TCI News
TCI: Parliament passes 10 Bills in one day sitting
#GrandTurk, July 31, 2018 – Turks and Caicos – The House of Assembly has in its last two Meetings secured for itself an impressive new record in the passage of Legislation.
During its 19th July Sitting, Parliament passed 5 Bills inclusive of the following:
- MSME (Amendment)Bill to widen opportunities for budding entrepreneurs in Islands outside of Providenciales in tourist activity and to allow for a quicker approval of applications under the MSME Program;
- Immigration (Amendment) Bill to ensure that persons who are granted PRCs in the investment category retain the investment for a 5yr period before parting with the investment;
- TC Islander Status (Amendment) Bill to enable the establishment of the TC Islander Commission to process applications for citizenship other than by marriage;
- Electricity (Validation) Bill which corrected actions begun since the 80s and
- Road Safety (Amendment) Bill to introduce two new classes of public transportation to replace the illegal jitney services
There was near Bi partisanship on all Bills except the Road Safety Amendment Bill where there was no support from the former Minister and representative for Grand Turk North. Nonetheless all 5 Bills were passed.
The House of Assembly met again on Friday, July 27, 2018 to consider the following Bills and in a show of bi partisanship, members of the House of Assembly passed all 10 Bills in a single day sitting.
On the Agenda were the following Bills:
- Gaming (Control) Bill 2018 which Debate was deferred two weeks before;
- Banking (Amendment) Bill 2018;
- Financial Service Commission (Amendment) Bill 2018;
- Companies (Amendment) (No.2) Bill 2016;
- Prevention of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2018;
- Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Bill 2018;
- Financial Intelligence Agency (Amendment) Bill 2018;;
- Customs (Amendment) Bill 2018
- Miscellaneous (Amendment) (Offences) Bill 2018 and
- Court of Appeal (Amendment) Bill 2018
Premier Robinson commenting on this important feat stated that, “We are often quick to show up each other’s shortcomings and negativity but I pause to celebrate the bi partisanship I saw in the House of Assembly. There are instances that I personally expect full bi partisan support and was only recently disappointed that it was not so with all members of the Opposition on the amendment to introduce the legal transport to replace the illegal jitney. But I was pleased with the show of support for the last set of Bills. We got off to a slow start with a number of members being absent 
and a number of withdrawal of members from the Gaming Control Bill which has seen over 2 yrs of consultation and delay in its debate from the Meeting of the 19th July. With two members overseas, two declarations of conflicts and 4 members declaring Church positions and thereafter abstaining from Debate, the Bill received wide debate. There was objection by members of the Opposition to the Gaming Control Bill and this persisted amidst the proposers sharing the importance to regulate and control the existing Industry and to ensure it meets International standards. Members of the Opposition disagreed in their report on the consultation that began under the former Administration. There was a healthy debate even among Government’s back and front bench.
There was an unprecedented show of bi partisanship during the evening where only two members the Opposition remained to discuss critical amendments for the regulation of the financial services industry and I wish to thank the Hon Washington Misick, the Leader of the Opposition and Hon Ruth Blackman who stayed the course and made contribution to the critical Bills that were all moved by the Attorney General that allowed TCI to be in a better position ahead of another assessment later this year.
It is such a thrill when people demonstrate this level of commitment to the people’s work whether opposing or supporting recognizing that each one has a voice that should be heard.
We have therefore been able to pass 15 critical pieces of legislation and we should all be proud of this record.”, Says Premier Robinson on the two most recent sittings of Parliament.
by Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — In a country where government press conferences are virtually non-existent, ministers are often difficult for
journalists to access and regular broadcast television news has disappeared, TCI Innovation, Technology and Energy Minister E. Jay Saunders has challenged Caribbean media to become “impossible to ignore.”
Speaking at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union gathering, Saunders argued that the Caribbean does not have a relevance problem but a “discoverability and positioning problem.”
Discoverability is precisely the issue in Saunders’ home country. Even Government’s own attempts at video news broadcasting have struggled against the realities of consistently producing a daily, weekly or even monthly newscast.
The difficulties confronting TCI media extend well beyond algorithms: limited advertising revenue, underfunding, shortages of trained professionals and insufficient human capacity leave newsrooms struggling for both staff and stamina.
Then there is the reality of operating in one of the region’s smallest societies. Politicians, journalists, advertisers, businesses and the subjects of stories often exist within the same tight economic and social circles. A controversial report that might create a ripple elsewhere can produce a tsunami in TCI, intensifying concerns among journalists about commercial and professional victimisation.
Saunders believes AI can help.
