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Turks & Caicos Junior Swimmers dominate at Race for the Conch 2022

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By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

 

#TurksandCaicos, June 30, 2022 – The Turks and Caicos may have found its sports niche as the Islands junior swimmers put on a world class showing at the “Race for the Conch” Eco-SeaSwim tournament last weekend. Despite the races being populated mainly by adults, all but one of them saw a TCI youngster placing in the top three.

Swimmers from the US, Canada, the Turks and Caicos and The Bahamas entered the June 25 competition, which is now in its 12th year.  Four races in all: a 2.4 mile, a 1 mile, a half mile, and a 100m kiddie race and while only 14  young TCI swimmers were participating in the races the country snagged 10 of the 18 podium spots not counting the 100m kiddie race.

“[There were] actually more adults in those races than youngsters. Which makes the achievement of the youngsters all the more remarkable,” said Ben Stubenberg, race organizer.

The one mile swim was topped by TCI Aquatics (TCIASC) swimmer, Lenin Hamilton Jr. in 22:10.  Hot on his heels were Tajhari Williams, also from Aquatics in second place, clocking only four seconds off the winning time; Luke Haywood of Provo Aquatics Club (PAC) was third; Sean Walters, also PAC, came in fifth; CARIFTA medalist, Jayden Davis (PAC) was sixth, and Ethan Gardiner (PAC) in got seventh place.

It bears repeating in a race with 22 participants the Turks and Caicos’ young men snatched five of the top ten spots.

On the ladies’ side, Sophie Taylor of Provo Aquatics bagged the No. 2 spot followed by her team mate, Angelina Lindenhahn in third and Thais Burgess (PAC) in fourth, placing the TCI in three of the top five spots.

Not only did they show out in the one mile, but the students swept the half-mile as well!

Again, Lenin Hamilton in fine form pulled off a double win, placing first in 12:14 seconds followed for TCIASC.  He was followed by by Ethan Gardiner in second.

On the girl’s side, primary schooler Lenika Hamilton (TCIASC) powered through to the No. 2 spot followed by Thaiss Burgess (PAC) in 3rd with Danielle Burgess (PAC) placing fifth overall.

If that wasn’t enough, nicknamed “iron man” after competing in back to back races at Saturday’s open sea swimming competition, Tajhari Williams took on the longest race, the 2.4 mile, and placed 2nd. Impressively, he completed the job in 51:24 for his club, TCI Aquatics.

It was exciting to note, all but one of the 14 TCI swimmers placed within the top 10 finishers in every race, still Salt Rakers Aquatic Club  was proud of the performance 10-year old Rishith Gururaga who placed 14th in the one mile event.

Additionally, Lenin, Ethan, Tajhari, Luke, Lenika, Thaiss, Sophie, and Angelina all made it to the medal podium placing in the top three in their respective races.

Ben, who cofounded the event with Chloe Zimmerman, is a pioneering figure in local swimming, and both are ecstatic.

“Another thing was the terrific placement of local island kids, we had some top finishers in all of the races. A lot of them are young teens and managed to come in first in all of the races, male and female. We are very, very proud of them!” he explained.

There were at least 12 under 10-year-olds in the kiddie 100 m race and even more astonishing at least three 10-year-olds in the mile and half a mile swims and several 11 and 12-year-olds as well.  All in Stubenberg’s estimation, performing very well in the international competition staged on Grace Bay Beach, at Ricky’s Flamingo Café.

“It’s just so great to see more Turks and Caicos Islanders on the beach and participating in the swim.  We’re so happy to be putting it on to increase and enhance swim on the island,” Stubenberg said.

The 14 Turks and Caicos competitors in the open races in alphabetical order are: Danielle Burgess, Thaiss Burgess, Jayden Davis, Alyssa Gardiner, Danielle Gardiner Ethan Gardiner, Rishith Gururaga, Lenika Hamilton, Lenin Hamilton, Luke Haywood, Angelina Lindenhahn, Sophie Taylor, Sean Walters, and Taijari Williams.

The incredible performance of these young athletes proves the Government’s commitment of an Olympic standard pool is promise whose time has come.

Caribbean News

Caribbean Tourism Maintains Strong Growth in 2024, Surpassing Pre-Pandemic Levels

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Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General & CEO, Caribbean Tourism Organization

BARBADOS – The Caribbean tourism sector continued its robust recovery and expansion in 2024, with international tourist arrivals reaching an estimated 34.2 million, according to a new report from the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO). This represents a 6.1% increase compared to 2023, and a 6.9% rise above pre-pandemic levels, marking the second consecutive year that the region has outperformed the 2019 benchmark.

