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TCI Economy could lose $460 million in Tourism job cuts and slashed salaries, says TCHTA & KPMG survey

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#TurksandCaicosIslands – May 7, 2020 — Tourism sector employers in the Turks and Caicos Islands believe they will have to gradually decrease basic salaries to their staff and may eventually have to lay-off workers, up to 44 per cent of them, as the COVID-19 crises continues to paralyze the travel industry.

The shocking findings herald a possible collapse of the Turks and Caicos economy and are revealed in a survey conducted by KPMG and commissioned by the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association, TCHTA. Compelling statements and suggestions are made to the TCI Government about possibly decreasing the economic disaster which looms now, due to the unprecedented pandemic.

An excerpt from the survey report says:  “If the effects of the pandemic are thought to continue for another six months the monthly fall, based on monthly payroll data of respondents, will be US$46m which for the period April to October represents a cumulative fall (including April) in economic activity of approximately US$300m.”

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Stretch out any continued negative impacts on travel and tourism due to the Coronavirus, the Turks and Caicos could see economic activity usually enjoyed due to the employees resident within these islands, plummet by as much as US$460m over nine months.

More than 5,600 employees are represented in the report by a range of employers who were surveyed from April 12-20; the cumulative pay for this sampling of workers in hotel and tourism is estimated at $11.9 million per month. 

While there is no concrete number of how many TCHTA members were included as the source of the survey data, KPMG informed that 48 per cent of those surveyed had between one and 20 staffers; 31 per cent of responders employ between 21-100 people; twelve percent of the employers have from 101 to 500 staff members and nine per cent of those who completed the survey questions, employ over 500 people.

It was revealed that since the impact of the pandemic on this tourism destination, fifty-six percent of employees were retained, 30 percent were furloughed or temporary laid off and 14 percent have been terminated.

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Currently the islands have zero tourists with all ports of entry closed to visitors during the public health crisis; so the leading industry is already in dire straits. The KPMG survey exposes there is still more ground to loose however, including the loss of spending by the employees from the country’s leading industry.

Food shopping to rent to fuel and school fees, dining, banking, services, utilities and entertainment will all suffer tremendous decreases in business activity if 44 percent of the industry workers are laid off and if the remaining 56 per cent are not able to receive their full pay.

KPMG explained it this way:  “… it is clear from the survey results that the percentage of base pay being paid in April is not sustainable. Fifty-nine per cent of employers indicated that at the end of April they will have to reduce this percentage of basic pay which will reduce the level of economic activity even further particularly when taking into account the 44 per cent of the workforce that will be let go shortly.”

One solution put forth in the document is a government supported staff retention program.

“Seventy per cent of employers indicated they would be willing to contribute to some form of a Coronavirus staff retention program (“the program”) which would be a program, ideally backed by new legislation, which ensures current employees continue to be employed and receive some pay even though there may be no work for them for a certain period. Employees would also have their continuity of service maintained.  They would not be considered to be unemployed. The program would be voluntary with “Participating Employers” and “Non-Participating employers.”

With tourism salaries contributing as much as $55 million per month to the country’s GDP, according to the survey, there is an unequivocal message being transmitted: that Government’s support of a staff retention program would mitigate the severity of further fall out in the face of COVID-19.

In the end, it is stated within the TCHTA and KPMG survey report:  “No economy the size of TCI’s can sustain such dramatic falls in economic activity.”

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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News

Kew Town Man gets a Year in Prison for 2024 Burglary of a business

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Turks and Caicos, February 7, 2025 – The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) remains committed to ensuring
justice and enhancing public safety.

On January 30, 2025, JERMAINE WELCH, 26, of Kew Town, Providenciales, was sentenced to one year in prison after pleading guilty to TWO COUNTS of BURGLARY for offences committed in 2024.

The court heard that on December 1, 2024, a business establishment on Airport Road, Providenciales, was secured by its owner. Upon returning the next day (December 2), the owner discovered that the premises had been broken into and burglarized. CCTV footage from the establishment identified Mr. Welch as the perpetrator.

A similar incident occurred on December 6, 2024, when another business owner secured their establishment, only to return on December 7 and find it had also been burglarized. CCTV footage from this location also identified Mr. Welch as the culprit.

Following a thorough investigation, Mr. Welch was arrested on December 11, 2024, and subsequently charged.

Acting Superintendent Grantly Williams, Head of Serious Crime, Safeguarding, and Public Protection, emphasized the critical role of security systems in crime prevention.

“The use of CCTV footage significantly aided our officers in arresting and charging the accused. I strongly encourage businesses and homeowners to take proactive measures by installing reliable security systems.  If you already have one in place, please ensure it is regularly servicedmand fully operational. These systems assist in solving crimes and serve as a deterrent to potential offenders. Become a hard target by safeguarding yourself and your property.”

The RT&CIPF asks the public to notify the closest police station, contact 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 to anonymously provide any information on illegal activities. Additionally, individuals are encouraged to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app to share information anonymously.

