TCI News

Fear that Horrible Airport Reviews damaging TCI Tourism

Published

2 years ago

April 8, 2024

Shanieka

Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

Gorgeous beaches, mouthwatering cuisine, warm locals and the beautiful culture of the Turks and Caicos all pale in comparison to the horror show of the Providenciales/Howard Hamilton International Airport and that opinion is coming directly from visitors.

“Because of the way this experience was handled? Not coming back,” a visitor who was stuck in the airport overnight in March told us, while holding his tired three year old daughter.

Dozens of similar reviews have been shared with the Magnetic Media news team directly as well as online. On some occasions the posts are riddled with expletives as tourists express their frustration.

That a day at the airport can overshadow the Turks and Caicos’ extensive and luxurious offerings is a serious concern for stakeholders.

“There is no way this can continue for another 3-5 years. Too many tourists are saying never again.”

That timeline is supposed to be the cutoff point for a redevelopment of the airport.

But the question that operator put to our news team is if the pristine reputation of the country can continue to take the beating that the airport is giving it. Weekends are usually the worst. The problem, well documented over the years, is that too many aircraft come in too short a time frame bogging down arrivals and departures and concentrating thousands of guests in the airport at the same time.

It’s clearly the major issue, as on weekdays which usually have low traffic travelers report being in and out in minutes.

On the worst days though it results in a crush of people with barely standing room in the terminal while others wait in long lines in the blazing sun. The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) which oversees all government owned international airports in the country has begun to divert flights to private airfields nearby.

Godfrey Stewart, TCIAA CEO told the news team it was ‘simply an innovation to facilitate and maximize time and minimize diversion anywhere.’

“The option to use private ramps is not new. It’s situational as and [used] when needed. The TCIAA operations team understood the need to improvise and did so,” Smith told us

It comes at no charge to the TCIAA and is ‘ according to the CEO who described it as ‘most helpful.’

FBO operators aren’t as convinced, and they say a permanent solution is needed

“It’s not ideal but it’s better than forcing them to circle for extended periods or have to divert because they need to land and there is no room. That the airport thinks this is a better idea than spreading out the flights and continues to try to accept 50 flights in too short a window is really unfortunate,” one told us.

The FBO’s aren’t the only ones who think this way, islanders and visitors have been calling for a drastic change in scheduling as well to spread out the flights allowing less congestion and smoother operations. For the government though that is a no-can-do for the Turks and Caicos.

“Slot management is program scheduling of flights to control volume and timing of flights. It works best in large airports rather than secondary airports like HHIA.

Airlines build their flight schedule around its hub and connection demands at major hubs,” Arlington Musgrove, Minister of Immigration and Border Security, told the news team months prior when we had asked about the issue in the midst of another flare up of congestion.

Already visitors who have experienced the airport are warning others to pick a trip elsewhere

‘It obviously is outdated and in need of a huge renovation. I really can’t see myself coming back here. For a place to be expensive and the first thing you go through,” a traveler said in a January 4 post on Yelp where the airport has a two-star rating.

On March 25th another customer posted his detailed experience

“I’ve travelled to many small countries/airports in my life, but have never experienced anything even close to as bad as the Providenciales airport in Turks and Caicos. For our departure, we waited 1 hour just to check our bags, then another 2.5 hours in a jam-packed, dirty, 85 degree line to get to security. Once in the gate area, another 2 hours before they announced that the flight was canceled. We had to spend $1200 for one-night hotel accommodations, then went back the next day for more of the same: delays, waiting in long lines in high heat. Turks and Caicos has nice beaches and clear water, but this airport experience, along with the high costs, bad roads, water restrictions, and mosquitos do not make it worth the visit. Never again.”

It was similar to a February review, ”Utter and complete disaster. No staff, poor line management and extremely, extremely long lines— Not sure I want to experience this again. Go elsewhere.”

“Worst airport, I would not recommend going to Turks and Caicos because the airport is so terrible. It is hell on earth, maybe worse,” said another. And possibly one of the most damning came from a seasoned traveler

“This is the worst organized airport I’ve ever been to, and I’m an airline pilot so I’ve been to a lot of them,” a traveler said on March 9.

That was only some of the 2024 reviews and almost all advise travelers to avoid the country completely.

With the growing popularity of the Turks and Caicos the government is expecting to hit a million stay over guests soon the bulk of which will likely have to be funneled through the Providenciales International Airport.

With no slowdown in sight some industry professionals are already worried that if the country doesn’t find a permanent solution to the crisis it will start to pay for that with lower arrival numbers.

News

Flow TCI powers Inter-High Track and Field Championships

Published

3 days ago

March 5, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (March 5, 2026) – As the Turks and Caicos sporting community celebrates the spirit of youth athleticism, leading telecoms provider, Flow is highlighting the transformative power of connectivity following the successful conclusion of the 2026 Inter-High Track and Field Championships held at the Turks and Caicos Islands National Stadium from February 26 to 28.

