#Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – October 15, 2020 — Although vacation bookings for the October 14 opening of Beaches Resort Turks and Caicos were not through the roof, executives today explained it was not expected that they would be and the slow crawl of tourism amidst the coronavirus pandemic is absolutely not the reason the 700+ room resort has delayed its restart.
Magnetic Media was aiming to
ascertain if there could be alternative causes for the announcement of a delay just
five days before the luxury family all-inclusive was expected to open its
double gates to guests.
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Our probing, however, only unearthed
more of the same; Beaches will not re-open to tourism until a four-year-old tax
dispute is addressed.
“Breaches of our Development Agreement(s) and other legally
binding commitments have yet to be resolved for nearly 4 years, despite
tireless efforts by Beaches. The Board of Directors has therefore
mandated that the re-opening of Beaches be postponed,” said BTC in a statement
on Friday, October 9.
Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, Chairman of Sandals Resorts International which
owns Beaches, has a high level executive team in country, hoping to end the
stalemate. Progress is however, slow
going and this legal limbo is characterised as the worse experience Beaches
Resort has ever encountered.
“Our team and the citizens of the TCIG deserve so much better from
an elected government. Unfortunately, we must admit that this is the most
ineffective Government we have ever had to deal with when compared to the other
jurisdictions in which we operate. Our Development Agreement(s) and other
legally binding written commitments have been disregarded and trampled on.”
Many residents are dumb-struck by the allegations. Could government really be this irresponsible about untangling a fiscal mess with such a prominent investor and mammoth partner in tourism?
Beaches Craft Market day; Photo by Magnetic Media in February 2020
Five days later and no assurances are
coming from the Ministry of Finance, which is led by Sharlene Robinson, the Premier
of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
It is a wait and see as the Turks and
Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) has, since the disappointing announcement, been
mute; having stated previously it prefers not to engage in a public row with
the resort which employs 2,000 people; the largest employee complement in the
private sector.
Beaches Resort Turks and Caicos however, is
less given to silence and is not playing coy; a new press statement issued
today to Magnetic Media called the Government Administration incompetent.
“Beaches is told that the TCIG has been “working
hard” to resolve the matter. If that is the case, then 4 years later it
certainly appears to us that it is incompetence.”
This fiscal fiasco cannot be blamed on
COVID-19. The ongoing dispute does
however deepen the already severely depressed Turks and Caicos economy. Turks
and Caicos tourism, as a result of the unrelenting ravages of the pandemic on
the travel industry, is forecast to fall by over 50 percent and that could
worsen.
Hon Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, Chairman, Sandals Resorts International
“Beaches empathises with the hardship
being experienced by so many. Commercial activity has been at a
standstill since March of this year. Time is of the essence for the
TCIG to bring economic activity back to life to ensure the wellbeing and health
of the citizens of the TCI who have suffered for far too long. This
continued inaction by the TCIG is so grave that Beaches would be irresponsible
if we were to remain silent.”
Chairman Stewart, Magnetic Media is
informed, was prepared to reopen Beaches Resort Turks and Caicos with the
irregularly low bookings. The expectation
brought hundreds of staffers back to work at the start of the month in
preparation for the first guests. Team members we spoke to were happy,
optimistic for the first time in a long time and they were not alone.
Beaches Resort’s expansiveness brings
buoyancy to the entire island of Providenciales and beyond – taxi drivers,
retailers, grocers, craft market vendors other hotels, sister islands and the airlines
are all happier when Beaches is open.
“As the anchor resort in the TCI, we can
assure our incredible and dedicated team members together with the taxi
association and the wider community that we remain committed to the Turks and
Caicos Islands. We continue to extend our hand in having this matter
resolved fairly.”
Beaches responded to Magnetic Media with
the explanation that the company is not trying to bully the government and regrets
that it did not keep its promise to open on Wednesday.
Before the Covid-19 Pandemic crashed the travel and tourism industry; tourism was projected to surge beyond the 600,000 long stay visitor mark for Turks and Caicos. Photo by Magnetic Media in February 2020
“Beaches Resorts like so many others,
looked forward to re-opening its doors on October 14, 2020. Sadly this did
not take place despite every effort, humanly possible by our team to have these
long outstanding matters resolved with the TCIG. Beaches has been
extremely clear for nearly 4 years, that it owes no taxes whatsoever. As such,
there is no favour or forgiveness being sought from the TCIG.”
Beaches adds, they believe the matter
related to the dispute about unpaid or over paid taxes could be resolved in a
matter of days.
