TCI: Town Meeting held in Grand Turk as Cruising set for re-boot by end of Summer

High Level talks, high level tour for a what is soon to be a return to the high performing industry of cruising in Grand Turk attended by decision makers and major players including four Government Ministers, namely: Hon Washington Misick, Premier and Finance Minister; Hon Josphine Connolly. Minister of Tourism & Environment; Hon Akierra Missick, Minister for Physical Planning & Infrastructure Development and Hon Otis Morris, Minister of Home Affairs, also an elected member for Grand Turk.

Joining the Cabinet ministers were deputy directors, deputy permanent secretaries, directors and permanent secretaries from the Turks and Caicos Islands Government.

The Carnival Cruise Line Team was led by a slew of out of town executives.  Flying in for the late afternoon meeting on June 17 at the Grand Turk Cruise Center were: Gioria Israel, Sr Vice President of Global Ports for Carnival Corporation; Marie McKenzie, VP of Global Ports and Caribbean Government Relationships; Raquel Mota, Health Environment & Safety manager for Carnival, David Candib, who managed construction of the port, Franklyn Diaz, is the new ports manager for The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos and Desmond Hall, the local Operations Manager.

Following that two hour closed door session, the walking tour began at South Base –  Government Office zone and wrapped up just ahead of the town meeting on Middle Street; a part of the historic district of Grand Turk.

The Town Meeting was open to the public and held on the spacious parade grounds where seating was provided, the area was well lit and sound system set up to ensure the turn-out could hear the presentations and ask questions of the panel. 

Intense negotiations have been ongoing for weeks as the Premier has insisted focus be placed on reviving the Grand Turk tourism economy, which has been brought to a standstill due to the shocking loss of cruise ship calls to the island as a result of the unprecedented impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic.