TCI News
TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS CONTINUE TO ENJOY BUMPER GROWTH IN 2023
PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS (October 8, 2023) – Visitor arrivals to the Turks and Caicos Islands continue to grow immensely in 2023.
Addressing international and local journalists at a media briefing on Monday at the Caribbean Tourism Organisation’s (CTO) State of Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC), Minister of Tourism, the Hon Josephine Connolly said arrival numbers have matched pre-pandemic levels in 2022 and are on track to do the same this year with both cruise passenger and airline arrivals.
The islands welcomed 321,423 arrivals via air from January to June 2023 with the United States market leading with 291,070 arrivals. There were 28,709 arrivals from Canada, 4,437 from the United Kingdom and 27,207 from the Caribbean and other territories.
Though there was a 13.37% decline in arrivals from 2019 (502,000) to 2021 (434,863), the Turks and Caicos Islands rebounded in 2022 with 621,913 arrivals, a 43% increase over 2021.
In cruise arrivals, the Turks and Caicos Islands welcomed 491,806 visitors from January to June 2023. This is a 51.72% increase over the same period in 2022 which saw 324,161 arrivals.
The total arrivals in 2022 were 734,448 compared to 26,573 in 2021. There were 1.1 million arrivals in 2019 with 532,173 arrivals from January to June that year.
Airlift was boosted with non-stop service from major gateways in the US (Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Miami and Fort Lauderdale, New York, New Jersey, Dulles), Canada (Toronto and Montreal), the Caribbean (The Bahamas, Cuba, Dominica Rep, Haiti and Jamaica) and the United Kingdom (London Heathrow).
Minister Connolly announced that on November 4, 2023, Virgin Atlantic will commence their Inaugural Service, to Providenciales from London Heathrow.
As she looked forward to a successful year for the tourism industry which comprises over 85% of the country’s GDP, Minister Connolly said the new marketing and product development strategy goes beyond Providenciales, to build awareness about all the islands, the people, each island’s unique natural assets, distinct natural beauty and charm.
She said the creation of Experience Turks and Caicos is to promote all of the islands and the development of tours and attractions to assist islanders to benefit from tourism through culture/heritage tours, local culinary offers and adventure tours, land and water-based activities.
Before the beginning of SOTIC, the media were given tours to Middle and North Caicos where they explored Mudjin and Bambarra beaches, got a taste of Turks and Caicos cuisine at Miss B’s and sampled cane juice and homemade jams at Isaac Farms.
The media, representing publications such as Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, TravelPulse, Insider Report, Travel Press, Travel Courier, Travel Influencer, and Travel Noire, will experience tours to Salt Cay, Grand Turk and South Caicos during the course of the week.
They will also enjoy street food delights, custom-themed drinks, and live entertainment by Provision Band at the popular Thursday night Fish Fry.
Turks and Caicos, October 28, 2025 – We are closely monitoring the impact of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica, and our thoughts and prayers are with our regional neighbours for their safety and well-being
We are now entering a critical period as Hurricane Melissa advances towards the Turks and Caicos Islands. Current projections indicate that Hurricane Melissa will begin to impact the Turks and Caicos Islands around midday tomorrow, Wednesday, 29th October.
This morning, Her Excellency the Governor and the Hon. Premier chaired a State of Preparedness Meeting. All Government agencies and critical services are mobilised. The safety and protection of every person across our Islands remains our highest priority. Our emergency response teams are prepared and the TCI Regiment is deployed across each of our Islands to support community readiness and immediate response. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are on active duty, with additional officers in North Caicos, Salt Cay, South Caicos and Grand Turk.
