Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, January 16, 2024 – The Ministry of Tourism has revealed in its Annual Report how the money allocated to it is being spent. Tourism traffic in the TCI is rapidly increasing, and the government has promised $6 million in projects will be completed, for a total of 16.
Currently, of the 16 projects, one is ongoing: the Tourism Capacity Carrying Study. Contracts have been signed for two others: the purchase of vessels for research ($436,000) and the purchase of engines for Fisheries Control vessels ($91,000).
As many as five projects have been deferred to the 2024–25 financial year. Grand Turk vendors will have to wait for their $1 million White Sands Village restoration as it has been postponed. Similarly, the $800,000 Sapodilla Bay development has been shunted, as has the $650,000 renovation of Fuller and Clementina Wilson Park.
Everything else is out to tender, including longtime projects like the renovation of the Bambarra Beach Vendors Market. It cost the government 2.4 million to fund the new DMMO in 2023 and $4 million to keep the Tourism Department running.
