News
USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice – Best Caribbean Beaches “#2 Bambarra Beach”
Published
2 years agoon

Spotlight On Tourism
PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS (January 12th, 2024) – Bambarra Beach in Middle Caicos, joins Grace Bay Beach as an award-winning beach with USA Today’s 10Best Reader’s Choice, #2 Best Beach in the Caribbean, today! This is a tremendous win and award for the people of Middle Caicos and the Turks and Caicos Islands Archipelago and supports the strategic direction of Experience Turks and Caicos to promote the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premiere multi-island destination, with each island having its unique flavour and immersive experiences.
Middle Caicos is the heartland of Turks and Caicos Islands’ culture, where traditional straw craft and fanner grass basketry, native sloop building, and model sailboat carving/racing is practiced. The island has three small friendly villages, Conch Bar, Bambarra, and Lorimers with a population of around 200 people. Middle Caicos is known for its natural beauty and majestic coastline like no other island in the Archipelago.
As the name suggests, Middle Caicos is in the center of the Caicos Islands archipelago. A causeway connects the island to the adjacent North Caicos, which makes island hopping an ease and charm. Bambarra Beach fronts the small historical settlement of Bambarra, which has stood since the days of the Colonial Plantations in the late 1700s.
A day trip or twin island vacation to Middle Caicos includes captivating “Off the Beaten Track” experiences such as catching sight of the magnificent Pink Flamingos from the Flamingo Pond Overlook or taking a short hike above Mudjin Harbour Beach to capture the majestic view from atop the open-face cave that provides scenic shelter below on the white-sand beach. At the nearby Mudjin Grill, the onsite restaurant for the secluded Dragon Cay Resort, you can savour local culinary delights while watching the gentle ocean swells and inhaling the relaxing sea breeze.
On your way to or back from Middle Caicos is North Caicos, the lushest of all the islands thanks to the abundant rainfall, you can enjoy one-of-a-kind experiences such as exploring Conch Bar Caves, one of the largest dry cave systems in the Caribbean, Indian Caves, a large single gallery cave system or Wade’s Green Plantation.
Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Josephine Connolly, expressed her delight at Bambarra Beach’s recognition, emphasising the strategic marketing and promotion of Experience Turks and Caicos. “We have been promoting the Turks and Caicos Islands as a multi-island destination, encouraging visitors to explore beyond Providenciales. The recognition of Bambarra Beach is the first of many more accolades to come for our multi-island destination as we continue to market and promote awareness the diversity and natural beauty of our multi-island destination and enhance our product across the Archipelago for visitors to explore and create unforgettable experiences,” she said.
“This award underscores the charm of Bambarra Beach and complements the charm of Grace Bay Beach accolades which include, World Travel Awards Caribbean’s Leading Beach Destination since 2015, Trip Advisor Travelers Choice Awards Best of the Best Beaches 2023, Conde Nast Traveler, 21 Most Beautiful Islands in the Caribbean and World Travel Awards Most Romantic Award since 2019,” Minister Connolly added.
With the recent opening of Ocean Breeze Resort, a boutique hotel in North Caicos, visitors have another reason to enjoy twin island vacations or holidays now between Providenciales and North Caicos.
Experience Turks and Caicos remain committed to its robust marketing endeavours, strategically positioning the Turks and Caicos Islands as the ultimate multi-island destination. Our primary objective is to elevate visitation and spend across the entire archipelago. With our marketing efforts geared towards the affluent and luxury lifestyle multi-generational demographic, our target market embraces a luxurious lifestyle and seeks vacation options tailored to their discerning tastes. Through our diverse product offerings, we provide a unique experience of barefoot luxury, enriching their vacation with unparalleled value.
The Minister of Tourism, the Ministry and Experience Turks and Caicos would like to congratulate our other USA Today’s 10Best Reader’s Choice awardees are:
- Best All-Inclusive Caribbean Resort
#2 Ambergris Cay and #8 Beaches Turks and Caicos
- Best Caribbean Beach Bar
#8 Da Conch Shack
- Best Caribbean Golf Course
#1Royal Turks and Caicos Golf Club
- Best Caribbean Resort
#1The Sands at Grace Bay
- Best Restaurant in the Caribbean
#1 Hemingway’s on the Beach
From the Source Markets
TripAdvisor Spotlights Best Dive and Marine Life Spots in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS (January 3rd, 2024) – The Turks and Caicos Islands’ distinction as a captivating multi-island destination is featured by TripAdvisor “First-timer’s Guide to Diving in Turks and Caicos – Uncover the Best Scuba Shops, Dive Sites, and Marine Life Spots,” by Kaila Yu, a seasoned luxury travel and culture journalist.