The CTO’s “Caribbean Tourism Performance Review 2024” highlights the region’s resilience and enduring appeal, driven by factors such as strong demand from the United States, a rebounding Canadian market, and enhanced air connectivity.

Key Highlights from the Report:

  • Overall Growth: The Caribbean saw approximately 34.2 million international tourist arrivals (overnight visitors) in 2024, an increase of 6.1% over 2023 and 6.9% over 2019.
  • Top Arrivals: The Dominican Republic remained the Caribbean’s most visited destination in 2024, welcoming 8.5 million tourists. Jamaica followed with 2.9 million arrivals, while Cuba (2.2 million), The Bahamas (1.9 million), Aruba (1.4 million), and Puerto Rico (1.0 million) reported top numbers. Collectively, these six destinations accounted for approximately 56 percent of all visitor arrivals to the region.
  • YOY Growth: The highest year-over-year growth in tourist arrivals was recorded in Montserrat, which saw a 29.4 percent increase, followed by St. Vincent & the Grenadines (27.2 percent), Belize (22.8 percent), and Curaçao (20.3 percent). These destinations posted the strongest relative gains in visitor numbers across the Caribbean in 2024.
  • Pre-pandemic Growth: Compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019, Curaçao emerged as the best-performing destination with a 51.1 percent increase, followed by St. Maarten with 48 percent growth, and 41.8 percent in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
  • Source Markets:
  • The United States remained the top source market, with approximately 16.8 million arrivals, a 3.5% increase from 2023 and 7.9% above pre-pandemic levels.
  • Canadian arrivals reached 3.3 million, a 4.0% increase compared to 2023, though still slightly below 2019 levels.
  • European arrivals showed slower growth, with a 1.4% increase to 5.3 million, representing 89.4% of 2019 levels.
  • Driven by ongoing efforts to enhance air connectivity and services across the region, intra-Caribbean travel experienced growth in 2024. Residents of the Caribbean took an estimated 1.6 million tourist trips within the region – an increase of 5.1% over 2023, though still only 79.2% of pre-pandemic levels recorded in 2019.
  • The South American market saw the highest growth in 2024, with arrivals reaching 2.0 million by the end of the year, marking a 17.8% increase. This sustained growth led to a 19.7% rise compared to 2019’s arrivals. Improved political and economic stability, along with strong travel demand in key markets like Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia, contributed to these results.
  • Cruise Sector: The Caribbean cruise industry experienced a significant rebound, with 33.7 million cruise visits in 2024, a 10.3% increase over 2023, and a 10.9% increase over pre-pandemic levels.
  • Hotel Sector: The Caribbean hotel sector also performed strongly, with occupancy rates reaching 66.6%, a 0.8% increase from the previous year, and the Average Daily Rate (ADR) increasing by 4.2% to US$437.02.

Challenges and Outlook:

“Tourism in the Caribbean is expected to continue growing in 2025. However, due to prevailing economic uncertainties and slowdowns in major source markets during the first quarter of the year, the pace of growth is projected to be more moderate than earlier forecasts suggested,” said Aliyyah Shakeer, CTO’s Director of Research. CTO now anticipates that overnight visitor arrivals will increase by 2% to 5%, reaching approximately 35 million. The outlook for the cruise sector remains positive, with cruise arrivals expected to grow by 5% to 7%, approaching 36 million visitors.

“The Caribbean’s continued growth is a testament to the strength of our regional collaboration and the enduring appeal of our destinations,” said Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Tourism Organization.

“Despite geopolitical uncertainty and global economic challenges, our sector has shown remarkable resilience. To maintain this momentum, we must double down on strategic investments, innovative partnerships, and sustainable practices that protect our people, our culture and our environment. The future of Caribbean tourism is not only bright – it is ours to shape,” she added.

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New Honour coming for JAGS; Cabinet agrees to re-name Grand Turk road 

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Turks and Caicos, May 11, 2025 – Her Excellency, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam chaired the 4th meeting of Cabinet held on Wednesday March 19, 2025, at the Hon NJS Francis Building, Grand Turk. All members of Cabinet were present with the exception of the Minister for Innovation, Communication and E-Government, Hon. Erwin Jay Saunders and the Attorney General, Hon. Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles, with Ms. Khalila Astwood attending as Acting Attorney General.

