TCI News
Turks & Caicos Celebrates Launch of TEAM and 20th Anniversary of TIDES Training Program
#PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands (November 3, 2020) – The Turks & Caicos Islands Tourist Board in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Environment, Heritage, Maritime, Gaming and Disaster Management and the TCHTA will seek to reinforce and reignite an appreciation for Turks & Caicos among residents by encouraging domestic travel to discover the uniqueness of each Sister Island during its annual observance of Tourism Environmental Awareness Month (TEAM). Turks & Caicos also joins with its Caribbean counterparts to celebrate Caribbean Tourism Month throughout November.
During a press conference on November 2nd held at the Office of the Premier in Providenciales, a new TEAM theme was unveiled – ‘Rediscover Turks & Caicos’ which will be used for the next three years. The previous theme ‘Tourism Is Key, It Starts With Me’ has been retired after five years.
The other highlight of the event was the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the TIDES program. TIDES, which stands for Together Individuals Delivering Excellent Service, began as the TCI Host Training Programme in September 2000. The training program was created to enhance the Turks and Caicos’ visitor’s experience by raising the level of customer service to complement Turks and Caicos’ position as a premier holiday and investment destination. The program has seen thousands of civil servants, public service drivers and private sector employees benefit from the customer service course. To mark the occasion, the Tourist Board used the opportunity to honor its Training Manager Ms. E. Blythe Clare who has championed the program is recognized as an exemplary ambassador for Turks & Caicos.
Minister with responsibility for tourism and environment Hon. Ralph Higgs officially declared Tourism Environmental Awareness Month open and stated, “Our environment and tourism sector are vital to our country. I want to encourage the general public, across the length and breadth of the Turks & Caicos Islands, to not only remember the importance of our tourism industry but also the bedrock of that industry is our environment. We each have an important role as caretakers and custodians in ensuring that it is protected. These are indeed challenges times, however, brand Turks & Caicos is still trending positively in the world. Notwithstanding COVID-19, we continue to see strong interest in our destination. I believe that as soon as the pandemic subsides, we will see more visitors returning to our shores, and Turks and Caicos Islanders regaining their rightful place as participants and contributors to our economy.
I encourage residents to rediscover the beautiful islands that God has blessed us with in this archipelago. Go and experience the quaintness of Salt Cay, the elegant and rustic beauty of Grand Turk and indulge in the opportunities and possibilities that exist in South Caicos. North and Middle Caicos are the gem among these islands and I believe the future of the tourism industry lies within them. Providenciales, of course is the breadbasket of the country, and all of our Sister Islands are available for you to explore and enjoy. Due to the pandemic the government has put regulations in place to mitigate against the spread of the virus, however, please ensure that as you travel domestically you are following all the protocols outlined to safeguard your health.”
The Tourism Environmental Awareness Month events will be mainly hosted virtually and will include:
· Virtual Tour of Grand Turk on November 9th
· Rediscover Turks & Caicos: Back in the Day Island Experiences on November 10th
· Virtual Tour of Junkanoo Museum on November 11th
· Virtual Tour of Cheshire Hall Plantation on November 13th
· Nationwide Clean Up and Drive-by Giveaway on November 14th
· Virtual Tourism Symposium on November 18tth
· Rediscover Turks & Caicos: Island Delicacies on November 25th
As part of the month’s celebrations, Turks & Caicos Islands residents and students are encouraged to ‘Rediscover Turks & Caicos’ in a creative sense by participating in a video and art competition. The video competition is open to the general public to submit a video based on the theme while fourth to sixth grade students are invited to submit visual art interpretations of the theme. The winners of both competitions will receive cash prizes. Criteria for entry and submission guidelines are available on our website https://turksandcaicostourism.com/tourism-month/.
Follow the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board’s public relations unit via its Facebook page ‘Turks and Caicos Tourist Board Press’ for live streaming and updates on all TEAM events.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) is elated to announce that the construction of the new air traffic control tower and combined services building at Howard Hamilton International Airport is almost complete. The state-of-the-art facility has a tentative finishing date set for November 30th, 2024. This project, following the execution of its contract on May 21st, 2020, officially commenced construction on May 18th, 2022, marking a significant milestone for aviation safety and efficiency in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Despite the challenges that typically come with pioneering large-scale infrastructure projects, TCIAA remains focused on delivering a facility that will enhance air traffic management and streamline operations for both current and future demands. Here’s a look into some of the key project highlights:
- Critical Phases: One of the key phases already underway is the installation of the Control and Broadcast (CAB) unit, a pivotal component that will enable the new tower to be fully operational.
