PNP Administration sticking to the schedule, TCI Tourist Board soon gone

By Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, June 19, 2023 – With the Destination Marketing and Management Organization, DMMO now set up, the dissolution of the TCI Tourist Board will likely come in weeks. It brings the Government closer to completion of the revamped process for management of the country’s number one industry, a decision which remains contentious, but one the PNP Administration believes is sound.

The bill to formally do away with the Board and release the current employees from contract has already been introduced to the House of Assembly.  Josephine Connolly, Minister of Tourism on May 31st, moved a motion, ahead of the June 30th deadline given to current employees.

The motion to dismantle the TCI Tourist Board at the legislative level follows months of controversy, confusion on the part of some residents, disdain on the part of the Opposition and attempts at reassurance from the Government.

Some residents wondered why the Government would hand over ownership of such a lucrative industry to a private company, others congratulated them on the forward thinking initiative. Despite the furious tug of war over the issue, the Government doggedly continued on course and the DMMO was signed into law and its bylaws created and signed by the Government.

“Whatever we do in this country is connected to Tourism,—and we have to focus on sustainability of the economy, the social balance, and our precious natural capital,” was the sentiment from Premier Washington Misick as he maintained that ‘nothing fails like success’ and he would not allow the Turks and Caicos’ tourism industry to fall into the same trap.

At least ten positions were advertised in the weeks following the announcement but the Government has not yet indicated who is running the show officially or if a CEO has been chosen. What residents also have no idea of yet, is if anyone from the soon to be dissolved Tourist Board will be chosen to fill any of the positions.

The DMMO, if successful, is supposed to bring in at least $640 million to the TCI in the next decade.