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The Bight Hotel by Dream Hotel launches 66-Suite/89-Key Condo-Hotel Project Providenciales, Turks and Caicos

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#Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, February 24, 2020 — On Tuesday 11th February, Grace Bay came to life with an inspired Block Party Event to celebrate the official launch of The Bight by Dream Hotel Group and their new partnership with NYC-based Dream Hotel Group, who will now serve as Manager and Operator for the 66-suite/89-hotel key project.  The event took place between Sandbox and Turks & Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty’s office with music by renowned DJ Munro spilling over to the streets and a botanical jungle theme scape that flowed throughout both venues, intertwining the buildings to one another.  If the refreshingly simple and stunningly creative ambience is anything to go by, this development is off to a progressive start. 

Site for The Bight Hotel construction

Ryan Jones and Natalie Zaidan of the EA Group are best known for the hip local coffee spot, Lemon-to-go-café and their successful landscaping company Environmental Arts, but this powerhouse couple, who have called Turks & Caicos their home for close to two decades, are lesser known for the multiple hats they wear, which include construction, real estate development and sales, art production, rum and vodka distilling and their latest food and beverage venue Sandbox, which caters to the on trend phenomenon of health conscious consuming.  No mini sliders here. EA Group is always one step ahead of the curve.  Everything from the mood, to the canapes was refreshing.  Guests dined on air fried vegetable samosas and mini chicken satay, to name a few, and quenched their thirst with coconut water housed in Turks & Caicos grown coconuts provided by local business owner, JJ Jennings of Coco Vibes.  The signature “cocktail with a Bight” was a spicy margarita with a slight bite as the name suggests. 

Between speeches guests posed amongst giant foam letters that playfully encircled the Turks & Caicos Sotheby’s International office, spelling out “The Bight Hotel”.  As the night progressed and guests, hoteliers, Government officials, and friends filled the space, Ryan Jones spoke to the crowd and announced his vision and dream of bringing an authentic, experience-based condo-hotel to the Turks and Caicos that focuses on lifestyle.

“So why do you want to build a hotel?  Why do you want to be in this business?  What is the origin story of this project? Natalie and I live in the Bight. This is our home, and we love the country.  I loved it enough that I made my life here and had my kids here. We wanted to recreate the magical Turks and Caicos experience that people have when they come here for the first time and never leave.  We want to share that with people. We were looking at the market and thought the five-star market is really well-served by a whole bunch of guys who have done an amazing job. The market that really needs to be addressed is the four-star boutique market with culture, design, art, experiences, and adventure. We wanted to align what we did with our life and that’s why we decided to build a hotel here. Then it was a matter of finding the right management partner. An established, creative and inspiring team to bring our vision to life.“The Bight by Dream Hotel Group will cater to travelers and owners who share a passion for design, community, and food and beverage —all while celebrating the natural beauty and culture of the islands,” added Jeff Donnelly, Vice President of Development, Dream Hotel Group. “In our partnership with EA Group, we are committed to delivering a fresh and exciting experience to the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

Following a soft launch in April 2019, the last 10 months have seen 10 reservations.  That’s an average of one reservation per month, a staggering number for an overseas jurisdiction and a new developer. Further confirmation that design- and lifestyle-driven EA Group have their finger on the pulse of the next real estate trend. 

“The Bight by Dream Hotel Group is lean, and it’s designed for short term vacation rental.  There’s no fat.  What do you say?” Joe Zahm President of Turks & Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty asked Developer Ryan Jones, “Everything you need and nothing you don’t need. I look at it with the great end in mind. It is designed for the end user from the beginning with a real hotel lobby and bar, and a real vibe and lifestyle experience attached to it. And when you factor in the connectivity, elegance and simplicity of the design, at a wonderful price point, this will well serve the market, who really want to be part of the investment class, where your return on investment is just better per square foot.  And when you add on just a great amenity set that’s going to be a part of the Bight, and you also add to that just amazingly smashing outlooks with the only elevated property and true beach access. It’s really a combination to die for.”

So what’s next for the EA Group you ask?  More sweat and hard work.  Starting with digging trenches in the Bight neighborhood to begin burying those old power lines and transforming the area to the beautiful vision Natalie and Ryan started dreaming about over seven years ago.  Look out for more information on the underground power line initiative and the beautification of this local neighborhood.

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Caribbean News

Wal Registre’s Impressive Rise at BTC

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PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: When Wal Registre started his career at Beaches Turks and Caicos (BTC) on October 25, 1997 as a bartender, little did he know that 25 years after, he would have risen to the post of payroll administrator within the same organisation.

The Raymond Gardiner High School graduate was always good at accounting and mathematics and had the dream of excelling in the hospitality industry in an area that would best fit his passion and academic strength.

