TCI News
Beaches Turks & Caicos Dive Shop Manager, Leonard Suckrajh, Achieves Elite PADI Course Director Certification, Joining Exclusive Caribbean Ranks
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — Beaches Turks and Caicos watersports department has recently joined the highly
regarded group of master divers after welcoming the newest Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) certification Course Director, Leonard Suckrajh. Suckrajh, the resort’s dive shop manager, recently achieved the highest level of PADI certification – a significant professional milestone that places him among an elite group in the Caribbean. He is one of only three individuals in the entire Caribbean region to hold this distinguished level of PADI professional certification.
This monumental achievement marks the culmination of 22 years of dedication and passion for the ocean. Suckrajh’s journey began in watersports in Jamaica at the then Beaches Grande Sports, followed by a tenure at Sandals Grande Ochi, before finding his home at Beaches Turks & Caicos.
Starting as a line team member at Beaches Turks & Caicos, Suckrajh quickly demonstrated leadership and expertise, earning promotions to supervisor in 2014 and then to dive shop manager in 2015.
Reflecting on his path, Suckrajh shared, “I was always passionate about water and fishing and I knew I wanted a career that would bring me closer to the ocean. The amount of work that you have to put into it is unbelievable. For me to be where I am at today required a lot of studying and hard work.”
The PADI Course Director certification represents the highest professional level of PADI training before becoming an instructor. It signifies an exceptional level of diving expertise, leadership and a deep understanding of dive theory and practice. This certification enables Suckrajh to supervise dive activities and assist instructors with student divers, further enhancing the world-class watersports offerings at Beaches Turks & Caicos.
His commitment extends beyond his daily duties. Suckrajh now mentors and trains junior team members within his department and
frequently travels across the Caribbean, offering support and training at the brand’s Instructor Development Course (IDC) Centres. His ultimate goal is to one day oversee all diving operations throughout the entire Sandals and Beaches chain.
Suckrajh also credits his success to continuous learning, having completed over 20 courses through the Sandals Corporate University, which he says has significantly aided his overall professional development and his journey toward this elite certification.
Managing Director James McAnally shared, “for the Turks and Caicos Islands to have an Instructor Development Course Centre here at Beaches has shown the commitment of the watersports team and our leaders. Leonard’s elevation to this post is testament of his drive to provide quality training for our guests and the resort team. High commendations are in order for him and his team as they continue to provide exceptional services.”
Suckrajh offers inspiring advice to his fellow team members and aspiring watersports professionals, “stay focused and keep your eyes on the prize. Watersports is a beautiful career with endless potential. It doesn’t stop here even for me.”
Beaches Turks & Caicos proudly celebrates Leonard Suckrajh’s remarkable achievement, recognizing his dedication as a testament to the resort’s commitment to fostering unparalleled talent and providing exceptional guest experiences.
Photo Captions:
Header: PADI Course Director Leonard Suckrajh shares a light moment from his administrative duties at the Beaches Turks and Caicos resort dive shop
1st insert: Leonard Suckrajh, PADI Course Director shares a moment with Alex Lawson, PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer at Beaches Turks and Caicos as they complete checks on a breather set at the training area at the dive pools at the resort
2nd insert: Leonard Suckrajh, PADI Course Director (second left) presents a PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) certificate to Beaches Turks and Caicos Scuba Dive Instructor Aldain Baker (third left) at an IDC certification session
Almost two million visitors recorded in 2025
PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS – The Turks and Caicos Islands saw an increase in stayover arrivals in December, seven percent higher than the corresponding period in 2024.
Preliminary data suggests that stay over arrivals by air for the month of December was 66,427 in comparison to 62,610 in December 2024.
From January to December 2025, preliminary visitor arrival numbers totalled 640,754; on par with the number recorded for the same period of 2024.
Stay Over Arrivals YTD December 2024/2025
The first quarter of the calendar year attracted the largest number of arrivals with visitor arrivals three percent higher than the first quarter of 2024. Reduced airlift from the United Kingdom and the United States, most notably the Virgin Atlantic and JetBlue services, was however felt from the second quarter (April to June). As a result, visitor arrivals dropped three percent in the second quarter.
By the third quarter of this year (July to September), geopolitical and economic conditions in the key source markets, namely the United States, led to further contraction of arrivals. In the last quarter of 2025, arrivals were impacted in October due to the passage of Hurricane Melissa but additional airlift from the USA and Canada resulted in an increase in arrivals in November and December.
Mr. Paul Pennicook, Interim CEO Consultant of Experience Turks and Caicos, said December’s increase in stayover arrivals is an encouraging indicator of the sustained interest in the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premier destination.
“While we note and continue to monitor geopolitical shifts that affect us, Experience Turks and Caicos is focused on increasing marketing initiatives in our primary source markets. We have spent the last two years investing in groundwork such as crucial travel advisor training to assist them in selling the destination more effectively. In the next fiscal, we will be building on those initiatives with co-op activities with partners as well as out of home advertising to increase visitation to our destination,” he said.
In Cruise, the preliminary count of passenger arrivals for the month of December 2025 was 129,346, a 22 percent increase over last December. This growth follows the berthing of 11 additional ships in Grand Turk this month.
From January to December, the cruise sector continued to outperform the same period last year, as the 1.3 million total cruise passengers recorded, marks a five percent Year-on-Year increase. 
The cruise sector experienced significant growth in the first quarter of 2025, with passenger arrivals surpassing last quarter by 53 percent. In the second and third quarter however, several cruise lines adjusted their itineraries as vessels were pulled from the fleet or from the Caribbean region, which resulted in fewer passengers.
Arrivals dropped seven percent and 10 percent in the second and third quarters, respectively. Double digit growth was recorded in the last two months of Quarter 4. This growth however, was not sufficient to outweigh the drop in arrivals experienced in October, following the cancellation of cruise calls due to the passage of Hurricane Melissa. Despite the late-quarter rebound, arrivals for the final quarter of 2025 closed six percent below the same period in 2024.
News
The Department of Trade, Industry & Fair Competition to Host Export Readiness Workshop Under the theme “Empowering TCI Businesses for Local Growth and Global Markets.”
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Wednesday, 11 February 2026: The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU) coordinated a multi-agency enforcement operation on Thursday, 29 January 2026, led by the Planning Department, with support from the Crown Land
Unit, the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force, and security provided by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. The operation, carried out at three different locations in Providenciales, formed part of ongoing government efforts to address unauthorised development and illegal occupation of land in accordance with governing legislation.
The operation commenced in Blue Hills, where five Section 58 Enforcement Notices were issued on unauthorised structures identified on Block and Parcel 60502/48.
Enforcement activity then moved to a second location off the Leeward Highway near Caicos Lodge, where six Section 58 Enforcement Notices were issued on additional unauthorised structures on Block and Parcel 60802/66.
The final phase of the operation took place in The Bight, where three unauthorised structures were removed, with all debris cleared from the site in keeping with established safety and environmental protocols.
The Informal Settlements Unit remains committed to working alongside its partner agencies to support lawful development, protect public and private land, and ensure that planning regulations are enforced in a coordinated and transparent manner across the Turks and Caicos Islands. Similar joint operations will continue as part of the Government’s wider strategy to address unauthorised development and informal settlement activity.
