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TCI Hospitality Adventure Camps Back and Bigger!

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Providenciales, Turks & Caicos – The TCHTA successfully relaunched the TCI Hospitality Adventure Camps this July with an overwhelming response from the general public.

The TCI Hospitality Adventure program has run its signature Jr. Lit’l Chefs (12-14), Lit’l Chefs (15-19), and Spa & Cosmetology camps (14-19) since 2015 and has become a trusted gateway for introducing young men and women to these coveted careers in the Hospitality sector.

On hiatus due to the global pandemic, the camps resumed after a two-year break with registration opened on June 27th.  TCHTA CEO, Stacy Cox, says the camps were filled in less than a week of registration being announced, “We know that these programs are beloved by the community, but we were reminded this year just how much Turks & Caicos has wrapped its arms around these programs. It was a pleasure to see the overwhelming response and it assured us that we are in the right direction with what these camps provide to our industry and the country at large.”

The response was considerable enough that the TCHTA decided to add a second round of the Jr. Lit’l Chefs Camp to accommodate the demand. While this challenged the organization with finding additional chaperones, extra transportation, and permission from member resorts and businesses to allow more campers in their kitchens and busy operations, the team is filled with smiles looking back at the success of the past few weeks and the joy it brought to the pre-teens and teens that took part.

“This year, our member resorts and supporting businesses are much busier than they have been historically during this period, so we extend special thanks to them for allowing their Executive Chefs and teams to give the extra time to host more campers this year,” said TCHTA President, Trevor Musgrove.  “Of course, the TCHTA takes responsibility for transporting the teens to and from the respective locations each day, so we also needed more help in this area. My team at Discovery Tours was able to provide that service throughout, and I’m personally happy to have been able to meet the campers and even drive them myself. Interacting with them brought a lot of pleasure, and I’m proud that we have continued this important program.”

Over a 3-week span, the groups have visited Beaches Turks & Caicos, The Palms, COMO Parrot Cay, Amanyara Resort, Hawksbill Villa, Grace Bay Club, Seven Stars, and Spa Tropique. The education and activities ran the gamut from Sushi Making, Sommelier training, Dessert Making and more for the young Chefs, to Thai Stretching, Massages, Facials, Tennis playing, and Yoga for the Spa campers.

Tendra Musgrove, Chair of the TCHTA’s Education Committee, hosted a lunch with the Spa group on their day’s visit to the Shamballa Spa at COMO Parrot Cay, and says it was one of the best-spent afternoons she’s experienced this summer, “This program brings so many of us joy because we see first-hand the campers’ minds expanding to the possibilities in the industry that they had not taken into consideration before. Our goal in the TCHTA Education Committee is to ensure we can pique the interest of our youth and educate them on the merits and vast opportunities of working in this country’s number one industry. Our Hospitality Adventure Camps do just that.”

One of the program’s biggest highlights is always the Lit’l Chefs Camp’s Mystery Box Competition. At the end of this camp which hosts the older teens, the competition allows them to exercise the skills they have learned throughout the week in true competition style. This is fitting, as the top two Lit’l Chefs are then afforded mentorship and internship opportunities with the Senior Chefs throughout the year, and accompany TEAM TCI, the TCHTA’s Culinary Team, at overseas competitions.

This year’s battle took place at the magnificent Hawksbill Villa, sponsored by The Source, Ltd. After the two-year hiatus, the competition also served as quite the reunion bringing TEAM TCI’s chefs back together in a very familiar setting, igniting their desire to be back on the competition trail.

Deputy Governor Anya Williams, Minister of Tourism Josephine Connolly, and Minister of Education, Rachel Taylor attended the event sharing words of wisdom and encouragement with the teens.

After hours of battle, Ethan Lightbourne, reigned victorious and walked away with the Top Chef position. The organization looks forward to seeing Ethan’s culinary journey continue.

“There is never enough thanks to share with our members for hosting our children for these camps. A special ‘thank you’ to Chef Craig Nazareth of Beaches Resort for filling the shoes of Chef Colin Watson who is no longer on the ground with us, and to Chef Edwin Gallardo of Seven Stars for another year of service to the program. You guys are Rock Stars and we can’t wait to see what you do with TEAM TCI when competition arenas are available to us once again,” said Stacy Cox.

Chefs Charles Joseph, Kristin Green, and Wayne Gardiner who are alumni of the Lit’l Chefs Program served as Mentors this year, with Wayne ‘paying it forward’ by sponsoring a teen to be a part of this year’s camp.

The TCHTA also extends sincere thanks to chaperones Dulcine Hall and Petual Handfield, and to Saturday’s judges, James McAnnally of Beaches Resort, Kelly Fontanelle, visiting Travel Advisor, and Hall of Famer Chef Rajasekar Ravindran of The Palms Resort.