Having been promoted to bar supervisor in 1999, Wal’s vision for growth was still active as he recognised that being a team member at Beaches Turks and Caicos would allow him to excel beyond his comfort zone. Following the completion of a number of courses with the Sandals Corporate University (SCU), he transitioned to the Cost Control unit in the Accounting Department as the cost control clerk.

Wal pointed out that his ability to grow within the company was largely due to his commitment to excellence. The SCU courses that were offered gave him the added training needed to build on what he was able to learn on the job and from his mentors.

“At BTC, training is very important to each employee. There are many opportunities for professional development and with the guidance from the Learning and Development team, and the leaders within the company, team members can truly grow,” Registre added.

One of Wal’s colleagues, Janet King, noted, “Wal’s commitment serves as an example to every team member here. His ability to grow from an entry level position to where he is now shows that everyone can succeed once they put their minds to it.”

While expressing his commitment to his profession, Wal’s dedication and discipline are traits that he values and chooses to pass on to those he leads. In sharing his advice to younger professionals seeking to enter the industry, he noted, “this organisation believes in quality work life balance that will allow each team member valuable time with family. This period helps me to maintain a bond with my family and explore the world. Training within this company is available for everyone and the ability to grow professionally is dependent on each person having the right attitude to grow.”

 

Release: BTC

Photo Captions

Header:Wal Registre, Payroll Administrator at Beaches Turks and Caicos makes final checks as he goes through documents at his desk at the resort

Insert: Anna Francis, Accountant in the Finance department at Beaches Turks and Caicos and Wal Registre, Payroll Administrator at the resort pause from discussing work related items to smile for the camera

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Caribbean News

Special Needs Unit Students at Thelma Lightbourne Primary School recognised by BTC

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PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands –  Parents and students from the Special Education Unit at the Thelma Lightbourne Primary School were recently recognized by the Beaches Turks and Caicos team during a special session at the institution as part of autism awareness activities.

Children’s Activities Manager Fedeline Julien shared, “educating students, parents, teachers and other adults about the best practices of dealing with children with autism is needed especially in our homes and schools. Children who are autistic do things differently and should be treated with patience and care.”

Robin Cox Foster, principal of the school said, “the partnership between Beaches Turks and Caicos and our school is always welcome. As the only resort on island that is an autism certified centre, they were readily available to share with our students and their parents. The involvement of the Sesame Street character, the presentations from the Kids Camp team to the parents allowed those present to appreciate their roles in being change agents for autism.”

Caring for a child with special needs was highlighted as an opportunity to create a closer bond between child and parent/caregivers.

Walter Moore, who has a son on the spectrum shared, “being able to deal with the many challenges of a special needs child will assist parents in being more patient and creative in how they care for a child. My son and I are best friends. He is comfortable talking with me about anything and I have to learn how to respect his likes and dislikes and create an environment that makes him happy.”

Beaches Turks and Caicos’ Kids Camp is an Advanced Certified Autism Centre which ensures that team members have the required knowledge, skills, temperament, and expertise to cater to all children. The resort offers age-specific programmes for infants, toddlers, pre-teens and teens.

 

Release: BTC

 

Photo Captions:

Header: Tanya Swann (left), Director of Sales, Groups and Conventions at Beaches Turks and Caicos introduces the team of volunteers who were present while Robin Cox-Foster, school principal looks on

1st Insert: Walter Moore (left) Beaches Turks and Caicos team member shares a moment with his son (right) and Sesame Street character Sesame Street

2nd Insert: Some members of the Beaches Turks and Caicos Sandals Foundation team share a moment at the Thelma Lightbourne Primary School during a presentation to the institution

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Government

PUBLIC STATEMENT – ROAD CLOSURES ON GRAND TURK

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#TurksandCaicos, June 2, 2023 – The Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development in collaboration with the Water Undertaking, Ministry of Home Affairs would like to advise the Public of the closure on the intersection of Airport Road and Osbourne Road area as part of the on-going Pipe Laying project on Grand Turk. The works are expected to last not exceeding 24 hours. The road will be closed for traffic during the period of June 03, 2023 from 7:00 Am to 7:00 PM.

Alternative re-route:

  • Vehicles heading North bound, turn right to Osbourne and turn Left to Barrack Hill Road.
  • Vehicles heading South bound, turn right to Ponce de Leon Street and turn left to Palm Grove Drive

TRAFFIC CONTROL PLAN

҉NOTICE OF ROAD CLOSURE TO FACILITATE INFRASTRUCTURE WORKS ON SATURDAY 3RD OF JUNE 2023 FROM 7AM TO 7PM PROJECT: UPGRADING OF WATER DISTIBUTION FACILITIES IN GRAND TURK TR 21/55 C

 

FROM THE MINISTRY OF PHYSICAL PLANNING 

AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT  

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