Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – The Shore Club once again set the stage for one of the destination’s most anticipated culinary events, the annual Taste of Tapas, hosted by the Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA). The evening brought together 15 of the country’s finest restaurants for a night of culinary creativity, collaboration, and cause – all in support of the association’s Hospitality Adventure programs and National Culinary Team.

Guests were treated to a diverse array of bite-sized culinary masterpieces, each representing the signature style and flavours of the participating restaurants. This year’s lineup featured:

Beaches Turks & Caicos, COMO Parrot Cay, Grace Bay Club, Indigo, LUA Restaurant, Parallel 23, Rock House, Seven Stars Resort, Sui-Ren, TCI Culinary Ambassadors, The Del Mar, The Ritz-Carlton TCI, The Source, Point Grace, and Provo Caribbean Cafe.

The welcome drink was graciously sponsored by Java Island, setting the tone for an evening of elegance and island flair.

In addition to the culinary showcase, attendees had the opportunity to bid on a host of luxury experiences and items during the silent auction, thanks to generous contributions from: Beaches Resort Villages & Spa, Pine Cay, The Ritz-Carlton, Point Grace, COMO Parrot Cay, The Shore Club, Grace Bay Club, South Bank, The Ital Lifestyle, and VIP Flyer’s Club.

TCHTA CEO, Stacy Cox, reflected on the evening’s impact, stating: “Taste of Tapas is a beautiful representation of what makes this industry so special – the spirit of collaboration, excellence, and giving back. The funds raised will go directly into programs that empower our local talent and elevate our destination’s culinary service standard.”

The evening also served as the perfect platform to announce the TCHTA Pop-Up Series, a new fundraising initiative that will replace the former annual Golf Scramble. First up is a Canadian-Inspired Dinner, set for June 26th, 2025 at The Farm at Seven Stars Resort, featuring Executive Chef Craig Nazareth of Beaches Turks and Caicos.

This dinner is a celebration of culture through cuisine,” said Chef Nazareth. “I’m excited not only to bring a taste of Canada to the islands, but also to once again work alongside Executive Chef Edwin Gallardo as we prepare the National Culinary Team to go head-to-head with the region at the Taste of the Caribbean competition in Florida later this year.”                                                                                                                                                                                                    The team’s feeder program, the Hospitality Adventure Summer Camps, are just around the corner with registration open for the following programs:

• Junior Lit’l Chef: July 7–11
• Spa Adventure: July 14–18
• Lit’l Chef: July 21–26

Back on the TCHTA’s calendar is the thrilling TCHTA Cocktail Competition, traditionally used to select the successful Bartender to join the national competition team.

The TCHTA thanks members, sponsors, and supporters as the organization maintains its commitment to cultivating talent and crafting world-class experiences for the destination.

Registration for the Summer Camps can be accessed here: https://www.tcihospitalityadventure.com/. Follow the TCHTA’s social media pages for updates on the Pop-Up Series and future events.

Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands – Grace Bay Resorts is proud to announce the launch of its newest initiative, “I Am Grace Bay Resorts,” a campaign that places the spotlight on the people behind the brand. More than a luxury destination, Grace Bay Resorts is a family of passionate professionals whose personal journeys reflect the growth and heart of the organization over its 30+ year legacy.

The “I Am Grace Bay Resorts” campaign was developed by the Human Resources team to highlight the stories of team members across various departments, individuals whose commitment and talent have helped shape the resort’s global reputation. The campaign will feature their journeys through video profiles, photo essays, and storytelling activations both online and on-property.

“Though we are known for creating unforgettable experiences for tourists from around the globe, the true strength of Grace Bay Resorts lies in our people,” said Sheba Wilson, Vice President of Human Resources. “This campaign was born from a desire to showcase the incredible stories of our team members, many of whom started with us in entry-level roles and are now leading departments or mentoring the next generation of talent. These stories are powerful, inspiring, and uniquely ours.”

Not only is this campaign a celebration of internal growth, but it also offers a sense of pride and excitement for the local community, who will see familiar faces featured and team members who have become household names across the island or who are quietly leading some of the most critical areas of the organization.

