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EXPERIENCE TURKS AND CAICOS ROLLS OUT COMMUNITY CONNECT MEETINGS IN NORTH AND MIDDLE CAICOS

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PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS (April 26th, 2024) – Experience Turks and Caicos rolled out the first two sessions of the Community Connect meetings in Middle and North Caicos on April 24th and 25th, 2024. These meetings took place at the Conch Bar Community Centre and Horse Stable Beach Community Centre, respectively.

The primary aim of these community meetings is to raise awareness among residents across the Turks and Caicos Islands about Experience Turks and Caicos, our forthcoming plans, and how these endeavors will benefit everyone across the islands.

The sessions featured a panel of speakers — Mr. Alvin Hegner, co-chair of Experience Turks and Caicos, Ms. Trina Adams, Chief Marketing Officer, Ms. Helycann Selver, the Local Representative for North and Middle Caicos, and Ms. Sasha Arthur, Regulatory Specialist for the Department of Tourism Regulations.

During both meetings, Mr. Hegner emphasised that it is open season for creativity, urging attendees to develop new products and businesses to attract funding from Experience Turks and Caicos and Invest TCI, as he stressed Experience Turks and Caicos’ commitment to ensuring mutual benefits from the tourism industry. Mr. Hegner also emphasised the significance of having a local representative on the islands, offering residents a valuable resource for developing and enhancing their businesses.

Ms. Selver, the Local Representative, presented plans for the islands under the Destination Development Unit such as enhancement works for Bambarra Beach, voted the second best beach in the Caribbean by USA Today10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, Wifi installations at the Bellfield Landing Terminal, hashtag and landing signage at Bambarra Beach and Bellfield Landing Terminal as well as the enhancement of the Cottage Pond in North Caicos and the Crossing Place Trail and Juniper Hole in Middle Caicos.

She also spoke about the recently launched Exquisite Turks and Caicos initiative designed to encourage immersive tourism. The program will offer up to $5000 to assist businesses in developing their product or service to offer visitors a more enhanced experience.

Ms. Adams discussed marketing strategies aimed at increasing visitors from source markets and emphasised the importance of collaboration with local communities. She introduced the “Rooted in Community, Growing Together” campaign, which underscores shared ownership of the tourism future and the preservation of cultural and environmental heritage, among other aims.

Ms. Arthur from the DTR provided insights into the department’s initiatives, including the TIDES program and new initiatives such as Rate Your Ride and a Do’s and Don’ts video to assist the accommodation sector in preparing for site inspections.

Feedback from both communities was positive, with attendees expressing appreciation for the focus on the sister islands and the presence of a local representative to address their needs. They also provided suggestions for further marketing of the islands’ unique aspects, cultural recognition, and improvements in infrastructure and services.

Mr. Osbourne Delancey, District Commissioner for Middle and North Caicos, spoke about the opportunities for eco-tourism in the islands and his willingness to partner with Experience Turks and Caicos to make them a reality.

Apart from hosting the meetings, the Experience Turks and Caicos team took some time to visit Isaac Farms to learn about Mr. Courtney Missick’s plans to develop agro-tourism on his farm and Keith “Spot” Missick’s Spot On E-Bikes to enjoy the experience of riding the eco-friendly electronic bikes that are very popular with tourists.

Dates and venues for upcoming Community Connect Meetings will be announced in the coming weeks.

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The Department of Trade, Industry & Fair Competition to Host Export Readiness Workshop Under the theme “Empowering TCI Businesses for Local Growth and Global Markets.”

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, February 12, 2026 — The Department of Trade is pleased to announce the launch of its Export Readiness Workshop Series, a key component of its Trade Technical Assistance Programme.

This workshop series will address priority areas critical to small business development in the Turks and Caicos Islands, offering practical guidance and hands-on support in the following areas:

  1. Standards and Quality – Identification of and compliance with regulatory and market requirements
  2. E-Commerce and Digital Trade – Expanding access to regional and international markets

The workshops will be held February 24–27, 2026 and will be delivered in an in-person, interactive format.  Each session is tailored to specific business sectors to ensure targeted support and practical application.

  1.  Workshop 1 – February 24, 2026 | Agricultural Activities and Light Manufacturing (Food & Beverage)
  2.  Workshop 2 – February 25, 2026 | Light Manufacturing (Arts & Crafts)
  3.  Workshop 3 – February 26, 2026 | Light Manufacturing (Clothing, Jewelry & Apparel Accessories)
  4.  Workshop 4 – February 27, 2026 | Light Manufacturing (Cosmetics & Skin Care)

Entrepreneurs and business owners are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to enhance their operational capacity, improve export readiness and position their businesses for sustainable growth.