The informative piece spotlights stress-free diving in Providenciales, the crystal-clear waters of West Caicos, the bustling marine life in South Caicos, whale sightings in Salt Cay, and tailored activities for cruise visitors in Grand Turk. Each segment features firsthand recommendations from visitors who have immersed themselves in the unique offerings of each island. Trip Advisor reaches 30,541,830 unique visitors per month and is the world’s largest travel guidance platform, helping hundreds of millions of people become better travellers, from planning to booking to taking a trip.
Commenting on the feature article, Ms. Racquel Brown, Change Manager and Interim CEO of Experience Turks and Caicos said this article is significant we continue to build awareness about the Turks and Caicos Islands beyond Providenciales, as a multi-island destination, myriad experiences.
“TheTurks and Caicos Islands is a multi-island destination with islands that truly offer visitors unique experiences. Experience Turks and Caicos is committed to ensuring everyone benefits from the tourism industry by increasing visitation to all the islands and spend on island. We have been working assiduously with travel journalists to promote awareness of our islands, beyond the barefoot luxury of Providenciales to visit and experience snorkeling in South Caicos or the beauty of Bambarra Beach on Middle Caicos, recently announced as the second-Best Beach in the Caribbean by USA Today’s 10Best contest. We have unique offers for our visitors including dive, soft adventure, natural and historical sites. Increasing the promotion and marketing of Dive as a niche market and Grand Turk, home to the third Largest Barrier Reef in the World is a key marketing strategy for 2024 and beyond,” she said.
For travellers interested in experiencing these remarkable destinations, flights with InterCaribbean or Caicos Airways are available to Grand Turk, South Caicos, and Salt Cay. Additionally, ferries provide transportation to North Caicos, and visitors can book tours or rent cars for travel from North to Middle Caicos. Private ferries can be arranged for exploration of West and East Caicos.
Read the article HERE.
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News
Beaches Turks and Caicos Showcases and Supports Local Creativity
Published
3 weeks agoon
September 12, 2025
September 12, 2025
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands – The Turks and Caicos Islands are home to a wealth of creativity, from artisans and craft vendors to musicians and performers. Beaches Turks and Caicos, the Caribbean’s leading all-inclusive family resort, has pledged its continued support for these individuals by providing meaningful platforms for them to share their skills and stories with guests from around the world.
The resort’s commitment is most evident in its weekly Cultural Night showcase, where visitors are immersed in the vibrant traditions of the islands. Guests enjoy live performances which feature local music genres such as ripsaw, while artisans display and sell handmade creations. This event not only enriches the guest experience but also strengthens economic opportunities for local entrepreneurs.
Entertainment Division Manager Garett Bailey emphasized the significance of Cultural Night, “we want to showcase everything the Turks and Caicos Islands culture has to offer. Our goal is for guests to leave with a deeper appreciation of the island’s art, music and traditions, while giving local talent the opportunity to share their creativity with visitors from across the globe.”
Beyond Cultural Night, Beaches Turks and Caicos also welcomes local craft vendors onto the resort every Wednesday and Friday where they are offered a direct space to market their goods. Guests have easy access to the Turks and Caicos Cultural Marketplace, where they can purchase authentic local arts and crafts.
Managing Director, James McAnally, highlighted how these initiatives reflect the resort’s broader mission, “we are committed to celebrating and sharing the vibrant culture of these islands with our guests. By showcasing local artistry and music, we not only provide entertainment but also help sustain and grow the creative industries of the Turks and Caicos Islands. From our cultural showcases to nightly live music, we are proud to create authentic connections between our guests and the people of these islands.”
Local musician Keon Hall, who frequently performs at the resort, expressed gratitude for the ongoing partnership, “being able to share my music with Beaches’ guests has created lasting relationships. Some visitors return year after year and request songs from previous performances. This partnership continues to celebrate what we do and strengthens the bond between local artists and the resort.”
The resort’s support of local artisans and entertainers extends beyond business opportunity; it is about preserving heritage and sharing stories. Guests take home more than souvenirs; they leave with experiences that deepen their understanding of Turks and Caicos’ culture and history.