“We wanted to give our talent the opportunity to own their stories and let the world see the real people behind the luxury,” Wilson added. “By sharing their journeys, we hope to inspire pride within the organization, while also showing the community and our guests that Grace Bay Resorts isn’t just a beautiful place to stay—it’s a place where people grow, thrive, and lead.”

The “I Am Grace Bay Resorts” campaign officially launches this July and will roll out throughout the year on social media, local media outlets, and in-resort displays. Guests, residents, and staff are invited to follow the campaign and engage with the inspiring individuals who truly are Grace Bay Resorts.

By Deandrea Hamilton, Editor

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – 9 June 2025 – In a dramatic turn of events, Premier Charles Washington Misick today confirmed that he and his cabinet “adamantly opposed” the granting of citizenship-like status to 49 expatriates—a move finalized recently by Governor Her Excellency Dileeni Daniel‑Selvaratnam following a Supreme Court order.

In an official statement issued on June 9, 2025, Premier Misick acknowledged that the applications for Islander Status were originally submitted between 2016 and 2018, with the Turks and Caicos Islander Status Commission issuing negative recommendations in 2021 for most applicants. At that time, the Commission applied discretionary criteria which the Supreme Court later ruled were beyond its statutory mandate

On July 5, 2024, the Supreme Court found the Commission had no legal authority to apply discretionary judgment and ruled that only the criteria specified in section 4(2) of the TCI Status Ordinance—namely continuity of residence, non‑custodial sentence of more than one year, and no bankruptcy—were lawful.

The court directed reconsideration of applications based strictly on these legislative requirements.

Once the Commission re‑evaluated under this strict standard, the Governor, who holds discretionary authority, approved 49 of the applicants.

The Premier’s statement, however, made it clear that he and his ministers opposed the approvals, citing concerns that “undeserving persons” may have been granted status by default due to the absence of discretionary oversight by the Commission.

The wave of approvals has sparked public outrage. Residents across the country are expressing anger, accusing the process of undermining the spirit of the law and diluting citizenship standards. Community groups and political commentators insist that Islander Status should reflect meaningful integration and contributions to the Turks and Caicos Islands, not just legal eligibility.

Misick emphasized that his government adhered to the rule of law, despite their opposition to the grants. He noted that in 2023, theIslander Status legislation was reformed to institute a points-based system, giving the Commission decision-making authority—moderated jointly by the Premier, Opposition Leader, and Governor.

That system, Misick said, sought to restore public trust by assessing applicants on concrete merits—community contribution, economic investment, and proven integration. Nonetheless, he signaled further reform is imminent: “Further review will take place immediately, which may result in the removal of the Governor from the process and the empowerment of the Commission,” the Premier stated.                                                                                                                                                  Legal analysts suggest that to backtrack on the 49 grants, the government would likely need to amend existing statutes or rely on future judicial decisions. But Misick himself warned that any action taken would be grounded in legality, saying the government was “considering the options that may be available to it”.

Public reaction remains volatile.

Virtual protestors in Providenciales and Grand Turk have demanded transparency and called for a public audit of the 49 applicants, asking whether each met the spirit as well as the letter of Islander Status provisions. Many local stakeholders argue that, though the Supreme Court’s ruling was legally sound, it undermined the original intent of the law, which aimed to prevent political favoritism and discrimination and maintain the integrity of citizenship.

Governor Daniel‑Selvaratnam has not released a public statement responding to either the Premier’s objections or ongoing protests. Analysts say the Governor is likely bound by constitutional convention and is awaiting further legal guidance before acting.

In closing his statement, Premier Misick emphasized that Islander Status “is a privilege, not a right,” and “should only be extended to those individuals who have truly integrated into our society”.  He reaffirmed that his administration, with support from both sides of the House, remains committed to ensuring the integrity, fairness, transparency, and pride of Turks and Caicos citizenship.

As the debate intensifies, attention now shifts to whether the government will pursue legislative reform swiftly—perhaps through an emergency session of the House of Assembly—and whether the Governor will acquiesce or resist changes. With public pressure mounting, the next steps could shape the future of nationality and belonging in the Turks and Caicos Islands.