Caribbean News
TCI: Pandemic Icons Awarded by the TCHTA
#TurksandCaicos, March 11, 2021 – Annually, the members of the Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association host a night of celebration, applauding the exceptional service and achievements of employees in the hospitality sector.
This year, the 13th annual TCHTA Star Awards focused on the efforts of those in the industry and on the front-line who showed selfless commitment to their teams and to the wider Turks and Caicos communities.
The closure of the country’s borders due to COVID-19 delivered a devastating blow to the tourism sector; the largest industry and revenue-generator in Turks and Caicos. Still, these Pandemic Icons went above and beyond to do their part in maintaining the strength and vitality of the sector and the country at large.
Many of the country’s most anticipated events have been cancelled because of COVID-19. Todd Foss, President of the TCHTA, said it was important to the association that it not lose the opportunity to give accolades to these beacons in the community. “The heroism and selflessness shown by employees in the tourism industry and by the essential workers in our community is something we are honoured to pay tribute to. We are thankful to the Board of Directors and members of the association for their continued support of this event, and especially thankful to The Palms for providing a venue and protocol team to assist us in producing this special edition of the TCHTA Star Awards.”
In contrast to the fanfare of the sold-out formal event held a year ago, this year’s ceremony was limited to awardees and their managers in strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols. Awardees were scheduled in groups and set to arrive every half hour. A greeter ensured each group was sanitized and properly distanced as they filed onto the lawn, and seating was spaced appropriately. Once awards were received, the awardees exited the space immediately and the resort team re-sanitized the area in preparation for the next group.
Despite the strict protocols, the beauty of the event left nothing to be desired. The perfectly manicured Croquet Lawn was immaculately decorated with confetti-filled balloons in the event’s signature black, white and gold colours, and each group provided with white parasols to keep them shaded. Take-away breakfasts sponsored by The Palms and Beaches Turks & Caicos were available to guests as they exited.
Stacy Cox, CEO of the association shared her excitement at the execution of Pandemic Icon Awards, “This year’s event was intimate, yet dynamic. Our awardees have exceeded the standard set by the TCHTA. They are gold-star individuals who embody the true spirit of the Star Awards. We are ecstatic that the event was so seamlessly executed, and that our new Minister of Tourism, Hon Josephine Connolly could join the festivities. The TCHTA is proud of the accomplishments of these hard-working tourism professionals, and those of our essential workers who have dedicated themselves to working keeping Turks and Caicos healthy and safe.”
Along with the tourism employees, special awards were given to Ministry of Health, the Royal Turks & Caicos Islands Police Force, Interhealth Canada, and The Salvation Army for their work in the communities throughout the pandemic. Cargo Express, TCI Distributors, and the TCHTA Community Staples committee were also awarded for the accomplishments of the feeding program held last year.
Hon Matthew Stubbs was in attendance as shadow Minister to the Minister of Tourism, Hon Josephine Connolly, who gave the keynote address and joined in the presentation of the awards. Mr. Jeff Morgan, General Manager at The Palms, delivered the welcome address. Ms. Sonia Simmons, TCHTA Communications Manager, was Mistress of Ceremonies.
Press Release: TCHTA
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, March 17, 2023 – Revenue from the Turks and Caicos’ Financial Services Sector will more than double in the next few years, if E Jay Saunders, Deputy Premier and Finance Minister gets his way. It ‘s one of the reasons the country is investing so much capital into getting off of the EU blacklist and becoming a secure trustworthy financial destination.
“The FSC’s revenues for 2020/21 was $10.5M— the figures for 2021/22, would be about similar,” he said. He further explained that $10.5 million from the FSC represented about 2.6 percent of the country’s 408.5-million-dollar
revenue. Though it increased to $14 million in the 2021/22 financial year, finance is still a small fry compared to tourism or even stamp duties but that will change, says Saunders.
“My revenue goal for the Government by the year 2029 [or] the election after the next election – is $500M. By that time, I want the financial sector (FSC) revenues to represent at least 5% ($25M). So that’s my goal for the financial sector by 2029.”
