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Former TCI Premier questions equity of Stimulus Package and Emergency Orders; says reconsider Gym as Detention Center

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#TurksandCaicosIslands – FULL STATEMENT by MICHAEL MISICK:

I sat and waited patiently to see what would this government’s so-called stimulus package would look like. When it was finally announced, I like other citizens was curiously optimistic that it would provide the type of relief our people need and rightfully deserve.

As details of the plan were revealed by the Premier, I carefully examined the entire stimulus program giving the government the benefit of the doubt. After analyzing it closely the conclusion that I have come to is that this sham of a plan is purely smoke and mirrors. The reality is that there is not much in it for Turks and Caicos Islanders.

While the gesture of $1200, at first sight, may seem generous we have to put that into its true context.  First of all, this is a one-time payment and we do not know how long this crisis will last. Secondly, it targets the hospitality workers, in particular, leaving other sectors uncovered.  Unfortunately in our country, 90 percent of the hospitality workers are not from here so many may just collect the check and leave this country resulting in us as a nation reaping no benefit.  Thirdly the red tape that has been wrapped around this money will mean that it will take a long time for anyone to get it if they get it at all.

The stimulus package for self-employed persons and small to medium businesses is in the same category being very difficult to access. The last few years under this administration has been very hard on the small businessman, many are fighting tooth and nail just to keep their doors open, I am sure most small business don’t have there NIB or NHIP paid up to date.  So while they may truly be hurting this alone is a gigantic obstacle that will bar them from receiving the aid.

What is abundantly clear however and extremely easy to access is the stimulus that provides for 50 percent reduction in stamp duties and 3 months exemption from import duties.  So it does not matter if a developer or ex-pat is up to date with NHIP or behind on NIB there is no qualifier, there is no bar, and no hindrance, just a big sweet free for all for import, stamp duty breaks and tax holidays. In my view this is unnecessary. We are giving away monies that could me use to help the poor, the same people who were given renovation tax holidays after the hurricane are the same people that will get the holiday again. Think about it, we did not have a hurricane so why is there a need for repairs?

Noticeably absent from the stimulus package is help for the people that would need it the most. The poor, the unemployed, the youth and the elderly. It is my view that all adult citizens should get this payment of $1200 whether working or not, $1200 is too small as it should be at least $1500 per citizen. The old folks on retirement pension should get it as well as the young mothers without jobs. There should also be made provision for children. Every Turks and Caicos Islander child in my view should get a $500 payment to sustain them during these times They too need food and supplies.

Instead of giving stamp duties and duty-free concession to the rich and the building material companies that will buy and stock up to sell at regular prices, I believe a better way to help our citizens is for the government to forgive and forgo all back fees on government lease land to Islanders and award them freehold title at no cost. Furthermore, all of the land that interim government and their so-called “recovery team” have taken from Turks and Caicos Islands should be returned so that islanders can build there dream home or business and be empowered.

Why is it that every time there is a stimulus we the Citizens of this country are left out? Why is it always us that have to subsidize the folks that are making millions of dollars when the economy is good without giving much back? This blatant and total disregard and shameless contempt for us as a people can be plainly seen.

Why is it that all the local businesses especially the restaurants and takeouts are closed when IGA  has been allowed to stay open to sell groceries and boil fish and grits, rum, beer and sundry, while our brothers and sisters have to close their place of business and sit at home fretting over how to pay their bills? Why is the Wine Cellar is told to close while IGA is allowed to sell wine, vodka, and whiskey by the case, bottle, and shot? Can someone answer these questions for me? Something is Rotten in Denmark and it is not cheese. I say the law should be fair and the law must be clear. If a category of business is exempt by law then let it be exempt across the board with no favoritism. The system of having to apply to a secret close door committee for your business to be included on an exempt list leaves room for subjective selections rather than an open and transparent process whereby everyone is equal under the law.

While I am writing it pains my heart to have seen the notice published in the gazette by the Minister designating the only sports complex that we have in Providenciales as a detention center. This is a direct attack on the athletic development of our youth and this can not be allowed to happen. As the person who with my hard-working ministers was responsible for building this complex, I am appalled that this would even be considered. This complex was built for the enjoyment of our citizens especially young people it was built as a place designated for growing sport and developing strong all-around individuals. I was blessed to see many a NBA star and streetball legends visit that facility and marvel at its foresight and quality. I call on the minister and the government to reconsider their plans for turning the Gustavo Lightbourne sports complex into a detention center whether it be permanent or temporary, think of the children, our children, your children and their need to have this facility to develop their skills. There must be another suitable place that can be rented and use for this purpose.

