TCI Tourism push continues at Routes Americas as officials target more flights and long-stay visitors

Turks and Caicos, March 18, 2026 – After recording more than 750,000 stayover visitors in 2025, the Turks and Caicos Islands is continuing to build on its post-pandemic tourism recovery, with officials saying consistent international marketing and stronger airline partnerships remain critical to keeping the destination on its upward growth path.

Since rebounding from the sharp decline caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the British Overseas Territory has seen steady increases in long-stay arrivals, the segment considered most important to the economy because visitors arriving by air typically spend more and stay longer than cruise passengers.

That focus was on display this week as representatives from the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association, the Turks and Caicos Airports Authority, and Experience Turks and Caicos joined the national delegation at Routes Americas 2026 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, one of the aviation industry’s most important networking events.

Routes Americas brings together more than 700 aviation and tourism decision-makers, including representatives from over 70 airlines, airports and destination authorities from across the Americas, who meet to discuss new routes, expanded flight schedules and future travel demand. The event is widely regarded as a key forum where airline network planners and tourism leaders make decisions that can directly influence which destinations gain new flights.

For destinations like the Turks and Caicos Islands, where long-stay tourism drives the economy, securing additional flights and strengthening air service can have a direct impact on visitor numbers, hotel occupancy and investment in new developments.

Tourism leaders say maintaining a presence at major industry meetings is essential as the country continues to attract new resort projects, expand its luxury tourism market and compete with other Caribbean destinations for airline service.

CEO of the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association, Stacy Cox, said the event also provided an opportunity to promote the latest edition of the Destination Turks and Caicos Magazine, which was shared with airline representatives, travel advisors and media partners attending the conference.

According to Cox, the publication travels with tourism officials to international trade shows and promotional missions throughout the year, serving as a visual introduction to the islands and helping keep the destination in front of decision-makers in the global travel industry.

Officials say continued promotion and stronger airline relationships will be necessary to sustain the rise in stayover arrivals and ensure the Turks and Caicos Islands remains competitive in the high-end tourism market, where new flights and expanded air service can directly influence visitor numbers.

With tourism still the territory’s main economic driver, expanding flights to the destination remains a top priority for the country’s growth strategy.

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