PRESS RELEASE
FROM THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM, ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES, AGRICULTURE, AND GAMING
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – May 5, 2025 – The Turks and Caicos Islands National Trust is proud to announce its official membership with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), a major step in its ongoing commitment to sustainable tourism and environmental stewardship. This strategic alignment reinforces the National Trust’s mission to preserve, protect, and promote the natural, historical, and cultural heritage of the Turks and Caicos Islands while fostering responsible tourism practices.
By joining the GSTC, the Turks and Caicos Islands National Trust gains access to globally recognized standards and best practices for sustainable tourism development. This affiliation strengthens the Trust’s ability to lead national efforts in promoting tourism that is not only environmentally conscious but also culturally respectful and economically beneficial to local communities.
“This partnership with the GSTC is more than symbolic, it’s a turning point in how we approach tourism across the Turks and Caicos Islands. It shows that we’re not just paying lip service to sustainability; we’re putting structure behind our values. Projects like the East Caicos Wilderness Project demonstrate how areas of ecological importance can thrive alongside cultural preservation, but only if we’re intentional—through proper planning, trained local guides, and meaningful community involvement. That’s the kind of tourism future we’re building,” said Minister with responsibility for the TCI National Trust.
This collaboration will help the Trust enhance visitor management strategies, build local capacity, and integrate sustainable practices across its protected sites, including iconic locations such as Cheshire Hall Plantation, Wade’s Green Plantation, and Little Water Cay (Iguana Island). As these heritage and ecological sites welcome increasing numbers of visitors, the GSTC framework ensures that tourism growth does not compromise their integrity.
Executive Director of the Turks and Caicos Islands National Trust, Mrs. Jasmine Thomas, emphasized the importance of this step: “Joining the GSTC empowers us to hold ourselves to a higher standard of sustainable tourism. It provides the tools and global network we need to better protect our unique heritage while inviting both residents and visitors to explore our sites responsibly.”
Through this partnership, the National Trust will also launch awareness campaigns and educational programs that highlight the value of sustainable travel and encourage environmentally responsible behaviours among tourists and tourism operators alike.
The move aligns with the national vision for tourism diversification, sustainability, and resilience. As the Turks and Caicos Islands continue to welcome global visitors, the Trust is committed to ensuring that its historic and natural sites serve not only as attractions but also as educational and conservation pillars for generations to come.
For more information about the Turks and Caicos Islands National Trust and its sites, please visit: www.tcitrust.org
Contact:
Turks and Caicos Islands National Trust
Email: info@tcinationaltrust.tc
Phone: +1 (649) 941-5710
Website: www.tcinationaltrust.com
