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14 TCHTA MEMBERS APPROVED AS COVID-19 TESTING CENTRES

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14 TCHTA MEMBERS APPROVED AS COVID-19 TESTING CENTRES

PRESS RELEASE: With the recent Center for Disease Control announcement of new testing requirements for travellers entering the United States, our tourism-dependent destination was faced with an immediate need for an increase in testing capacity to provide visitors convenient access to COVID-19 testing.

The Ministry of Health welcomed the Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association to complement the make-up of a Task Force assembled to develop a strategy that would significantly bolster the country’s capacity for testing.  TCHTA members, led by President Todd Foss, quickly rallied and offered assistance for a timely solution.

While Turks and Caicos is fortunate to be one of the first destinations in the region to roll out a COVID-19 vaccine program, the need for visitors to test prior to their return home could easily threaten the vitality of the hospitality sector, already fragile due to the effects of the global pandemic. 

The Ministry of Health thoughtfully and swiftly rolled out a certification programme with strict requirements enabling the certification of resorts and businesses as testing sites. An inspection and training programme was dispatched soon after, and MOH personnel ensured designated staff members at all properties were guided in the administration of the Lateral Flow Antigen tests accepted by the US. 

Through this remarkable partnership, the country’s testing capacity saw exponential growth in a matter of days. Fourteen (14) TCHTA members are now approved testing sites with more applications currently being processed. Those members are: Amanyara Resort, Associated Medical Practices, Beaches Resort, Club Med Turkoise, COMO Parrot Cay, Flamingo Pharmacy, Grace Bay Club, Grace Bay Medical Centre, InterHealth Canada, Omnicare Medical Center, Sailrock Resort, Seven Stars Resort & Spa, The Palms, and The Shore Club.

To facilitate the needs of guests on-island departing within the first few weeks of the new requirement, TCHTA member Seven Stars Resort graciously provided a portion of their on-island kits to other approved testing sites, ensuring guests convenient and timely access to testing.

President Todd Foss stated, “It was inspiring to see the public and private sectors working so well together in order to solve yet another serious threat to the economy of the island”.

The association is also working to educate members and their teams on the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine and TCI’s vaccination programme. Ms. Alrisa Gardiner, Primary Health Care Manager of the Ministry of Health, was invited to lead a session for the association’s 200-member group.  

Attendees learned about the properties of the vaccine, who should and should not take the vaccine, the importance of herd immunity and more.  To date thousands of residents have received their first doses of the vaccine in Turks and Caicos in just a few weeks.

The Turks and Caicos Islands is a recipient of the Safe Travels Stamp issued by the World Travel Council. With the country’s vaccine roll-out and the increased testing capabilities, TCI proudly maintains its designation as one of the safest and most convenient places to travel to.

With a firm commitment to the sustainability and longevity of this country’s leading sector, the TCHTA is proud to partner with Government and the Ministry of Health in these efforts to ensure the protection and continued strengthening of the industry and brand TCI.  

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The Department of Trade, Industry & Fair Competition to Host Export Readiness Workshop Under the theme “Empowering TCI Businesses for Local Growth and Global Markets.”

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, February 12, 2026 — The Department of Trade is pleased to announce the launch of its Export Readiness Workshop Series, a key component of its Trade Technical Assistance Programme.

This workshop series will address priority areas critical to small business development in the Turks and Caicos Islands, offering practical guidance and hands-on support in the following areas:

  1. Standards and Quality – Identification of and compliance with regulatory and market requirements
  2. E-Commerce and Digital Trade – Expanding access to regional and international markets

The workshops will be held February 24–27, 2026 and will be delivered in an in-person, interactive format.  Each session is tailored to specific business sectors to ensure targeted support and practical application.

  1.  Workshop 1 – February 24, 2026 | Agricultural Activities and Light Manufacturing (Food & Beverage)
  2.  Workshop 2 – February 25, 2026 | Light Manufacturing (Arts & Crafts)
  3.  Workshop 3 – February 26, 2026 | Light Manufacturing (Clothing, Jewelry & Apparel Accessories)
  4.  Workshop 4 – February 27, 2026 | Light Manufacturing (Cosmetics & Skin Care)

Entrepreneurs and business owners are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to enhance their operational capacity, improve export readiness and position their businesses for sustainable growth.

