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Ritz-Carlton Opened; Walter Gardiner Jr knew it would be great for TCI, now is assured that it is

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#TurksandCaicos, June 24, 2021 – It is literally a towering example of a project of perseverance with its genesis dating back to 2010 when Turks and Caicos struggled under unkind headlines about a government charged with corruption; its international reputation had lost its sizzle, doused in doubt but for those who could see past the gray skies.

Walter Gardiner Jr is one such person and today, he is a very, very happy man. 

His dream of attracting and establishing a world class hotel brand in his home country, the Turks and Caicos is fulfilled and the magnitude of the moment is not lost on the 45-year-old real estate developer.

Ahead of schedule, the Ritz-Carlton Turks and Caicos was opened on Tuesday June 22, 2021.

“It’s been a journey of faith through the various challenges, disappointments and obstacles,” he reflects as today June 23, 2021 the Ritz-Carlton Turks and Caicos welcomes its very first international guests to the 4,900 acres property on World’s Leading Beach, Grace Bay Beach.

“I have always thought it was important to have in the portfolio of the Turks and Caicos, an internationally branded hotel.  Hotels provide more residual income to the country than the regular condo and the standard of the Ritz-Carlton is only going to help the other resorts and bring the standard up,” said Mr. Gardiner this morning in a phone interview.

The island-wide benefit of the Ritz-Carlton is a key point.  There were resorts and residents who rejected the idea of a 12-storey hotel and were less than welcoming of a Ritz-Carlton hotel.  The push back became more than casual commentary and mushroomed to a string of law suits; all of which were won by the Turks and Caicos Islands Government.  TCIG and many of its citizens valiantly defended the project and incorrigibly held onto the notion that this investment would be a benefit to the Turks and Caicos.

There was no fear about a taller hotel or an overcrowded beach.  Islanders, in the main, were ready for a project of this nature and size.  Consultations and public meetings confirmed it; the Ritz-Carlton would get the green light for construction to begin.

The development agreement was signed between Desarrollos Hotelco and the Rufus Ewing-led government administration.  The project was furthered under the Sharlene Robinson-led government administration.  Today, it is opened under the Washington Misick-led government administration and ushers in a new level of tourism for the Turks and Caicos Islands. 

The Ritz-Carlton is a subsidiary of Marriott International, which not only assures the gold standard in hotel hospitality but a rewards program of 110 million members.

Turks and Caicos has already benefitted from the celebrated training of Ritz-Carlton; the instruction being equally as famous as the globally renowned brand.  Hundreds have been exposed to that training which transforms hospitality hopefuls to Ladies and Gentlemen.

“It is indescribable.  It is a dream come true.  I know many high level executives at Ritz-Carlton that started off as busboys; now they are at the top because of that high standard of training.  I am also very happy that the hotel has employed 70 per cent local, I think that rate is record setting for a resort opening of this caliber in the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

Walter Gardiner was among those thanked by the Ritz-Carlton, naturally.  In 2010 the journey began with Gardiner on the front-line, fighting stealthily to have the hotel in Providenciales; he showed uncommon grit.  With investors, Desarrollos Hotelco, the development which had been fraught with controversial accusations and misplaced fears, gave way to the lofty property and long-standing dream of this Grand Turk native.

“It was very gratifying, it was surreal.  I have thought about this day many times and to actually get to see it, it was phenomenal.  I remember walking to the opening and being greeted by the Ladies and Gentlemen and feeling really proud.  These are my people; we did it,” said Gardiner of the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony held on June 22, 2021 in the lobby of the hotel.

Walter Gardiner Jr, was one of five individuals cutting that ribbon.

At the opening ceremony, Mr. Gardiner said:  “Today is a great day in the history Turks and Caicos, it commemorates not just the completion of the construction and the opening of this Grand Resort and residences, but it also commemorates the beginning of many great things for these Islands.

This opening represents the introduction of our first Five Star International branded hotel. This alone will open the flood gates for thousands of new visitors and solidify the position of the Turks & Caicos as the premier destination in the Caribbean.

