Dana Malcolm 
Staff Writer

The Ministry of Tourism is recouping its investment in European advertising as the country is seeing a marked increase in interest from visitors from that continent, according to the Ministry’s Quarterly Report shared with media on Friday, April 5.

Ticket purchases from the UK between January to August 2024 have increased by 54 percent, or over 2,800 more passengers. Nearly every other European destination also recorded upticks.

France is expected to contribute 761  visitors, a 13 percent increase,followed by Italy with  513  passengers (a slight decrease of 11 percent), and Germany, with 436 passengers, a jump of 55 percent.

Other areas with increases were Switzerland, Ireland, Spain, The Netherlands, Iceland, Czechia, Denmark, and Poland. Only Belgium and Italy recorded downturns.

The TCI has a foothold in North America, with the majority of its overnight guests coming in from the US, where direct flights are abundant, and Canada. The local government has expressed serious interest in breaking into the luxury tourism market in Europe.

Reflecting the increase more and more visitors are coming by air already,
“In January, we witnessed a substantial increase,  with  689  flights—an impressive  3.5%  rise compared to the same period in the previous year.  February continued this trend, with 666 commercial flights, marking a remarkable 15% year-over-year increase.  March further solidified this growth pattern, boasting 761 commercial flights, showcasing a commendable  16%  year-over-year surge,” the ministry explained.

By the end of 2024, the country is expecting to welcome 7420 flights which would be a  4.4%  increase over 2023. Whether it is ready for those numbers to pass through its beleaguered airport is another matter as travellers constantly complain about the congestion.

In an attempt to plan for this boom and its effect, a Tourism Capacity Carrying Study is also ongoing. The study will predict what the next 10 years in the Turks and Caicos will look like regarding tourism and how it may affect local life.

Using data from various sources to generate new insights, the study is supposed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the impact of the industry on the country.

Three models were developed for the three clear geographical areas where tourists are concentrated: Providenciales, Grand Turk and the  Other  Islands  (North Caicos, Middle Caicos, South Caicos and Salt Cay).

Each model had specific targets.

In Providenciales, the focus will be on providing affordable housing for workers, sustainable urbanization of the destination, enhancement of regulations about the short-term rental of apartments, and houses in the tourism sector plus land use, particularly about tourism infrastructures and facilities.

For Grand Turk, the cruise capital, with little stayover capacity, the important areas are the preservation of the cultural heritage, housing and tourism infrastructures and land use.
“The aim is to ensure that the cultural heritage of the island is not compromised by population growth and tourism development,” the MoT said.

Finally for the ‘Other Islands’ emphasis is placed on managing human impact on natural resources, the provision of desalination plants, and protecting the flora and fauna.

The capacity carrying report will be provided to the public when complete.

Dana Malcolm 
Staff Writer 

Visitors in the Turks and Caicos will now have direct access to a list of credible taxi drivers with the rollout of a multi-pronged “Rate Your Ride” system. The initiative comes on the heels of an attack on a tourist weeks prior.

The government is providing both information and allowing for feedback from tourists under the new system.

The information rollout via social media instructs tourists on the necessary identification to look for including license plates, TIDES ambassador cards and approved drivers licenses before accepting a ride. It is being shared widely on the government’s social media channels.

Also detailed, is how to use the mandatory tides cards which much be carried by all registered drivers. Each card will have a QR code which will take visitors to a list of approved drivers registered with the ministry of tourism’s regulations department.

The feedback section of the system uses a QR code which leads to a simplified portal allowing guests to use an online forum where they can rate the cleanliness, comfort, safety and professionalism of their drivers.

The ministry has not indicated how these ratings will be collated and whether consecutive negative or positive responses will have an effect on drivers’ public transportation licenses.

The rollout comes days after a New Jersey woman went public about being beaten two weeks ago in an attack by a man claiming to be a taxi driver.

Suyapa Ramos went to ABC news with her story after she was brutally assaulted. The woman said the attacker growled as he beat her, but was adamant that there were no sexual advances.

”I fought for my life, it was so scary to feel yourself so close to death,” the mother said after leaving the Turks and Caicos.

Police arrested her alleged attacker Davidson Martin, who Ramos says pretended to be a taxi driver. Residents say he is an illegal jitney, part of a group of mainly men who operate unlicensed cars as public transport vehicles while not having the legal right to do so.

Some may just be trying to make a quick buck but others have more nefarious plans evidenced by repeated warnings from the police to residents.  Early this year, at least two women reported being assaulted by a male driver operating a jitney; one had to jump from the moving car.

It’s clear with the new rollout, the government is hoping to avoid the confusion which can be dangerous.

The QR codes are available on the government’s social media at My Experience TCI on Facebook.

FortisTCI has requested the appointment of an independent inquirer to examine the reasonableness of the Company’s submission for revised electric rates. The request was submitted to Her Excellency the Governor today. The Company’s submission proposed a 6% rate increase across service territories.

The appointment of an inquirer forms part of the rate review process outlined in the Electricity Ordinance. Interested persons can make representation during the inquiry. Once completed, the inquirer provides a report to FortisTCI as the public supplier and to Her Excellency the Governor with its recommendations.

The Company’s proposal for revised electric rates was submitted to the Governor on February 14, 2024, and was supported by substantial information. As part of the rate review process, Her Excellency, the Governor, requested additional information through the Energy and Utilities Commissioner, and the Company met all additional requests.

FortisTCI understands the difficulties that customers can face with electricity bills. For this reason, the Company works hard to ensure that electric rates have remained as stable as possible. The Company invests responsibly and maintains an efficient operation, providing customers with one of the most reliable electricity services in the Caribbean.

FortisTCI maintains that revised electric rates are necessary at this time to expand the electricity system and maintain reliable service to customers, amid rising energy demand as the Turks and Caicos Islands economy continues to grow. Like other businesses, external pressures such as persistent high inflation and high interest costs have also impacted the operation. These are the primary reasons for the electric rates review.

Before the current submission of revised rates, FortisTCI had requested one general rate review in twenty years. This was to help recover significant investments made after Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. The rate increase was granted after the appointment of an Inquirer, who determined that the Company’s request was necessary and reasonable. The inquirer’s report also highlighted that FortisTCI had prudently managed its costs and operation.

Similarly, the Company welcomes an open and independent examination of its current request for revised electric rates. FortisTCI will hold information meetings across the islands to discuss its proposed revised rates, providing customers with opportunities to have their questions answered. The schedule of meetings will be published on the Company’s social media pages.