As the Official Media Sponsor for the event, Flow provided livestreaming services that premiered across social media and on Flow TV’s Channel 111. This ensured that families and fans throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands could witness every record-breaking moment. To keep the event running at top speed, Flow also provided broadband services throughout the venue, maintaining seamless connectivity throughout the games.

“Our long-standing partnership with the Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission is a shared promise to invest in the next generation. Over the years we have worked together to create opportunities for young people to train, compete and grow,” said Joanne Missick, Country Manager, Flow Turks and Caicos Islands.

“We make this investment because sport develops more than athletes. It’s a long-term investment for us in our people, pride and possibility, and it’s a partnership we hold close because advancing our youth advances the entire nation.”

The commitment to the Games extended directly to the track, where Flow served as the headline sponsor for the 200-meter category. Spanning seven races, the partnership culminated during the official medal ceremony with the company presenting winners with Flow merchandise bags.

Off the track, Flow mobilised engagement through the interactive sales booth. The site became a hub for activity, featuring Spin the Wheel promotions and gift certificate giveaways during Q&A intermissions, ensuring the energy of the crowd remained high.

Looking ahead, Flow is preparing to carry this momentum into the upcoming Inter-Primary Track and Field Championships, continuing its investment in the next generation of sporting talent in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

News

Police Commissioner Honoured with Distinguished Civic Service Award at TCHTA Star Awards

Published

4 days ago

March 5, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey has been recognised for his contribution to national security and the tourism industry, receiving the Distinguished Civic Service Award at the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association’s Star Awards held on February 19, 2026 at Beaches Turks and Caicos.

The annual awards ceremony is the premier recognition event for the territory’s hospitality sector, bringing together industry leaders, executives and frontline professionals to celebrate excellence and the individuals whose work strengthens the destination’s global reputation.

Commissioner Bailey was honoured for his strategic leadership in the fight against crime and the measurable reductions in major offences, efforts widely credited with improving public confidence and reinforcing the Turks and Caicos Islands’ standing as a safe and competitive tourism jurisdiction.

In accepting the award, the Commissioner dedicated the recognition to the officers and staff of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, praising their commitment and professionalism in what he described as a collective national effort to make the islands more secure.

The TCHTA Star Awards spotlight the link between public safety and tourism performance, acknowledging that a stable and safe environment is essential to visitor confidence, investment and the continued growth of the sector.

This year’s ceremony featured high-energy hosting by Super P the Entertainer, with Omega serving as awards announcer, as the industry gathered to honour the people and partnerships that continue to elevate the Turks and Caicos brand.

Health

TCI Hospital Celebrates Successful “Heart Strong TCI” Initiative During Heart Month

Published

6 days ago

March 2, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

(Providenciales – Monday, March 2, 2026) TCI Hospital proudly announces the successful achievement of its Heart Strong TCI initiative, a comprehensive Heart Month campaign focused on raising awareness and strengthening cardiovascular disease prevention efforts across the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the Turks and Caicos Islands, highlighting the critical need for sustained public education, risk-factor reduction, and early intervention. The Heart Strong TCI initiative was designed to actively engage the community through education, outreach, and physical activity.

Key Activities Included:

Educational Training Sessions

Healthcare professionals conducted structured sessions addressing hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol management, nutrition, exercise, smoking cessation, and the early warning signs of heart disease.

House Call Talk Show Feature

A dedicated Heart Month episode of the hospital’s House Call program provided expert discussion on cardiovascular risk factors and prevention strategies, empowering viewers with practical, evidence-based guidance.

Red Fridays Awareness Campaign

Throughout the month, staff wore red every Friday to increase visibility around heart disease awareness and reinforce the campaign’s message within the community.

Heart Strong 5K Walk/Run

In collaboration with the Rotary Club, TCI Hospital hosted a community-wide 5K walk/run to promote physical activity as a cornerstone of heart health. The walk/run also provided an opportunity for community screening.

Digital Health Education Campaign

To expand its reach, TCI Hospital also shared ongoing heart health education tips and prevention messages across its social media platforms, including Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. These posts provided actionable guidance on diet, exercise, blood pressure control, and lifestyle modification, and encouraging community members to learn CPR.

Heart Strong TCI: A Continuous Commitment

While Heart Month has officially ended, Heart Strong TCI represents an ongoing institutional commitment to cardiovascular disease prevention and awareness. TCI Hospital will continue to prioritize:

Community-based education initiatives
Preventative screening and early detection programs
Lifestyle and wellness promotion
Strategic partnerships that advance public health outcomes

“Heart Strong TCI is not limited to a single month,” CEO, Dr. Denise Braithwaite-Tennant. “Cardiovascular disease prevention requires sustained effort. We remain committed to promoting healthy hearts across the Turks and Caicos Islands year-round.”

For more information about cardiovascular health services or upcoming screening initiatives, please contact TCI Hospital at 649-941-2800 in Providenciales, 649-941-2900 in Grand Turk or email us at info@interhealthcanada.tc

About TCI Hospital

TCI Hospital is dedicated to delivering high-quality healthcare services to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands, with a strong emphasis on prevention, education, and community wellness.