At this time, the hurricane is moving north-northeast. The country is expected to experience tropical storm conditions, heavy rainfall and
significant storm surge. The storm surge poses a serious concern for low-lying coastal areas especially along our western and southern coastlines, which may result in coastal flooding. Based on the most current weather projections and anticipated impacts for the Turks and Caicos Islands, the National Executive have agreed the following actions:
1. Evacuation Advisories
Residents in specific low-lying and flood-prone coastal areas are likely to experience significant storm surge of 2-4 feet with accompanying rainfall. Strong advice is now place for residents in these areas to relocate to designated shelters which will be open from 4pm this afternoon. These areas include:
Middle Caicos
- Conch Bar Nearest Shelter: The Community Centre
North Caicos
- Sandy Point Nearest Shelter : Sandy Point Community Centre
- Whitby Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
- Bottle Creek Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
Providenciales
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- Chalk Sound Nearest Shelter Enid Capron Primary School
- Five Cays Nearest Shelter: Enid Capron Primary School
- Discovery Bay Nearest Shelter: All Saints Church, Leeward Highway
- Juba Sound Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
- Long Bay Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
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South Caicos
- Cockburn Harbour Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
- Old Airport Road Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
Should an evacuation order become necessary, it will be issued following the 6:00 PM Advisory this evening from the TCI National Weather Service.
2. Activation of Emergency Operations Centre
The National Emergency Operations Centre in Providenciales and all Islands Emergency Operations Centres will be activated at 4:00 PM today.
3. Shelters Access
Shelters across all Islands will open today at 4:00 PM to receive members of the public.
4. Shelter-in-Place
A Strong Shelter-in-Place Advisory is in place for all islands, commencing at 10:00 PM tonight. This will be in place until the all clear has been issued.
This means that from 10:00 PM tonight, all residents should be off the road, in a safe location, either at home or a designated shelter.
Please note that this position may be revised following the 6:00 PM Advisory from the TCI National Weather Service, depending on updated storm projections.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) has confirmed that all airports remain fully operational for today. They will advise the public about ongoing operations dependent on the weather impacts.
In times such as this, the role of commercial entities extends beyond business – it becomes a vital part of the community’s resilience. All retailers and service providers are urged to uphold their humanitarian responsibilities by maintaining fair pricing and ensuring essential goods and services remain accessible to all.
Residents and visitors are reminded to adhere strictly to all official advisories and evacuation orders as they are issued. Avoid unnecessary movement, secure your property, and ensure that you and your family are prepared with essential supplies. Stay prepared and stay safe.
Turks and Caicos, October 24, 2025 – Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey delivered an impassioned address to male students at Clement Howell High School, calling on them to recognize their power, seize their potential, and “awaken the sleeping giants” within.
In a message that blended humility, faith, and personal experience, the Commissioner reminded the boys that the decisions they make today will shape their future.“The choices you make today determine who you become tomorrow,” he said.
Bailey, who revealed he was the first in his family to attend high school, urged the students to embrace education and discipline as tools of
transformation.“Knowledge is power. If you want to be a real man, you need to read,” he told them. “Remember your potential — if others can do it, so can you. Some of you are sleeping giants waiting to be awakened.”
He emphasized that circumstances of birth do not dictate destiny, challenging the young men to carry self-respect, faith, and moral conviction wherever they go. “Self-respect is key; respect yourself, respect others, and respect God,” he said. “The circumstances you were born into do not define who you are.”
The Commissioner also spoke about resilience, advising that true strength often lies in restraint.
“There will be challenges, and people may try to impede your development — but rise above negativity. Sometimes, strength means walking away,” he said. “Some of you are sleeping lions; it’s time to awaken that instinct and rediscover your true potential.”
In closing, Commissioner Bailey delivered a stirring challenge:
“Each morning, look in the mirror and remind yourself that you were created by God and are capable of great exploits. You are a possibility with potential. Step forward with confidence — this is your country, your islands. Be the best version of yourself.”
Following his speech, the Commissioner engaged the students in open dialogue, answering questions and listening to their perspectives on issues affecting young men in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Developed by Deandrea Hamilton • with ChatGPT (AI) • edited by Magnetic Media.
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