Beaches Resort Villages & Spa in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos has given its new reopening date as November 18.
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.
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — For two consecutive weeks, popular on‑air personalities set up remote studios on the sands of Grace Bay, turning Beaches Turks & Caicos into a live broadcast hub for North American listeners. Morning shows and drive‑time programmes all streamed directly from the resort, with hosts sharing first‑hand impressions of the islands’ beaches, culinary scene, and signature warm hospitality.
The broadcasts formed part of the “Password to Paradise” promotion, a multi‑station campaign that invited listeners to tune in for special on‑air codes for the chance to win all‑inclusive vacations to Beaches Turks and Caicos resort. Stations in major markets across the U.S. and Canada used the resort as their backdrop while encouraging audiences to “trade the cold for Turks and Caicos,” painting vivid pictures of turquoise waters and white‑sand shores with every break.
The “Password to Paradise” mission, already a proven radio promotion format in Canada and the U.S., took on new resonance when paired with live reports from the resort itself. Contest teasers, winner announcements, and social media reels featuring guests arriving in Turks and Caicos amplified the islands’ profile well beyond traditional print or digital advertising.
Tourism officials have welcomed the radio initiative as a timely boost to an already buoyant sector. Minister of Tourism, Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment, Hon. Zhavargo Jolly, emphasized the importance of partnerships that not only grow arrivals but also ensure that Turks and Caicos Islanders remain the primary beneficiaries of tourism’s success.
In commenting on the recent wave of live broadcasts and contests, Minister Jolly noted, “these visiting broadcasters have showcased the islands to millions of listeners across North America and underscored the “value added” to an economy that continues to expand on the strength of tourism.” He continued, “ sustained, experience‑driven campaigns like “Password to Paradise” align with the government’s broader strategy of attracting high‑value visitors while protecting the country’s natural assets and cultural heritage.”
The Turks and Caicos tourism product is widely described as a cornerstone of the national economy, as this sector continues to grow from strength to strength it will increase the number job creation for islanders.
Additionally, tourism leaders point to the long‑tail impact of being featured repeatedly across multiple radio brands, social channels and contest sites. Each on‑air mention, online clip and contest entry serves as an invitation to discover Turks and Caicos, reinforcing the islands’ reputation as a premier Caribbean destination at a time when global competition for tourists is intense.
For Beaches Turks and Caicos, the broadcasts were another opportunity to highlight its position as one of the region’s leading family‑friendly all‑inclusive resorts. DJs and hosts shared experiences from the resort’s multiple villages, expansive pools, waterpark attractions, and dining venues, giving listeners an authentic taste of the “Luxury Included” vacation concept from a guest’s point of view.
General Manager, Deryk Meany highlighted the resort’s partnership with the radio stations as he complemented a wider pattern of media collaborations that Turks and Caicos has pursued in recent years, from television features in major U.S. markets to digital campaigns showcasing the archipelago’s diverse islands. With the success of the latest “Password to Paradise” mission, industry insiders say the stage is set for more creative broadcast partnerships that leverage the power of storytelling to keep Turks and Caicos Islands firmly on the map.
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — Beaches Turks & Caicos, a PADI-certified dive resort in Providenciales, continues to invest in its watersports team by training and certifying four team members to become qualified dive instructors to its operation. The resort operates one of the most comprehensive resort diving programmes in the region, offering on-site PADI courses and daily dives for guests of varying experience levels.
These latest certifications were conducted under the supervision of PADI Course Director and Dive Shop Manager Leonard Suckrajh, who is among an elite group of PADI professionals in the Caribbean. His role as course director allows the resort to deliver instructor-level training on property, further elevating the standard of safety, education and guest experience at the resort’s dive centre.
Suckrajh expressed his satisfaction with the commitment and professionalism demonstrated by the four new instructors, Almina Browne, Cicely Clarke, Andrew Dunkley and Boat Captain Tryston Sang throughout their training and assessment. “I am extremely proud of them,” he said. “They have invested significant time and effort in developing their technical competence and instructional skills and their achievement reflects a deep commitment to delivering safe, high-quality dive experiences for our guests.”
He noted that their performance reflects a strong culture of excellence within the watersports department and aligns with the resort’s long-standing emphasis on safety and training. “At Beaches Turks and Caicos, our objective is not only to train divers, but to develop highly responsible professionals who understand that every dive is grounded in safety, teamwork and respect for the marine environment,” he added. Suckrajh, whose own progression to course director spans more than two decades in watersports and diving within the Sandals and Beaches brands, said the new instructors represent “the next generation of leaders within our dive operation.”
