Tourism Minister supports anti crime legislation, announces industry remains bouyant 

By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, October 24, 2022 – Tourist arrivals in The Turks and Caicos have not taken any measurable hit as a result of September’s flare up of gang violence according to Tourism Minister Josephine Connolly. 

“We have taken crisis management measures for our industry, and so far there is no indication of any negative fallout,” Connolly said in the House of Assembly on Wednesday, maintaining that Tourism officials were keeping an eye on the issue. 

“We are continuing to monitor responses from our airlines, and I must say at this time they are positive.  We cannot afford to have any stains on these islands.” She said.  

She defended the government’s new laws that give the police more power and that some residents are concerned were going too far.

“I continue to stand in support of the actions we have taken to address the scourge of crime towards our citizens and our visitors— We are against gangs, we want to give the police additional authority to stop and search, to monitor firearms, to protect our witnesses.  We must have stiffer penalties— the laws must be enforced.”

The Tourism Minister’s statement comes after weeks of unrest and killings which culminated in the murder of Kent Carter, an innocent tourist who was celebrating his 40th birthday on the islands. 

She encouraged residents to work along with the law enforcement in the communities, reminding them of what was at stake. 

“We have our image to protect, we have our product to protect, we have our lives and our livelihood to protect.  Let us Claim our Heritage of Peace.”