Finally, I say to citizens and residents alike as difficult as it may seem we have to stay safe and stay inside and avoid personal contact with others. This virus is no joke and if it is not contained it could have a devastating effect on us as a country with the possibility of countless lives lost. We only need to see what’s happening in Italy, Spain, and America. I know that when we watch TV we sometimes think, well it’s happening there and can not happen here but in this global village we live in nothing is far away anymore. So let’s abide by the curfew and the other emergency measures that have been put in place for our protection and safety. Let us be our brother’s keeper and keep each other safe and out of harm’s way. Continue to pray medical professionals and essential workers, pray protection for our elderly and at-risk persons and most of all pray for the good Lord to Bless and spare our Turks and Caicos Islands.

Magnetic Media is a Telly Award winning multi-media company specializing in creating compelling and socially uplifting TV and Radio broadcast programming as a means for advertising and public relations exposure for its clients.

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Joyful Collaboration between 2 Regional Foundations Uplifts Tourism Professionals in Turks & Caicos

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CHTA Education Foundation & Sandals Foundation Training Celebration with TCHTA in Providenciales 20 October 2026. Front Row, L to R: Suzanne & Louise CHTAEF Trainers, Wesley Clerveau, PS Ministry of Tourism, Deryck Meany for Sandals Foundation, TCHTA team: Stacy-Ann Wharton, VP – Nicholette Thomas Operations Manager - Omega Simmons Board Member

Turks and Caicos – Caribbean Supercharged Service, Learning & Leadership workshops were enjoyed by professionals from Grace Bay Car Rentals, a local sponsor, alongside a Heavy Machinery Rental Company, a Paint retailer, 8 resorts, a luxury villa management enterprise and 3 TCHTA sponsored junior chefs, including Team TCI Junior Chef 2026, Zaliya Dickenson, who will complete at the Taste of the Caribbean in November for her country.

These workshops were the result of the longstanding partnership between the CHTA Education Foundation and their sponsor, Sandals Foundation, who support the Caribbean Supercharged programme on a different island every year. This year, the Turks & Caicos Hotel & Tourism Association (TCHTA) hosted the initiative to the delight of its members.

The workshops targeted new team members, seasoned professionals, managers and supervisors. Topics included Foundations & Finesse within Customer Interactions, Delivering Clear Expectations for Service Consistency and Making Memorable Moments.

Sandals Foundation was pleased to also sponsor chefs, cooks, stewards, warehouse & purchasing staff from 7 resorts and 2 high schools for an intensive HACCP Preparation & Pre-Requisites informational day, including international coursebooks, team training booklets and each person’s international assessment fee. The course is approved by the Royal Society for Public Health UK, earns Continuing Professional Development Credits, and is recognized globally as the leading Food Safety Management System.

Deryk Meany, General Manager, Beaches TCI, represented Heidi Clarke, Executive Director, Sandals Foundation at the 20 October Celebration with energy and passion for professional development and life-long learning in tourism to ever uplift and grow ourselves. He asked participants to ‘never stop learning! Today is a step upwards in your personal growth and that of the industry. We are never too old to learn, to share our experiences within training and grow”

Wesley Clerveau, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, gave spirited, positive inspiration and congratulations to the participants “Stayover arrivals in TCI have increased by 6% between January & June this year, we are hot! The place visitors wish to be, and your time, application and learning in each workshop is invaluable to us as a destination and to you as citizens and residents. I urge you to put what you have gained into practice immediately and keep applying yourselves; the more you upgrade, the more service elevates, the more we all succeed”

Karolin Troubetzkoy, Chairwoman, CHTA Education Foundation commented “Congratulations to everyone who participated in this year’s workshops, thank you for being fully engaged and making the most of your opportunity.

Special mention to the 8 past participants that we reunited with and are now working in leadership positions, BRAVO! We are delighted for you and encourage you to stay focused and keep shining and growing upwards.

It has been the Education Foundations honor to work closely with our sponsor Sandals Foundation and partner with TCHTA again to create Caribbean Supercharged positivity within each of you”.

Stacey-Ann Wharton, Vice President TCHTA, congratulated everyone present and stressed the TCHTA ongoing commitment to learning and development of members teams and management, along with special TCHTA scholarships for the HACCP session for 3 Junior Chefs, showing the Associations commitment to nurturing talent from High School upwards.

PHOTO CAPTIONS

First Insert: Wesley Clerveau, PS, Ministry of Tourism

Second Insert: Deryck Meany, GM Beaches TCI representing Sandals Foundation

Third Insert: Stacy-Ann Wharton, Vice President, TCHTA

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Multi-Agency Enforcement Exercise Targets Illegal Occupation of Crown Land in Five Cays

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: The Crown Land Unit, with coordination and support from the Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), conducted a multi-agency enforcement exercise in the Five Cays area on Thursday, September 17, 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to address the illegal occupation and unauthorised use of Crown land.

