TCI:  Cruise Operators Get Concessions, approved at Cabinet

By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, May 12, 2022 – The Tourism sector continues to get support from the TCIG as Some Cruise Tourism business namely ATV Operators might soon be able to import their All-Terrain-Vehicles (ATVs) without worrying about customs duty costs.

At Least one business has already benefited as fees were waived for Chukka Caribbean adventures recently. The exemption was agreed on in Cabinet on March 23 and similar exemptions are set to come for businesses working in the same sector according to Cabinet minutes shared with Magnetic Media.

It caused a spat in the budget debates, the Leader of the Opposition Edwin Astwood queried why a foreign company got the concession. Premier Washington Missick informed that all companies had had the opportunity to apply and TCI companies that applied had been taken care of but the company Chukka missed the opportunity and was given a partial concession on items the TCI would make back taxes on.

The Tourism corridor in Grand Turk is also set to be widened as the government enters into negotiations to buy at least three parcels of land on the island. In recent months the government has been set on increasing Grand Turk’s potential as a stop-over attraction rather than just cruising.

Also decided during that cabinet meeting, upgrades are coming for north Caicos Grand Turk  and Providenciales as the Government enters into negotiations to purchase land to improve living on the islands.

For North Caicos the Government says community and recreation Center is to be constructed and a domestic fire and emergency service is also to be developed.

Finally for Provo several security related buildings will be going up including a prison remand center, a marine branch base for the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police and an Immigration detention cente.

Negotiations for the purchase of  all of these properties were approved in late March according to Cabinet minutes shared by the TCIG.