Public Relations Manager, Orville Morgan, noted the importance of this commitment, “for many visitors, these interactions represent their first genuine connection to the Turks and Caicos Islands. From artisans and musicians to farmers and transport operators, our local talent helps shape every guest experience. At Beaches, we are proud to give them the stage to share their stories and their heritage.”
Beaches Turks & Caicos remains dedicated to developing cultural connections and supporting the artisans, musicians and entrepreneurs whose creativity makes the Turks and Caicos Islands unique. Each guest experience is an opportunity to celebrate and sustain the spirit of the islands.
Caribbean News
“Barbecue” is Cooked! US Turns Over 11 Million Haitians into Potential Informants with $5 Million Bounty
Published
2 months agoon
August 12, 2025
August 12, 2025
The United States just set fire to the underworld in Haiti — and this time, the smoke might finally flush out the man many call the most feared in the Caribbean.
On Tuesday, the U.S. government slapped a $5 million bounty on the head of Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier, the ex-police officer turned gang boss accused of orchestrating massacres, torching neighborhoods, and strangling Haiti’s capital into chaos. This isn’t just a headline — it’s a full-blown game-changer.
That kind of cash — offered under the State Department’s Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program — is enough to turn the country’s entire population, more than 11 million people, into potential informants overnight. Add the millions in the Haitian diaspora, and Chérizier isn’t just wanted. He’s surrounded.
The Number That Changes Everything
Five million U.S. dollars today equals about 655 million Haitian Gourdes. In a country where many scrape by on less than $5 a day, that’s not just life-changing — it’s life-defining. It’s enough to rebuild homes, put generations through school, or buy a one-way ticket far from the gunfire.
In a place where trust is scarce and survival is everything, that figure is more than tempting — it’s irresistible. For Chérizier, it means every friend could be a future informant, and every loyalist might be calculating the cost of staying loyal.
‘We Will Find Them’ — Jeanine Pirro, U.S. Attorney
Jeanine “Judge Jeanine” Pirro, the U.S. Attorney, set the tone with fire in her voice. “This indictment is the first of its kind,” she announced. “Jimmy Chérizier, also known as ‘Barbecue,’ is a notorious gang leader from Haiti who has orchestrated and committed various acts of violence against Haitians, including the 2018 La Saline attack in which approximately 71 people were killed. He both planned and participated in that massacre.
“Anyone who is giving money to ‘Barbecue’ cannot say, ‘I didn’t know.’ They will be prosecuted, and we will find them. They are supporting an individual who is committing human rights abuses, and we will not look the other way.”
Pirro wasn’t just going after Chérizier. She was sending a warning to the Haitian diaspora accused of feeding his war chest from abroad: the days of claiming ignorance are over.
‘No Safe Haven’ — Darren Cox, FBI
Then came Darren Cox, Deputy Assistant Director of the FBI, delivering the muscle of America’s most powerful investigative force. “There is no safe haven for Chérizier and his network,” Cox declared. “We are closing every link, every cell.” Since January, he said, the FBI has arrested three Top Ten fugitives, taken more than 19,000 criminals off the streets, and seized thousands of tons of narcotics — enough to save millions of lives across the U.S.
The FBI’s Miami and Houston offices have already bagged one of Chérizier’s Viv Ansanm associates inside the United States without firing a shot. “These efforts are a deliberate and coordinated plan,” Cox said, “to protect our communities and confront escalating threats from terrorist organizations like Viv Ansanm.”
‘Three-Year Investigation’ — Ivan Arvelo, HSI
Ivan Arvelo, Assistant Director of Homeland Security Investigations, brought the receipts. “This is the result of a three-year investigation into Chérizier’s procurement networks, cash pipelines, and operational financing that violates sanctions,” he explained. Arvelo described 400 structures destroyed, entire communities erased, and a gang exploiting U.S. dollars, technology, and immigration loopholes to keep its killing machine running. “We tracked how Americans unwittingly bankrolled brutality,” he said — proof that the net is tightening both inside Haiti and abroad.
‘The Worst of the Worst’ — Chris Lambert, State Department
Chris Lambert, representing the State Department’s International Affairs division, gave the political bottom line.
“Mass violence in Haiti must end,” Lambert said. “The instability resulting from Chérizier’s actions fuels illegal migration, regional instability, and transnational crime. We will continue to apply every tool available — including our rewards programs — to stop the spread of unchecked violence, especially to target the worst of the worst criminal leaders threatening the people of our hemisphere.”
