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Tourists Leaving with Criminal Records;  TCI Judge calls for Attention to Worrying Trend  

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Deandrea Hamilton & Dana Malcolm

Editorial Staff

 

 

#TurksandCaicos, August 18, 2023 – Experiential tourism is taking a negative twist for too many guest families as increasingly, Americans legally licensed to carry arms at home are being caught leaving the Turks and Caicos Islands with those guns, where to have them is against the law and carries a mandatory 12 years in prison.

Now, a local Judge is demanding that authorities pay attention to the trend and work assiduously to ensure information available to gun-owners from the TCI’s largest source market  – the United States of America – are aware that liberties there are not necessarily liberties here.

In recent weeks, the British Overseas territory has seen four tourists hauled before the courts, facing illegal firearms charges.

“His Lordship, The Hon Justice Chris Selochan sent a strong suggestive message with suggestive directions and observation, that there needs to be information or communication on the TCI Tourist Board website advising visitors/travelers of our laws in the TCI and that they cannot travel to the TCI with a firearm nor ammunition,” Wilkie Arthur, Magnetic Media Court Correspondent reported.

Arthur was in the Magistrate’s Court as the warning was issued during the hearing of Alec Nash, an American man who entered the country on vacation with his licensed firearm on the advice of his airline, but was arrested when he tried to leave with his US-registered weapon.

The minimum sentence for illegal gun possession in the Turks and Caicos Islands is 12 years imprisonment and following a very heated debate where the prosecution argued heavily for Nash to serve jail time in the TCI, the judge made the call to uphold a precedent where non-residents to TCI found with illegal guns and ammunition are convicted and fined, not jailed.

The judge had a warning for airlines.

“He also advised that all the airlines travelling to and from the TCI must be given some strong warning that they must tell travellers that they cannot come to the TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS with firearms and ammunition.”

The arrest of so many American tourists for possession of guns, which they are legally licensed to carry in their home country is also a bad look for tourism. Coming on holiday, the least of a vacationer’s expectation is that they would end up with a serious criminal record.

Nash, an insurance agent with no criminal priors, was charged with a $5,000 fine, which he paid, and swiftly left the country as the judge agreed his circumstances were exceptional. Had the prosecution won the case, the man could have spent years in prison because he was ill-informed about the country’s gun laws.

Similar occurrences were observed in the case of David Carrol O’Connor, who was found with 44 rounds of ammunition at the Providenciales International Airport. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced on May 16th, 2023 to a fine of $6,670.00 or 90 days imprisonment.

Then there was Alex Guzman of Wyoming, who was found with a firearm and ammunition at the Providenciales International Airport. He pleaded guilty on June 2nd, 2023 and was sentenced to a fine of $3,500.00 or 60 days imprisonment.

Each tourist was held as they exited Turks and Caicos with their legally registered, US firearms packed in their bags.

It may also fall to visitors to do more research before bringing their weapons on holiday, especially given the severe penalty attached to illegal gun and ammo possession in the islands.

A Google search of “can I bring my gun to Turks and Caicos?” showed the ‘Visit Turks and Caicos’ website does have a warning that states, in order “to bring in firearms of any type (including spear guns and Hawaiian slings), you must have written approval from the Commissioner of Police.”

Yet, supporting links on this information are poorly positioned and therefore could be easily missed.

Moreover, if passengers feel they have been properly advised by their airline about how to travel with their US licensed weapon, they are far less likely to be inclined to even run a subsequent search.

As this article hits ‘the press’, there is a fourth matter before the TCI court where an American man was remanded to prison until a sufficiency hearing in October.  Michael Grim was arrested at the Providenciales International Airport for possession of ammunition.  Grim is expected to apply for bail.

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Beaches Turks & Caicos wrapped up another successful Provo Men’s Premier League season  

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PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — Beaches Turks and Caicos continued its strong commitment to sports development in the Turks and Caicos Islands with its sponsorship of the 2025/2026 Provo Men’s Premier League, a partnership that has significantly elevated the competition for a second consecutive year.

