News
TCI Tourism responds to ‘back-up’ and ‘let-downs’ in Travel Portal approvals, says they’re mostly successful
By Deandrea Hamilton
Editor
#TurksandCaicos, March 29, 2022 – Record setting tourism arrivals for the Turks and Caicos Islands have resulted in a number of congestions for the British Overseas Territory, including at its TCI Assured online travel portal, which was created to vet travellers amidst the on-going Cornavirus Pandemic.
Ministry of Tourism officials, in a Friday March 25 statement obtained by Magnetic Media, informed the applicants have been in the thousands, admitting there have been let downs but mostly success.
“Last weekend alone verifiers approved a little over 12,000 applications (Thursday to Sunday travel). This is double the usual amounts over the weekends.
We have taken steps to reduce the wait time for applications by focusing on next-day travel and bringing in reinforcements when necessary. There is a message passengers receive indicating that we are experiencing a high volume of travel so that there will be a wait as far as approvals are concerned. The majority of travelers receive their intended approvals. The arrival numbers over the past weekend are a testament to this,” said the Ministry last Friday.
Residents and business owners brought the matter to our newsroom. That’s when we enquired about the portal’s
staff inability to keep pace with the surging demand for the destination.
To us, the Ministry of Tourism said what would speed up the process, is if all documents including those vital insurance papers were provided in the original upload. It would also help if individuals applied to the travel portal for entry approvals earlier than they are doing. Some are still waiting last minute. Those travellers are being disappointed in many cases.
As for when Turks and Caicos will begin to ease travel entry requirements, which are part of the Covid-19 response, that is coming said Minister Josephine Connolly who said the details would be delivered by the Ministry of Health. However, the recently announced changes by the Ministry of Health, offer no relief on travel to the country.
TCI is lagging behind other Caribbean destinations which are quickly dropping the rigorous entry demands. The Bahamas has dropped mask wearing mandates mainly for tourists in tourist hot spots, following the US decision to end face covering rules for some 90 per cent of Americans.
Jamaica has ended its mandatory quarantine for the unvaccinated traveler; there is no test is required for vaccinated visitors to Antigua and Barbuda and Aruba does not require travellers be vaccinated or tested for COVID, pre-entry.
“The Government continues to monitor regional and international development and trends, as it relates to travel and easing of restrictions, are concerned. We are aware that to remain competitive, we must continually review all travel processes, procedures, and services.
We have the interest of all travelers, resident and non-resident, at heart and will ensure they are informed in a timely manner if and when the situation changes,” said the Ministry of Tourism.
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