You can find a video highlighting the program’s start on the TCHTA’s Facebook page, @officialtchta. The video features Mrs. Angela Musgrove, who was at the helm and created the TCI Hospitality Adventure Program which later became a partnership with the TCHTA.

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Password to Paradise Radio Remotes at Beaches Turks & Caicos continue to highlight the TCI as the preferred Caribbean destination  

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PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — For two consecutive weeks, popular on‑air personalities set up remote studios on the sands of Grace Bay, turning Beaches Turks & Caicos into a live broadcast hub for North American listeners. Morning shows and drive‑time programmes all streamed directly from the resort, with hosts sharing first‑hand impressions of the islands’ beaches, culinary scene, and signature warm hospitality.

The broadcasts formed part of the “Password to Paradise” promotion, a multi‑station campaign that invited listeners to tune in for special on‑air codes for the chance to win all‑inclusive vacations to Beaches Turks and Caicos resort. Stations in major markets across the U.S. and Canada used the resort as their backdrop while encouraging audiences to “trade the cold for Turks and Caicos,” painting vivid pictures of turquoise waters and white‑sand shores with every break.

The “Password to Paradise” mission, already a proven radio promotion format in Canada and the U.S., took on new resonance when paired with live reports from the resort itself. Contest teasers, winner announcements, and social media reels featuring guests arriving in Turks and Caicos amplified the islands’ profile well beyond traditional print or digital advertising.

Tourism officials have welcomed the radio initiative as a timely boost to an already buoyant sector. Minister of Tourism, Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment, Hon. Zhavargo Jolly, emphasized the importance of partnerships that not only grow arrivals but also ensure that Turks and Caicos Islanders remain the primary beneficiaries of tourism’s success.

In commenting on the recent wave of live broadcasts and contests, Minister Jolly noted, “these visiting broadcasters have showcased the islands to millions of listeners across North America and underscored the “value added” to an economy that continues to expand on the strength of tourism.” He continued, “ sustained, experience‑driven campaigns like “Password to Paradise” align with the government’s broader strategy of attracting high‑value visitors while protecting the country’s natural assets and cultural heritage.”

The Turks and Caicos tourism product is widely described as a cornerstone of the national economy, as this sector continues to grow from strength to strength it will increase the number job creation for islanders.

Additionally, tourism leaders point to the long‑tail impact of being featured repeatedly across multiple radio brands, social channels and contest sites. Each on‑air mention, online clip and contest entry serves as an invitation to discover Turks and Caicos, reinforcing the islands’ reputation as a premier Caribbean destination at a time when global competition for tourists is intense.

For Beaches Turks and Caicos, the broadcasts were another opportunity to highlight its position as one of the region’s leading family‑friendly all‑inclusive resorts. DJs and hosts shared experiences from the resort’s multiple villages, expansive pools, waterpark attractions, and dining venues, giving listeners an authentic taste of the “Luxury Included” vacation concept from a guest’s point of view.

General Manager, Deryk Meany highlighted the resort’s partnership with the radio stations as he complemented a wider pattern of media collaborations that Turks and Caicos has pursued in recent years, from television features in major U.S. markets to digital campaigns showcasing the archipelago’s diverse islands. With the success of the latest “Password to Paradise” mission, industry insiders say the stage is set for more creative broadcast partnerships that leverage the power of storytelling to keep Turks and Caicos Islands firmly on the map.

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Beaches Turks & Caicos adds four new PADI Dive Instructors to the cadre of professionals in the watersports department

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PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — Beaches Turks & Caicos, a PADI-certified dive resort in Providenciales, continues to invest in its watersports team by training and certifying four team members to become qualified dive instructors to its operation. The resort operates one of the most comprehensive resort diving programmes in the region, offering on-site PADI courses and daily dives for guests of varying experience levels.

These latest certifications were conducted under the supervision of PADI Course Director and Dive Shop Manager Leonard Suckrajh, who is among an elite group of PADI professionals in the Caribbean. His role as course director allows the resort to deliver instructor-level training on property, further elevating the standard of safety, education and guest experience at the resort’s dive centre.

Suckrajh expressed his satisfaction with the commitment and professionalism demonstrated by the four new instructors, Almina Browne, Cicely Clarke, Andrew Dunkley and Boat Captain Tryston Sang throughout their training and assessment. “I am extremely proud of them,” he said. “They have invested significant time and effort in developing their technical competence and instructional skills and their achievement reflects a deep commitment to delivering safe, high-quality dive experiences for our guests.”

