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REDEMPTION:  Providenciales Int’l Airport “Much Better Organised” for Travellers

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By Deandrea Hamilton

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#TurksandCaicos, March 29, 2022 – In its busiest weekend handling 13,000 travellers, the Providenciales International Airport (PLS) scored sky high marks for performance after a dismal rating just seven days before.

“Yes, it was much better organised.  Long lines still, but better organized,” said a worker who was able to feel the island breezes swirling through the departure area of the airport; a young woman getting off for the day and seemingly happy to offer a positive analysis.

A week earlier, the congestion was so thick, no winds could fan the passengers or employees and there would be nowhere to stand and engage in friendly banter.

Last weekend the congestion was labelled “horrendous” and an “emergency.”  This past weekend, there was the kind of order more befitting one of the Caribbean’s fastest-growing, luxury destinations.

“The TCIAA met with several industry stakeholders (TCIG, the Tourist Board, TCHTA, airline representatives, and operators in a web conference on Wednesday, March 23rd, 2022.”

That meeting resulted in a collaboration which has turned lemons into lemonade.

Managers of the country’s airports, the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) had rolled out a needs assessment list to the general public and met with stakeholders to create a plan.

While all elements of the plan did not materialize in time for weekend buzz, the string of ideas woven together in that virtual meeting compensated well to give the passengers an overall improved experience in arrivals and departures.

A key change which enabled the relief; reducing the length of time passengers actually spent at the airport.

“Several hotels have agreed to delay check-out or transport departing guests to the airport to avoid congestion in the check-in area during peak hours. To this end, the TCIAA encourages persons traveling this weekend to arrive no earlier than two (2) hours and no later than one (1) hour before their departing flight. In addition, the TCIAA and Airlines will be working together to assist persons during check-in to ensure that no one misses their scheduled flight,” said the TCIAA in a statement issued on Friday.

Our news organisation’s observation on Sunday, included passenger queues which were clearly defined for airline check-in and security check points.   More workers including volunteers who were assigned to guiding and supporting passengers were easily identified and included student interns from the Clement Howell High School Tourism Club.

There were no lines hanging out of the terminal building, no guests seated on the ground as they waited to depart the country and more regard for a healthy environment given that, officially, the Coronavirus Pandemic is not over.

Tents were erected outside the departure are in the event of an overflow.

Less crowding also meant less heat and with the open-air concept of the Providenciales International Airport departure lounge, which is not an air-conditioned space, it was vital that congestion be reduced to ensure comfort was heightened.

On Saturday, “there was live music playing” as had been the promise.  It was also agreed guests would receive complimentary drinks.

An air-conditioned tent was one of the plans which fell through; it was due to be set up on the airside of the PLS.

Interim CEO of the TCIAA informed that without the tent when guests arrive, it would be another “tough weekend.”

“Our tent plan will not be in place today as expected. Our contractor was delivering a different concept to our expectation.  We will work through this over the weekend,” said Godfrey Smith, TCIAA CEO.

Still, processing of arriving guests was to benefit from better co-ordination.  With the assistance of the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Ministry of Border Services, a revised approach came into play.

“Border Control Services (Immigration and Customs) will schedule additional staff to assist with the processing of inbound passengers. In addition, local airline agents will liaise with their respective airlines to ensure that passengers possess the required forms for processing through Border Control before arrival in the TCI.  The TCIAA will also ensure that additional forms and pens are available from within the airside holding tent to allow passengers to complete the required documents before entering Providenciales International Airport Turks and Caicos Islands Tel: 649.946.4420 Web: www.tciairports.com Email: nikeva@tciairports.com FB: www.facebook.com/tciairports Twitter: @tciaa the Immigration Hall. Health status cards for arriving passengers have been discontinued since December 1st, 2021,” was explained in the March 25, statement.

The FastTrack service offered by the PLS for a premium price fell far short however.

“There were not enough FastTrack hosts to handle the number of travellers who paid for it.  They’re going to have to do something about that,” explained one woman who saw multiple FastTrackers agitated by the inability to get the service expected.

The real issue at the PLS is no secret.  The airport is grossly undersized, and despite a $10 Million make-over which increased the parking apron, improved the airplane runway and doubled the size of the terminal building, the country’s #1 airport gateway is not fit for purpose.

Government has informed that it will take upwards of $350 Million to create a more ideal airport facility; but its fruition is at least four years down the road.

An immediate or interim solution has not been announced.

The TCIAA and its partners will however have other opportunities to fine tune its service at the Providenciales International Airport, as resorts have confirmed that bookings for April 2022 will top March 2022, for another record-setting month in tourism.

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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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