To register, please complete the registration form via the following link Capacity Building & Export Readiness Workshop – Fill out form

For more information, please contact the Department of Trade, Industry and Fair Competition.

☎️Phone: (649) 338-3703

Email: tradetci@gov.tc

Stay updated on announcements by following @tcidepartmentoftrade on Facebook, Instagram, and @MadeInTCI on   TikTok

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Experience Turks and Caicos and Aquila Host Product Development Workshops to Strengthen Sister Islands Tourism  

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PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS – Experience Turks and Caicos, in collaboration with the Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence, successfully hosted a Product Development Workshop for tourism stakeholders from North Caicos, Middle Caicos, and South Caicos on Wednesday, January 14 and Thursday, January 15, 2026.

The workshop was designed to support tour operators, entrepreneurs, and tourism-related businesses as they adapt to the evolving demands of the global tourism industry. Participants engaged in hands-on exercises and structured sessions aimed at reimagining existing tourism products and developing new, innovative, and sustainable experiences that are market-ready and aligned with current visitor expectations.

Throughout the workshop, attendees were equipped with practical tools and strategies to develop high-impact tourism offerings, strengthen product packaging and pricing, assess market readiness, and enhance value creation. Emphasis was also placed on collaboration, partnership development, and the promotion of sustainable practices to ensure that the Turks and Caicos Islands remain a fresh, competitive, and appealing destination.                                                                                                                                                                                            More than 20 participants representing tourism businesses across the islands took part in the training sessions.

“Experience Turks and Caicos has a responsibility to ensure that all communities across the Turks and Caicos Islands benefit from tourism. These workshops are designed to equip local businesses with the essential tools and knowledge needed to maximise the opportunities within the industry, and we look forward to supporting their continued growth,” said Mr. Paul Pennicook, Interim CEO Consultant.

Speaking on the importance of the initiative, Candesha Mills the Product Development Manager at Experience Turks and Caicos said: “We are actively working on destination development by supporting our stakeholders as they reimagine their products and experiences. Workshops like this are critical to helping businesses identify opportunities for collaboration, create bundled offerings, and develop cohesive tourism experiences that align with emerging trends and evolving visitor expectations.”

The workshops were facilitated by Ms. Ambra Attus, who guided participants through strategies for designing distinctive and engaging tourism experiences that resonate with today’s travellers.

She said: “Product development is where destinations truly define their identity, and these trainings are designed to help operators in North, Middle and South Caicos create experiences that are not only market-ready, but meaningful, high-quality, and rooted in what makes these islands truly special. These sessions reflect a forward-thinking commitment by Experience Turks and Caicos to invest in their people and in the long-term quality of the destination’s tourism product. Aquila is proud to be your training partner.”

The workshop also featured the Invest TCI MSME Team, who were on site with an information station available throughout both sessions. Stakeholders had the opportunity to engage directly with the team, gain insights into the MSME Programme, and learn more about the range of support services, incentives, and resources available to assist business growth and development.

Experience Turks and Caicos commended participants for their commitment to investing in their businesses and contributing to the continued enhancement of the destination’s tourism product. The organisation expressed appreciation for the active participation and innovative ideas shared during the session, which are expected to contribute meaningfully to the sustainable growth of tourism in North and Middle Caicos and South Caicos.

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Illegal Structure Removed During Crown Land Enforcement Exercise in Five Cays  

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Thursday, 5 February 2026: The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in collaboration with partner agencies, coordinated a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at Silverado Wells in Five Cays.                                                                                                                                                                The exercise was led by the Crown Land Unit, pursuant to its statutory mandate under the Crown Land Ordinance to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown land. The ISU coordinated the operation, with support provided by Immigration and Border Services, while the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force ensured security throughout the activity.

The enforcement action followed a series of inspections conducted by the Crown Land Unit throughout Five Cays, which identified an illegal concrete structure on the subject parcel. In keeping with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance, a Section 22 Notice of Illegal Occupation was posted on the structure. Following the failure of the responsible party or parties to comply within the prescribed timeframe, enforcement action was authorised.

The Informal Settlements Unit reiterates that these coordinated enforcement exercises form part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to uphold the law, protect Crown land, and manage informal settlements in a structured and lawful manner. Members of the public are reminded that unauthorised occupation and development on Crown land is unlawful and subject to enforcement action.

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