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BTC starts off Autism Awareness Month in fine style

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#PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands, April 23, 2023 – Autism is a complex brain disorder that often avoids a person’s ability to communicate, respond to surroundings, and form relationship with others.  The month of April is being celebrated by Beaches Turks and Caicos (BTC) and the world as Autism Awareness month. The all-inclusive family resort, is the Caribbean’s first Autism-Friendly Kids Camp and is currently partnered with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), a global leader in online training and certification programmes.

BTC since 2021 is now an advanced certified autism centre which has ranked the resort at a level of understanding various behaviour patterns of children or adults on the spectrum. For the month of April, the Kids Camp will seek to bring more awareness to celebrate with families who have children or adults who are on the spectrum. These families will be able to enjoy their vacation at any of the three Beaches resorts in the Caribbean with the assurance of knowing that they will have a secure environment for all to enjoy.

Children’s Activities Manager for the Beaches Resorts in the Caribbean, Fedeline Julien shared, “in our Kids Camp all activities are inclusive. Currently, we interact with the parents prior to them arriving at our resorts to have the necessary information needed to provide a meaningful experience for the family. If necessary, we may assign a Beaches Buddies, accredited staff members who can join the family for an hour, a day, or for their entire stay, at an additional cost, to help in providing additional care for the family with the child or adult on the spectrum.”

“For this year, we had the launch recently, which was celebrated as World Autism Awareness Day. Each Sunday throughout April, we will be having sensitization sessions at our family shows for the parents and team members at the resort. There will be craft sessions in the Kids Camp with sensory material, daily finger painting in the craft studio, meet and greet with Julia, our Sesame Character who is also on the spectrum, and paint parties with Julia and friends,” Julien added.

General Manager James McAnally, noted, “here at BTC, our child care staff continuously receive competency training in order to provide for our guests with special needs. BTC recently received Advanced Certified Autism Centre accreditation, which has stipulated that at least one team member from each department must be autism certified. Our Kids Camps ensure that team members have the required knowledge, skills, temperament and expertise to cater to all children and offer age-specific programmes for infants, toddlers, pre-teens and teens.”

Beaches Buddy and 15-year veteran in the Kids Camp, Ismay Brown shared, “being able to care for these children and adults who are on the spectrum has been an absolute pleasure. When families decide to come to BTC to enjoy their vacations, each department is engaged in helping them to have an experience of a lifetime. These guests on the spectrum simply do things in their own special way. We are truly an all-inclusive resort and this allows us to be trained to deal with different behaviours and needs at all times.”

Beaches is the first company in the world to complete the rigorous IBCCES training and Autism certification. The resort offers guests with cognitive disabilities the opportunity to more comfortably navigate the on-resort experience through specialised services, engaging activities and customized dining options.

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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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