Caribbean News
Tomiko Harvey, Xbox games room leader and trainer with BTC
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: Having fun while doing what some may consider work or a chore for the Turks Islander is but the most rewarding activity that could have been assigned to him at the Xbox 360® Station at Beaches Turks and Caicos (BTC) resort. Tomiko Harvey has been growing with the resort for more than 23 years in Kids Camp and within these years, the senior games room attendant has helped in guiding the staff within his department and the hundreds of young guests who have visited that area of the resort to have an amazing
experience.
While sharing his passion for his role at the resort, Tomiko revealed his love for bringing life to his work space and ensuring that those who visit the area will leave refreshed and entertained. “I’m very happy for this role that I have here at the resort as I’m able to have fun with our guests while bringing a sense of fulfillment whenever they visit the Xbox 360® games room. As the team leader, my mission is to guide the other staff members to just enjoy their role and learn something new each day,” Harvey shared.
With the many fun activities offered at BTC for younger guests, being able to incorporate fun activities at the Xbox 360® games room for Harvey and his team offers a unique blend for visitors. “The opportunity to learn new things especially about the development and regular updates that are readily available in the ‘gaming world’, the team must always be ready to get enrolled in the different courses being offered by the Sandals Corporate University (SCU). This educational channel provides for my teammates and me the opportunity to learn and explore new teaching and learning tools,” Harvey noted.
General Manager, James McAnally shared, “Tomiko is a genuine leader who has a winning personality. He is able to make our younger guests comfortable and feel at home in the Xbox games room. The fun activities that this resort offers help to cater to the needs of all our guests and for him and his team to make that area of enjoyment for our guests meaningful is good. He is always leading his team to learn more about the advancement in technology and be in sync with the latest gadgets and training from our partners, Xbox 360®.”
While highlighting the importance of receiving the most suitable environment for entertainment in the Xbox 360® lounge, Tomiko hails his division manager, Fedeline Julien as being a mentor and supporter in his professional growth. Said Harvey: “The Kids Camp leaders Ms Fedeline Julien and Ms Kayanne Ajarie (Pirates Island Manager) always ensure that the team is motivated and equipped with the necessary tools to learn new skillset while ensuring that they provide fun and excitement for our guests. The leadership within the resort always provides that opportunity for each team member to grow and excel in the different areas within the industry. There are so many courses that each person can get certified with accredited institutions worldwide.”
Tomiko has completed courses in creative problem solving, interpersonal skills, ten soft skills you need, presentation skills, leadership and influence, supervising others and self-leadership. These courses he shared have helped him to produce the highest level of customer service needed in the technologically driven space.
Jean Nicolas, games room attendant added, “Having Tomiko as a team leader is fun. He’s always willing to challenge us to be better at our craft each day. Being here for more than five years with Tomiko has allowed me to develop my skills as a disc jockey with the entertainment unit as well. This area in the hospitality industry has made me more marketable and creative in how I use my talents and this was only possible because of what Beaches Turks and Caicos has done for its team members.”
While sharing the need for persons with creative skills, gaming knowledge and willingness to learn to join the team at BTC, Tomiko was quick to point out that the hospitality industry has experienced a unique change. “Here at BTC, if there are young professionals who have the dreams of growing as a professional with what we consider non-traditional skills for this industry, all I would say is come and experience what we have here and you will never leave. A career here at BTC allows each team member to be exposed to working within different regions and explore the various cultures with which we are affiliated,” Harvey noted.
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, March 17, 2023 – Revenue from the Turks and Caicos’ Financial Services Sector will more than double in the next few years, if E Jay Saunders, Deputy Premier and Finance Minister gets his way. It ‘s one of the reasons the country is investing so much capital into getting off of the EU blacklist and becoming a secure trustworthy financial destination.
“The FSC’s revenues for 2020/21 was $10.5M— the figures for 2021/22, would be about similar,” he said. He further explained that $10.5 million from the FSC represented about 2.6 percent of the country’s 408.5-million-dollar
revenue. Though it increased to $14 million in the 2021/22 financial year, finance is still a small fry compared to tourism or even stamp duties but that will change, says Saunders.
“My revenue goal for the Government by the year 2029 [or] the election after the next election – is $500M. By that time, I want the financial sector (FSC) revenues to represent at least 5% ($25M). So that’s my goal for the financial sector by 2029.”
This goal, should it be met, would increase the Government’s revenue by 100 million dollars, a significant increase in spending power for local upgrades and improvements for Turks and Caicos residents and visitors.
Saunders says it’s time for the TCI to diversify its sources of revenue to make sure that what happened in the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw residents out of a job for months, will not happen again. Tourism now makes up around 80 percent of the country’s GDP. The Minister of Finance wants to push that down to 60 or even 50 percent.
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#Haiti, March 17, 2023 – When a CARICOM delegation visited Haiti earlier this month, conspicuously absent was the Turks and Caicos Islands despite being one of the nations most directly affected by the multi-dimensional crisis there. There is no comment, as yet from the Premier, to say why this was the case.
Still, from the expedition, CARICOM heads of Government have informed that there will be lobbying in Africa for assistance in Haiti. They say they have decided that the best course of action for the Caribbean country is to bolster the Haitian National Police and act as intermediaries with Africa and the world. The decision follows a one day visit on February 27th, and a March 5th meeting chaired by the Bahamas.
CARICOM says during the trip delegates ‘met with a broad range of Haitian stakeholders to hear their views on the
way forward to a Haitian-led solution’. With that in mind it has made a decision on how to proceed.
“The Heads of Government agreed to support the Haitian National Police in their efforts to address the security situation. The focus of the Community will be the provision of training for the HNP and the provision of humanitarian assistance to HNP and the wider Haitian society, taking into account the challenging humanitarian and security situation”
It’s not clear yet where and how this training will take place. Also distinctly absent from the report, no more mention of boots on the ground from other countries despite CARICOM Member States indicating they were ready and willing should it come to that.
In addition, recognizing ‘the common historical experiences and the strong African-Caribbean relationship’ CARICOM says,
“Heads of Government also agreed to seek support from African countries for Haiti. They also agreed to work with the Governments of Canada and the United States as well as the UNDP”
Magnetic Media has reached out to the Premier’s Office to get a full debrief of the February 27th visit (led by Jamaica; including The Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago) to learn of Turks and Caicos’ posture following the critical sessions.
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, March 17, 2023 – Musicians from the New World Symphony will be in the Turks and Caicos in concert next month and residents are invited to attend in support of the future of Ashley’s Learning Center. 
A fairly young orchestral academy based in Miami, the New World Symphony was launched in the 1980s by 1987, Michael Tilson Thomas and Ted Arison,Carnival Cruises founder. From the 1500 applicants who vie for a spot each year, the symphony accepts around 35 music graduates annually for training fellowships.
A select few of those graduates will be in country on April 8th headlining at the Ashley’s Learning Center concert ‘We’re all in this together’. The concert which also feature local artistes will be held at Brayton Hall on Venetian Road from 6 pm to 8:30 pm
Tickets are available ON ISLEHELP $75 PER GENERAL SEAT $125 PER PREMIUM SEAT $195 PER GALLERY SEAT – with /FREFRESHMENTS.
For TICKET RESERVATIONs you can call: 649-341-2304 or email EVENTS@ASHLEYSLEARNINGCENTER.ORG
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