#EDITORIAL – September 6, 2020 – One of the most common accusations levelled against the PDM Administration Government, amidst the coronavirus pandemic is: “I’m getting no reply.”
Magnetic Media is in receipt of
emails, text notes, WhatsApp messages, phone calls and Facebook messages on a
daily basis which accuse the Turks and Caicos Islands Government – from Premier
to Ministers to Chief Medical Officer – of not responding to urgent questions
and serious dilemmas communicated in the midst of the string of crises brought
on by COVID-19.
Tourists are cancelling
vacations.
Terminated work permit holders
cannot leave the country.
Residents question the safety going
home after possible coronavirus exposure at work, for fear of possibly contaminating
high-risk loved ones.
And employers cannot execute any
screening of staff, even if they wanted to.
The reason: Despite at least two facilities attempting to offer the service, Government has yet to approve a community-based COVID-19 testing facility in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Incomprehensively, government is also denying travel-oriented tests to residents, terminated workers who need to return to their countries of origin and tourists, yes tourists who also need to have a negative PCR test in order to re-enter their home countries.
Each case is of low priority, according to the testing protocols issued by the TCI Ministry of Health.
Government is on record often, restating that there is ‘wide consultation.’ However, many professionals and industries are dumbfounded at being side-lined in the face of this multi-pronged problem.
Travel and Tourism, globally is
on life support. Just this week,
American Airlines announced 40,000 jobs would be impacted by terminations and
layoffs.
The World Travel & Tourism Council has surmised that the Turks and Caicos has taken a near $100 million dollar hit in tourism earnings in the first quarter of 2020 and this week, the Immigration Minister revealed over 3,825 people are laid off amidst the pandemic.
This impact was forecast since
April in a Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association commissioned KPMG
report. The findings were immediately presented
to the PDM Government.
Again, to this report reaction by
Government was labelled ‘slow’ and a major opportunity for a unique financing
plan for the private sector and tourism as the leading industry, may have been
missed.
Government’s grand design for
stimulus payments is now stalled. A
cash-strapped public purse is feeling the effects of the crippled local economy,
though there have been some recent payouts to more businesses.
No robust tourism equates to
significantly reduced income, which leaves government with little to no revenue
to collect.
Relations are tense. The Governor is audible, but only in
whispers.
Those writing to Magnetic Media
explain that the Governor is responsive but has expressed that he would prefer
to allow the local government to lead.
But where is the leadership? Or at least the ‘caring leadership’ the people had been promised?
File: PDM in opposition from 2016 press conference
Among the words penned to our
media company are: Chaotic; Uncaring;
Defensive; Lacking Empathy; Arrogant and Out of their Depth.
Too often, it is our experience as a media company, that elected government leaders have retreated from the front lines; seemingly hushed and inexplicably quiet.
We have had reports that…
Questions related to Finance, Administration & Business – no reply.
Questions related to Tourism – no reply.
Questions related to Education – no reply.
Questions related to Health – no reply.
Four years ago this was not the case. As with all opposition parties when they want ‘power’, the PDM could not stop talking. Now, with there being a dire need for a calm, steady, consistent, responsive voice… there is silence.
Who will make sure this testing
center – which has already resubmitted in order to be approved in the latest
standards request – is activated?
The people need this service and the people also want to know what government is specifically doing to expedite the process of giving proper approval.
Yet, to the questions and pressure and down right pleas for assistance or intervention, there is no reply.
It is a sad and frustrating refrain for this PDM Administration.
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.
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
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.
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.