News
Ritz-Carlton Turks and Caicos opens in Turks and Caicos with private ribbon cutting
#TurksandCaicos, June 24, 2021 – Everyone speaking at the private ribbon cutting ceremony of Ritz-Carlton Turks and Caicos believes this resort is going to bring a new level of prosperity to the islands and said so in their remarks. Everyone speaking also had a slew of people to thank because the ahead of schedule completion and opening of the resort has been a long time coming.
From the Premier however, there was more than an excitement about the prospect of prosperity; there was a message with a strong appeal.
“We look forward to the economic benefits that your opening will bring to the Turks and Caicos Islands and appeal to your sense of corporate responsibility to do right by the people of the TCI and our fragile environment by ensuring that they are given every opportunity to excel within your organization, and to ensure that your operational methodology is sensitive to the environment,” said the Premier, Minister of Finance, Investment and Trade.
The brief ceremony held in the lobby of the new hotel was very private and low key. Media had the day before been invited on property for a more intimate exchange; there would be no independent coverage of the event by local media.
According to the media release from the Ritz-Carlton, Walter Gardiner Jr, local developer and broker for the property and Roberto Stipa, from the Hotel Ownership Group, who had gratitude for all three administrations which ushered the project to fruition were on the succinct agenda.
“Our sincere appreciation to the three premiers and cabinet that went through with the project the Honorable Rufus Ewing, the Honorable Sharlene Cartwright and the Honorable Charles Washington Misick.
Roberto also thanked Mr. Walter Gardiner, the shareholders of Hotelco, Marriott International, the construction and contractors team, his family and the local community and the Ladies and Gentlemen of The Ritz-Carlton, Turks & Caicos.
“This project would not have been possible because of their dedication, perseverance and expertise we were able to move this project along, completing it during one of the most difficult years”.
On hand for the ribbon cutting yesterday were: Governor Nigel Dakin and his Wife; Deputy Governor – Anya Williams and Mr. Williams; Deputy Premier – E. Jay Saunders; Leader of the Opposition –Edwin Astwood; Minister of Tourism – Josephine Conolly and other House of Assembly and Honorable Government Dignitaries.
The resort’s General Manager, Mr. John Hazard expressed gratitude to the property ownership team, Marriott International, designers from Coleman Partners Architects, as well as the people of Turks and Caicos Islands.
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to serve as the General Manager for this idyllic resort and start creating guests for life in this world-class destination,” Hazard stated. “It is an honor to lead this talented team of Ladies and Gentlemen aiming to create memorable experiences, inspire life’s most meaningful journey through The Ritz-Carlton Gold Standards and gracious hospitality leaving indelible marks on all of our guests.”
Cutting the ribbon were the Premier, Walter Gardiner, Robert Stipa, Josephine Connolly and Ritz-Carlton Turks and Caicos General Manager, John Hazard.
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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