News
Turks and Caicos, the delicate balance between development and preservation
#TurksandCaicos, November 11, 2023 – Like myself, some citizens are often skeptical about any major developments and rapid population growth across these islands. It is seen as a danger in commoditising deeply held traditions so closely linked to individuals and our collective identity.
But there is a caveat, many still see it as the primary way to keep these tiny islands alive and to survive.
Tourism is the bread and butter of this tiny British overseas territory, with close to 800 million US dollars annually.
This alone corresponds to approximately 75% of the country’s gross domestic product. Although Providenciales is the main hub for visitors via air travel, many are unaware that the sister islands are only a hop, skip and a jump away either by an interconnecting flight or the local ferry boats.
In recent years, visitors are flocking to the historical island of Grand Turk which is the capital of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Although, in terms of development, it may not appear to be.
On this island in particular, over 80 percent of the residents depend to some extent on tourism. Grand Turk has a number of the amenities as most major cities, but still gives you that small town feel.
Like the sister island, Salt Cay, some supplies are limited. There is a fairly large selection of groceries at the supermarkets, however, healthy foods come at a high price. What residents and visitors can depend on is fresh catch of the day, which is regularly available by the local fishermen at reasonable prices.
Those in the tourism business tend to try and earn as much of their income as possible from visitors during the peak tourism season which is between November and April.
Many of the locals are still passionate with keeping the culture alive, and aren’t just motivated by cash for cash own sake, or the US dollar which is the only currency used. Nevertheless, tourism money is most definitely needed to improve infrastructure and quality of life on practically all of these islands.
Apart from the transient visitors and on cruise ship days, the population on Grand Turk is roughly around 3500 residents. Over the years, it has slowly dwindled once major development on the island of Providenciales began to take shape.
The nature of island life especially on Grand Turk and Salt Cay, has satisfactory temperamental transportation, and with a bit of pre-planning, a trip to any one of these islands is plenty rewarding for those looking for a charming, quiet atmosphere, beautiful by nature beaches, and a unique culture.
The nightlife in Grand Turk is pretty quiet and may be a bit different from what some are used too. With some exceptions, there are a few small neighborhood bars where you can mingle with the locals or enjoy a good laugh or play a few games of dominoes.
Grand Turk is the home of one of the oldest lighthouses in the Caribbean. For lighthouse enthusiast, although entrance into the building itself is off limit, one will enjoy the breathtaking scenery and will find it both charming and fascinating.
If you’re like most tourists looking for fancy hotels, five course meals, or seeking a choice of watching a night show, these things are not the norm.
Come if you’re interested in this spectacular island laidback culture, where you are still greeted with big smiles, good morning, or good evening, waving hands, honking horns and most everyone knows you by your last name.
For many reasons, my favorite island still remains Grand Turk. It’s captures the essence of the Turks and Caicos Islands culture, with a shared sense of identity. This is where I graduated high school and made most of my early childhood memories. One of the few islands in the Caribbean where cows, horses, donkeys and friendly dogs still roam wild.
Among the many ecotourism and land activities, one can enjoy things like snorkeling, stingray encounters, fishing, ATV and horseback rides.
If your lucky, during peak season, you may get a glimpse of the humpback whales breaching right from the shoreline or pier, which is a niche market to Grand Turk and Salt Cay.
Most people come just to be in the middle of nature and have that small island feeling. An opportunity to bask in the sunshine, the tranquility, enjoy the secluded beaches and stretches of unspoiled coastlines.
What the islands are experiencing now is an influx of vacationers on their second or third time around. Many who have found lucrative business opportunities and are investing in vacation homes and Air BNB rentals.
When you’re on the island, you take it for granted that life is like that; you don’t see the value in living that hustle and bustle lifestyle elsewhere. If you’re lucky to arrive on cruise ship days to Grand Turk, you can enjoy some entertainment and food for a few hours before returning to the quiet lifestyle.
Many visitors are usually fascinated with the laidback culture, relatively low crime rate and friendly people.
In my opinion, the island itself will benefit more if greater focus is placed on developing our unique culture as one of the main attractions which tourists enjoy. This could also help to support the community’s ability to keep those traditions alive and thriving.
On the other hand, unchecked growth may have negative downstream consequences.
The rapid growth on the island of Providenciales is a good example of that. Grand Turk in particular has less than 5 commercial motels for tourists to stay, while the island of Providenciales is booming in this sector.
What we are beginning to see are more short term rentals and Air B&B-style accommodations. Albeit, I think having at least one major hotel in Grand Turk and a direct flight would be welcomed by many.
