News
Banner Year! Record Tourism Numbers for Turks & Caicos
#TurksandCaicos, January 15, 2022 – The Turks and Caicos Tourist Board is pleased to announce that 2021 was one of the most successful years on record. This, not only owing to the destination being open for business as of July 2019, but due to the Tourist Board’s continued marketing the country as safe for travellers.
The Board was instrumental in welcoming two new carriers: Frontier Airlines out of Orlando, Florida and Sun Country Airlines from Minneapolis, Minnesota. This, in addition to helping to negotiate the return of Southwest Airlines from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. What is more, there was the resumption of service from Toronto with Air Canada and British Airways (BA) from London Heathrow. The Tourist Board also had marketing partnerships with BA and Air Canada, affording travellers in the UK, EU and Canada the opportunity to discover, book and fly to TCI!
The last quarter of the year, September to December 2021, saw an average increase in arrival numbers of approximately 122,289 for 2021, versus 116,338, an upsurge from 2019 numbers of the same period. These preliminary numbers reflect the continued advertising and promotions initiatives carried out in collaboration with our wholesaler partners, travel advisors, hotel partners and airlines.
The Board organized familiarization and press trips from the US and UK markets. These trips showcased the country, providing partners with in-depth knowledge on the destination and our various product offerings, with the view of promoting the TCI on to their clients and in their publications.
This past year marked record tourism in the Turks and Caicos Islands, along with record publicity for the destination
across the United States, our leading market generator. The Turks and Caicos Tourism board developed and executed diverse multi-faceted public relations plans and strategies to expand upon the Islands cachet as a world-class luxury vacation destination, having with affordable options and offerings for all.
The Tourism Board has been aggressive with advertisement, that resulted in notable placements in the UK publications: Travel & Leisure, Food & Travel, Conde Nast Traveller and Travel Weekly magazines; and in the US: Travel + Leisure online, Conde Nast Traveler (print and online), Forbes online, USA Today, ELLE online, Harper’s Bazaar online, CNN Travel, CNBC Travel, The Washington Post online, Brides online, PEOPLE Magazine online, MSN, Time Out, Marie Claire online, JustLuxe, Departures, TripSavvy, TravelPulse, Travel Weekly, Caribbean Journal, and The Points Guy, among others.
The Tourism Board exhibited at trade shows and roadshows in the United States, United Kingdom and France. Showcases focused on luxury, cruising, diving and water sports, weddings, honeymoons, adventure and eco travel.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Tourism Board is proud to have won multiple awards from Caribbean Journal this year, chiefly: Providenciales being named the Best Island in the Caribbean to Visit in 2022; Luxury Destination of the Year; New Hotel of the Year won by The Ritz-Carlton Turks & Caicos; and Caribbean Tourism Director of the Year.
“The record number of traveller arrivals, advertisement placement, events and activities, accolades, in conjunction with our partner collaboration, is indicative of the work that the Tourist Board has been building upon and will continue to do,” said Pamela Ewing, Director of Tourism. “We have been steadfast, contentious and consistent in these trying times. We are cognizant of the travelling publics needs, and we strive to inform them not only of our destination, but keep them up-to-date on the various protocols with regard to entry and remaining safe.”
“2021 was indeed a banner year for us, and with hope, 2022 will be an even better year ahead, as we work toward not only increasing our arrival numbers, but bettering the product we have to offer”, added Miss Ewing.
The Bahamas, August 27, 2026 – The Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to inform members of the public that several individuals are scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 27th August 2026, at 12:00 noon.
The individuals and charges are as follows:
An 18-year-old female is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
Three (3) counts of Murder
Three (3) counts of Attempted Murder
Three (3) counts of Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life
Three (3) counts of Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm
Two (2) counts of Possession of Ammunition
Armed Robbery
Abetment to Armed Robbery
Stealing
Receiving
The charges stem from three separate shooting incidents and an armed robbery that occurred on Friday, 21st August 2026, and Saturday, 22nd August 2026.
The first shooting occurred in the area of Soldier Road and Baillou Hill Road, resulting in the death of a 51-year-old male.
The second shooting occurred in the area of Joe Farrington Road, resulting in the death of a 52-year-old male.
The third shooting occurred in the area of Gladstone Road, resulting in the death of a 36-year-old male.
The armed robbery occurred at a business establishment in the area of Carmichael Road and Baillou Hill Road.
A 21-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on one charge of:
- Murder
The charge stems from a shooting incident that occurred on Tuesday, 21st July 2026, in the area of Samson Street, Nassau Village, which resulted in the death of a 28-year-old male.
A 32-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
- Murder
- Attempted Murder
These charges stem from a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday, 24th December 2025, in the area of Graham Drive, Yellow Elder, which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old male.
RBPF, PACD
by Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — In a country where government press conferences are virtually non-existent, ministers are often difficult for
journalists to access and regular broadcast television news has disappeared, TCI Innovation, Technology and Energy Minister E. Jay Saunders has challenged Caribbean media to become “impossible to ignore.”
Speaking at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union gathering, Saunders argued that the Caribbean does not have a relevance problem but a “discoverability and positioning problem.”
Discoverability is precisely the issue in Saunders’ home country. Even Government’s own attempts at video news broadcasting have struggled against the realities of consistently producing a daily, weekly or even monthly newscast.
The difficulties confronting TCI media extend well beyond algorithms: limited advertising revenue, underfunding, shortages of trained professionals and insufficient human capacity leave newsrooms struggling for both staff and stamina.
Then there is the reality of operating in one of the region’s smallest societies. Politicians, journalists, advertisers, businesses and the subjects of stories often exist within the same tight economic and social circles. A controversial report that might create a ripple elsewhere can produce a tsunami in TCI, intensifying concerns among journalists about commercial and professional victimisation.
Saunders believes AI can help.
He urged Caribbean media to use the technology to transform one original story into television, radio, web, podcast, social and translated content without multiplying newsroom workload.
He also wants regional journalism structured so AI systems can find, understand and trust Caribbean sources, moving media beyond traditional SEO into Answer Engine Optimisation.
His ultimate message was emphatic: “Use AI not to make Caribbean media more artificial — but to make Caribbean voices more visible.”
For Turks and Caicos media, however, becoming visible may require more than technology. It requires an environment in which journalism can survive.
That last sentence is where I think we land the plane. It acknowledges that EJ actually has some us
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
