PDM accepts Court loss on DMMO, vows to restore TCI Tourist Board

Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, December 15, 2023 – If the PDM gets elected the Destination Marketing and Management Organization or DMMO will have to go, according to Edwin Astwood, Opposition Leader, when he spoke to Magnetic Media on Tuesday following the party’s loss at the Supreme Court.

He told the news team:  “I do not see an appeal. When elected we will seek to reinstate the Tourist Board.”

The statement came less than 24 hours after the TCI Courts ruled against the Opposition, in the matter of a judicial review application of certain bills relating to the setup of the Destination Marketing and Management Organization (DMMO). 

With an appeal unlikely, the court decision means the Washington Misick-led administration, that instituted the controversial DMMO, will be free to move forward with operations under the organization, officially called Experience Turks and Caicos. It replaced the Tourist Board in summer 2023, workers and all, for a brand new organization.

Following the passage of the bill, the People’s Democratic Movement had filed the judicial review on grounds that there was not enough consultation done before passage.

“We have not been given ample opportunity to peruse the legislation or have any kind of consultation with our party, supporters, and in particular constituents of the Turks and Caicos Islands,” Alvin Garland, Opposition Appointed Member had said.

“We continue to believe that it was not a fair process, not just to the opposition as the minority in the House but to the Turks and Caicos Islanders, who have their concerns,” Garland maintained.

The PDM  is sticking with that, and simply says it’s part of their campaign promise to reverse course and bring back the award winning TCI Tourist Board.