The season, which saw an increase in participating teams and heightened competitiveness across the league, has been widely regarded as one of the most successful in recent years. The top honours were shared between two of the league’s most dominant sides, SWA Sharks FC and Academy Eagles FC, both delivering consistent and high-level performances throughout the campaign.

Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association (TCIFA) Technical Director Dane Ritchie highlighted the critical role Beaches Turks and Caicos played in strengthening the league’s structure and overall quality.

“The sponsorship from Beaches Turks and Caicos for the second year helped tremendously in making the competition a success,” Ritchie said. “This season we were able to have a more structured programme with the inclusion of youth talents coming to the fore, as well as the improvement of the coaching staff for the different teams being certified by Concacaf.”

Ritchie noted that the enhanced organisation of the league created more opportunities for emerging players, while also raising the standard of coaching and match preparation. The integration of youth talent into senior teams was particularly impactful, signaling a positive shift toward long-term player development within the territory.

Provo Men’s Premier League President Patrick Baptiste echoed these sentiments, describing the season as a milestone for both football and youth advancement in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“This was a very good year for football and youth development,” Baptiste said. “We were able to overcome a few challenging moments, but the overall grade for this season is an A.”

Baptiste emphasised that the continued support from Beaches Turks and Caicos has been instrumental in driving the league forward, providing much-needed financial backing and stability.

“With a title sponsor like Beaches Turks and Caicos providing the financial support again for this season, we are grateful,” he added. “We have come a far way and we still have a way to go, but the TCIFA team has been charged to continue to be creative in our marketing and being more inclusive in how we seek to showcase the talents of the TCI.”

Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort General Manager Deryk Meany also expressed satisfaction with the partnership and the overall progress of the league.

“Our commitment to youth development and the growth of sports and community throughout the TCI is of paramount importance to us as an organisation,” Meany said. “We are satisfied with this partnership and being the main sponsor is a major accomplishment for the resort. We are happy to have fielded a team this season that was placed fourth in the knockout round of the competition. We are seeking to continue to provide growth for our team members as well as the development of talent throughout the TCI.”

The 2025/2026 season also reflected broader efforts to professionalize football operations locally, including improved scheduling, officiating standards and fan engagement initiatives. Matches drew increased attendance, while community interest in the sport continued to grow, particularly among young athletes aspiring to compete at higher levels.

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Platinum Sponsor Beaches Turks & Caicos celebrates top Corporate Engagement title at DG’s 5K 2026  

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PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — Beaches Turks and Caicos has been recognised with the corporate engagement award after fielding the largest number of participants in the second staging of the Turks and Caicos Islands Deputy Governor’s 5K Run/Walk, held recently.

The resort, which also served as a platinum sponsor for the event, mobilized an impressive team of 100 participants, demonstrating its strong commitment to community engagement, health, and philanthropy. Proceeds from the initiative will benefit three key organisations: the Turks and Caicos Islands Cancer Society, the United Way of the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Ashley Learning Centre.

General Manager Deryk Meany praised the collective effort of the Beaches team, highlighting the significance of the initiative both for employee wellness and community impact.

“This was a team effort that saw the resort mobilising a strong team to participate in this event,” Meany said. “It provided a healthy activity for participation as well as giving back to a worthy cause. Congratulations to the Deputy Governor and her organising team for staging such a successful event.”

Participants from across various departments joined the early morning run/walk, showcasing camaraderie, determination and a shared commitment to making a difference.

Hotel Manager Ghislain Boutoulle described the event as both physically rewarding and meaningful.

“The route was very good. It was challenging at first but once I got the pace of the run, it was a good morning workout that was done for a worthy cause,” Boutoulle shared. “The Beaches team were well organised and showed the grit and determination to complete the run.”

For many team members, the experience extended beyond fitness, offering opportunities for personal connection and memorable moments. Soraha Jolly from the resort’s entertainment department highlighted the event’s emotional significance.