Nevertheless, more development could compromise both the community and the environment, swinging the Capital out of its current beautiful by nature precarious equilibrium.
Furthermore, with having limited real estate on this tiny island, finding that balance is crucial for the government. It could help to protect residents from predatory land grab and prevent them from being priced out of their homes.
Perhaps, it would be prudent to invest and capitalize on some of our existing natural resources and historical sites.
In short order, starting with the restoration of our eighteen century light house, the old prison, our Salt house or more vigorously promoting the “magnificant wall”. The Wall as it is referred to, is an amazing 7k feet deep ocean shelf, approximately 1000 feet off Grand Turk shore line, a dream for snorkelers and scuba diving enthusiasts.
To attract repeat visitors, so much more can be done, while limiting the proliferation of brick and mortar buildings. The million dollar question now is how much development do we want? Despite the rustic look, the inconvenience at times, the occasional mosquitoes, the lack of adequate resources in some areas, its still a hidden gem.
For those having duel citizenship and easy access to travel visas, being able to go back and forward to the United States and elsewhere as one desires, it’s priceless! This is truly having the best of both worlds.
Cheers!
Ed Forbes
By Magnetic Media Newsroom
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Turks and Caicos Islands Government says the breakdown of its relationship
with InterHealth Canada presents an opportunity to reshape healthcare delivery, with plans to expand local medical services, strengthen primary care and reduce dependence on overseas treatment.
During a national briefing following InterHealth Canada’s notice terminating its hospital contract, Premier Charles Washington Misick acknowledged publicly for the first time that Government and InterHealth had been negotiating an exit from the arrangement for more than a year after what he described as an “irretrievably broken down” relationship.
Despite the contractual dispute, Misick and Health Minister Kyle Knowles stressed that healthcare services will continue uninterrupted during the transition.
“Allow us to do our job,” Knowles appealed, assuring residents that Government is actively managing the transition and safeguarding patient care.
The Premier outlined what amounts to a broader healthcare transformation built around four connected levels of care: strengthened community-based primary healthcare; expanded polyclinic services; enhanced hospital-based secondary care with greater specialist capacity; and overseas tertiary treatment only for cases that cannot be managed locally.
Among the proposals are the long-discussed establishment of intensive care units, expanded use of currently unfinished hospital space,
recruitment of more resident specialist physicians and stronger contract management to oversee future healthcare agreements.
Knowles said the new polyclinic model will broaden services available outside the hospitals, including dentistry, ophthalmology, laboratory services, diagnostic imaging, gynaecology and preventative screening, helping to reduce pressure on emergency departments while improving early intervention.
Misick also acknowledged that while the hospital system significantly improved healthcare access after opening in 2010, Government believes further reform is necessary to improve affordability, sustainability and the range of services available within the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The briefing marked the Government’s most comprehensive explanation to date of its plans beyond the InterHealth contract, signalling that officials now see the transition as an opportunity to redesign healthcare delivery rather than simply replace one operator with another.
Education
Turks and Caicos Islands Students Excel at Cycle 13 WizdomCRM Regional AI Game National Awards Ceremony
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Wednesday, 22 July 2026: The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture proudly congratulates the students of the Turks and Caicos Islands on their outstanding performance at the Cycle 13 WizdomCRM Regional Virtual Sustainable Stock Market AI Game National Awards Ceremony.
The ceremony was held on Thursday, 16 July 2026, at the Blue Haven Resort, under the theme “Champions Today. AI Leaders Tomorrow.” It was hosted by the Ministry in collaboration with WizdomCRM.
Students across the Caribbean took part in the investment challenge, each beginning with a virtual portfolio of USD $25,000 and working to
grow it through simulated investments on regional and international stock markets. Throughout the competition, students were guided by Mr. Rabbit, WizdomCRM’s AI Tutor, and supported by E-Classroom sessions, building financial literacy, critical thinking and investment skills.
The Turks and Caicos Islands emerged as the region’s top-performing territory, claiming the top six regional positions, securing 14 of the Caribbean’s Top 20 places, and placing four schools on the regional leaderboard. Leading the region was Marc Roubentz-Perceus of TCIPS Comprehensive High School, who grew his portfolio to USD $370,336.63. He was followed by Joshua Creese of Raymond Gardiner High School in second place, and Stendro Chalas of TCIPS Comprehensive High School in third. Raymond Gardiner High School was also recognised as the Top School for Cycle 13.
