News
Sales Leader shares passion about her growth with Beaches resort
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: The third time seems to be the charm for Assistant Resort Sales Manager at Beaches Turks and Caicos (BTC), Rhonda Francis. Born and bred in Grand Turk, Rhonda started her first employment stint with the BTC resort in 1996 as customer service representative, served as a wedding
consultant in 2004 and then as junior sales executive in 2009.
Having experienced the different opportunities for growth with the resort, Rhonda chronicled her journey within the organisation like that of the butterfly with the different stages of development. “My first two times working on resort saw me exploring the many passions that I have had over the years and finally when I came back in 2009, I knew then that this was my niche. The opportunity to build a career here at BTC is never boring. There are always new experiences to benefit from,” Francis shared.
The Clement Howell High School graduate has never been shy in her different leadership roles. Said Francis “Throughout my career, I have always wanted to lead and learn and this is something that Beaches continues to provide for me. There are many courses that I have had the privilege of completing that have helped in my personal and professional development. With every course offered through the Sandals Corporate University (SCU), I choose to be engaged and challenge myself for growth.”
Junior Sales Executive Nadine Jacinte, when asked about the leadership qualities of Rhonda shared, “as a leader, Rhonda has been more of a mentor to me than that of a manager. She is patient with the members of the sales team and is always willing to guide us on what is expected within the industry.”
Rhonda was quick to point out that in order to be successful in the hospitality industry, leaders must be able to adapt and adjust. Said Francis, “leadership is challenging. Although life in leadership roles can be lonely and difficult, know that the more impact leaders have on their team, the more successful each team will become, especially within this industry.”
Hotel Manager, Ghislain Boutelle, noted that for him, Rhonda’s greatest strength is her interpersonal communication style. “She is able to creatively influence clients with her charisma. She knows her skillset and guides colleagues on what is needed to produce a flawless event to the satisfaction of her guests. She is a creative visionary who is able to share with others, concepts and ideas that are exceptional.”
Having worked in the sales department for almost 10 years, Rhonda’s greatest wish is for continued growth and development of leaders within the industry, “with the mentorship programme that we have in this organisation, the opportunity for younger professionals to grow more in the Management Training Programme (MTP) should be on a larger scale. We have many young persons who have displayed the willingness to be groomed for leadership at the resort and corporate levels. With the expansion of the MTP here at BTC, we will be seeing the increased number of leaders within this resort.”
Photo Caption:
Header: Rhonda Francis, assistant sales manager at Beaches Turks and Caicos shares a light moment at her desk at the resort for the cameras
Insert: Assistant Sales Manager Rhonda Francis (right) pauses for the cameras as she takes time to share with Sales Agent Korren McLaughlin at her office at the Beaches Turks and Caicos resort
The Bahamas, August 27, 2026 – The Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to inform members of the public that several individuals are scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 27th August 2026, at 12:00 noon.
The individuals and charges are as follows:
An 18-year-old female is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
Three (3) counts of Murder
Three (3) counts of Attempted Murder
Three (3) counts of Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life
Three (3) counts of Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm
Two (2) counts of Possession of Ammunition
Armed Robbery
Abetment to Armed Robbery
Stealing
Receiving
The charges stem from three separate shooting incidents and an armed robbery that occurred on Friday, 21st August 2026, and Saturday, 22nd August 2026.
The first shooting occurred in the area of Soldier Road and Baillou Hill Road, resulting in the death of a 51-year-old male.
The second shooting occurred in the area of Joe Farrington Road, resulting in the death of a 52-year-old male.
The third shooting occurred in the area of Gladstone Road, resulting in the death of a 36-year-old male.
The armed robbery occurred at a business establishment in the area of Carmichael Road and Baillou Hill Road.
A 21-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on one charge of:
- Murder
The charge stems from a shooting incident that occurred on Tuesday, 21st July 2026, in the area of Samson Street, Nassau Village, which resulted in the death of a 28-year-old male.
A 32-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
- Murder
- Attempted Murder
These charges stem from a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday, 24th December 2025, in the area of Graham Drive, Yellow Elder, which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old male.
RBPF, PACD
by Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — In a country where government press conferences are virtually non-existent, ministers are often difficult for
journalists to access and regular broadcast television news has disappeared, TCI Innovation, Technology and Energy Minister E. Jay Saunders has challenged Caribbean media to become “impossible to ignore.”
Speaking at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union gathering, Saunders argued that the Caribbean does not have a relevance problem but a “discoverability and positioning problem.”
Discoverability is precisely the issue in Saunders’ home country. Even Government’s own attempts at video news broadcasting have struggled against the realities of consistently producing a daily, weekly or even monthly newscast.
The difficulties confronting TCI media extend well beyond algorithms: limited advertising revenue, underfunding, shortages of trained professionals and insufficient human capacity leave newsrooms struggling for both staff and stamina.
Then there is the reality of operating in one of the region’s smallest societies. Politicians, journalists, advertisers, businesses and the subjects of stories often exist within the same tight economic and social circles. A controversial report that might create a ripple elsewhere can produce a tsunami in TCI, intensifying concerns among journalists about commercial and professional victimisation.
Saunders believes AI can help.
He urged Caribbean media to use the technology to transform one original story into television, radio, web, podcast, social and translated content without multiplying newsroom workload.
He also wants regional journalism structured so AI systems can find, understand and trust Caribbean sources, moving media beyond traditional SEO into Answer Engine Optimisation.
His ultimate message was emphatic: “Use AI not to make Caribbean media more artificial — but to make Caribbean voices more visible.”
For Turks and Caicos media, however, becoming visible may require more than technology. It requires an environment in which journalism can survive.
That last sentence is where I think we land the plane. It acknowledges that EJ actually has some us
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
