#Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – July 24, 2020 — Less than 72 hours after the Turks and Caicos celebrated a jubilant reopening of its borders to tourism came the unsettling announcement by Beaches Resort Villages & Spa; the resort today revealed that it will not reopen until October 14.
Beaches Turks and Caicos (BTC) is the country’s
largest private sector employer; said to have some 2,000 staff members.
Beaches Turks and Caicos resort on Worlds #1 Beach Destination, Grace Bay Beach
While the statement, made earlier today, is
distressing for the team, which has not seen a regular paycheck since March,
the implications on air travel to Turks and Caicos is far reaching in its
impact on employees and employers across the country.
Beaches Resort accounts for 70 percent of long-stay
visitor arrivals to the Turks and Caicos; these are the guests who fill up the
airplanes of major carriers like: American Airlines, Delta Airlines, JetBlue,
United Airlines, West Jet, Air Canada, South West Airlines and British Airways which
run regular commutes from Providenciales (PLS) to popular hubs in North America
and Europe.
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James McAnally, General Manager of BTC today confirmed
the worst fears of many.
In a media statement, Beaches said, “We know
all too well the tremendous fallout the closure of Beaches would have in terms
of employment, revenue, airlift and the overall economy in the TCI, and we wish
to assure our valued guests, team members and stakeholders that we are sparing
no effort to have the resort ready to receive guests well ahead of the popular
Christmas season.”
Other resort properties and partners in the
tourism industry realize this decision, forced upon Beaches Resort by the
unplanned, unprecedented Covid-19 outbreak worldwide, could and likely will
have a harrowing ripple effect.
It is possible that airlines could decrease frequency
in flights or worse, cease operations altogether until Beaches Resort is
reopened.
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Beaches (BTC), in that statement, clearly
recognizes how essential its operation of 750 plus hotel rooms has on the
tourism and travel sector.
The executives of the resort give good effort
to offering a bright side perspective, which is that the sprawling family
all-inclusive has no intention of pushing its opening back any further.
“…this announcement will provide an important
signal to the airlines who can now start planning on recommenced scheduled
airlift to the Turks and Caicos Islands, a major boost for the overall industry
and economy.”
The problem is, with the global impact of
Covid-19 being felt in the worst possible ways, it is hard to celebrate
Christmas in July.
For some of the Beaches team members who tell
Magnetic Media they have not yet been directly informed by the resort of its
decision, two and half more months of no work and little pay, if any, is
depressing and distressing.
One staff member reported having a “near
panic attack.”
Covid-19 is not to be taken lightly.
Beaches Turks and Caicos water park
It is a potentially deadly virus which has now
infected 16.7 million people in the seven months since its dastardly debut in
January 2020.
The hospitality and travel industries have
been shattered by the contagion which demands that people do not touch each
other; that they remain distant; that tends to thrive on most surfaces; which
is highly infectious; that disguises itself as the common cold; it debilitates
its human host by sometimes severely sabotaging its respiratory system and
which has no vaccine to date.
Nearly 650 thousand people have died from the
coronavirus.
The implications of resuming operations at
one of the Caribbean’s largest resort properties are not lost on Beaches or
onlookers.
On any given day, thousands of people can be
found on the property, booked for vacations which give them access to over 20
restaurants, six outdoor pools, a waterpark, adventures and tours, spa, twelve
bars, four luxury resort villages which cover 93-acres on the world famous,
Grace Bay Beach.
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“As anyone can imagine, this is no small
undertaking due the many variables of cost, size and sheer magnitude of the
resort; however, we have always kept our promises to the people of the TCI, and
we intend to do so again.”
In the statement, Beaches Resort admits it
will be reliant upon its staff to be TCI Assured certified opening day.
“It is to this proven
and dedicated team that we entrust our highly touted Beaches Platinum Protocols
of Cleanliness, explicitly designed to ensure the strictest health and safety
measures. Guests can rest assured
therefore that when our doors open on October 14, you will be in the safest
hands and will be taken care of by a team that is unmatched in its level of training
and development.”
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Turks and Caicos Islands – March 10, 2026 – Commercial flights between Grand Turk and South Caicos have been temporarily discontinued, leaving residents without a direct air link between the two islands since March 1.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Government confirmed the suspension in a statement Tuesday, explaining that the route — which operates under a government subsidy — is currently under review as officials reassess the tender process used to award the service.
The Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, Investment and Trade said the government is “working diligently to assess available options” to restore reliable air service between the islands as quickly as possible.
While the statement did not identify which airline had been operating the route, historically Caicos Express Airways and interCaribbean Airways have provided flights between South Caicos and Grand Turk using small twin-engine aircraft.
