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Salt Cay, the forgotten paradise

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#TurksandCaicos, January 20, 2023 – The often-overlooked island of Salt Cay located in Turks and Caicos Islands, is definitely one not to be missed while planning your next getaway.

In those mundane or difficult moments; and your looking to unwind and soak in the sun, this is the island of your dreams. One can literally transport themselves back in time and enjoy the glistening, turquoise waters that surround this tiny island called Salt Cay.

Many readers including myself, enjoy articles from the “Spot light on Salt Cay” by Candy Herwin, weekly photos of the Salt Cay ferry to and from the island, Destination Salt Cay by my good friend, journalist Titus De Boer who also covers a wide range of topics.

Their excerpts capture different points of view and give you a glimpse of life on the island, its history, challenges and the attempts to keep hope alive.

Granted, on a few occasions I visited the island, this time it was different. After taking my family on a day trip to the island a few months ago, I was still amazed by the welcoming and positive attitude of the people, yet disheartening because of the lack of opportunity for the handful of residents still clinging unto their customs and traditions.

The visit brought back so many fond memories of my childhood growing up in Middle Caicos. What’s so striking about Salt Cay is the quaintness, genuine hospitality and pure natural beauty that draws visitors in.

Apart from the tranquility, it’s also one of the few long-standing cluster of inhabited sister islands that can proudly say they have had zero reported heinous crimes. Despite all the challenges, the island still remains pure and breathtakingly beautiful.

For a moment, I thought to myself, with the Capital only 7 miles away, why is it taking so long to integrate such a charm of an island? I believe the answer is quite obvious, it’s the lack of investment due in part to limited transportation to and from the island.

Over the years, this has forced many of the residents to relocate to Grand Turk and elsewhere to find work.

From my understanding, the government is currently subsidizing one of the local airlines to provide 3 flights a week and the local ferry boat 3 times a week to the island.

This is wonderful; however, given the limited available resources on the island, what the government failed to realize is, apart from whale watching, great fishing sites, spectacular beaches, there is not much to do on the island in terms of activities that will attract the majority of visitors for any sustained length of time.

Instead, what appears to be happening is little by little, the island is being sold out to the highest foreign bidder and elites who can afford to make it their second home.

Before all of the affordable real estate is gone, government should seriously look at other alternatives to assist residents who would love to remain on this particular island, but it’s not financially feasible to do so.

For the benefit of the next generation, we should avoid selling out the interests of this island for the sake of perceived economic stability for some. Why not put more effort into energizing the tourism sector in this gem of an island? It’s not that difficult and we are not expecting overnight success.

As a prime example, let’s take a look at the island of North Caicos. The airport there has been decommissioned for years, but the convenience of having daily ferry services to and from the island of Providenciales, has dramatically boosted tourism which is now spilling over into Middle Caicos.

Residents there have the option of either living or working between the two islands. This could very well be the playbook for Salt Cay.

With so many of the residents in Grand Turk having roots in Salt Cay, I would imagine some long for that day to come when they will be afforded the opportunity currently available to the residents of North Caicos, Middle Caicos and Provo.

With the hustle and bustle lifestyle in Providenciales to include the uptick in crime, this particular island like a few others will become more attractive to tourists. With that being said, how do we make the tourism product more attractive in Salt Cay?

Perhaps, a starting point could be providing more convenient transportation services to and from the island to help support the infrastructure development.

A cost-benefit analysis should also be done to determine whether it would be more advantageous to temporarily reduce the number of flights to the island and increase subsidies for daily ferry operations.

It could result in a twofold benefit. One, it forces tourists to fly to Grand Turk giving a boost to that economy and then having the option of taking a day trip to the island of Salt Cay for self discovery.

Secondly, cruise ship passengers and locals alike will have an opportunity to leave in the morning and return in the evening. This will open new doors for development on the island. Perhaps, a frequent travelers discount card can also be applied. In addition, various cultural activities can be planned to attract visitors and locals alike.

In my opinion, it would also be prudent for the government to identify certain real estate on the island that should be protected and or preserved. This could include but not limited to government buy back of land if need be. It will help to avoid a total sell off or depletion of prime property that the country will later regret.

From a recently published Crown land review consultant paper 2022, it showed that the Turks and Caicos Islands as a whole, is facing a serious Crown land crisis with only 23% of usable Crown land remaining.

Albeit, there appears to be a breakthrough from the long-awaited review of the management of Crown Land in the Turks and Caicos Islands. What would be beneficial to citizens is a follow up town hall style meeting to provide a debriefing on the nuts and bolts of the findings and recommendations.

I truly believe that in due course, the increased government subsidies towards the transportation sector on this island will be money well spent. The end result is happier residents and more opportunities to showcase this coveted destination to potential investors and local entrepreneurs.

 

Ed Forbes

Concerned citizen of Grand Turk 

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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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