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$1.2 Million Airport Canopy Coming at PLS

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By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

 

#TurksandCaicos, June 6, 2022 – After years of anticipation the Providence International Airport (PLS) has officially broken ground for its 1.2 million dollar canopy.  Described as the Gateway to the Islands by Member of Parliament for the area Rachel Taylor.

The Airports Authority groundbreaking ceremony held on May 23rd was attended by Premier Washington Misick; Deputy Governor Anya Williams; Tourism Minister Josephine Connolly and other Government Ministers.

Director of the Board Kyle Smith, who opened the ceremony acknowledged the ongoing issues at the airport including the long waits in the sun but said, “Today marks another step in alleviating the stress we face here at the airport.”

He assured the contractors (Crown Construction) that the board was supportive of them but would also hold them accountable.

“The ball is in your court to ensure that you deliver, follow and adhere to the contractual agreements, and that you are timely and the level of workmanship that you produce is quality.”

Crown Construction has just over 150 days to complete the canopy which will address concerns raised earlier this year when videos emerged of the long lines stretching outside the building.

Crosley Bain, Crown Construction suggested that a constant line of communication be kept open between new hotels and the TCIAA to ensure that any increased capacity would be manageable for the airport.

The canopy is not a permanent solution but will be exchanged for a state of the art terminal in a few years according to Taylor.

Deputy Governor Anya Williams described the increasing arrivals as a ‘good problem’.

While the arrivals were good she also acknowledged that the infrastructure hampered progress.

“This airport on any given Saturday accommodates over 20 international flights. We are faced with situations where we have airlines on the runway circling because they are waiting to park and planes circling in the air because they can’t land. I consider this a blessing because these people have chosen the Turks and Caicos but at the same time we owe our visitors a better travel experience.”

Arlington Musgrove, Minister of Immigration, with responsibility for the country’s ports of entry added, the canopy was doubly important because it was not just about providing shelter but about providing security as well he described the previous arrangement as having security risks that the canopy would deal with.

Selvyn Hawkins, Chairman of the Board of Governors maintained that ceremonies such as the groundbreaking which may seem to some as ‘applauding a fish for swimming’ were absolutely important.

“They’re important because they remind us of the value of the work that we do, they also force us to remain diligent with our work, particularly since we are a statutory body and are acting on behalf of the public, ensuring that we deliver with integrity and we deliver on time with projects that ought to serve the public.”

Premier Washington Misick explained that this project was ‘one of the biggest that the TCI would see in the next 25 years’ stressing that this was why the Government had to be ‘agile’ in its delivery.

Ground was also broken on April 26th for a  new air traffic control tower and fire services terminal.

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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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