- Budget Adjustments: The original forecasted budget underwent uplifts primarily due to the significant costs associated with the CAB procurement and installation, as well as redefining provisional sums that were not outlined in the initially proposed project scope.
- Collaborative Efforts: The main contractor for the project is AE & S Construction Ltd, with BCQS Ltd serving as the Project Management Firm. Additionally, Aeronav has been engaged as a subcontractor responsible for the installation and configuration of the CAB unit. Together, these partners have played a significant role in driving the project forward, ensuring quality and adherence to the established timelines.
As a Design and Build project, a primary focus was aligning the architectural and functional design with the operational requirements of air traffic management while adhering to international regulatory standards. Given the inherent complexities of such construction projects, including defining project scope and ensuring accurate budget alignment, the TCIAA team underwent specialized training. This training
equipped team members with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively navigate the contract, resulting in enhanced project oversight and rigorous cost verification.
“Through this project, we have gained invaluable insights that have informed our approach to future developments,” said Wellenica Williams-Quant, the Projects Manager at TCIAA. “We have been able to refine our processes to ensure that we meet our strategic objectives.”
The completion of the new control tower is poised to deliver long-term benefits for The Howard Hamilton International Airport. The new tower will support safer, more efficient air traffic control operations, improve communication with aircraft, and will accommodate the increasing air traffic demands as Turks and Caicos Islands grow as a world-class destination. The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority extends its gratitude to all stakeholders, including the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands and our external aviation partners, for their continued support and collaboration throughout this project.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 11th October 2024 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force led a successful operation in South Caicos on 9th and 10th October 2024, targeting illegal work activity. The operation resulted in the apprehension of seven individuals, including two females and five males.
Four of the apprehended individuals are currently detained by Border Force for illegally working in the Turks and Caicos Islands. They are being processed and face potential legal consequences. The remaining three individuals are in the custody of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) following the discovery of cannabis during the operation prompted by indications from the Border Force canine unit. One of these individuals will also face charges for overstaying in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
This operation highlights Border Force’s strategy to combat immigration and customs offences throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands. The inland operations, including workplace enforcement, aim to address the root causes of illegal immigration by tackling illegal working. Border Force is committed to not only apprehending and deporting illegal immigrants but also prosecuting both undocumented workers and employers who facilitate illegal employment.
Emilio Seymour, Director General of Border Force stated “Our recent operation in South Caicos demonstrates our commitment to fulfilling our obligations to the Turks and Caicos Islands. We will continue to enforce our nation’s immigration and customs laws through inland operations throughout TCI. I am incredibly grateful to our officers for their dedication and hard work, as well as the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force for their invaluable assistance.”
Border Force is issuing a stern warning to businesses and individuals alike: Employing undocumented workers is an offence. Those found guilty face significant penalties, including fines up to $10,000 and imprisonment for up to two years. Additionally, undocumented workers themselves are subject to deportation upon conviction. Individuals who harbour illegal immigrants or facilitate their entry into the Turks and Caicos Islands face even stricter penalties, including fines of up to $20,000 and imprisonment for up to four years.
Residents are encouraged to report any suspicious activity related to illegal immigration to the following channels: TCIintel@gov.tc, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s tipline at 866-347-2423, or online at https://www.ice.gov/tipline.
***MEDIA RELEASE***
Turks and Caicos, October 11, 2024 – The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force has identified 28-year-old EVANSON WALKIN, also known as “Archie,” as the victim of the fatal shooting that took place last evening (October 10).
At approximately 9:00 p.m., multiple calls were made to the Police Control Room, reporting that gunshots were heard in an area called Club Med in Five Cays. 
Upon arriving at the scene, detectives from the Serious Crime Unit found a male lying motionless, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The victim was later positively identified as Mr. Walkin.
This investigation remains ongoing, and we are urging the public to provide any information that may assist in solving this crime.
If you have any details about this incident, please get in touch with your nearest police station, call 911, or reach the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842.
Alternatively, anonymous tips can be provided via Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 or through the Crime Stoppers P3 app, where video footage and other information can be shared discreetly.
We thank the public for their cooperation and assistance as we continue our efforts to bring justice to Mr. Walkin and his loved ones.
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