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Skyscanner’s Travel Trends Report shows Grand Turk as Most Searched Destination for Travel in 2025

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Minister of Tourism, the Hon Josephine Connolly

PRESS RELEASE

FROM EXPERIENCE TURKS AND CAICOS

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 18th October 2024 – The nation’s capital, Grand Turk, has emerged as the destination that American travelers searched for the most on Skyscanner over the last year.

In its 2025 Trending Destinations of its annual Travel Trends report, the leading travel search engine said that Grand Turk was the number one destination among the top ten that saw the biggest increases in searches over the past 12 months. Searches for Grand Turk increase by 528 percent.

The Turks and Caicos Islands overall was the top trending destination for those looking to relax in nature. Skyscanner said they analysed tens of thousands of data points to understand what’s trending and why and it’s clear that smaller, alternative destinations are growing in popularity with US travelers, who are looking to explore beyond the mainstream in the Americas and farther afield.

“As travelers turn to social media for inspiration, Turks and Caicos has seen increased interest as celebrities like the Kardashians, Biebers, and Drake and influencer brand trips have popularised the destination – showcasing its natural beauty and perfectly Instagrammable backdrops,” Skyscanner said in its report.

Minister of Tourism, the Hon Josephine Connolly expressed her delight with the results of Skyscanner’s analysis.

“The US market is our number one source market and I am very pleased to see that our American visitors continue to embrace the warmth, calm and beauty of our multi-island destination as evidenced by the searches for Grand Turk. We are beautiful by nature and each of our eight inhabited islands offer visitors a unique experience,” the Minister said.

“With respect to Grand Turk, Experience Turks and Caicos is working with other tourism stakeholders to create new tourism products and enhance the visitor experience there. From new signage on historical sites to the November launch of a Taste of Turks and Caicos culinary event every Thursday during cruise ship hours to showcase local cuisine and culture to visiting cruise passengers, they are dedicated to positioning the nation’s capital as one of the top destinations within the Turks and Caicos Islands,” she added.

The Cruise Capital of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Grand Turk is rich in history. A walk along the capital city Cockburn Town, transports visitors to an age when salt production was dominant and colonialists from Bermuda inhabited the island leaving behind their distinct architecture.

Grand Turk is also a key player in NASA’S history. After orbiting the Earth in 1962, Colonel John Glenn’s capsule touched down in the Atlantic Ocean east of the Turks and Caicos and his first step on dry land took place on Grand Turk. Today, a display paying homage to that landing resides in the Turks and Caicos National Museum and a replica of the capsule is displayed near to the JAGS McCartney Airport.

The museum itself contains a wealth of fascinating displays, including a 500-800-year-old Lucayan carved wood ceremonial chair, and artifacts from the Molasses Reef Wreck, which was the oldest European shipwreck excavated in the Western Hemisphere.

Read the Skyscanner report HERE.

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Bahamas News

Caribbean Bottling Supports the 27th Basketball Smiles Week  

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to once again support Basketball Smiles for their 27th year.

Upholding its corporate pillar of community outreach, CBC proudly donated $2,000, over 75 cases of Dasani, Powerade and Sprite, reusable Powerade water bottles and numerous marketing materials.

The annual sporting summer camp offers free basketball and life skills training to Junior and High School students.

Basketball Smiles’ mission of developing leadership qualities while fostering children’s academic achievement and self-esteem aligns perfectly with CBC’s commitment to supporting and empowering youth.

Jazmin Darling, Assistant Marketing Manager for Caribbean Bottling Company shared why the company continues to support this program each year.

“At CBC, we believe investing in our youth is one of the greatest ways to strengthen our communities. We’re proud to support Basketball Smiles each year because it goes beyond the game. This program champions healthy lifestyles, positive values and brighter futures. It’s a privilege to play a role in helping these young athletes reach their full potential each year,” she shared.

Sam Nicholls, Basketball Smiles Camp President and Founder expressed.

“Caribbean Bottling Company is an incredible partner. We are truly grateful for their generous support, which will go a long way in making a positive impact on the lives of our campers,” Nicholls expressed.

CBC is always ready to lend its support toward initiatives and programs that uplift young Bahamians. The impact Basketball Smiles makes on the community is undeniable and is why CBC remains a historic sponsor.

For more information on sponsorship, events and new products, visit www.cbcbahamas.com today.

