TCI News

TCI sees 54% jump in European Visitors reveals first Quarter report

Published

1 month ago

April 16, 2024

Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer

The Ministry of Tourism is recouping its investment in European advertising as the country is seeing a marked increase in interest from visitors from that continent, according to the Ministry’s Quarterly Report shared with media on Friday, April 5.

Ticket purchases from the UK between January to August 2024 have increased by 54 percent, or over 2,800 more passengers. Nearly every other European destination also recorded upticks.

France is expected to contribute 761 visitors, a 13 percent increase,followed by Italy with 513 passengers (a slight decrease of 11 percent), and Germany, with 436 passengers, a jump of 55 percent.

Other areas with increases were Switzerland, Ireland, Spain, The Netherlands, Iceland, Czechia, Denmark, and Poland. Only Belgium and Italy recorded downturns.

The TCI has a foothold in North America, with the majority of its overnight guests coming in from the US, where direct flights are abundant, and Canada. The local government has expressed serious interest in breaking into the luxury tourism market in Europe.

Reflecting the increase more and more visitors are coming by air already,
“In January, we witnessed a substantial increase, with 689 flights—an impressive 3.5% rise compared to the same period in the previous year. February continued this trend, with 666 commercial flights, marking a remarkable 15% year-over-year increase. March further solidified this growth pattern, boasting 761 commercial flights, showcasing a commendable 16% year-over-year surge,” the ministry explained.

By the end of 2024, the country is expecting to welcome 7420 flights which would be a 4.4% increase over 2023. Whether it is ready for those numbers to pass through its beleaguered airport is another matter as travellers constantly complain about the congestion.

In an attempt to plan for this boom and its effect, a Tourism Capacity Carrying Study is also ongoing. The study will predict what the next 10 years in the Turks and Caicos will look like regarding tourism and how it may affect local life.

Using data from various sources to generate new insights, the study is supposed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the impact of the industry on the country.

Three models were developed for the three clear geographical areas where tourists are concentrated: Providenciales, Grand Turk and the Other Islands (North Caicos, Middle Caicos, South Caicos and Salt Cay).

Each model had specific targets.

In Providenciales, the focus will be on providing affordable housing for workers, sustainable urbanization of the destination, enhancement of regulations about the short-term rental of apartments, and houses in the tourism sector plus land use, particularly about tourism infrastructures and facilities.

For Grand Turk, the cruise capital, with little stayover capacity, the important areas are the preservation of the cultural heritage, housing and tourism infrastructures and land use.
“The aim is to ensure that the cultural heritage of the island is not compromised by population growth and tourism development,” the MoT said.

Finally for the ‘Other Islands’ emphasis is placed on managing human impact on natural resources, the provision of desalination plants, and protecting the flora and fauna.

The capacity carrying report will be provided to the public when complete.

Related Topics:#EuropeanVisitorsIncreased #FirstQuarterReport #magneticmedia #tci tourism

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Boat Theft Suspect Charged

Published

4 hours ago

May 21, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

#TurksandCaicos, May 21, 2024 – Officers from the Serious Crime Unit (SCU) of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force have made a breakthrough following boat thefts in the TCI.

On May 19, 2024, FARIDSON JEAN BAPTISTE, a Haitian national, was charged with the following offences:

Theft of TCI boat Marauder
Theft of TCI boat Jupiter
Theft of TCI boat Team Baja
Handling Stolen Goods
Assisting Illegal Entry into the TCI

Mr JEAN BAPTISTE was initially detained on April 5 th 2024, while attempting to enter the TCI on a high-powered boat that was reported stolen. At the time of the interception, thirty (30) irregular migrants were being transported.

Mr JEAN BAPTISTE remains in custody pending a court date. The arrest and subsequent charges against Mr Jean Baptiste follow a complex, multi-jurisdictional investigation by the SCU and the Haitian National Police.

These investigations resulted in the recovery of boats and other property stolen from the TCI, which were retrieved from several locations in Haiti.

The recovered property has an estimated value of over $1.2 million.

News

Road Traffic Operations report for Turks and Caicos

Published

4 hours ago

May 21, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

#TurksandCaicos, May 21, 2024 – The Traffic Enforcement Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force conducted joint road operations alongside the TCI Border Force on May 13th and 16th, 2024, focusing on crime reduction, illegal migration, and road safety.

These efforts aimed to ensure compliance with Road Traffic regulations and yielded significant results. During these operations, THIRTY-EIGHT (38) individuals were detained for immigration violations, and SIXTY-SIX (66) were reported for traffic offences. For April and May 2024, overall joint operations have resulted in ONE HUNDRED and TWENTY (120) persons detained for immigration purposes, and ONE HUNDRED and NINETY-NINE (199) reported for traffic violations.

Acting Inspector Damian Mitchell emphasised the interconnectedness of road traffic compliance, crime, and illegal migration.

He stated, “These operations focus on addressing each critical area.”

Division B and Community Policing head Superintendent Dwight Gardiner noted a general increase in public compliance with traffic regulations during the first quarter of the year.

Superintendent Gardiner encouraged road users to adhere to all aspects of the law, stating, “Let us all strive to keep our roads safe for everyone and reduce crime in our communities. Adhere to the rules of the road. Thanks to our law enforcement partners and you, members of the public.”

Motorists are especially urged to comply with regulations regarding vehicle window tints. Violations carry a substantial penalty of $250 per window.

The RTCIPF and TCI Border Force thank the public for their cooperation and continued efforts to maintain safety and order on the roads.

News

Undocumented Man Charged with Gang and Firearm Offenses

Published

4 hours ago

May 21, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

Wilkie Arthur

Freelance Court Correspondent

#TurksandCaicos, May 21, 2024 – An undocumented Haitian male, aged 20, faces charges related to gang activity and firearms.

He was apprehended along with others in a small blue car in front of Sunny Foods Supermarket on South Dock/Five Cays Road on Tuesday, May 2nd, 2024. Providing the name JAMES SIMON to the police, he was accompanied by a 16/17-year-old (name withheld) who faces charges of unlawful entry.

The accused is charged with illegal possession of a Black Glock 44 (serial number AEBE402) containing 10 rounds of 22LR ammunition on South Dock/Five Cays Road, Providenciales.

Additionally, he is alleged to be one of three individuals involved in a morning robbery at 809 or Chances, Blue Hills, Providenciales. The robbery, captured on video, involved the gunpoint theft of a female’s white handbag containing $799.00.

He has been remanded until the next sufficiency hearing on July 7th, 2024. Appearing in court on Monday, May 13th, he was represented by Mr. Ashwood Forbes, with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions represented by Ms. Enjaleek Dickerson.

He was arraigned on the following charges: