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Can TCI Gov’t and Beaches Resort resolve tax row in 10-days? Mediator can start work Nov 8

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Beaches Resort unveiled new Covid ready amenities, Photo by Magnetic Media

#Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – October 19, 2020 — Negotiations to resolve the multi-million dollar claims of non-payment or over-payment linked to Beaches Turks and Caicos could begin in 20 days, now that a mediator proposed by the Turks and Caicos Islands Government has been accepted by the resort.

“After four years, the Government has finally agreed to a process of mediation to which we are fully committed in an effort to bring this long outstanding matter to a fair conclusion. TCIG proposed a list of mediators and we agreed to one of them. The Mediator is available the week of November 8, 2020 and we have advised the TCIG that we are ready, willing and able to proceed.  We trust that the TCIG will enjoin in the mediation process during this period in good faith as committed,” explained Beaches Resort in a statement issued today.

In response to Magnetic Media questions  about who is the mediator and what is the proposed timeline for start and conclusion of the negotiations, the Premier said via email that, “The matter with Beaches remains sensitive. Both TCIG and Beaches are moving with urgency and until dates are finalised, TCIG is not in a position to state a timeline outside of as soon as possible. 

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I will ask Beaches and TCIG’s lawyers as to whether information about the mediation process can be shared at this point.”

Sharlene Robinson, TCI Premier and Minister of Finance, in a letter issued last week to media informed of the offer of a mediator.

“Obvious by its absence in Beaches’ press release is reference to the ongoing urgent discussions and actions between the parties’ respective lawyers to appoint a qualified mediator to facilitate a resolution. TCIG has since May this year agreed to a mediator and it is hoped that such a mediation will take place next month.”

Beaches Resort over the weekend confirmed to Magnetic Media that it was true; they were in receipt of a list of candidates. The fact had not made it to any of their public statements on the litigation.

The Premier rejected the characterisation of ‘incompetence’ by Beaches Resort and in a TCI Sun newspaper article, was resolute that government has not ignored the law suit for years. 

“The line being peddled by Beaches that a lawsuit remains unresolved after 4 years is demonstrably untrue. As I have previously made clear, Beaches first issued proceedings in May 2019. We continue to await their amended claim, promised by their attorney in August 2020. They have also brought proceedings seeking to challenge an assessment made in February 2020. It does not follow that, because Beaches repeatedly assert that they don’t owe taxes, that that is legally the case,” she said.

Beaches Resort Turks and Caicos has added thousands of features to brace for a post Covid reopening. Photo by Magnetic Media

Magnetic Media has learned the individual, a male, is a Queen’s Counsel (QC) attorney with experience in negotiating tax disputes.

The background and adeptness of the QC is critical as there is so much riding on the process, not least of which is the impending re-opening of the resort on November 18.

Beaches’ Board of Directors is adamant that it will not re-open the property which employs 2,000 people and which attracts the lion’s share of long stay visitors to the country, until the matter is addressed.

“We echo the sentiments of TCIG that the Turks and Caicos Islands is also beautiful with remarkable people and we look forward to re-opening our doors in due course once approved by the Board of Directors. The statement also explained, “Beaches TCI wishes to make it clear that it has made no unreasonable demands whatsoever. Beaches is not asking TCIG for any favours or special treatment and any suggestion to the contrary, is simply a PR spin on the facts.”

Beaches Resort Turks and Caicos claims its Development Agreement was breached and they had been overpaying taxes. 

“Beaches simply wants the Government to honour the terms of its Development Agreement(s) and other legally binding commitments, nothing more, nothing less. Breaches of these Agreement(s) by TCIG is the reason Beaches was compelled to file its lawsuit in May 2019.”

TCIG claims Beaches Resort is severely in arrears to the tune of a reported $20 million dollars. 

Beaches TC, five days before opening its mega resort property on Grace Bay Beach in Providenciales, announced it would postpone reopening amidst the coronavirus pandemic from October 14 to November 18; it was a devastating announcement.

The result is a volley of spicy statements which had not nudged the needle until now.

The mediator has indicated he can begin the negotiation process on November 8. The ball is now in TCIG’s court.

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.

TCI News

VisitTCI and Potcake Place Highlight Growing Homeless Dog Crisis  

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Turks and Caicos Islands could soon be facing a major tourism problem: thousands more stray dogs.

It’s a likely consequence of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ban on US puppy imports, says Potcake Place K9 Rescue founder and director Jane ParkerRauw in a new video produced by Visit Turks and Caicos Islands.

The collaboration between the country’s leading tourism website and the charity dog rescue—which works to reduce the local population of homeless dogs—sheds light on how the CDC ruling has disrupted the charity’s operations and is contributing to an alarming rise in the country’s homeless dogs.

“It’s going to take years of getting back from [the progress we’ve lost] over the last 14 months,” said Parker-Rauw in an interview with VisitTCI. “I can’t stress how in such a short period of time, this is going to have such an impact on tourism here.”

On Aug. 1, 2024, the CDC’s ban on importing dogs less than six months old into the US took effect. The ban aims to prevent the introduction of DMRVV (dog-maintained rabies virus variant) into the US.

Since then, Potcake Place has been unable to find homes for hundreds of puppies. For the first time in the rescue’s 25-year history, they have had to turn away dogs.

“If we allow stray dogs to overrun the islands, it will inevitably affect the experience of our visitors and the tourism industry as a whole,” says Daniel J. LeVin, executive editor of VisitTCI. “Visit Turks and Caicos Islands works hard to promote the Turks and Caicos as one of the world’s premier travel destinations, and that means supporting efforts that protect the environment, community, and visitor experience.”