Hon. Rachel M. Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, said: “I congratulate every student who took part in Cycle 13. You
have demonstrated the confidence to compete with the very best students regionally, and you have shown our country what is possible. This success is not luck; it is the result of an ecosystem built by students, teachers, parents, school leaders and partners who continue to invest in educational excellence. As we look ahead, the Ministry is in active discussions with WizdomCRM to expand access to its AI-powered learning tools, including Super AI, the AI Tutor, the Plagiarism Checker and the Grammar Checker, so that our young people are equipped with the future-ready skills they need to succeed.”
The Ministry extends sincere appreciation to the dedicated teachers who mentored the students, and to Rubis Turks and Caicos, whose sponsorship provided the cash prizes awarded to the top three regional champions. The Ministry also thanks WizdomCRM, participating schools, parents and stakeholders for their partnership in this achievement, which reflects the Ministry’s continued commitment to innovation, digital learning and youth development across the Turks and Caicos Islands.
WIZDOM CRM – Top Performers Cycle 13
| Position | Name | School | Portfolio Value | Regional Placement |
| 1st | Marc Roubentz-Perceus | TCIPS Comprehensive High School | $ 370,336.63 | 1st |
| 2nd | Joshua Creese | Raymond Gardiner High School | $ 264,841.31 | 2nd |
| 3rd | Stendro Chalas | TCIPS Comprehensive High School | $ 247,738.09 | 3rd |
| 4th | Ojed’harlie Jolissaint | Wesley Methodist School | $ 227,389.60 | 4th |
| 5th | Tyshawn Wright | Raymond Gardiner High School | $ 189,064.18 | 5th |
| 6th | Jah’keem Missick | Raymond Gardiner High School | $ 173,654.58 | 6th |
| 7th | Curvin Handfield | Raymond Gardiner High School | $ 156,984.89 | 8th |
| 8th | Chadazea Darville | Wesley Methodist School | $ 147,428.43 | 9th |
| 9th | Vivaan Castleton | British West Indies Collegiate | $ 120,833.83 | 14th |
| 10th | Damendine Simplus | TCIPS Comprehensive High School | $ 118,660.55 | 15th |
| 11th | Dyvion Louis | Raymond Gardiner High School | $ 111,572.81 | 16th |
| 12th | Colin Moriarty | British West Indies Collegiate | $ 106,854.81 | 17th |
| 13th | Kensley Felix | TCIPS Comprehensive High School | $ 101,285.06 | 18th |
| 14th | Redjino Saint-Louis | Raymond Gardiner High School | $ 99,927.39 | 19th |
TEACHERS
- Fexnel Colvert – TCIPS Comprehensive High School
- Valerie Olice – Raymond Gardiner High School
- Warren French – Wesley Methodist School
- Phyllis Boucher – British West Indies Collegiate
Top Performing School: Raymond Gardiner High School
Government
Parnell Urges Premier to Step Aside, Proposes Bipartisan Board to Guide Healthcare Transition
By Magnetic Media Newsroom
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands — Opposition Leader Douglas Parnell is calling on Premier Charles Washington Misick
to step aside, arguing that the Government has failed to provide the leadership, transparency and public engagement needed as the Turks and Caicos Islands prepares for one of the most significant changes in its healthcare system.
Responding to Government statements following InterHealth Canada’s contract termination notice, Parnell said residents were only now learning officially that negotiations with the hospital operator had been underway for more than a year, despite several previous opportunities for Government to inform the public.
He questioned why no detailed explanation was provided during the State of the State Address, Budget Debate or recent healthcare announcements, including the opening of the new polyclinic.
Parnell argued that while the PDM supports reforming or replacing the existing hospital arrangement, the process must be transparent and centred on the public interest.
The Opposition Leader reminded residents that the PDM had challenged the InterHealth agreement while in government, pursuing arbitration and preparing further legal action over concerns about the contract before leaving office following the General Election.
To guide the next phase, Parnell proposed establishing a bipartisan Health Transition Board comprising Government and Opposition
representatives to oversee the transition, monitor public accountability and manage the procurement process for any future healthcare provider.
He also outlined what the PDM believes should form the foundation of the next healthcare system, including guaranteed continuity of care, automatic employment protection for hospital workers, recruitment incentives for specialist physicians, expanded intensive care services, comprehensive mental health care, enhanced geriatric services and accelerated efforts to attract qualified Turks and Caicos Islanders in the medical profession back home.
Parnell also presented ten questions for Government covering outstanding payments, borrowing plans, legal implications, transition arrangements and the future structure of healthcare delivery.
He said the changes now unfolding require decisive leadership, openness and a carefully managed transition that places patients, healthcare workers and the long-term interests of the Turks and Caicos Islands first.
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