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TOURISM growth REVERSED for TCI; CRIME and COVID VACCINE may be to blame

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Deandrea Hamilton & Dana Malcolm

Editorial Staff

 

It was not a chart-topping Thanksgiving for the Turks and Caicos Islands as long-stay visitor arrivals and commercial airlines were down during one of the busiest travel seasons of the year, and the protracted vaccine mandate carries some of the blame.

Air arrivals for American Thanksgiving weekend 2022 in the Turks and Caicos fell below 2019 and 2021 levels according to figures obtained by Magnetic Media from the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA).

Though a slight dip, the lower passenger count broke the trend of increasingly better numbers in terms of long stay tourists vacationing in the islands.

Nikeva Ariza, Manager of Corporate Affairs, Communication and Community Engagement explained that between November 20-27 a total of 13,310 passengers came into the islands and there were 14,494 outbound passengers during the period which included American Thanksgiving on November 24th.  Back in 2021 there were 14,714 inbound and 14,037 outbound passengers for the same period in 2019 there were 13,804 inbound and 13,984 outbound.

The figure reflects a 9.5 per cent drop when all indicators and expectations had been pointing to outperformance of 2021.  The decrease also comes as the Turks and Caicos’ safety reputation was scorched by blazing international headlines about a gang-fuelled killing spree, which led to innocents, including a prominent Virginian realtor and NAACP leader, being shot in the crossfire.

Kent Carter, a tourist, was killed in a hail of bullets on October 2, following a jet ski excursion.

There was a 25 per cent decrease in airlines at the Providenciales International Airport, PLS November 20-27 (2022).  Some 140 aircraft landed during the holiday week but that was well below last year’s record setting number, which TCIAA data informed was 186.

As for what Christmas may bring Stacy Cox, CEO of The Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) said the vaccine mandate has made projecting less predictable.

“Although the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday the numbers are strong, it’s hard to predict what the latter months will be due to us being one of the only islands in the Caribbean that still has a vaccinated guest only policy for entry while our competitors have dropped all requirements, advertising aggressively and are fully open for business.” she said

The September listing from the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association revealed the TCI was one of only two countries clinging to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate.  The other in the September list of 31 Caribbean countries was Guyana, however, that changed on October 7th; Guyana dropped the travel entry requirement soon after the list was published.

More positively, Cox explained that Turks and Caicos resorts were also seeing many last minute bookings which made it even tougher to predict future occupancy.

Regardless, the outstanding performance in the first six months of 2022 have set the Turks and Caicos up for a record breaking year, when viewed overall.

In the first six months of 2022 alone there was a 183 per cent increase in arrivals.  There were 180,597 air passenger arrivals in January to June 2021 versus a massive 331,824 in the same period in 2022, an increase of 151,227 arrivals.

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Police Commissioner Honoured with Distinguished Civic Service Award at TCHTA Star Awards

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey has been recognised for his contribution to national security and the tourism industry, receiving the Distinguished Civic Service Award at the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association’s Star Awards held on February 19, 2026 at Beaches Turks and Caicos.

The annual awards ceremony is the premier recognition event for the territory’s hospitality sector, bringing together industry leaders, executives and frontline professionals to celebrate excellence and the individuals whose work strengthens the destination’s global reputation.

Commissioner Bailey was honoured for his strategic leadership in the fight against crime and the measurable reductions in major offences, efforts widely credited with improving public confidence and reinforcing the Turks and Caicos Islands’ standing as a safe and competitive tourism jurisdiction.

In accepting the award, the Commissioner dedicated the recognition to the officers and staff of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, praising their commitment and professionalism in what he described as a collective national effort to make the islands more secure.

The TCHTA Star Awards spotlight the link between public safety and tourism performance, acknowledging that a stable and safe environment is essential to visitor confidence, investment and the continued growth of the sector.

This year’s ceremony featured high-energy hosting by Super P the Entertainer, with Omega serving as awards announcer, as the industry gathered to honour the people and partnerships that continue to elevate the Turks and Caicos brand.

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New Chartered Accountant Member Appointed to The Integrity Commission

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Darius E. Ferguson, Member of the Integrity Commission Board

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, 27 February 2026: Her Excellency the Governor, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, today announced the appointment of Mr. Darius E. Ferguson as a Member of the Integrity Commission Board, serving as the Chartered Accountant Member in accordance with Section 3(2)(a) of the Integrity Commission Ordinance. His appointment is for a period of three (3) years and follows consultation with the President of the Turks and Caicos Islands Society of Professional Accountants.

Mr. Ferguson, with family ties to Providenciales and South Caicos, is a Chartered Accountant with over twenty years of senior leadership experience across aviation, finance, technology and consultancy, he brings a strong and diverse background in financial governance, regulatory compliance and strategic planning.

A former Chief Financial Officer of Sky Bahamas Airlines for a decade, Mr. Ferguson managed all financial reporting, regulatory engagement, capital projects and commercial development initiatives. He previously served in senior audit roles at both Ernst & Young LLP and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, leading high‑risk audit engagements and ensuring adherence to international financial and accounting standards.

Throughout his career, Mr. Ferguson has demonstrated a strong commitment to professional ethics, community leadership and organisational accountability. His experience across corporate governance, financial oversight, and operational risk management will bring valuable strategic insight to the Integrity Commission.

Her Excellency the Governor welcomed the appointment, stating:

“Mr. Ferguson’s extensive background in financial management, auditing and governance, together with his leadership experience across both corporate and community sectors, make him well‑suited to serve on the Integrity Commission. His appointment strengthens our ongoing commitment to integrity, transparency and accountability in public life. I am confident that he will make a meaningful contribution to the Commission’s important work.”

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Multi-Agency Planning Enforcement Action Conducted in Five Cays

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, 27 February 2026: The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in collaboration with key government agencies, coordinated a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, 5 February 2026, at Block and Parcel 60503/17 in the Five Cays area.

The exercise was led by the Planning Department, pursuant to its statutory authority under the Physical Planning Act to address unauthorised development. The ISU coordinated the operation, with support provided by the Crown Land Unit and the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force, while the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force ensured security throughout the activity.

The enforcement action formed part of a Public Private Partnership initiative between the Turks and Caicos Islands Government and private landowners. The registered owners of the land would have sought the state’s assistance to issue copies of Section 58 Enforcement Notices on unlawful structures identified on the parcel. The subject parcel comprises approximately 25 acres extending across Millennium Highway.

During the exercise, a total of fifty-four (54) copies of the Enforcement Notice were issued on structures located on the parcel. Notices were affixed to structures and served on persons found to be occupying illegal developments.

The Informal Settlements Unit reiterates that these coordinated enforcement exercises form part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to uphold planning regulations, protect property rights, and promote orderly and lawful development. Persons undertaking construction are reminded that development without the requisite planning approvals is unlawful and subject to enforcement action.

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