Officials acknowledged the disruption has caused concern among residents, noting that inter-island air travel is critical for access to essential services, business activity and government operations.
The government emphasized that the suspension does not affect flights between Grand Turk and Salt Cay, which continue to operate normally.
The review now underway will determine the next provider for the subsidized route. Authorities say the process must be conducted in a “fair, transparent and efficient manner” before service can resume.
For residents of the two islands, however, the immediate issue remains transportation — with many now forced to reroute through Providenciales or rely on limited sea travel until the air connection is restored.
Further updates are expected once the government completes its review and awards a new operating arrangement.
Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands — A major new chapter in Caribbean tourism has begun in the Turks and Caicos Islands with the opening of Treasure Beach Village at Beaches Turks and Caicos, a $150 million expansion expected to drive increased bookings, air arrivals and tourism earnings for the country.
The new oceanfront development, officially opened on February 28, adds 101 luxury multi-bedroom suites to the resort and introduces new dining, entertainment and family experiences designed to strengthen the destination’s position in the global luxury family vacation market.
Tourism officials and resort executives say the expansion is expected to generate greater demand for the destination, which in turn translates to more flights, more visitor spending and increased government revenue from hotel and tourism taxes.
The development is part of an ongoing investment strategy by Sandals Resorts International, which continues to expand the Beaches brand across the Caribbean.
Executive Chairman Adam Stewart described the opening as a powerful signal of confidence in the Turks and Caicos tourism product.
“This moment reflects a partnership between Sandals and the Turks and Caicos Islands that has been built over decades,” Stewart said during the opening celebrations. The new village, he added, builds on the brand’s reputation for creating multi-generational travel experiences where families reconnect and spend meaningful time together.
The resort expansion reinforces Beaches’ reputation as the world’s leading luxury all-inclusive resort brand for families, and Beaches Turks and Caicos continues to stand as one of the Caribbean’s most prestigious properties.
Government officials attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony, including Tourism Minister Zhavargo Jolly, said the investment strengthens the destination’s international standing and highlights continued confidence in the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premier tourism market.
The new village significantly expands the resort’s accommodation offerings with spacious ocean-view suites and high-end villas designed to host larger families and groups. The property now includes luxury options such as the CrystalSky four-bedroom beachfront villas and a multi-level Chairman’s Penthouse suite capable of accommodating up to ten guests.
Treasure Beach Village also introduces six new dining concepts, including the Pinta Food Hall with multiple global cuisine stations and Butch’s Island Chop House, a signature steakhouse previously exclusive to the Sandals brand.
Additional amenities include a 15,000-square-foot lagoon pool, waterslides and splash zones for children, a swim-up bar, and the brand’s first Starfish Cinema, a theatre designed for family movie nights.
Guests staying in the new village will also have access to the full Beaches Turks and Caicos experience, including 28 restaurants, the 45,000-square-foot Pirates Island Water Park, unlimited water sports and supervised children’s programmes.
Industry observers say the investment not only enhances the visitor experience but also strengthens Turks and Caicos’ reputation as one of the Caribbean’s most sought-after luxury destinations.
Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, 6 March 2026: Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Today, as we observe National Teachers’ Day, we pause to recognize and celebrate the remarkable contributions of our teachers and the dedicated leaders of our schools. Your commitment to shaping young minds, guiding character, and nurturing potential is a calling that reaches far beyond the classroom. Proverbs 22:6 reminds us, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Your daily efforts reflect the truth and wisdom of these words.
We also extend sincere appreciation to the leaders of our schools whose vision, guidance, and steady leadership create environments where both teachers and students can flourish. Your role in supporting educators and maintaining strong, positive learning communities is invaluable to the continued progress of our education system.
Teaching is not without its challenges. Yet, even in moments of stress and difficulty, our teachers continue to demonstrate genuine love, patience, and concern for their students. For this, we are deeply grateful. Your compassion, encouragement, and dedication help our children feel seen, valued, and inspired to reach their full potential. Truly, to teach is indeed to touch lives forever.
Education is strongest when it is supported by partnership. We must also recognize the important role of parents and families in the success of our children. When schools and homes work together, the results are powerful. As we often say, when parents lead, children succeed. This shared commitment creates a strong foundation for learning and growth.
As a Department and Ministry of Education, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting our teachers and school leaders. We will continue to invest in meaningful professional development, provide the resources necessary for effective teaching and learning, and strengthen the systems that empower educators to thrive in their profession. Your work matters deeply, and we remain dedicated to ensuring you have the support needed to continue making a lasting difference.
On behalf of the Ministry of Education, I thank you. Thank you for your dedication, your resilience, your leadership, and for the love and care you show to our children each and every day. Today we celebrate you and the incredible impact you have on our nation’s future.