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2022 Turks and Caicos Conference (TACC) Was a Major Success, says Tourist Board

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#TurksandCaicos, November 15, 2022 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board recently wrapped up its 2022 Turks and Caicos Conference (TACC) and it was a major success. The 18th annual TACC, which was held from Wednesday, October 26 to Friday, October 28 invited the destination’s leading wholesalers and online travel agents to the Turks and Caicos Islands for site inspections, updates on the Turks and Caicos Islands, as well as for networking and conducting meetings.

The three-day conference began with an opening ceremony at the Beaches Key West Village – where attendees enjoyed food and entertainment. Remarks were provided by Minister of Tourism, Hon. Josephine Connolly, Acting Director of Tourism, Mary Lightbourne, President of the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA), Trevor Musgrove, and the vote of thanks was delivered by the TCI Tourist Board’s Senior Public Relations Officer, Gabriel Saunders.

Site inspections occurred the following day and provided wholesalers with an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the various properties and rooms that they are selling. These occurred at Beach Enclave Long Bay, the Ritz-Carlton, Wymara Resorts & Villas, Rock House, Sailrock Resort, The Meridian Club on Pine Cay, The Shore Club, as well as at The Sands. Later, guests attended Fish Fry to experience the culture of the Turks and Caicos Islands at the popular Thursday night event.

On the final day of TACC, which was hosted at Blue Haven Resort, wholesalers delivered presentations to hoteliers, which was followed by industry overviews from Minister of Tourism, Hon. Connolly and Acting Director of Tourism, Mary Lightbourne. After the presentations, attendees enjoyed local cuisine in a Blue Haven Penthouse – providing spectacular views of Providenciales. Post-lunch, wholesalers, airline representatives, and hoteliers reconvened for a tradeshow – facilitating further conversations and networking amongst key industry partners. TCI Tourist Board’s Product Development Officer, Candesha Mills closed the event with a vote of thanks – and TACC formally concluded that evening with a dinner at The Palms.

“It was an honour to be able to host our top industry partners for the 2022 Turks and Caicos Conference and once again allow them to touch, taste, and experience the Turks and Caicos Islands”, said Minister of Tourism, Hon. Josephine Connolly. “The sharing of knowledge and best practices, as well as the networking between our industry partners at TACC play a massive role in the success of the Turks and Caicos Islands’ tourism industry. We greatly appreciate our guests for their attendance”, added Hon. Connolly.

“We are incredibly proud with the results of our 18th annual Turks and Caicos Conference – the first TACC that has been hosted fully in-person since 2019”, stated Acting Director of Tourism, Mary Lightbourne. “We would like to thank everyone who was involved in TACC for their participation. A special thank you goes to our industry partners who graciously hosted TACC events and our guests. Without you all, this would not have been possible”, added Lightbourne.

The Turks and Caicos Conference is an annual tourism conference hosted in the Turks and Caicos Islands by the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board that invites wholesalers, airline representatives, hoteliers, and local government officials together for three days of site inspections, meetings, and networking in an effort to strengthen tourism in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

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Widow’s Testimony Recounts Night Haiti President Was Killed

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MIAMI, Florida — Emotional testimony from Martine Moïse, the widow of assassinated Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, has given jurors in a U.S. federal courtroom a chilling account of the night gunmen stormed the presidential residence and killed the country’s leader.

Martine Moïse took the stand this week in Miami as part of the ongoing trial of several men accused of helping plan and finance the July 7, 2021 assassination, a crime that plunged Haiti into political crisis and remains only partially solved.

She told the court that armed men forced their way into the president’s private home in the hills above Port-au-Prince during the early morning hours, firing multiple shots at her husband while she lay beside him. She testified that she was also wounded in the attack and survived by pretending to be dead until the gunmen left the room.

According to prosecutors, the plot involved a group of foreign mercenaries, including former Colombian soldiers, along with Haitian and Haitian-American suspects. Investigators say some of the men believed the mission was to detain the president, but the operation turned into an assassination.

The Miami trial is focusing on the alleged role of South Florida businessmen and others accused of organizing or financing the plan, part of a wider international investigation that has stretched across several countries.

More than four years after the killing, the question of who ultimately ordered the assassination remains unanswered, with suspects still in custody in both Haiti and the United States as the case continues to unfold.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

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Jamaica Joins Afreximbank Agreement, Strengthening Africa–Caribbean Partnership

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CARIBBEAN — Jamaica has become the 13th CARICOM member state to accede to the African Export-Import Bank Establishment Agreement, further strengthening economic ties between Africa and the Caribbean.

The development was confirmed during the 50th CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting, where an Afreximbank delegation led by George Elombi and Kanayo Awani met with Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness to advance cooperation.

Prime Minister Holness thanked the bank for its support following Jamaica’s recent hurricane, noting that Afreximbank financing helped restore critical infrastructure including water, electricity, sewage systems and roads, while also assisting reconstruction efforts aimed at building stronger resilience to future disasters.

The meeting also focused on broader development opportunities tied to Jamaica’s membership in the agreement. Discussions included rebuilding and modernising infrastructure such as railways, hospitals and other public facilities, while strengthening regional transportation and trade networks to improve the movement of people and goods across the Caribbean.

Afreximbank has been expanding its presence in the Caribbean as part of its strategy to connect Africa with the region often referred to as “Global Africa.” The bank has already committed billions of dollars in financing and trade support to Caribbean economies in recent years, including funding for infrastructure, trade facilitation and private sector investment.

By joining the agreement, Jamaica gains expanded access to Afreximbank’s financial instruments, technical support and trade networks designed to promote commerce between Africa and CARICOM states.

Regional leaders say the growing partnership could unlock new opportunities in areas such as trade, logistics, tourism, manufacturing and cultural exchange, strengthening economic cooperation between the two regions with deep historical and diaspora ties.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

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Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion  

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Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.

The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.

“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.

“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”

Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.

Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.

Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”

Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.

Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.

Photo Caption: 

TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain

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