This opening will start the process of exposing our local ladies and gentlemen who work at this resort to a hospitality culture that is known for its unsurpassed service and exceptional training opportunities. And, this opening will create many opportunities for spill off business for Turks & Caicos Islanders to capitalize on. If you think the island is busy now, wait and see the difference the Ritz Makes.

First and foremost, I would like to thank God who is the giver of every good and perfect gift. Without his grace, mercy and favor his project would not have been possible.”

Mr. Gardiner has also been enriched by the project; his company, Regency Christie’s International Real Estate inked out the deal which gave it the exclusive on brokerage and sales of the Ritz-Carlton Residences.   The Residences are priced from $2M.

“There are only four residences left, it has been phenomenal, it is a powerful brand which a lot of people are attracted to and that we were able to get it here is just a testament to the Turks and Caicos,” said Gardiner.

Turks and Caicos as a regional tourism destination is accomplishing the exceptional, in Walter Gardiner’s view. 

“We are coming out of this (pandemic) and performing really strong.  There is really nothing like this happening in the Caribbean, tourism on this level is just great.”

Gardiner, tried getting Ritz-Carlton for West Caicos but that project flopped under the weight of the Global Financial Crisis of 2008.  Successfully, he brought the Somerset on Grace Bay and the Windsong Resort to Providenciales, Turks and Caicos.

“After working on this for ten years, now I won’t have anything to do.  So I guess for me, I will be looking for my next project.  I am a realtor, but I am truly a developer at heart.  I want to see development for the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

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Mottley Sworn in After Historic Clean Sweep in Barbados Election

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Barbados, February 12, 2026 – Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley was this afternoon officially sworn in for a third consecutive term, hours after delivering one of the most emphatic election victories in Caribbean political history — another complete capture of all 30 seats in Barbados’ House of Assembly.

The ceremony, conducted by President His Excellency Lt. Col. The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic, marked the formal start of a new administration following the February 11, 2026 general election, which returned the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to power with a renewed and overwhelming mandate.

In a statement after taking the oath, Mottley said she accepted the responsibility “with humility and resolve,” thanking the people of Barbados for placing their trust in her leadership once again and urging national unity as her government begins its new term. Attorney Wilfred Abrahams was also sworn in as Attorney General.

The result is historic not only for its scale but for its consistency. This is the third straight general election in which the BLP has won every constituency, reinforcing Mottley’s dominance in national politics and extending an unmatched era of one-party control in the modern democratic period.

Voting day unfolded under the watch of a CARICOM Election Observation Mission, led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Supervisor of Elections Ian Hughes and supported by senior electoral officials from Belize and Jamaica. The team engaged key institutions ahead of the poll and monitored the process across the island.

Regional leaders were swift in their congratulations.

Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali described the outcome as “emphatic and historic,” saying the clean sweep reflected how deeply Mottley’s leadership has connected with Barbadians and expressing optimism about strengthening ties between the two countries.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness also hailed the victory, noting that her re-election provides an opportunity to deepen cooperation within CARICOM and advance shared regional priorities.

The scale of the win again leaves Barbados without a parliamentary opposition, a reality that has become a defining feature of the political landscape since 2018. Supporters argue the repeated mandate reflects public confidence in Mottley’s stewardship of economic reform, climate diplomacy, the transition to a republic, and Barbados’ expanding global influence.

Now, newly sworn in and backed by another unanimous parliamentary majority, Mottley begins a third term with both extraordinary political capital and equally high expectations at home and across the region.

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Liberty Caribbean Committed to ‘Elevating Region’ at CANTO  

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Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago

Liberty Caribbean is Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and 42nd AGM

 

Port of Spain, TRININDAD & TOBAGO (February 1, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow. Liberty Business and BTC, has reaffirmed its commitment to turning regional connectivity into measurable economic and social outcomes as Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and its 42nd Annual General Meeting.

CANTO is the leading regional body that brings together telecommunications operators, ICT providers, regulators, governments, and industry partners to support the development of the Caribbean’s digital and communications landscape.

Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago delivered the sponsor’s address on behalf of Liberty Caribbean.

“The work of laying fibre and lighting towers is done; connectivity is now our foundation,” she said.

“The real task before us is to translate that foundation into innovation, productivity and prosperity for our people. Intelligent connectivity, such as networks designed for 5G, AI and IoT, will be the platform for smarter public services, more resilient systems and scaled opportunities for Caribbean entrepreneurs.”

Martin-Sulgan emphasised that infrastructure alone will not deliver sustainable progress.

“Digital progress must become digital prosperity. That means creating career pathways for young people, helping local businesses scale and ensuring citizens across our communities can fully participate in the digital economy. A connected Caribbean should also be a confident, creative and globally competitive Caribbean,” she said.

Liberty Caribbean is represented by a senior delegation at CANTO Connect to support the conference objectives of aligning policy, investment and execution across the region under this year’s theme ‘Elevate the Caribbean – From Connectivity to Global Competitiveness’.

Liberty Caribbean’s delegation includes Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer; Desron Bynoe, VP and General Manager, Flow Barbados; Susanna O’Sullivan, VP and General Manager, North Caribbean; Marilyn Sealy, Senior Director, Head of Communications; Dominic Boon, VP, People; Daniel Neiva, Chief Commercial Officer, B2B; Bradley Ramcharan, Director, B2B, Trinidad & Tobago; Yolande Headley, Country Manager, Dutch East Caribbean; and Jade Reymond, Country Manager, Flow Anguilla.

Martin-Sulgan thanked CANTO’s local secretariat for convening the forum and urged delegates to convert conversation into action.

“If we align policy, capital and capability, the Caribbean can move from connectivity to competitiveness. Liberty Caribbean will continue to invest in resilient networks, nurture homegrown talent and partner to deliver measurable social and economic value across our markets,” she said.

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Adam Stewart named CNW’s Businessman/Philanthropist of the Year for 2025

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Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts, Adam Stewart, has been named Businessman/Philanthropist of the Year for 2025 by the regional news publication, Caribbean National Weekly (CNW).

The publication recognised Stewart for his leadership in hospitality, his ongoing investments in regional tourism, his steady crisis response and his philanthropic work throughout what it described as a year filled with both remarkable achievements and significant challenges.

CNW highlighted how 2025 saw industry recognition for Stewart, major announcements of multimillion‑dollar developments across his all‑inclusive luxury resort brands and an invitation to join the prestigious Wall Street Journal CEO Council.

But the publication said his impact extended well beyond business milestones.

“In 2025, the Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts didn’t just guide his iconic hospitality empire through crisis – he used its scale and influence to help shape Jamaica’s rebound and lay groundwork for future regional growth,” CNW wrote.

The defining moment, it said, came in late October when Hurricane Melissa caused severe damage to parts of Jamaica’s tourism infrastructure. Stewart responded by leading transparent communication with global travel advisors, partners and team members, and made a landmark pledge, that 100 per cent of Sandals and Beaches employees would remain on payroll and receive Christmas bonuses, even at resorts temporarily closed for extensive restoration and upgrades. The company also committed more than US$3 million in staff recovery aid, providing direct support to families affected by the storm.

CNW further highlighted the work of the Sandals Foundation under Stewart’s guidance, noting record levels of community engagement and targeted disaster‑recovery support in healthcare, livelihoods and the environment.

In response to the honour, Stewart said he was “deeply humbled” to receive the Businessman/Philanthropist of the Year recognition and expressed his gratitude to his teams and partners for their dedication during an extraordinary year.

“This award reflects far more than any one individual. It is a direct result of people showing up every day for their communities and believing business is a force for good. It belongs to the extraordinary teams who carry our shared vision forward – especially the Sandals Foundation, whose work continues to create lasting change across education, health care, disaster relief and environmental stewardship,” Stewart stated.

“To every colleague and partner who helps bring this mission to life – thank you for your commitment, heart and belief.”

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