General Manager, Deryk Meany, commended the level of collaboration required to guide four new instructors through the rigorous PADI process. “Attaining PADI instructor status is a demanding accomplishment that cannot be realized in isolation,” Meany said. “It requires the coordinated support of the dive shop, the wider watersports team, and the broader resort operation to ensure candidates have the necessary resources, time and mentorship to succeed.”
He emphasized that strengthening the cadre of certified instructors supports the resort’s commitment to excellence in guest service. “Each additional instructor enhances our capacity to offer guests a greater range of options, a higher degree of personal attention and consistently high safety standards,” Meany continued. “This milestone reinforces our position as a leading provider of family-friendly diving experiences in the Caribbean.”
Beaches Turks and Caicos is recognized for providing a wide spectrum of PADI courses on site, from Discover Scuba Diving and Open Water certification to advanced and specialty programmes. Previous training initiatives at the resort have resulted in many team members achieving PADI instructor status, significantly increasing both certification capacity and in-water safety oversight.
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — Students from the Clement Howell High School were recently welcomed to Beaches Turks and Caicos for an immersive fine dining and etiquette session at one of the resort’s signature à la carte restaurants. For the second consecutive year, the resort’s learning and development, public relations and food and beverage teams designed and delivered practical training that exposed students to the standards and expectations of a world‑class hospitality environment.
General Manager of Beaches Turks and Caicos, Deryk Meany, said the resort is committed to making the experience a fixture on the school calendar. “We are honoured to once again open our doors to the students of Clement Howell High School,” Meany added. “As one of the largest employers and training grounds in the Turks and Caicos Islands, we see it as our responsibility to help prepare the next generation with the skills, confidence and professional support they need to succeed in hospitality and beyond.”
He added that the partnership aligns with the values of both Beaches Resorts and the Sandals Foundation. “This programme is about more than a single day at the resort,” Meany continued. “It is about creating a consistent pathway for young people to see themselves in this industry, to understand the standards we uphold, and to recognise that there is a place for them at every level of the tourism sector.”
During the session, the resort’s learning and development and food and beverage professionals guided students through the full fine‑dining experience—from greeting and seating, to understanding multi‑course menus, cutlery placement, napkin etiquette and appropriate table conversation. Students also learned about body language, professional dress, and how to conduct themselves confidently in formal and semi‑formal settings such as interviews, scholarship dinners and official functions.
Learning and Development Manager Phildreka Mayham explained that the training was deliberately structured to blend technical knowledge with life skills. “Our goal is to demystify the fine dining environment for these students,” Mayham noted. “We want them not only to know which fork to use, but to understand that etiquette is really about respect for others, respect for themselves, and the ability to move comfortably in any social or professional space.”
She added that the programme is also a platform to introduce students to career possibilities. “Through this engagement, they get to interact directly with our team members, ask questions about different roles, and see first‑hand that hospitality offers diverse pathways—from culinary arts and service to training, management, and leadership,” Mayham shared.
For Clement Howell High School, the partnership with Beaches Turks and Caicos and the Sandals Foundation has become an important extension of the Health and Family Life Education (HFLE) curriculum. Guidance Counsellor Tanisha Graham said the experience supports the school’s broader focus on personal development and career readiness. “Our students are learning about self‑presentation, communication, and social responsibility in the classroom,” Graham noted. “Being able to step into a professional fine dining setting and put those lessons into practice is incredibly powerful for them.”
Graham emphasised the impact on students’ self‑confidence. “Many of our students are experiencing this kind of setting for the very first time,” she explained. “To see them sit up a little straighter, engage in conversation, and realise that they belong in these spaces—that is transformational. It reinforces the message that their potential is limitless.
Public Relations Manager, Orville Morgan added, “this initiative forms part of the resort’s ongoing investment in education and skills development across the Turks and Caicos Islands, complementing previous support to Clement Howell High, including enhancements to hospitality‑related clubs and programmes. The fine dining and etiquette training is expected to continue as an annual feature, with plans to refine and expand the experience based on feedback from students and teachers.”
As the second cohort of HFLE students completed their training, teachers expressed optimism that the collaboration will continue to grow and inspire even more young people to consider careers in hospitality. For Beaches Turks and Caicos, the hope is that today’s students will return in the years ahead as interns, team members, and leaders—bringing with them the confidence, poise and professionalism first nurtured at a carefully set table in one of the resort’s restaurants.