News
Tomiko Harvey, Xbox games room leader and trainer with BTC
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: Having fun while doing what some may consider work or a chore for the Turks Islander is but the most rewarding activity that could have been assigned to him at the Xbox 360® Station at Beaches Turks and Caicos (BTC) resort. Tomiko Harvey has been growing with the resort for more than 23 years in Kids Camp and within these years, the senior games room attendant has helped in guiding the staff within his department and the hundreds of young guests who have visited that area of the resort to have an amazing
experience.
While sharing his passion for his role at the resort, Tomiko revealed his love for bringing life to his work space and ensuring that those who visit the area will leave refreshed and entertained. “I’m very happy for this role that I have here at the resort as I’m able to have fun with our guests while bringing a sense of fulfillment whenever they visit the Xbox 360® games room. As the team leader, my mission is to guide the other staff members to just enjoy their role and learn something new each day,” Harvey shared.
With the many fun activities offered at BTC for younger guests, being able to incorporate fun activities at the Xbox 360® games room for Harvey and his team offers a unique blend for visitors. “The opportunity to learn new things especially about the development and regular updates that are readily available in the ‘gaming world’, the team must always be ready to get enrolled in the different courses being offered by the Sandals Corporate University (SCU). This educational channel provides for my teammates and me the opportunity to learn and explore new teaching and learning tools,” Harvey noted.
General Manager, James McAnally shared, “Tomiko is a genuine leader who has a winning personality. He is able to make our younger guests comfortable and feel at home in the Xbox games room. The fun activities that this resort offers help to cater to the needs of all our guests and for him and his team to make that area of enjoyment for our guests meaningful is good. He is always leading his team to learn more about the advancement in technology and be in sync with the latest gadgets and training from our partners, Xbox 360®.”
While highlighting the importance of receiving the most suitable environment for entertainment in the Xbox 360® lounge, Tomiko hails his division manager, Fedeline Julien as being a mentor and supporter in his professional growth. Said Harvey: “The Kids Camp leaders Ms Fedeline Julien and Ms Kayanne Ajarie (Pirates Island Manager) always ensure that the team is motivated and equipped with the necessary tools to learn new skillset while ensuring that they provide fun and excitement for our guests. The leadership within the resort always provides that opportunity for each team member to grow and excel in the different areas within the industry. There are so many courses that each person can get certified with accredited institutions worldwide.”
Tomiko has completed courses in creative problem solving, interpersonal skills, ten soft skills you need, presentation skills, leadership and influence, supervising others and self-leadership. These courses he shared have helped him to produce the highest level of customer service needed in the technologically driven space.
Jean Nicolas, games room attendant added, “Having Tomiko as a team leader is fun. He’s always willing to challenge us to be better at our craft each day. Being here for more than five years with Tomiko has allowed me to develop my skills as a disc jockey with the entertainment unit as well. This area in the hospitality industry has made me more marketable and creative in how I use my talents and this was only possible because of what Beaches Turks and Caicos has done for its team members.”
While sharing the need for persons with creative skills, gaming knowledge and willingness to learn to join the team at BTC, Tomiko was quick to point out that the hospitality industry has experienced a unique change. “Here at BTC, if there are young professionals who have the dreams of growing as a professional with what we consider non-traditional skills for this industry, all I would say is come and experience what we have here and you will never leave. A career here at BTC allows each team member to be exposed to working within different regions and explore the various cultures with which we are affiliated,” Harvey noted.
News
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL STATEMENT REGARDING RECENT THREATS MADE AGAINST TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS AIRPORTS AND SCHOOLS
May 6th, 2024 – As co-chairs of the National Security Council, Her Excellency the Governor and the Honourable Premier condemn strongly recent threats made against Turks and Caicos Islands airports and schools.
We have zero tolerance for these disruptions and the alarm that they cause. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) continues to work closely with partner agencies and will keep the public updated as we manage the situation.
The National Security Council wishes to reassure residents, travellers and parents that the safety and security of our Islands is its highest priority.
All appropriate measures are being taken to address these threats and all required security protocols are being followed.
The Airports Authority and the Ministry of Education, with school principals are collaborating with the RTCIPF investigations.
We encourage the public to be extra vigilant against phishing and malicious emails and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
We appreciate the understanding of the public as we work to ensure the safety and well-being of our airports, schools and communities.
Press Release
PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS (May 3rd, 2024) The Turks and Caicos Islands’ Grace Bay Beach has once again been recognised among the top beaches in the world.
The World’s 50 Best Beaches has listed Grace Bay Beach among the top beaches in the world.
Grace Bay Beach, located on the island of Providenciales was listed at number 17 on the annual list.