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Crime

Guilty Plea from Dock Yard Man arrested for Firearm, Ammo

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Turks and Caicos, February 7, 2025 – A 20-year-old Dock Yard male pleaded guilty to four charges today (January 31) following a
robbery which occurred in 2024. JAMES SIMON is expected to be sentenced on April 03rd, 2025, having been convicted for the following offences:

  • One Count Possession of Firearm
  •  One Count Possession of Ammunition
  • One Count Robbery
  • One Count using a Firearm in the Commission of a Serious Offence

Based on the evidence presented before the court, Mr. Simon was arrested on May 02, 2024, along South Dock Road, where he was found with an illegal firearm.

Acting Superintendent in charge of Crime, Safeguarding and Public Protection Grantley Williams said, “Given the prevalence of firearm-related incidents, the Force has successfully removed one more illegal firearm from our streets. I applaud my officers for their vigilance and
dedication to their duty. I urge the public to assist us by reporting illegal firearms—if you have any information, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Please contact the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, or you can also anonymously share information via the Crime Stoppers P3 app. Together, we can make the Turks and Caicos Islands safer.”

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News

PUBLICATION OF THE 2025/2026 ELECTORS LIST

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – The Turks and Caicos Islanders will be given the opportunity to view the 2025/2026 Electors List from today February 1st, 2025.  Supervisor of Elections Lister Dudley Lewis will post the Electors List of voters to seventy-three (73) locations across the Turks and Caicos Islands. (It is important to remind the public that they would have had to be registered by November 30th 2023 to be eligible to vote in the February 7th 2025 General Election.)

After publication of the Electors List, Registered voters will have fourteen (14) days to scrutinize it and make any claims or objections.  Electors can make claims on their own or on behalf of others, as set out in Form 5  of the Elections Ordinance similarly, objections can be made as set out in Form 6.

An Elector who is off Island for the next two (2) weeks may appoint an agent to act on his/her behalf as set out in Form 7.  The Agent must produce a sworn affidavit that he/she are acting on the Claimant’s behalf.

Claims and Objections can be submitted to the Elections Office on Pond Street Grand Turk, Providenciales Elections Office Caribbean Place Leeward Highway and District Commissioner’s Officers or by e-mail to electionsdept@gov.tc

The Electors List will be available for viewing in the ten (10) Electoral Districts and elections Web page from today https://gov.tc/elections/

All Forms can be obtained from the Elections Office Grand Turk, Providenciales Elections Office and District Commissioner’s Officers.

The Electors List can be viewed at the following locations:

See Full list here: Electors List 2025[19]

 

ED 1 – Grand Turk North                                           ED 2 – Grand Turk South & Salt Cay

Fulford’s Gas Station                                                  IGA Supermarket

Sunny Food Store (West Road)                                  Do-it-Centre

Durham’s Home Centre                                              Sunny Foods

John Missick Bar (West Road)                                   Grand Turk Library

Shop Rite Grocery Store                                             Grand Turk International Airport

Things Galore Store (Over Back)                               DC’s Office Salt Cay

A&H Hair Supply (Over Back)                                  Community Centre (Salt Cay)

Fishermen Paradise (Over Back)                                Grand Turk Liquors

Poop Deck Restaurant (Pond Street)                          Grace Bay Pharmacy (Church Folly)

 

ED 3 – South Caicos                                       ED 4 – Middle and North Caicos

Airport Terminal                                                         Dist. Commissioner’s Office Conch Bar

District Commissioner’s Office                                  Community Centre, Bambarra

Seaview Marina                                                          Government Clinic, Lorimers

Super value Supermarket                                            Dist. Commissioner’s Office Bottle Creek

G & H Enterprise                                                        Kevin’s Enterprise

Government Treasury                                                 Digicel Store Bottle Creek

Community Centre Kew

Community Centre Whitby

Community Centre Sandy Point

 

ED 5 – Leeward                                                          ED – 6 The Bight

Sand Castle Convenience Store                                  Ocean Club Convenience Store

TCI Ferry Service                                                       Ocean Club Convenience Store

IBO Store                                                                    Kathleen’s 7 – 11 Store

Rick’s Flamingo Café                                                 Rubis Grace Bay Petro Mart

Rubis Gas Station

Grace way Gourmet Supermarket

Rubis Gas Station Longbay

 

ED 7 – Cheshire Hall & Richmond Hill                     ED – 8 Blue Hills

The Library                                                                 Keyse’s Variety Store

Grant’s Gas Station                                                     Publo Wash House

The Post Office                                                           Chicken Shack

Betty’s Store Kew Town                                            The African Store

Black’s Store Kew Town                                            Grace Variety Store

Chinson’s Grill Shack                                                 Lapel’s TCI Dry Cleaners

Discount Liquors                                                        G K Supermarket

Provo Discount Store                                                  Parker’s Variety Party Store

Building Material Do-It-Centre

Grace way IGA Supermarket

 

ED 9 – Five Cays                                                        ED 10 – Wheeland

Mackey’s Automotive                                                Froggies on the Beach

Kitch’s Restaurant                                                      Frank’s Store 4U

Hole in the Wall Restaurant                                       Red Zone Variety Store

Gilly’s Café International Airport

Shallende’s Auto Parts N Service

Walkin Service Station

Liz Bakery

Caicos Oil Mart

 

Lister Dudley Lewis

Supervisor of Elections

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