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Cruise Ships & Passengers in time for Christmas

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#TurksandCaicos, October 22, 2021 – Grand Turk residents will very soon begin to notice ships in port.  These ships will not be laden with the typical happy-go-lucky, tour-taking, souvenir-buying and lunch-eating cruise passengers but instead gritty get-down-to-work dredgers who are now hired to clear the path for cruise ships to return to the island.  It has been 18-months since a cruise ship has docked in the Capital of the Turks and Caicos Islands ad a Development Agreement signed on October 13 will end the drought in time for Christmas according to Washington Misick, Turks and Caicos Premier.

“The Turks and Caicos Islands Government signed an amendment to a contract with Carnival. Because we have had a contract, since 2006, with Carnival.  WE have had 11 meetings in person and over the internet since May of this year to get to where we go to.  We now have an agreement which we intend to consolidate at some stage, shortly.  That agreement sees and extra $25 million in the Grand Turk Crusie Center and that includes expansion of the current facility, including the dock facility.”

The new Development Agreement went unexplained prior to and during the signing ceremony.  There was criticism for the PNP Administration for missing the opportunity to inform residents of the contents of the document and what benefits there were, more specifically, for the Turks and Caicos.

The new agreement was characterized as “superior” and outlines a sizable investment from CarnivalCorp to elongate the dock and from it, the TCI Government gains some autonomy.

“…a Community Enhancement and Sustainability Fund for Grand Turk to make sure that we can protect the environment, we can investment money into the urban redevelopment of historic districts, we can improve what I will call the down town, because what we will have to do is almost to enhance and create a down town.  This money will now be available to those who are driving this fund and the decisions will be made by those Trustees.  Carnival (Cruise Line) will now have no input or control over how that is spent or any decision making relating to it; to me that is a huge step forward,” said the Premier in a press conference designed to expound on the Agreement.

The Turks and Caicos Islands will finance the projects of the new Fund from its portion of an increased passenger fee of $16 per person; at least $9 of the fee will belong to the Turks and Caicos, the balance is for Carnival.

“The government will receive the majority of that …” explained the Premier as he announced the new Community Enhancement and Sustainability Fund will not suffer from the complexities of the previous Infrastructure Development Fund.

Decisions, action and spending can be more promptly executed in order to improve the aesthetics of the island which has struggled to rebound to its grandeur since Hurricane Ike of September 2008; damages and destruction was compounded in 2017’s hurricanes Irma and Maria.

“The dredging is a substantial part of the work and ships cannot arrive when that is happening.  The dredging is on its way and it will take about three weeks to complete.  Once the dredging is completed the ships can start coming in.  And the rest of the work can take place while the ships are coming in.

We expect to welcome cruise passengers as early as the first week of December 2021.”

The Premier said the cruise industry of Grand Turk is responsible for 30 per cent of employment in the capital of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

 

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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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