Tourist Board Staff to Receive Final Separation Figures and Payments

FROM THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM,

ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES,

MARITIME AFFAIRS, CULTURE,

HERITAGE, AGRICULTURE AND RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 20 June 2023  – The Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Josephine Connolly, and other officials from the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board held a meeting with the board’s staff on 21 June 2023. The meeting was held before a bill was to be debated in the House of Assembly regarding the dissolution of the Tourist Board. During the meeting, staff members were informed of their separation packages, and corrections were made to previous miscalculations and misinformation.

The Honourable Connolly expressed disappointment about the misinformation provided in previous letters and acknowledged that proper legal advice was not sought. However, she emphasized that the law requires the provision of separation packages, and the board is bound to follow labor laws and the guidelines set out in the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board’s Staff Policies and Procedures Manual.

Mr. Miquel Swann, the Immediate Past Interim Director, explained that there were miscalculations and incorrect advice provided initially, which led to some individuals receiving double payments. He clarified that labor laws and established guidelines were used to make decisions concerning final compensation and separation packages.

Mrs. Clara Gardiner, Chairman of the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board, expressed the board’s satisfaction with the final calculations and apologized for the miscommunication and misinformation. She thanked the staff for their service and pledged to ensure a smooth and transparent winding-up process.

Effective 1 July 2023, the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board will be replaced by Experience Turks and Caicos, a complete Destination Marketing and Management Organization.