He noted that their performance reflects a strong culture of excellence within the watersports department and aligns with the resort’s long-standing emphasis on safety and training. “At Beaches Turks and Caicos, our objective is not only to train divers, but to develop highly responsible professionals who understand that every dive is grounded in safety, teamwork and respect for the marine environment,” he added. Suckrajh, whose own progression to course director spans more than two decades in watersports and diving within the Sandals and Beaches brands, said the new instructors represent “the next generation of leaders within our dive operation.”

General Manager, Deryk Meany, commended the level of collaboration required to guide four new instructors through the rigorous PADI process. “Attaining PADI instructor status is a demanding accomplishment that cannot be realized in isolation,” Meany said. “It requires the coordinated support of the dive shop, the wider watersports team, and the broader resort operation to ensure candidates have the necessary resources, time and mentorship to succeed.”

He emphasized that strengthening the cadre of certified instructors supports the resort’s commitment to excellence in guest service. “Each additional instructor enhances our capacity to offer guests a greater range of options, a higher degree of personal attention and consistently high safety standards,” Meany continued. “This milestone reinforces our position as a leading provider of family-friendly diving experiences in the Caribbean.”

Beaches Turks and Caicos is recognized for providing a wide spectrum of PADI courses on site, from Discover Scuba Diving and Open Water certification to advanced and specialty programmes. Previous training initiatives at the resort have resulted in many team members achieving PADI instructor status, significantly increasing both certification capacity and in-water safety oversight.

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Beaches Turks & Caicos shares fine dining experiences to high school students in Providenciales  

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PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — Students from the Clement Howell High School were recently welcomed to Beaches Turks and Caicos for an immersive fine dining and etiquette session at one of the resort’s signature à la carte restaurants. For the second consecutive year, the resort’s learning and development, public relations and food and beverage teams designed and delivered practical training that exposed students to the standards and expectations of a world‑class hospitality environment.

General Manager of Beaches Turks and Caicos, Deryk Meany, said the resort is committed to making the experience a fixture on the school calendar. “We are honoured to once again open our doors to the students of Clement Howell High School,” Meany added. “As one of the largest employers and training grounds in the Turks and Caicos Islands, we see it as our responsibility to help prepare the next generation with the skills, confidence and professional support they need to succeed in hospitality and beyond.”

He added that the partnership aligns with the values of both Beaches Resorts and the Sandals Foundation. “This programme is about more than a single day at the resort,” Meany continued. “It is about creating a consistent pathway for young people to see themselves in this industry, to understand the standards we uphold, and to recognise that there is a place for them at every level of the tourism sector.”

During the session, the resort’s learning and development and food and beverage professionals guided students through the full fine‑dining experience—from greeting and seating, to understanding multi‑course menus, cutlery placement, napkin etiquette and appropriate table conversation. Students also learned about body language, professional dress, and how to conduct themselves confidently in formal and semi‑formal settings such as interviews, scholarship dinners and official functions.

Learning and Development Manager Phildreka Mayham explained that the training was deliberately structured to blend technical knowledge with life skills. “Our goal is to demystify the fine dining environment for these students,” Mayham noted. “We want them not only to know which fork to use, but to understand that etiquette is really about respect for others, respect for themselves, and the ability to move comfortably in any social or professional space.”

She added that the programme is also a platform to introduce students to career possibilities. “Through this engagement, they get to interact directly with our team members, ask questions about different roles, and see first‑hand that hospitality offers diverse pathways—from culinary arts and service to training, management, and leadership,” Mayham shared.

For Clement Howell High School, the partnership with Beaches Turks and Caicos and the Sandals Foundation has become an important extension of the Health and Family Life Education (HFLE) curriculum. Guidance Counsellor Tanisha Graham said the experience supports the school’s broader focus on personal development and career readiness. “Our students are learning about self‑presentation, communication, and social responsibility in the classroom,” Graham noted. “Being able to step into a professional fine dining setting and put those lessons into practice is incredibly powerful for them.”

Graham emphasised the impact on students’ self‑confidence. “Many of our students are experiencing this kind of setting for the very first time,” she explained. “To see them sit up a little straighter, engage in conversation, and realise that they belong in these spaces—that is transformational. It reinforces the message that their potential is limitless.

Public Relations Manager, Orville Morgan added, “this initiative forms part of the resort’s ongoing investment in education and skills development across the Turks and Caicos Islands, complementing previous support to Clement Howell High, including enhancements to hospitality‑related clubs and programmes. The fine dining and etiquette training is expected to continue as an annual feature, with plans to refine and expand the experience based on feedback from students and teachers.”

As the second cohort of HFLE students completed their training, teachers expressed optimism that the collaboration will continue to grow and inspire even more young people to consider careers in hospitality. For Beaches Turks and Caicos, the hope is that today’s students will return in the years ahead as interns, team members, and leaders—bringing with them the confidence, poise and professionalism first nurtured at a carefully set table in one of the resort’s restaurants.

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