Many residents of Providenciales remember a time when wild dogs were shot to keep packs in check, or more recently, the fatal attack of a North Caicos woman in 2012 by feral dogs.

Large stray populations pose health and safety risks, deter tourists, and strain public resources. Many puppies the Potcake Place has had to turn away since the ban began have likely already had puppies themselves, says Parker-Rauw.

The impact of controlling a potentially explosive population of homeless dogs could have serious negative effects on the Turks and Caicos tourism industry, as seen in countries like Turkey.

“Two dogs in six years, if none of their offspring die, will produce 62,000 dogs,” says Parker-Rauw. “This is a major problem.”

The United States accounts for over 80% of visitors to the Turks and Caicos Islands and the vast majority of Potcake Place’s adoptions.

Since the ban came into effect, US adoptions have dropped from roughly 500 per year to just five per month, says Parker-Rauw. Getting older puppies to the US is challenging, as they’re too large for airline cabins and not permitted in the hold of planes traveling between Turks and Caicos and the US.

Potcake Place has been advocating for a revision of the ban to allow puppies from lowrisk rabies or rabies-free countries into the US. Turks and Caicos is a DMRVV-free country, and all puppies adopted through Potcake Place are fully vaccinated before travel.

This collaboration is one of several that Visit Turks and Caicos Islands has spearheaded this year to promote sustainable tourism. Both the video and an expanded article can be found at www.visittci.com/news.

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TCI News

Turks and Caicos Islands Reaffirms Status as Premier Beach and Romance Destination at World Travel Awards  

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Mr. Paul Pennicook, Interim CEO Consultant, Experience Turks and Caicos

PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS – (October 6th, 2025) – The Turks and Caicos Islands has once again reaffirmed its status as the Caribbean’s premier beach and romance destination at the annual World Travel Awards.

At the ceremony held in Saint Lucia on October 4th, the destination was named the region’s Leading Beach Destination and Most Romantic Destination. Turks and Caicos has captured the Leading Beach Destination title every year since 2015 and the Most Romantic Destination award for seven consecutive years.

“It is no secret that the Turks and Caicos Islands is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, and we are honoured that voters continue to recognise this. Our pristine waters and secluded settings also make the destination one of the world’s most romantic getaways, especially for couples seeking luxury and intimacy. On behalf of Experience Turks and Caicos, I extend sincere thanks to the World Travel Awards and to everyone who voted in support of our islands,” said Mr. Paul Pennicook, Interim CEO Consultant, Experience Turks and Caicos.

Experience Turks and Caicos would like to extend congratulations to our hotel partners and stakeholders who also won regional recognition at the World Travel Awards.

Beaches – Caribbean’s Leading All-Inclusive Family Resort 2025

The Palms – Caribbean’s Leading All-Suite Hotel 2025

Ambergris Cay Private Island Resort – Caribbean’s Leading Private Island Resort 2025

InterCaribbean – Caribbean’s Leading Cabin Crew 2025

Turks and Caicos Islands Awards

Windsong Resort – Turks and Caicos Leading Boutique Hotel 2025

The Palms – Turks and Caicos Leading Hotel 2025

Grace Bay Club – Turks and Caicos Leading Luxury Resort 2025

The Shore Club – Turks and Caicos Leading Resort 2025

Four-bedroom Oceanfront Penthouse @Windsong Resort – Turks and Caicos Leading Hotel Suite 2025

Avis – Turks and Caicos Leading Car Rental Company 2025

Caicos Dream Tours – Turks and Caicos Leading Tour Operator 2025

Olympia Destination Management Company – Turks and Caicos Leading Destination Management Company 2025

The Turks and Caicos Islands now has an opportunity to win ultimate recognition in global travel and tourism with three global nominations in the World Travel Awards for the following:

World’s Leading Beach Destination
World’s Leading Island Destination
World’s Most Romantic Destination

The “World’s Leading” categories are the highest in the World Travel Awards programme. Voting runs from October 6th -26th October 2025. Votes can be cast by travel professionals, media and tourism consumers, with the nominee gaining the most votes announced as the 2025 World Travel Awards winner.

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TCI News

103 Migrants Intercepted by U.S. Coast Guard and TCI Agencies

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Turks and Caicos, September 21, 2025 – On Sunday, September 21st, 2025, the United States Coast Guard Southeast (USCG), working in coordination with the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF) Marine Branch, the TCI Regiment, and the TCI Border Force, intercepted a vessel carrying 103 migrants bound for Providenciales.

The suspicious vessel, first tracked by the USCG, was stopped at sea and later secured by the Sea Guardian vessel, which towed it safely to South Dock Marina. Upon arrival, the migrants were disembarked and handed over to the TCI Border Force for processing.

A breakdown of those on board confirmed:

  • 75 males (including two minors)
  • 28 females (including two minors)

This interception marks the 18th such operation in 2025, bringing the total number of migrants detained this year to 1,510.                                                                                                                                                                                                                      The RT&CIPF thanks the USCG and local agencies for their close cooperation, noting that this successful outcome demonstrates the effectiveness of layered security measures protecting the Turks and Caicos Islands.                                                                                                                                                                                                   The Force reminds the public that illegal migration is dangerous and life-threatening, and violations of the law will not be tolerated.

Anyone with information on illegal migration is urged to contact the nearest police station, call 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or report anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 or via the P3 app.

Photos Courtesy: Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force

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