News
EXPERIENCE TURKS AND CAICOS CELEBRATES SUCCESS AT CHTA CARIBBEAN TRAVEL MARKETPLACE 42
PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS (May 27th, 2024) – Experience Turks and Caicos is hailing its recent participation at the Caribbean Hotels and Tourism Association’s Caribbean Travel Marketplace 42 as a tremendous success.
Minister of Tourism, the Hon Josephine Connolly
Experience Turks and Caicos was a Destination Partner for the annual event which took place from May 21st to May 23rd at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in Montego Bay, Jamaica this year.
The Turks and Caicos Islands delegation was led by Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Josephine Connolly, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Mr. Wesley Clerveaux, co-Chairman of Experience Turks and Caicos Mr. Alvin Hegner and CEO of the Turks and Caicos Hotels and Tourism Association (TCHTA), Mrs. Stacy Cox.
Experience Turks and Caicos stamped its presence with one of the largest pavilions in the Marketplace. The pavilion emphasised the multi-island destination, showcasing the beauty of the islands – South Caicos, Grand Turk, North and Middle Caicos, Salt Cay and Providenciales – with a backdrop designed by local graphics team Out of the Box Advertising. The pavilion was designed and built by Altruism Solutions Limited.
The pavilion drew a lot of attention and attracted many visitors including Jamaican Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Edmund Bartlett, Anguilla’s Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Hadyn Hughes and the Bahamian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Chester Cooper.
Over the course of two days, the Experience Turks and Caicos team, which also included Chief Marketing Officer Ms. Trina Adams and Public Relations Manager Laura Dowrich-Phillips, engaged in over 30 meetings with suppliers, media companies and airlines from all over the world eager to do business with the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Josephine Connolly expressed her satisfaction at the showing of Experience Turks and Caicos at Travel Marketplace.
“I am very proud of the work done by Experience Turks and Caicos to ensure the Turks and Caicos Islands was well-represented at the 42nd Caribbean Travel Marketplace. Together with several of our hotel partners, the destination had an impressive showing. Our beautiful pavilion stood out and was a clear signal that as the premier luxury destination in the Caribbean, we are investing heavily into marketing and promoting our destination to the benefit of all in the country,” she said.
Minister of Tourism, the Hon Josephine Connolly with Mr. Wesley Clerveaux, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Mr. Alvin Hegner, co-Chair of Experience Turks and Caicos
The Minister delivered the feature presentation for the Turks and Caicos Islands destination briefing before a cadre of media representing 50 international publications. In her presentation, Minister Connolly spoke about the destination’s record-breaking arrivals for the year and the impending introduction of new airlift into South Caicos and Grand Turk.
Mr. Alvin Hegner, co-Chair of Experience Turks and Caicos said with the DMMO fully functional, it was important to communicate to the travel community that the business of tourism in the Turks and Caicos is in capable hands.
“Our showing at Caribbean Travel Marketplace gave many a boost of confidence in our brand and we held meetings with several businesses in the tourism and travel space who are eager to partner with us as a result. The Turks and Caicos Islands continue to be the go-to destination for thousands of visitors and we are continuing to develop our product to ensure we deliver value for money,” he said.
The Turks and Caicos Islands representation was enhanced by the presence of our hotel partners – The Hartling Group, Sail Rock Resort, Salterra Resort and Spa, The Tides, Villa Del Mar, The Strand, Seven Seas Resort, Royal West Indies Resort and Ocean Club Resort.
The 42nd Caribbean Travel Marketplace is said to have had a record participation of 1200 delegates from 50 countries and saw 1,274 appointments scheduled.
Header Photo Caption: From left: Mr. Wesley Clerveaux, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Ms. Trina Adams, Chief Marketing Officer of Experience Turks and Caicos, Ms. Laura Dowrich, Public Relations Manager, Experience Turks and Caicos, the Honourable Josephine Connolly, Minister of Tourism, Ms. Stacy Cox, CEO of the Turks and Caicos Hotels and Tourism Association, and Mr. Alvin Hegner, co-Chairman of Experience Turks and Caicos
The Bahamas, August 27, 2026 – The Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to inform members of the public that several individuals are scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 27th August 2026, at 12:00 noon.
The individuals and charges are as follows:
An 18-year-old female is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
Three (3) counts of Murder
Three (3) counts of Attempted Murder
Three (3) counts of Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life
Three (3) counts of Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm
Two (2) counts of Possession of Ammunition
Armed Robbery
Abetment to Armed Robbery
Stealing
Receiving
The charges stem from three separate shooting incidents and an armed robbery that occurred on Friday, 21st August 2026, and Saturday, 22nd August 2026.
The first shooting occurred in the area of Soldier Road and Baillou Hill Road, resulting in the death of a 51-year-old male.
The second shooting occurred in the area of Joe Farrington Road, resulting in the death of a 52-year-old male.
The third shooting occurred in the area of Gladstone Road, resulting in the death of a 36-year-old male.
The armed robbery occurred at a business establishment in the area of Carmichael Road and Baillou Hill Road.
A 21-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on one charge of:
- Murder
The charge stems from a shooting incident that occurred on Tuesday, 21st July 2026, in the area of Samson Street, Nassau Village, which resulted in the death of a 28-year-old male.
A 32-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
- Murder
- Attempted Murder
These charges stem from a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday, 24th December 2025, in the area of Graham Drive, Yellow Elder, which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old male.
RBPF, PACD
by Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — In a country where government press conferences are virtually non-existent, ministers are often difficult for
journalists to access and regular broadcast television news has disappeared, TCI Innovation, Technology and Energy Minister E. Jay Saunders has challenged Caribbean media to become “impossible to ignore.”
Speaking at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union gathering, Saunders argued that the Caribbean does not have a relevance problem but a “discoverability and positioning problem.”
Discoverability is precisely the issue in Saunders’ home country. Even Government’s own attempts at video news broadcasting have struggled against the realities of consistently producing a daily, weekly or even monthly newscast.
The difficulties confronting TCI media extend well beyond algorithms: limited advertising revenue, underfunding, shortages of trained professionals and insufficient human capacity leave newsrooms struggling for both staff and stamina.
Then there is the reality of operating in one of the region’s smallest societies. Politicians, journalists, advertisers, businesses and the subjects of stories often exist within the same tight economic and social circles. A controversial report that might create a ripple elsewhere can produce a tsunami in TCI, intensifying concerns among journalists about commercial and professional victimisation.
Saunders believes AI can help.
He urged Caribbean media to use the technology to transform one original story into television, radio, web, podcast, social and translated content without multiplying newsroom workload.
He also wants regional journalism structured so AI systems can find, understand and trust Caribbean sources, moving media beyond traditional SEO into Answer Engine Optimisation.
His ultimate message was emphatic: “Use AI not to make Caribbean media more artificial — but to make Caribbean voices more visible.”
For Turks and Caicos media, however, becoming visible may require more than technology. It requires an environment in which journalism can survive.
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Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
