additionally, individuals are encouraged to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and share information anonymously.

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BEACHES TCI EMPOWERS STUDENTS WITH HANDS-ON WASTE MANAGEMENT TOUR

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PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: Beaches Turks & Caicos (BTC) recently welcomed 35 students from Clement Howell High School’s Social and Environmental Arts Club for an immersive educational tour showcasing the resort’s sustainable waste management and composting systems, including grey water recycling.

The visit was part of BTC’s ongoing commitment to environmental education and sustainability. Students explored the resort’s eco-friendly initiatives, including how kitchen waste is transformed into nutrient-rich compost to support the property’s vibrant gardens.

Gerry Harris, 15, said the experience was eye-opening. “It showed me how simple but effective waste disposal can be—even at home. Seeing it first-hand made a big difference.”

17-year-old Onerce Oriol, who aspires to be a construction engineer, was especially drawn to the composting demonstration. “It was exciting to learn how common kitchen scraps can enrich the soil. I never realized how waste could be reused in such a beneficial way.”

The interactive, hour-long tour gave students a chance to engage in the process directly, enhancing their understanding through hands-on learning.

“This was a very informative experience,” said Robert Toby Grant, creative environmentalist and teacher at Clement Howell High. “Our students gained practical knowledge of BTC’s sustainability efforts and how they can apply these practices in their own lives.”

Jamie McAnally, managing director at Beaches Turks & Caicos, emphasized the value of community partnerships, “engaging students is key. One inspired student can influence an entire household, creating a ripple effect that benefits communities and ultimately, the island.”

BTC continues to champion environmental stewardship across Turks & Caicos, partnering with schools, government agencies and NGOs to promote sustainable practices. One standout collaboration is with the Edward Garland Youth Centre, which transforms plastic bottle waste from the resort into eco-art and garden installations.

Beaches Turks & Caicos is proud to support initiatives that build a greener future for the “Beautiful by Nature” Turks & Caicos Islands.

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Annual Taste of Tapas Takes Culinary Showcase to the Next Level

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – The Shore Club once again set the stage for one of the destination’s most anticipated culinary events, the annual Taste of Tapas, hosted by the Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA). The evening brought together 15 of the country’s finest restaurants for a night of culinary creativity, collaboration, and cause – all in support of the association’s Hospitality Adventure programs and National Culinary Team.

Guests were treated to a diverse array of bite-sized culinary masterpieces, each representing the signature style and flavours of the participating restaurants. This year’s lineup featured:

Beaches Turks & Caicos, COMO Parrot Cay, Grace Bay Club, Indigo, LUA Restaurant, Parallel 23, Rock House, Seven Stars Resort, Sui-Ren, TCI Culinary Ambassadors, The Del Mar, The Ritz-Carlton TCI, The Source, Point Grace, and Provo Caribbean Cafe.

The welcome drink was graciously sponsored by Java Island, setting the tone for an evening of elegance and island flair.

In addition to the culinary showcase, attendees had the opportunity to bid on a host of luxury experiences and items during the silent auction, thanks to generous contributions from: Beaches Resort Villages & Spa, Pine Cay, The Ritz-Carlton, Point Grace, COMO Parrot Cay, The Shore Club, Grace Bay Club, South Bank, The Ital Lifestyle, and VIP Flyer’s Club.

TCHTA CEO, Stacy Cox, reflected on the evening’s impact, stating: “Taste of Tapas is a beautiful representation of what makes this industry so special – the spirit of collaboration, excellence, and giving back. The funds raised will go directly into programs that empower our local talent and elevate our destination’s culinary service standard.”

The evening also served as the perfect platform to announce the TCHTA Pop-Up Series, a new fundraising initiative that will replace the former annual Golf Scramble. First up is a Canadian-Inspired Dinner, set for June 26th, 2025 at The Farm at Seven Stars Resort, featuring Executive Chef Craig Nazareth of Beaches Turks and Caicos.

This dinner is a celebration of culture through cuisine,” said Chef Nazareth. “I’m excited not only to bring a taste of Canada to the islands, but also to once again work alongside Executive Chef Edwin Gallardo as we prepare the National Culinary Team to go head-to-head with the region at the Taste of the Caribbean competition in Florida later this year.”                                                                                                                                                                                                    The team’s feeder program, the Hospitality Adventure Summer Camps, are just around the corner with registration open for the following programs:

  • Junior Lit’l Chef: July 7–11
  • Spa Adventure: July 14–18
  • Lit’l Chef: July 21–26

Back on the TCHTA’s calendar is the thrilling TCHTA Cocktail Competition, traditionally used to select the successful Bartender to join the national competition team.

The TCHTA thanks members, sponsors, and supporters as the organization maintains its commitment to cultivating talent and crafting world-class experiences for the destination.

Registration for the Summer Camps can be accessed here: https://www.tcihospitalityadventure.com/. Follow the TCHTA’s social media pages for updates on the Pop-Up Series and future events.

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