The exercise brought together representatives from the Crown Land Unit, ISU and the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force. Security for the exercise was provided by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. Inspections were conducted across several parcels of Crown land throughout Five Cays, where instances of illegal occupation and unauthorised use had been identified.

During the exercise, a total of forty (40) Section 22 Notices of Unauthorised Occupation were served in accordance with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance. The notices related to various forms of unauthorised occupation and use of Crown land, including incomplete structures, shipping containers, derelict vehicles, trailer chassis, building materials and other items.

Where persons were not present, notices were affixed to the relevant structures or items. The exercise forms part of the Crown Land Unit’s continuing efforts to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown land and to ensure that identified instances of unauthorised occupation are appropriately addressed.

The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands reminds the public that Crown land must not be occupied, developed or otherwise used without lawful authority.

The Crown Land Unit, supported by the ISU and its other partner agencies, will continue to identify and address instances of illegal occupation of Crown land across the Turks and Caicos Islands. Persons affected by notices issued during enforcement exercises are encouraged to comply with the requirements outlined and to seek guidance from the relevant authorities where necessary.

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BermudAir Launches Service to the Turks and Caicos Islands on October 26th, Expanding Air Connectivity Ahead of Winter Season

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (October 22nd, 2026) – The Turks and Caicos Islands welcomes BermudAir as the airline begins its service to the destination on Monday, October 26th, marking the start of a wider expansion that will connect us with additional cities across the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.

BermudAir’s service will begin with a new nonstop service between Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Providenciales. The flight will depart from the Howard Hamilton International Airport at 8 am on Monday morning and arrives at 7.40 pm. Aboard the inaugural flight will be a delegation from the Turks and Caicos Islands led by Experience Turks and Caicos and the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA), and will include Deputy Governor, Her Excellency Anya Williams, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Zhavargo Jolly, as well s representatives of the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA), the board of the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourism Authority, Invest TC and local media.

BermudAir will operate the Fort Lauderdale–Providenciales route three times weekly, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, through May 3rd, 2027. making it easier for business travellers with the schedule offering the potential for same-day return trips. The airline is also launching nonstop service between Fort Lauderdale and Belize City, Belize, on the same schedule, offering travellers in South Florida direct access to both destinations.

The new service introduces BermudAir’s premium leisure inflight experience to the Turks and Caicos Islands. Flights will operate on Embraer E190 aircraft configured without middle seats, giving every passenger a window or aisle seat, alongside complimentary snacks and beverages.

Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Zhavargo Jolly, welcomed the airline’s arrival, noting the importance of expanding airlift to support the continued development of the destination’s tourism industry.

“Air connectivity remains one of the most important factors in the continued development of our tourism industry. BermudAir’s expansion represents an opportunity to strengthen our connections with key international markets while opening new doors for our sister islands. I am particularly encouraged by the planned direct service between Newark and South Caicos, which speaks directly to our vision of expanding tourism opportunities across the Turks and Caicos Islands. Our objective is to ensure that improved connectivity translates into greater economic activity, stronger local businesses and more opportunities for Turks and Caicos Islanders to participate in and benefit from tourism.” said Minister Jolly.

Commenting on the significance of the new route for the country’s development, the Honourable Arlington Musgrove, Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development (PPID), stated: “The introduction of BermudAir’s new service is a testament to the continued growth and development of our aviation sector. The Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development, alongside the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority, remains dedicated to enhancing our airport infrastructure to accommodate increased airlift. We are committed to working to ensure that our facilities provide a seamless, world-class experience for all incoming passengers and we warmly welcome BermudAir to our shores.”

The Fort Lauderdale launch is the first of several new services BermudAir plans to introduce to the Turks and Caicos Islands for the 2026–2027 winter season. Additional connections to Providenciales are scheduled from:

  • Bermuda to TCI and Grand Cayman: Beginning December 18th, 2026
  • Anguilla: Beginning December 19th, 2026
  • Boston, Massachusetts: Beginning December 19th, 2026
  • Toronto, Canada: Beginning December 19th, 2026
  • Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina: Beginning December 20th, 2026
  • Newark, New Jersey to South Caicos: Beginning December 20th, 2026
  • St. Petersburg/Tampa, Florida: Beginning December 21st, 2026
  • Baltimore-Washington: Beginning December 24th, 2026

The expansion will give travellers more options for reaching the destination during the winter travel season, while broadening access from established and developing source markets. The additional routes also create opportunities for tourism stakeholders to reach new audiences and encourage visitors to explore more of the islands.

For flight schedules and bookings, visit www.flybermudair.com.

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