Caribbean News
TCI: The TCHTA Welcomes a New Board of Directors
#TurksandCaicos, March 22, 2021 – The Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association welcomed a new Board of Directors during its bi-annual elections this week. By way of a virtual process, members nominated and consequently elected the Executives and Directors that will lead the body for the next two years.
At the virtual AGM held on March 18th, members learned that Trevor Musgrove of Discovery Tours & Adventures emerged victorious as the newly elected President of the TCHTA.
Mr. Musgrove, having served on the Board as a Director for the past six years is no stranger to the diligence and commitment serving in this role requires, and he is excited to get started in this new capacity.
In his acceptance address to members, he stated “I love these Turks and Caicos Islands and I will channel this passion into my new role. We have an opportunity to take the TCHTA to new heights, and I intend to take advantage of every opportunity to do just that.”
The new President shared his immediate goals with the association’s members. Among those: Fostering an environment that will increase the local community’s confidence in the TCHTA while sending a clear and strong message that the association supports its colleagues works to build an industry that is beneficial to all stakeholders.
Now in year four of its 2017-2022 Strategic Plan, the association continues its pledge to drive the industry and brand Turks and Caicos to new levels. Mr. Musgrove will be supported by the Executive Team and Directors for the 2021-2023 term:
Executive Officers: Vice President – Tapahari Tibble, COMO Parrot Cay; Treasurer – Colin Sterling, CSC Insurance Management; Secretary – Mona Beeson, The Sands at Grace Bay.
Directors: Karen Whitt, The Hartling Group; James McAnally, Beaches Turks & Caicos; Tendra Musgrove, COMO Parrot Cay; Yolander Forbes, Seven Stars Resort & Spa; Kashmie Ali, Sailrock Resort; Adam Twigg, The Source Ltd; Stewart Howard, Turks & Caicos Collection; Wilbert Mason, Ocean Club Resorts, and Paul Telford, The Shore Club.
Musgrove takes over the Presidency from Todd Foss of the Inn at Grace Bay who served in the capacity from 2019 and will now ascend to the seat of Chairman along with Past President Nikheel Advani of Grace Bay Resorts, while Stacy Cox continues in her role as CEO of the association.
In his departure speech to members, former President Todd Foss expressed his congratulations to Trevor, applauding his bravery for accepting the position in the midst of the uncertain times being experienced by the industry due to the pandemic. He reflected on their time spent working on the Board together over the years and extended his support and confidence to the incoming President. “Trevor’s commitment and passion for the this country and for the association shines through everything he says and does. I am proud to call him a friend and comrade and have enjoyed the work we have accomplished together as a part of the TCHTA. He will do an exceptional job as President and I am excited for the association’s future achievements with Trevor at the helm.”
On February 25th, the 2019-2021 Board of Directors were gifted with tokens of appreciation for their time and service to the TCHTA. The newly elected Directors will be formally introduced to media on Tuesday, March 23rd at 10am.
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
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