TCI News
Minister Connolly says Tourism Management now more effective; hits back at Higgs
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
For the first time concrete issues that had been observed at the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board are being revealed.
“The Tourist Board launched costly marketing campaigns to Germany, Italy, the UK, and other parts of Europe without concrete data on their effectiveness,” shared Josephine Connolly, Minister of Tourism, in a recent ministerial statement during the budget debate week.
It was likely in response to Ralph Higgs, PDM all-island candidate who described the DMMO known as Experience Turks and Caicos as a failure.
“There is no comprehensive or strategic marketing plan in place to keep the Turks and Caicos Islands visible in the marketplace,” he said in a March 20 letter.
In her April 18 response, Connolly maintained that the DMMO was technologically far ahead of the now dismantled, TCI Tourist Board.
“Never in the history of the Tourist Board have we had the capability to track and analyze how many people are actively searching for Turks and Caicos, pinpointing their location down to the city,” she said
Residents, opposition members, and others have been asking the government to list reasons why the Board was shuttered and the Destination Marketing and Management Organization created in its stead, but the government stuck to one line, simply insisting that it was time for a change in the tourism industry.
While that may be true, for many residents, handing over control of the country’s biggest industry to a semi-private company was a bold move with far too little explanation behind it.
One resident speaking at the 2023 video launch of the DMMO had said, “…we have to consider that in the absence of widespread accurate information, the false information will be taken as fact, as people will have little choice but to default to what is presented to them. We have to make a better effort to keep the country informed and educated along the way.”
There was also the question of why the Tourist Board wasn’t upgraded to do the work of the DMMO especially since the minister had such glowing praises for the Board before it met its closure.
While many of those questions remain unanswered it’s clear now that there was some concern about the running of the organization with Connolly saying: “It is imperative to acknowledge the significant history of the Tourist Board, which served our nation for 53 years. While we can all appreciate the nostalgic attachment to this institution, time moves on and we cannot remain a prisoner to the past” she continued “The Tourist Board lacked intelligence-driven decision-making, relying solely on rudimentary data that provided limited insights.”
The Minister maintained that the country has ‘never been as deliberate, intentional, and strategic in our spending, which is now led by data and intelligence,’ Connolly maintained, comparing the DMMO and Tourist Board.
The minister is now maintaining that the aim is not merely to spend money on marketing but to invest wisely.
News
THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND WELFARE HOSTS “LET’S TALK SOCIAL” COMMUNITY POP-UP CONVERSATIONS
Providenciales, Turks And Caicos Islands, 7th October 2024 – The Department of Social Development and Welfare held a series of “Let’s Talk Social” Community Pop-Up Conversations on the island of Providenciales during September 2024. These events are part of
the department’s ongoing initiative to raise awareness about the wide range of services and programs available to the community.
The “Let’s Talk Social” conversations aim to engage community members in an informal and approachable setting where they can learn about the support offered by the department, ask questions, and receive feedback on their concerns. Additionally, these pop-ups allow the public to meet and connect with the department’s staff and social workers, putting faces to names and fostering a more human, community-centered, and friendly experience.
The public is encouraged to make the most of these community pop-up visits to gain insight into the available services and programs, and to connect directly with the department’s staff.
The Department of Social Development and Welfare also intends to collaborate with businesses across the islands to ensure the ongoing success of this initiative.
Bahamas News
Turks and Caicos Islands Hosts Fourth Round of Maritime Boundary Delimitation Talks with the Commonwealth of the Bahamas
PRESS RELEASE
FROM THE MINISTRY OF IMMIGRATION
AND BORDER SERVICES
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, supported by the United Kingdom, and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, successfully held a two-day technical meeting on maritime boundary delimitation. This was the fourth
round of discussions to resolve boundary matters under consideration since initial discussions in 1992.
The two-day discussions, hosted by the Turks and Caicos Islands, were held in Providenciales on September 24th and 25th, 2024, and were focused on delimiting the maritime boundary between the Turks and Caicos Islands and The Bahamas in accordance with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Senior officials and technical experts from each of the three countries engaged in productive discussions to advance mutual understanding and cooperation on this complex issue, with the ultimate objective of reaching an eventual and equitable maritime boundary agreement.
These negotiations represent a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to clarify and formalize maritime boundaries, thereby fostering regional stability and enhancing relations between the involved parties.
Turks and Caicos, October 7, 2024 – As the TCI celebrated Youth Week, the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force is pleased to announce the addition of our newest recruit.
Though small in stature, five-year-old Kaylah Henry has joined the Force as a Youth Anti-Drug Ambassador.
On September 25th, 2024, after accepting an invitation from the RT&CIPF, Kaylah met with Superintendent (Division B and Community Policing) Dwight Gardiner at Police Headquarters, Airport Road, Providenciales and chatted about the dangers of drugs.
Superintendent Gardiner applauded Kaylah for her knowledge of the dangers of drugs. “We are proud of you for deciding to stay drug-free. Staying away from harmful substances benefits you personally and helps create a safer and healthier community for everyone.
“By staying drug-free, you’re not just making a promise to yourself; you’re also making a promise to your family, friends, and community.”
Kaylah’s duties now include advocating the dangers of drugs and urging her peers to be drug free.
As a token of appreciation, Superintendent Gardiner presented a certificate to Kaylah and a Force goodie bag filled with branded items to show our gratitude.
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