To register, please complete the registration form via the following link Capacity Building & Export Readiness Workshop – Fill out form

For more information, please contact the Department of Trade, Industry and Fair Competition.

☎️Phone: (649) 338-3703

Email: tradetci@gov.tc

Stay updated on announcements by following @tcidepartmentoftrade on Facebook, Instagram, and @MadeInTCI on   TikTok

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Experience Turks and Caicos and Aquila Host Product Development Workshops to Strengthen Sister Islands Tourism  

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PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS – Experience Turks and Caicos, in collaboration with the Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence, successfully hosted a Product Development Workshop for tourism stakeholders from North Caicos, Middle Caicos, and South Caicos on Wednesday, January 14 and Thursday, January 15, 2026.

The workshop was designed to support tour operators, entrepreneurs, and tourism-related businesses as they adapt to the evolving demands of the global tourism industry. Participants engaged in hands-on exercises and structured sessions aimed at reimagining existing tourism products and developing new, innovative, and sustainable experiences that are market-ready and aligned with current visitor expectations.

Throughout the workshop, attendees were equipped with practical tools and strategies to develop high-impact tourism offerings, strengthen product packaging and pricing, assess market readiness, and enhance value creation. Emphasis was also placed on collaboration, partnership development, and the promotion of sustainable practices to ensure that the Turks and Caicos Islands remain a fresh, competitive, and appealing destination.                                                                                                                                                                                            More than 20 participants representing tourism businesses across the islands took part in the training sessions.

“Experience Turks and Caicos has a responsibility to ensure that all communities across the Turks and Caicos Islands benefit from tourism. These workshops are designed to equip local businesses with the essential tools and knowledge needed to maximise the opportunities within the industry, and we look forward to supporting their continued growth,” said Mr. Paul Pennicook, Interim CEO Consultant.

Speaking on the importance of the initiative, Candesha Mills the Product Development Manager at Experience Turks and Caicos said: “We are actively working on destination development by supporting our stakeholders as they reimagine their products and experiences. Workshops like this are critical to helping businesses identify opportunities for collaboration, create bundled offerings, and develop cohesive tourism experiences that align with emerging trends and evolving visitor expectations.”

The workshops were facilitated by Ms. Ambra Attus, who guided participants through strategies for designing distinctive and engaging tourism experiences that resonate with today’s travellers.

She said: “Product development is where destinations truly define their identity, and these trainings are designed to help operators in North, Middle and South Caicos create experiences that are not only market-ready, but meaningful, high-quality, and rooted in what makes these islands truly special. These sessions reflect a forward-thinking commitment by Experience Turks and Caicos to invest in their people and in the long-term quality of the destination’s tourism product. Aquila is proud to be your training partner.”

The workshop also featured the Invest TCI MSME Team, who were on site with an information station available throughout both sessions. Stakeholders had the opportunity to engage directly with the team, gain insights into the MSME Programme, and learn more about the range of support services, incentives, and resources available to assist business growth and development.

Experience Turks and Caicos commended participants for their commitment to investing in their businesses and contributing to the continued enhancement of the destination’s tourism product. The organisation expressed appreciation for the active participation and innovative ideas shared during the session, which are expected to contribute meaningfully to the sustainable growth of tourism in North and Middle Caicos and South Caicos.

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Illegal Structure Removed During Crown Land Enforcement Exercise in Five Cays  

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Thursday, 5 February 2026: The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in collaboration with partner agencies, coordinated a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at Silverado Wells in Five Cays.                                                                                                                                                                The exercise was led by the Crown Land Unit, pursuant to its statutory mandate under the Crown Land Ordinance to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown land. The ISU coordinated the operation, with support provided by Immigration and Border Services, while the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force ensured security throughout the activity.

The enforcement action followed a series of inspections conducted by the Crown Land Unit throughout Five Cays, which identified an illegal concrete structure on the subject parcel. In keeping with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance, a Section 22 Notice of Illegal Occupation was posted on the structure. Following the failure of the responsible party or parties to comply within the prescribed timeframe, enforcement action was authorised.

The Informal Settlements Unit reiterates that these coordinated enforcement exercises form part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to uphold the law, protect Crown land, and manage informal settlements in a structured and lawful manner. Members of the public are reminded that unauthorised occupation and development on Crown land is unlawful and subject to enforcement action.

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