This goal, should it be met, would increase the Government’s revenue by 100 million dollars, a significant increase in spending power for local upgrades and improvements for Turks and Caicos residents and visitors.
Saunders says it’s time for the TCI to diversify its sources of revenue to make sure that what happened in the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw residents out of a job for months, will not happen again. Tourism now makes up around 80 percent of the country’s GDP. The Minister of Finance wants to push that down to 60 or even 50 percent.
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#Haiti, March 17, 2023 – When a CARICOM delegation visited Haiti earlier this month, conspicuously absent was the Turks and Caicos Islands despite being one of the nations most directly affected by the multi-dimensional crisis there. There is no comment, as yet from the Premier, to say why this was the case.
Still, from the expedition, CARICOM heads of Government have informed that there will be lobbying in Africa for assistance in Haiti. They say they have decided that the best course of action for the Caribbean country is to bolster the Haitian National Police and act as intermediaries with Africa and the world. The decision follows a one day visit on February 27th, and a March 5th meeting chaired by the Bahamas.
CARICOM says during the trip delegates ‘met with a broad range of Haitian stakeholders to hear their views on the
way forward to a Haitian-led solution’. With that in mind it has made a decision on how to proceed.
“The Heads of Government agreed to support the Haitian National Police in their efforts to address the security situation. The focus of the Community will be the provision of training for the HNP and the provision of humanitarian assistance to HNP and the wider Haitian society, taking into account the challenging humanitarian and security situation”
It’s not clear yet where and how this training will take place. Also distinctly absent from the report, no more mention of boots on the ground from other countries despite CARICOM Member States indicating they were ready and willing should it come to that.
In addition, recognizing ‘the common historical experiences and the strong African-Caribbean relationship’ CARICOM says,
“Heads of Government also agreed to seek support from African countries for Haiti. They also agreed to work with the Governments of Canada and the United States as well as the UNDP”
Magnetic Media has reached out to the Premier’s Office to get a full debrief of the February 27th visit (led by Jamaica; including The Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago) to learn of Turks and Caicos’ posture following the critical sessions.
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, March 17, 2023 – Musicians from the New World Symphony will be in the Turks and Caicos in concert next month and residents are invited to attend in support of the future of Ashley’s Learning Center. 
A fairly young orchestral academy based in Miami, the New World Symphony was launched in the 1980s by 1987, Michael Tilson Thomas and Ted Arison,Carnival Cruises founder. From the 1500 applicants who vie for a spot each year, the symphony accepts around 35 music graduates annually for training fellowships.
A select few of those graduates will be in country on April 8th headlining at the Ashley’s Learning Center concert ‘We’re all in this together’. The concert which also feature local artistes will be held at Brayton Hall on Venetian Road from 6 pm to 8:30 pm
Tickets are available ON ISLEHELP $75 PER GENERAL SEAT $125 PER PREMIUM SEAT $195 PER GALLERY SEAT – with /FREFRESHMENTS.
For TICKET RESERVATIONs you can call: 649-341-2304 or email EVENTS@ASHLEYSLEARNINGCENTER.ORG
-
Caribbean News7 days agoJAMAICA: 1.3 Million Covid-19 Vaccine Doses Administered in Region
-
Bahamas News6 days agoMinister Glover-Rolle Delivers CARICOM Statement at UN’s Commission on the Status of Women
-
Caribbean News5 days agoTurks & Caicos inspires and debuts Drake Fashion Line, NOCTA
-
Government6 days agoRight on Cue, Provo Dump burning again as CDB Consultants prepare for Community Meeting
-
Caribbean News6 days agoJAMAICA: Persons Encouraged to Purchase Coffee Festival Tickets Early
-
Caribbean News5 days agoUK Imposed Procurement Process Slowed TCI getting off EU Blacklist
-
Government1 week agoStaff of the Vector Control Unit attend the 89th American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) Annual Conference
-
Caribbean News1 week agoTCIG attends CDB-Accelerated Sustainable Energy and Resilience Transition (ASERT-2030) Workshops