The World’s 50 Best Beaches list, sponsored by Banana Boat, is a collaboration with over 1,000 of the world’s leading travel influencers and professionals.
The World’s 50 Best Beaches 2024 is a reflection of the opinions and experiences of top travel influencers and professionals around the world. The beaches were ranked according to eight important criteria: unique characteristics, wildlife, untouched, soundtrack of nature, easy to enter the water, often calm water, not too crowded and frequency of idyllic conditions.
Grace Bay Beach also featured among the top 20 in the 2023 World’s 50 Best Beaches list.
This is the latest accolade for Grace Bay Beach this year. Known for its powdery white sand and breathtakingly turquoise blue water, the famous beach was adjudged the number one Caribbean beach in February in Tripadvisor’s® Travelers’ Choice® Awards and Best of the Best for 2024, ranking number five among the Top 25 Best of the Best Beaches in the world.
In January 2024, Grace Bay was recognised as the #9 Best Beach in the Caribbean in the 10Best Reader’s Choice with Bambarra Beach in Middle Caicos ranked at #2.
Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Josephine Connolly said she is proud of the continued recognition of the leading beach in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
“As a destination that prioritises sustainable development and environmental preservation, the fact that Grace Bay Beach features consistently as one of the top beaches in the world stands as a testament to our commitment to stay “Beautiful by Nature”. I urge visitors to come to the Turks and Caicos Islands to experience this and many other of our beautiful beaches across the Turks and Caicos Islands,” said the Minister.
Tine Holst, Co-Founder of The World’s 50 Best Beaches, said the list is meant to inspire travellers.
She said: “Our 2024 list is a reflection of the countless days spent by our judges, Beach Ambassadors and World’s 50 Best team discovering beaches around the world. The list will help inspire travelers to leave the beaten path behind and enjoy the most stunning and relaxing beaches on earth”.
Read World’s 50 Best Beaches description of Grace Bay Beach here.
News
Family of 16 yo Tourist claims negligence in jet ski death; TCI Coroner’s Court hearing evidence
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, May 2, 2024 – The family of a 16-year-old who died in Grand Turk six years ago while on a Carnival Cruise into Grand Turk is a little closer to closure as the Turks and Caicos Islands Coroner’s Court has opened his case for an inquest.
“On Wednesday, May 16th, 2018, at 11:30 a.m. Police and Emergency Medical Officials responded to a two-jet-ski collision that left a 16-year-old male dead, near the Cruise Terminal in Grand Turk. Two people were involved in the collision. The second male did not receive any injuries. This incident is under Police investigation.”
That was the brief police report in the aftermath of Nicholas Twyman’s death.
In the comments dozens of residents and visitors claim to have been on the scene that day, as the boy was pulled ashore, some trying to assist while others looked on, horrified.
Coroner Mickia Mills called up the case on March 21, 2024 almost six years after the incident occurred. Mills is in charge of finding out what exactly happened that day in Grand Turk and whether there was any negligence or if it was simply a terrible accident. 
That verdict will be for the coroner and her potential jurors to decide. However, the family has shared their version of what happened that day.
A lawsuit filed in Florida Courts in October 2019 (Twyman v. Carnival Corp) detailed the heartbreaking hours that led up to the death of Nicholas. In it, the plaintiffs, listed as Gyjuanna TWYMAN and Michael Twyman, claim that they docked in Grand Turk and were curious about using the jet skis; both parents and the son were told by the Carnival team aboard the ship that there was not a formal shore excursion in Grand Turk involving jet skis, but that jet skis would be available for rent by the hour.
The family from Indiana claims three jet skis were rented, one for Nicholas, another for his father, Michael, and another for a different passenger, while their mother remained ashore. Wet Money Enterprise is listed as the jet ski company.
The family says they were given little instruction on using the Jet Skis, especially their son who was a new rider. The lawsuit maintains that Michael was not given any instructions other than being told where the kill switch was and not to ride too close to the cruise ship.
Sometime during his excursion, the young man crashed into the other jet ski. The family claims that neither Carnival Cruises nor representatives from the jet ski company responded. They say it was his father who spun around on his own jet ski, dived into the water for his son, and brought him to shore.
Once there, it was the young man’s mother, a registered nurse, who started emergency medical care.
When Turks and Caicos’s EMS did arrive after 15 minutes the family claims they were unsure how to use certain medical implements and had to be directed by the distressed mother.
The court documents list the cause of death for the young man as blunt force trauma and drowning, similar to what is listed in the TCI courts.
Coroner Mills, who took up her position in 2024, will oversee the proceedings which continued on Tuesday, April 23rd.
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