He urged Caribbean media to use the technology to transform one original story into television, radio, web, podcast, social and translated content without multiplying newsroom workload.
He also wants regional journalism structured so AI systems can find, understand and trust Caribbean sources, moving media beyond traditional SEO into Answer Engine Optimisation.
His ultimate message was emphatic: “Use AI not to make Caribbean media more artificial — but to make Caribbean voices more visible.”
For Turks and Caicos media, however, becoming visible may require more than technology. It requires an environment in which journalism can survive.
That last sentence is where I think we land the plane. It acknowledges that EJ actually has some us
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
News
BermudAir Launches New York Area’s First Nonstop Service to South Caicos, Now Just a 3.5 Hour Flight from Newark
Twice-Weekly Nonstop Flights Begin December 20 with Fares from $347 One Way, Creating Direct Access to Salterra Resort & Spa
– New Route Expands BermudAir’s Winter Turks & Caicos Network –
[New York, NY – August 20, 2026] – BermudAir, the leading premium leisure carrier to Bermuda and the Caribbean, today announced it will introduce nonstop flights to South Caicos from Newark this winter. The route places one of the Caribbean’s most secluded island destinations just 3.5 hours from the New York area for the first time.
The new service starts on December 20, 2026, operating on Sundays and Thursdays, and will be the only nonstop service to the destination
from the New York area. This seasonal service will operate through April 25, 2027. Fares start at $347 one way ($773 roundtrip) and go on sale today.
The new South Caicos route creates gives travelers two distinct luxury resort options, with direct access to Salterra, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, recently named the No. 1 resort in Turks and Caicos by Condé Nast Traveler.
Set across 85 beachfront acres with a 3,000-foot private white-sand beach, Salterra brings a full luxury resort experience to an island still defined by its historic salinas, pristine waters, bonefishing flats and uninhabited cays. Upon landing at South Caicos International Airport (XSC), guests are approximately 10 minutes from the resort.
While flights go on sale today, the airline’s BermudAir Holidays vacation-packaging division will offer curated travel to South Caicos from next month, featuring flights, hotels and authentic island experiences, with bundled discounts and value-added perks, making it even easier to explore the destination.
Previously BermudAir announced seven new routes to Providenciales in Turks and Caicos, from Newark (EWR), Boston (BOS), Baltimore-Washington (BWI), Raleigh-Durham (RDU), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), St Petersburg/Tampa (PIE) and Toronto (YYZ) which will all start in December except for Fort Lauderdale which begins October 26.
Expanded Winter Season
- To South Caicos:
- Twice-weekly nonstop from Newark (Sundays and Thursdays) from December 20 through April 25, 2027.
- To Turks and Caicos:
- Weekly nonstop from Newark (Saturdays) and one weekly direct service (Thursdays) from December 19 through April 29, 2027;
- Weekly nonstop service from Boston (Saturdays), from December 19 through May 1, 2027;
- Weekly nonstop service from Baltimore-Washington (Thursdays), from December 24 through April 29, 2027;
- Twice-weekly nonstop service from Raleigh-Durham (Thursdays and Sundays), from December 20 through May 2, 2027;
- Thrice-weekly service from Fort Lauderdale (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays), from October 26 through May 3, 2027;
- Twice-weekly nonstop service from St Petersburg/Tampa (Mondays and Thursdays), from December 21 through May 3, 2027; and
- Weekly nonstop service from Toronto (Saturdays), from December 19 through May 1, 2027.
“We’re thrilled to continue expanding our Caribbean network as the premium leisure carrier from North America,” said Adam Scott, Founder and CEO of BermudAir. “Now New Yorkers can fly nonstop to two distinct sides of the Turks and Caicos Islands — Providenciales and the secluded island of South Caicos, home to the exquisite Salterra and Sailrock South Caicos resorts.”
The airline consistently earns Net Promoter Scores of 70+, one of the highest ratings in the airline industry. All flights will be operated on comfortable Embraer E190 aircraft, offering passengers the airline’s signature warm service and authentic island hospitality.
“South Caicos has always felt worlds away, and that is part of its magic,” said Michael Tibbetts, Founder and CEO of Salterra. “Beginning this winter, guests can fly nonstop from Newark in 3.5 hours, land at one of the newest international airports in the region and be at Salterra minutes later. This route makes a long weekend escape and an extended stay to one of the Caribbean’s most unspoiled islands remarkably easy, without changing the sense of discovery that makes South Caicos so special.”
For more information or to book flights, visit www.flybermudair.com. Salterra will offer dedicated stay packages timed to BermudAir’s Thursday and Sunday nonstop service. To book a stay at Salterra, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, visit www.salterra.com