At this meeting Cabinet:

  • Approved an amendment to the Cost-of-Living Relief Policy to include a provision for the issuance of cheques to deceased persons estate.
  • Approved a moratorium on the issuance of new business licenses in the contractor’s category with non-Turks and Caicos Islander involvement.
  • Approved an MOU with the Department for Transport of the United Kingdom and the Turks and Caicos Islands to support the implementation of internationally recognized maritime security standards.
  • Noted an information paper on the turn-key housing pilot project.
  • Approved the naming of the Old Airport on Grand Turk to the JAGS McCartney Memorial Drive.
  • Approved the naming of the bridges on West Road and Church Folly to Alexander Forbes Bridge and The Austin Robinson Bridge respectively, and adjacent roads the Carl Coverly Drive and Davis Higgs Drive.
  • Noted the awarding of contracts:

o   PN 005823, TR 24/33 Consultancy Services for the National Identification System-Subject Matter Expert

o   TCIAA 012/24, TR 24/36 JAGS McCartney International Airport Fire Hall (Phase II)

  • Approved an application for lease to construct and operate resort communities on the island of Salt Cay.
  • Approved settlement agreements for former civil servant Court Matters.
  • Approved the appointment of Ms. Cynara John as the Interim Secretary to the Turks and Caicos Islanders Status Commission.
  • Approved the Law Revision (Miscellaneous Amendment) Bill 2025 for further submission to Parliament.
  • Approved the purchase of the Temple Trust building on Providenciales.

Further information on these matters will be presented by Ministers in due course.

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Archbishop Broglio welcomes Pope Leo XIV: ‘A shepherd for a troubled world’

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From Vatican News

Archbishop Timothy Broglio, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, expresses joy and gratitude following the election of Pope Leo XIV.

By Marie Duhamel and Linda Bordoni

Speaking to Vatican News shortly after the announcement of the election of Pope Leo XIV from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, Archbishop Broglio, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, said he was “very pleased with the choice of the cardinals,” acknowledging his surprise at the outcome but affirming his deep sense of happiness and trust in the new pontificate.

“I certainly offer a prayer for Pope Leo,” he said, “and pray for the beginning of his mission and for its success.”

rchbishop Broglio shared that he had met Pope Leo XIV during official visits to Rome as part of his role with the bishops’ conference, recalling a man marked by warmth, openness, and a genuine desire to collaborate, as well as during the Synod on Synodality.

“On both occasions,” he noted, “he was very cordial and demonstrated a great desire to be helpful and work together. I was very grateful for that.”

What is in a name?

The choice of the name “Leo” evokes rich associations with Church history, particularly Pope Leo XIII, remembered for his groundbreaking work on Catholic social teaching and his encyclical Rerum Novarum.

“It sparks the memory of Leo XIII,” Archbishop Broglio reflected, “who was the first pope to enunciate in a clear fashion the social doctrine of the Church.”

The name also speaks to the new Pope’s roots. “Since Leo came from the neighbourhood of Rome, I think the people of Rome, primarily, will be very happy,” he said.

A call for peace

Highlighting the state of the world today, Archbishop Broglio stressed the need for the Pope to be a voice for peace and dialogue amid the many crises unfolding across the globe.

“I think all of us are extremely troubled by the by the situations that continue to ignite in our world. I think now of Pakistan and  India, but we also have this disaster in Ukraine and in the Middle East, and so many parts of Africa. So that he would speak of peace, I think is essential. And I hope that he will be a pontiff who can further peace and dialogue in our world,” he said.

A united Church

Reflecting on Pope Leo XIV’s words about a united Church, Archbishop Broglio agreed that this message is also important for the people of the United States.

“One of the things we have to learn is to listen to each other,” he said. “We may disagree, but each person is created in the image of God, and that should never be lost. I hope we hear his message as an invitation to be unified and to become instruments of dialogue.”

A universal shepherd

Archbishop Broglio also commented on Pope Leo’s international background—French and Italian by heritage, with pastoral experience in Latin America—as a gift to his universal ministry.

“I think it’s excellent,” he said. “Living in different parts of the world makes a big difference. It brings depth, perspective, and a richness that will help him guide the Church.”

He added that such global experience helps keep the Church from becoming “lost in its own backyard.”

A Pastor for all

Noting the Pope’s decision to speak in Italian during his first public address, Archbishop Broglio remarked on the pastoral significance of language.

“As the Bishop of Rome, I think it’s important he spoke Italian,” he said, while also acknowledging the comfort this choice brings to Spanish-speaking Catholics, especially in light of the recent passing of Pope Francis. “It will be reassuring to see that their new pastor can reach their hearts as well.”

Concluding, Archbishop Broglio offered prayers for Pope Leo XIV: “I wish him tranquillity and every success in his ministry.”

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