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Covid tourism hit at $94 million; TCI No. 1 globally for GDP percentage loss

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#Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – August 25, 2020 – Turks and Caicos has lost $94 million in revenue due to Covid-19, the highest percentage loss of GDP in the world according to a news report which extrapolated data quantifying the enormous blow to the industry.

London-based, TTRWeekly.com explains the data is drawn from the World Travel and Tourism Council report on the impact of Covid-19 on the travel industry.  The GDP data, said the online article, is taken from the World Bank up to July 2020.

Five Caribbean region countries make the list of most lost by percentage and overall, the Caribbean islands make up 50 percent of those who have suffered the highest percentage loss in GDP.

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In that Top 10 world list are also Aruba, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Lucia and Grenada.

Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Sharlene Robinson was asked about this ghastly reality.

“Because we are heavily dependent upon tourism, of course our GDP will be seriously impacted; that is something that I announced two weeks ago,” said the Premier and Finance Minister in a press conference today.

In July, the Premier announced the Turks and Caicos Islands economy contracted by 26 percent since the pandemic gripped the globe.

It is estimated that travel and tourism has taken a $195 billion hit in the first four months of 2020 alone due to Covid-19.

Beaches Resort, TCI largest private sector employer remains closed due to COVID-19 impact on travel and tourism; planned reopening in October

The biggest loss in tourism revenue was over $30 million, suffered by the United States; the figure in the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) report is reflective of .15 percent of US annual GDP.

For Turks and Caicos, this meant a 9.23 percent loss in revenue to the country or $94 million.

“CARICOM had put out some figures – putting our loss in the region in the billions. So we can appreciate that we are just heavily dependent upon tourism so there will be a serious fall out for us in loss…”

The country’s Opposition Party Leader and former Finance Minister, Washington Misick, last week said the Turks and Caicos Islands was in a “deep recession.”

The TCI Premier today said, “not yet.”

According to the World Tourism Organization: “International arrivals declined 97% in the month of April, reflecting travel restrictions in 100% of all destinations worldwide, amid measures to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.  This represents a loss of 180 million international arrivals compared to the same period of 2019, which translates into US$195 billion in lost international tourism receipts (export revenues).  By regions, Asia and the Pacific, the first region to suffer the impact of the pandemic, saw a 51% decrease in arrivals in January-April 2020. Europe recorded the second strongest decline with 44% fewer arrivals, followed by the Middle East (-40%), the Americas (-36%) and Africa (-35%).”

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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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