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TCI: Deputy Governor on Immigration Officers’ role in ‘messy’ Memorial Day at Airport

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#TurksandCaicos, June 2, 2021 – A canopy for shelter, a new clearance procedure and additional staff are among the plans to help manage arriving passengers at the Providenciales International Airport; the long standing issue of congestion at the airport is back, as life returns to normal and that pent up demand for Turks and Caicos vacations is manifest. 

H.E. Anya Williams, Turks and Caicos Islands Deputy Governor, in response to our queries confirmed there were a crush of issues on Saturday which led to passengers having to queue on the tarmac for long periods of time, not least of which is that six immigration officers scheduled to work did not show up. 

“Some have provided medical certificates to support their absence while others are still being investigated. To minimize the impact of their absence, off duty officers on the island of Providenciales were called in, in addition to officers having been brought over from Grand Turk to assist,” said HE Williams, who heads the Public Sector of TCI Government.

While there is no official information on why those officers were out, a back-up plan is being hatched. 

“I can confirm as well that 6 Immigration Officers scheduled to work on Saturday did not report for duty.  Some have provided medical certificates to support their absence while others are still being investigated.

To minimize the impact of their absence, off duty officers on the island of Providenciales was called in, in addition to officers having been brought over from Grand Turk to assist.”

Astounding, she said is the overwhelming arrivals for Saturday.  The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported 7.1 million travelled over the week, with 1.6 million passengers through US airports on Saturday alone.

“I can confirm that on Saturday May 29, 2021 we experienced significant congestion issues at the arrivals section of the Providenciales Airport which resulted in persons having to queue on the tarmac for an unfortunate period.

This was due to a number of factors including heavy flight loads as well as scheduling and other issues, including staff absences during the early part of the day.

A total of 2,397 passengers arrived at the Providenciales Airport on Saturday May 29; quite a significant increase compared to previous months.

7 international flights arrived between 12 to 1pm, some within 10 mins of each other, preventing officers from being able to clear one flight before the next or a subsequent thereafter landed, resulting in long queues.”

Mr. Floyd Ingham, Acting CEO of the TCI Airports Authority confirmed on Saturday that flights had reported they would be 75-80 per cent full.

“The Turks and Caicos is currently experiencing a significant increase in our tourism arrivals,” said Mrs. Williams, who continued in her statement with: “We are working our best to develop a strategy for the construction of a new terminal as we recognize that our current demand has outgrown the current space at the airport, which has proven to be even more challenging at a time when we are trying to enforce social distancing, health screening and other requirements.” 

In the interim; a canopy is coming and cross training of Immigration officers to support the TCI Travel Authorization will happen, she said.

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DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM REGULATIONS INTRODUCES “RATE YOUR RIDE” SYSTEM FOR TOURISTS VISITING THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

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FROM THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March, 2024 – Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: The Department of Tourism Regulations is proud to unveil the “Rate Your Ride” system, a new initiative designed to enhance the vacation experience for tourists exploring our picturesque islands.

The “Rate Your Ride” system empowers tourists to provide valuable feedback on the quality of transportation services they receive while visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands. Through an easy-to-use online form, tourists can rate factors such as cleanliness, comfort, safety, and professionalism of drivers, helping us to assure the highest quality of service standards across all modes of transportation.

By participating in the “Rate Your Ride” system, tourists play a crucial role in shaping the future of transportation services in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Their feedback will enable us to identify areas for improvement and ensure that every visitor enjoys safe, comfortable, and convenient travel throughout their stay in the Turks and Caicos.

The code will also be publicly accessible through the cooperation of volunteer drivers who will make the rating code available in their vehicles. Flyers and stickers displaying the code will be distributed at hotels, resorts and airports. The mandated display of these codes is expected to align with the rollout of our tourism regulations in 2025.

For more information about the “Rate Your Ride” system and other initiatives by the Department of Tourism Regulations, please visit gov.tc/tourismregulations/or contact us via telephone at 946-4970 and email at tourismregulations@gov.tc.

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THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIOURAL HEALTH SERVICES CONDEMNS RECORDING OF PERSONS WHO ARE IN CRISIS

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FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March 2024– The Department of Behavioral Health Services is appealing to the general public to refrain from recording and circulating videos of persons who may appear to be experiencing a mental health crisis. Anyone can experience a mental health crisis at some point in their life. According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in any given year. Persons may struggle with very common conditions such as Anxiety and Depression or be diagnosed with more serious conditions like Bipolar Disorder or Psychosis.

“There are a lot of misunderstandings about various mental health conditions and how they may manifest. In addition, there are a number of negative perceptions and misconceptions that society exhibits towards people with mental health problems. However, just as we would show care and concern for someone diagnosed with Cancer, or any other physical illness, in the same way, we need to be as caring and helpful to persons with mental illnesses”– stated Director of the Department of Behavioral Health Services, Dr. Alicia Malcolm.

The Department is urging the public to call the following numbers if you see someone who appears to be experiencing a mental health crisis:

338-5473/338-3616: Providenciales, North or Middle Caicos

338-3614/338-3612: Grand Turk, South Caicos, Salt Cay

338-6301: Nights and Weekends

If someone is putting themselves or someone else in immediate, serious risk of harm, call 911.

The Department of Behavioral Health services is here to help and provides the following services which are free and confidential:

Location of above services:

o             Sam Harvey Building, Down Town, Providenciales,

o             Primary Health Care Department, Cheshire Hall Medical Center, Providenciales 

o             Department of Behavioural Health, Duncombe Alley, Grand Turk

 

Let’s all do our part in creating a community where people with mental health problems feel respected, supported and cared for. 

For additional information, please visit the Ministry of Health’s Facebook page on https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/ or the Department of Behavioral Health Services Faceebook on https://www.facebook.com/TCIDBHS/.

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Breaking Ground: TCI Could Lead in Regional Communication Standards

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Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom, 27th March 2024: The PR, marketing, and communications sector is poised for potential growth and could lead the Caribbean region in terms of industry standards says Damian Wilson. Wilson’s suggestion comes after the release of a new research report into the current trends and future direction of the sector as a possible emerging industry in the Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).

Wilson is the report’s author, which conveys the findings of research which he initiated. “One of the key research results is the considerable optimism by industry practitioners and government alike, with persons seeing growth potential. I believe that we can become regional leaders in this field. I believe that one of the initiatives that could be used to do this is by establishing a ‘TCI Centre of Communications Excellence’ within the TCI Community College. Such an institute would be dedicated to communication and media innovation with a particular focus on digital communications and ICT,” says Wilson.

He further explained, “I believe that the PR, marketing, and communications sector, like much of the country, is at a crossroads and could have an even greater impact on our socio-economic fabric. Some may have concerns about our small size, but I believe this makes us far more agile than our neighbours. All in all, any potential growth must be underpinned by new investments, professional development, and a strategy to integrate the sector into the broader economy.”

Wilson also said that he sees his research as a first step in understanding our own industry sectors in the TCI and would love to see more profound research and analysis conducted. He’s hoping that the report will spark discussion along those lines. The report is entitled ‘Current Trends and Future Direction: A Preliminary Report on the PR, Marketing, and Communications Sector in the Turks & Caicos Islands’. Anyone wanting a copy of the report can contact Damian Wilson via his email, damian.wilson.pr@gmail.com.

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