“This was good. I got the chance to participate with my mother and we ended the run feeling healthy,” Jolly said. “The event was a combination of partnership, healthy lifestyle and camaraderie. I am looking forward to the next staging to be the first to register for the Beaches team. It was a great experience for the entire team, but a very special one for me and my mom.”

Deputy Governor Her Excellency Anya Williams commended all participants and sponsors, with special recognition given to Beaches Turks and Caicos for its outstanding contribution.

“The three beneficiaries for this year’s staging were carefully selected to benefit from this event,” the Deputy Governor noted. “Giving back to the community, providing support for health through the Cancer Society and building a strong platform for education with the Ashley Learning Centre allowed the team to give back to a great cause.”

She continued, “We are grateful for all our sponsors but a special commendation to our platinum sponsor, the Beaches Turks and Caicos team, for not only donating but having the largest contingent of participants for this event. This is what true partnership looks like as we continue to build a strong relationship to make our community and the Turks and Caicos Islands better.”

The Deputy Governor’s 5K Run/Walk continues to grow as a signature community event, promoting wellness while raising critical funds for organisations that support health, education and social development across the islands.

Beaches Turks and Caicos’ strong showing this year underscores the resort’s ongoing commitment to corporate social responsibility and community partnership. With its record participation and enthusiastic team spirit, the resort has set a high benchmark for future events, reinforcing its role as a leader in both hospitality and community engagement in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

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Experience Turks and Caicos and Statistics Authority Publish Latest Visitor Exit Survey Report    

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (June 16th, 2026) — Experience Turks and Caicos, in collaboration with the Statistics Authority, has announced the completion and publication of the latest Visitor Exit Survey Report, providing enhanced insights into visitor behaviour, spending patterns and overall travel experiences in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The Visitor Exit Survey is a joint initiative designed to better understand the characteristics of visitors to the destination, including their travel motivations, length of stay, expenditure, satisfaction levels and perceptions of the Turks and Caicos Islands as a tourism destination.

While exit surveys have been conducted in previous years, this latest publication marks a significant enhancement in the way tourism data is collected and shared. It introduces a new quarterly reporting framework, with surveys conducted at the end of each quarter and findings published on a more frequent basis throughout the year.

This improved reporting cycle is intended to provide more timely and actionable insights to support tourism planning, policy development, marketing strategy formulation and broader industry decision-making.

“The Statistics Authority is pleased to partner with Experience Turks and Caicos on the Visitor Exit Survey program,” said Mr. Shirlen Forbes, Director. “As tourism remains the cornerstone of our economy, reliable and timely data is essential for understanding visitor behaviour, measuring tourism’s economic impact and supporting informed decision-making. We value our ongoing collaboration with Experience Turks and Caicos and believe these quarterly reports will provide stakeholders with valuable insights to help guide the future growth and development of the industry.”

Miss Sharissa Lightbourne, Marketing Intelligence Manager of Experience Turks and Caicos, noted that the expanded approach will allow government and industry stakeholders to better track trends in visitor behaviour and assess the economic contribution of tourism beyond traditional arrival statistics.

“Data is the foundation of informed decision-making and plays a critical role in shaping the future of our tourism industry. The insights contained in this report provide a deeper understanding of who our visitors are, how they experience the destination, and how they engage with our tourism product. This information is invaluable to our hotel partners, service providers, investors and other stakeholders as they refine their business strategies, enhance the visitor experience and identify new opportunities for growth. I would like to thank the Statistics Authority for its continued collaboration and commitment to strengthening tourism intelligence in the Turks and Caicos Islands. I encourage everyone in the industry to download the report and explore the valuable insights it contains,” she said.

The findings will also support more targeted destination marketing efforts, improved visitor experience initiatives and more informed investment decisions across the tourism sector.

Experience Turks and Caicos and the Statistics Authority reaffirm their commitment to strengthening tourism intelligence and ensuring that stakeholders across the industry have access to reliable, timely and relevant data.

Download the report here: https://issuu.com/myexperiencetci/docs/tci_departing_visitor_survey_report_q1_2026

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