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Bahamas News

CWS Supports Transforming Spaces with Premium Products and Unique Cocktails

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CWS brand representative for Bottega and Excellsior wines posing with attendees enjoying glasses of Bottega Gold Prosecco at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas.

NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines and Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wine and spirits distributor is thrilled to once again lend its support to Transforming Spaces (TS).

CWS is a proud historical partner of the annual art week which highlights Bahamian art and art spaces. Under this year’s theme, “Chasing Light” Transforming Spaces and Caribbean Wines & Spirits created a memorable art experience.

To mark 21 years of the upliftment and exposure of culture and Bahamian art, CWS offered award winning wines St. Francis, Rebellious, Bottega and Excellsior; premium spirits, Cross Keys Gin, El Tequileno Tequila, Angostura Rum and Nemiroff Vodka, along with the newly added Coors Light Beer from its portfolio.

To kickstart the annual art week, CWS delighted attendees with a tasting of globally renowned Bottega Wines at TS’ Poetry Jam, held at ICE Bahamas. Throughout the event, Bottega brand representatives shared tasting notes, ideal pairings, and insights into the brand’s portfolio.

During the highly anticipated Saturday and Sunday tours, CWS showcased its premium products at select art galleries.

Attendees enjoyed Rebellious and St. Francis wines at The Current: Baha Mar Art Gallery and Museum, Bottega and Excellsior wines at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, Coors Light beer at the University of The Bahamas Pro Gallery and hand-crafted Schweppes mixes featuring Cross Keys Gin, El Tequileno Tequila, Angostura Rum and Nemiroff Vodka at CAB Gallery & Studio.

Throughout the two-day tour, CWS product specialists enriched the experience by providing a deeper appreciation for their exceptional beverage portfolio.

Members of the Transforming Spaces Committee expressed their appreciation towards CWS’ support after another successful art week.

“Transforming Spaces is deeply grateful for the continued support of Caribbean Wines & Spirits over the years. Their partnership has become such an important part of the TS experience, helping us create welcoming and vibrant moments for our audiences across the tour weekend. From signature wines and cocktail bars to refreshments at gallery stops and pop-up events, their contribution brings an added sense of hospitality, celebration, and connection to the journey through Bahamian contemporary art.” — TS2026 Committee.

Caribbean Wines & Spirits is proud to partner with Transforming Spaces in supporting and elevating the voices and works of Bahamian artists and looks forward to strengthening this partnership for years to come.

To learn more about CWS’ involvement in the community, follow on social media @caribbeanwinesandspirits or visit the website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.

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Government

Government Outlines New Healthcare Vision as Interhealth Exit Accelerates Reform  

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By Magnetic Media Newsroom

 

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Turks and Caicos Islands Government says the breakdown of its relationship with InterHealth Canada presents an opportunity to reshape healthcare delivery, with plans to expand local medical services, strengthen primary care and reduce dependence on overseas treatment.

During a national briefing following InterHealth Canada’s notice terminating its hospital contract, Premier Charles Washington Misick acknowledged publicly for the first time that Government and InterHealth had been negotiating an exit from the arrangement for more than a year after what he described as an “irretrievably broken down” relationship.

Despite the contractual dispute, Misick and Health Minister Kyle Knowles stressed that healthcare services will continue uninterrupted during the transition.

“Allow us to do our job,” Knowles appealed, assuring residents that Government is actively managing the transition and safeguarding patient care.

The Premier outlined what amounts to a broader healthcare transformation built around four connected levels of care: strengthened community-based primary healthcare; expanded polyclinic services; enhanced hospital-based secondary care with greater specialist capacity; and overseas tertiary treatment only for cases that cannot be managed locally.

Among the proposals are the long-discussed establishment of intensive care units, expanded use of currently unfinished hospital space, recruitment of more resident specialist physicians and stronger contract management to oversee future healthcare agreements.

Knowles said the new polyclinic model will broaden services available outside the hospitals, including dentistry, ophthalmology, laboratory services, diagnostic imaging, gynaecology and preventative screening, helping to reduce pressure on emergency departments while improving early intervention.

Misick also acknowledged that while the hospital system significantly improved healthcare access after opening in 2010, Government believes further reform is necessary to improve affordability, sustainability and the range of services available within the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The briefing marked the Government’s most comprehensive explanation to date of its plans beyond the InterHealth contract, signalling that officials now see the transition as an opportunity to redesign healthcare delivery rather than simply replace one operator with another.

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