Connect with us

News

New Tax on Tourists and a triple intake on Tourism through DMMO says TCI Premier

Published

on

By Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

 

 

#TurksandCaicos, May 1, 2023 – Both private and public money will be poured into the new Destination, Marketing and Management Organization to fund it as it carries out its mandate to diversify the TCI’s tourism product. This is according to Premier Washington Misick as he detailed the financial model of the organization in an April 24 press conference and it also means a new tax on visitors to the islands.

“TCI Government contribution to the DMO based on the current budget allocation is four percent, and by 2027 it will move from $3.4 million to $5 million,” the Premier explained in a media event on Monday April 24.

An even larger income source is from private sector partners; that money is to be derived, according to the premier, due to a new tax of $10 per visitor and other contributions from tourism stakeholders who have Institutional membership in the DMO.

Guests will pay the one-time fee at the point of arrival into the country, Missick said, noting it was the levy model that stands to make the country the most money by charging all stayover tourists regardless of length of stay.

“Based on the amount of passengers by 2027, we will generate 8.7 million dollars,” he explained.

DMO Institutional members, like the Turks and Caicos Tourism and Hotel Association will pay a percentage fee that decreases as the amount of visitors increases and is set to reach $250,000 by 2027.

All of this money from the private sector will flow into a Tourism Enhancement Fund that will be used to increase the destinations appeal, directly upgrading infrastructure and more.

The final source of income is listed as revenue from the DMMO/DMO activities.

As a non-profit, none of the revenue from the DMO can be shared among members. Josephine Connolly, Minister of Tourism, had told Magnetic Media: “How the funds allocated to the DMO are spent will be based on recommendations from the Board and presented to the Minister in formal detail. The DMO will follow the TCI Public Management Funds Ordinance, which all entities receiving public funds must follow.  The DMO must produce an Annual Report about the objectives achieved, any deviation from the objectives, and how the financial resources have been used,” she said.

Total income for the organisation is set to reach $16 million by 2027; operating costs pegged at  $3 million.

Despite the massive projected windfall from the private sector, the premier defended the Government’s four percent contribution, maintaining that tourism was ‘everybody’s business,’ and it was through investment that growth would occur.

“The Government can’t divorce itself from supporting the industry” he said.

In the long term, the Destination Marketing and Management Organization, amidst controversy, skepticism and pushback from the Opposition PDM, is touted to boost the country’s revenue by over half a billion dollars; money that the country would never see with the current TCI Tourist Board.

The operationalization of the DMMO will bring the tenure of the TCI Tourist Board to an end; a redundancy which is met with some resistance.

Premier Washington Misick took to a slide show in his press event a week ago, presenting to the live audiences never before seen details on the new institution which had its bylaws signed on April 14.

“The increase in wealth will be equal to almost $640 million,” he said.

This massive jump is projected to push the country’s total tourism revenue to $1.7 billion by 2032. This would be more than triple the $506 million that the country was making from its number one industry in 2010-2011 according to Misick’s numbers

But without the DMMO Misick shared the most, the TCI is projected to get out of tourism over the next decade is barely over $1 billion slow crawl of an increase leveling off to a plateau rather than the sharp rise the Government wants.

He maintained this would stimulate the job market and the overall economy resulting in a better quality of life for residents.

The press event was held at the Shore Club.

News

DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM REGULATIONS INTRODUCES “RATE YOUR RIDE” SYSTEM FOR TOURISTS VISITING THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

Published

on

FROM THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March, 2024 – Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: The Department of Tourism Regulations is proud to unveil the “Rate Your Ride” system, a new initiative designed to enhance the vacation experience for tourists exploring our picturesque islands.

The “Rate Your Ride” system empowers tourists to provide valuable feedback on the quality of transportation services they receive while visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands. Through an easy-to-use online form, tourists can rate factors such as cleanliness, comfort, safety, and professionalism of drivers, helping us to assure the highest quality of service standards across all modes of transportation.

By participating in the “Rate Your Ride” system, tourists play a crucial role in shaping the future of transportation services in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Their feedback will enable us to identify areas for improvement and ensure that every visitor enjoys safe, comfortable, and convenient travel throughout their stay in the Turks and Caicos.

The code will also be publicly accessible through the cooperation of volunteer drivers who will make the rating code available in their vehicles. Flyers and stickers displaying the code will be distributed at hotels, resorts and airports. The mandated display of these codes is expected to align with the rollout of our tourism regulations in 2025.

For more information about the “Rate Your Ride” system and other initiatives by the Department of Tourism Regulations, please visit gov.tc/tourismregulations/or contact us via telephone at 946-4970 and email at tourismregulations@gov.tc.

Continue Reading

News

THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIOURAL HEALTH SERVICES CONDEMNS RECORDING OF PERSONS WHO ARE IN CRISIS

Published

on

FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March 2024– The Department of Behavioral Health Services is appealing to the general public to refrain from recording and circulating videos of persons who may appear to be experiencing a mental health crisis. Anyone can experience a mental health crisis at some point in their life. According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in any given year. Persons may struggle with very common conditions such as Anxiety and Depression or be diagnosed with more serious conditions like Bipolar Disorder or Psychosis.

“There are a lot of misunderstandings about various mental health conditions and how they may manifest. In addition, there are a number of negative perceptions and misconceptions that society exhibits towards people with mental health problems. However, just as we would show care and concern for someone diagnosed with Cancer, or any other physical illness, in the same way, we need to be as caring and helpful to persons with mental illnesses”– stated Director of the Department of Behavioral Health Services, Dr. Alicia Malcolm.

The Department is urging the public to call the following numbers if you see someone who appears to be experiencing a mental health crisis:

338-5473/338-3616: Providenciales, North or Middle Caicos

338-3614/338-3612: Grand Turk, South Caicos, Salt Cay

338-6301: Nights and Weekends

If someone is putting themselves or someone else in immediate, serious risk of harm, call 911.

The Department of Behavioral Health services is here to help and provides the following services which are free and confidential:

Location of above services:

o             Sam Harvey Building, Down Town, Providenciales,

o             Primary Health Care Department, Cheshire Hall Medical Center, Providenciales 

o             Department of Behavioural Health, Duncombe Alley, Grand Turk

 

Let’s all do our part in creating a community where people with mental health problems feel respected, supported and cared for. 

For additional information, please visit the Ministry of Health’s Facebook page on https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/ or the Department of Behavioral Health Services Faceebook on https://www.facebook.com/TCIDBHS/.

Continue Reading

News

Breaking Ground: TCI Could Lead in Regional Communication Standards

Published

on

Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom, 27th March 2024: The PR, marketing, and communications sector is poised for potential growth and could lead the Caribbean region in terms of industry standards says Damian Wilson. Wilson’s suggestion comes after the release of a new research report into the current trends and future direction of the sector as a possible emerging industry in the Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).

Wilson is the report’s author, which conveys the findings of research which he initiated. “One of the key research results is the considerable optimism by industry practitioners and government alike, with persons seeing growth potential. I believe that we can become regional leaders in this field. I believe that one of the initiatives that could be used to do this is by establishing a ‘TCI Centre of Communications Excellence’ within the TCI Community College. Such an institute would be dedicated to communication and media innovation with a particular focus on digital communications and ICT,” says Wilson.

He further explained, “I believe that the PR, marketing, and communications sector, like much of the country, is at a crossroads and could have an even greater impact on our socio-economic fabric. Some may have concerns about our small size, but I believe this makes us far more agile than our neighbours. All in all, any potential growth must be underpinned by new investments, professional development, and a strategy to integrate the sector into the broader economy.”

Wilson also said that he sees his research as a first step in understanding our own industry sectors in the TCI and would love to see more profound research and analysis conducted. He’s hoping that the report will spark discussion along those lines. The report is entitled ‘Current Trends and Future Direction: A Preliminary Report on the PR, Marketing, and Communications Sector in the Turks & Caicos Islands’. Anyone wanting a copy of the report can contact Damian Wilson via his email, damian.wilson.pr@gmail.com.

Continue Reading

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

TRENDING