Lambert confirmed what many have long known: Chérizier is not just a gang leader. He commands Viv Ansanm, officially designated in May as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. In the eyes of the U.S., that makes him not just Haiti’s problem — but everyone’s.
Why Haitians May Not Resist
In Haiti, money talks — loudly. And when you put 655 million Gourdes on the table, it shouts.
That’s the kind of figure that turns casual acquaintances into informants and makes even the most hardened loyalist wonder if the payout is worth more than the risk. It’s not a matter of “if” word gets out, it’s a matter of “who will be first to collect.”
For grieving families, it’s a chance at justice. For the desperate, it’s a chance at survival. For Haiti as a whole, it’s hope — wrapped in the most dangerous of temptations.
An Answer to Prayers
For years, Haiti’s headlines have been a scroll of horrors — kidnappings, executions, burned neighborhoods, bodies in the streets. Chérizier’s name has been attached to too many of them.
This move by the U.S. isn’t just strategy. It’s personal. It’s a signal to every Haitian — at home or abroad — that the days of impunity could be ending.
I’ll admit it: when I heard the news, I danced, I sang, and I nearly cried. Not because $5 million is a lot of money, but because of what it means — the possibility, at last, of stopping the man accused of helping turn Haiti into hell on earth.
Four officials, four angles, one mission: Pirro’s fire, Cox’s grit, Arvelo’s precision, Lambert’s conviction. Together, they’ve put the heat on “Barbecue” like never before.
BBQ is cooked. The only question now is: which one of over 11 million potential informants will serve him up?
Africa
What If Caribbean Dollars Flowed to Africa? A Trade Revolution Within Reach
Published
2 months agoon
August 8, 2025
By Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
What would happen if the Caribbean started spending more with Africa?
That question is no longer hypothetical. It’s the vision behind a growing movement that sees the Caribbean not just as a neighbor of the Americas, but as a key partner in the rise of a “Global Africa.” With shared history, deep cultural ties, and emerging trade frameworks, experts say the potential is enormous—if the will to act finally matches the passion of the speeches.
Billions on the Table
Today, trade between Africa and the Caribbean sits at just over US $729 million annually. But the International Trade Centre (ITC) and Afreximbank project that number could balloon to US $1.8 billion per year by 2028—more than doubling in just a few years.
This boost is expected to come not just from commodities, but increasingly from services, particularly in transport, travel, food exports, and creative industries. Two-thirds of that growth, according to analysts, could come from services alone—sectors where the Caribbean is eager to expand. (afreximbank.com).
Meanwhile, Africa’s consumer and business spending is forecasted to skyrocket to US $6.66 trillion by 2030, driven by a population boom and rising middle class.
The Case for a New Trade Axis
The Caribbean imports 80% of its food, but many of those goods can be sourced from African markets. What we offer in return? World-class logistics, tourism know-how, financial services, and proximity to the U.S. market. It’s a natural fit—one that is currently underdeveloped.
The recent call by Grenadian Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell for a “Global Africa Commission” underscores this urgency. He urged stakeholders at the Afreximbank Trade Expo to stop the cycle of empty talk and get to work: building shipping routes, finalizing trade agreements, and boosting knowledge of what each region actually has to offer.
“We will not leave here with another communiqué,” Mitchell continued. “We will leave here with a commitment to act, to build together, to trade together, to succeed together and rise together.” The statement underscored a central theme of the summit — that both Africa and the Caribbean can no longer afford to admire the idea of unity; they must operationalize it.Pilot platforms like the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) are already simplifying how cross-border payments work between African countries—and could extend to Caribbean partners. The system removes the need for U.S. dollars in trade between African nations, creating space for sovereign empowerment.
What’s the Hold-Up?
Let’s be blunt: political will, slow bureaucracies, and lack of coordination are stalling real action. Despite a decade of “Africa–Caribbean unity” talk, less than 3% of CARICOM trade currently involves the African continent. That fact continues to undermine these brave speeches and ambitious notions.
Where Caribbean Consumers Fit In
Caribbean consumers—especially the younger, tech-savvy generation—are already looking for affordable, ethical, and culturally relevant goods. African markets offer exactly that. Redirecting even a fraction of spending toward African-made clothing, beauty products, tech tools, or agro-processed foods could start a real trade revolution.
Bottom Line
If the political leaders won’t build the bridge fast enough, maybe Caribbean consumers will. The money is there. The interest is rising. Now it’s time to turn the “Global Africa” vision into a real economic shift—one shopping cart at a time.