Tourism Business Fees Increase this October announces TCI Gov’t

Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, September 19, 2023 – It is going to cost more to do business in the tourism sector and the hikes in fees kick in, in a matter of weeks according to a notice issued by the Turks and Caicos Islands Government.

Tourism entrepreneurs will have to pay increased fees to continue operating in the Turks and Caicos this October with the resumption of TIDES (Together Individuals Delivering Excellent Service) training.

Aside from the initial $100 application fee, it will now cost between $20 and $50 per room/unit for hotels and other tourist accommodations to be licensed under the program.

Entrepreneurs seeking to get a new licence, renew a licence transfer a licence for a property will have to pay $20 per room. Any resident renting a Self-Catering Apartment, VRBO, or Airbnb must pay $50 per unit.

Tourism businesses outside of accommodation are also subject to a $50 fee for training their employees under TIDES.

The fee is levied per employee and those subject to it include Restaurants and Bars; Caterers and Private Chefs; Tour Boat Operators; Tour Operators Land Based; Taxis; Car Rental; Helicopter Tours; Horseback Riding; Bicycle and Bicycle Rental; Water Sport; Water Sport Equipment Sale and Rental; and Concierge Services.

In order to be licensed employees must be trained under TIDES.

These are reportedly mandatory fees, in a mid-September press release the government announced that under the Tourism Regulation Ordinance, all persons working in businesses directly related to tourism must be certified by the TIDES program.

TIDES resumption was announced in mid-2023 and will be administered by the new Department of Tourism Regulation.