TCI News
TCI: The time I hated my country
#Providenciales, June 28, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – I was born in the 1970’s in the capital island of Grand Turk, a time when my country was the third world of the third world. Those born before me and around that time would understand what I mean. There was no running water. Drums and water cisterns held our water, and we accessed this water using buckets. Our baths occurred in small tubs and if you were fortunate, you were the first or the second person who took a bath in that same water.
We had limited electricity in our homes, 3 TV channels (and 2 which didn’t work) and an antenna on the roof that had to be positioned at the right angle to make it work. Our food was cooked some days on a cold stove by my grandfather who’s intentions were really good but didn’t rescue us from the fact that he never learned to cook until much later in his life. We walked barefooted as we only had a single pair of what was called our “GOOD SHOES”.
I can also recall some days attending primary school without shoes. For fun, we played marbles, went fishing, ran behind horses, donkeys, goats and chickens, played with a bicycle tyre or wheel and pulled a klim can.
With all that said it was surprisingly a good life. No worries or concerns and we were at our happiest with what little we had. Then my mom decided to study in New York in the mid-80’s. As an only child, she took me with her. A new place in the big city!
At first I asked, how could she take me from my good life in my third world home and force upon me a strange life in the concrete jungle? But wait, the concrete jungle was actually better than my home! We had running water and good food. I mean who would turn down New York style pizza and Burger King? Chinese food to die for? We had access to the latest toys, video games and fashion and my TV had all 12 analog channels. I was living my best life.
This is the point at which I started to hate my home. How could I have been born in such a place? A place so harsh, so dissolute and so backward? I asked God why did He do that to us? Why would you place my ancestors in such a place and made life so hard for us? Why couldn’t I be born and raised in the US and not know about such a place called the Turks and Caicos, which none of my classmates in New York knew about and wasn’t even on the world map to show to them during geography lessons?
Imagine trying to explain something that does not exist according to the latest world map at that time? I was the laughing stock of the class.
My mother finished her degree in 2 years and my time in New York came to an end and it was time to return to my home. But home to what? As far as I knew, nothing had changed. I knew that the conditions were the same. “Home sweet home,” as it is so gloriously stated.
I returned home and could not wait for the day I could escape again return to New York to live for good. But something interesting happened. My presence on these isles made me fall in love with my home all over again. The saying that one must be “in the room” in order to appreciate the experience sounds true when it comes to the TCI. I did not want to live in any other place on this earth.
I was indeed fortunate enough to return to New York for college and I would captivate audiences with my stories of a place no one in the room knew about. A place so geographically close to the US but it seemed so far in the minds of my audience. I returned home knowing that I had a contribution to make to a developing country. A country that gave me a scholarship, which helped me achieved my goals. A country that I thought could be the best country in the world.
Fast forward to today, I have watched my country develop tremendously in my life-time and become my concept of New York to so many people. However, my recent concerns lie with the answer to the question, for whose benefit has this country become so developed? Who is currently out there reaping the benefits of the best country in the world? Certainly not its home-grown people! Certainly, not the descendants of those whose backs were broken by whips and wounds treated by labouring further in salt! Certainly, not the people who remained and called this place home before the world even had a glimmer of its possible existence!
The question which arises is, why? Why haven’t and why shouldn’t the people and their descendants who first loved and cared for this place when there was nothing to gain be the first to benefit from their country’s development?
In Jamaica, the Jamaicans benefit from their country’s growth. In the Dominican Republic, it is the Dominicans who benefit before anyone else. In Cuba, the theory is that the Cubans benefit alone. Even in Haiti, with all its turmoil, it is still the Haitian who benefits where there are benefits available. In America, the American benefits. In Canada, the Canadians benefit.
Why is it that in Turks and Caicos the Turks and Caicos Islander has no benefit to look forward to? Why is it that the first harvest of benefits are seemingly distributed amongst everyone else other that the native person with the native person left to graze the field with the hope of collecting any fallen residue?
My fellow Turks and Caicos Islanders, when will we wake up and take back the control and enjoyment of our country? When will we work together and do the things that we need to do to put our people first? When will we put our differences aside and focus on us, our children and our children’s children?
It appears that we are the only group to be falling behind as the country moves forward. We are very close to becoming 4th Class citizens any day now in a country which is rightfully our own! Those foreign to our shores already look upon us with disdain and many of us can relate to stares and frowns, within our own home, which question our very right to exist, let alone our right to benefit first.
A colleague suggested to me that writing this article would amount to a waste of time because all Turks and Caicos Islanders are aware of the problems I write about, yet no one will seize the opportunity to take action. What will we do, at this point? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! And this absolutely nothing will lead to our further demise. I am not oblivious to the fact that taking action will create discomfort.
However, history teaches us that sometimes we need to become a little uncomfortable and seriously restless in order to recognize and aggressively pursue the opportunities and benefits wrongfully withheld from us and routinely exploited for personal gain by those entrusted with the power to govern on our behalf.
I write with the hope that my colleague would be proven wrong. I write this as a call to action. A cry for justice. A summons to every Turks and Caicos Islander to join hands and to fight for our country. What’s at stake is bigger than your party affiliation! Let us do what we need to do to secure a future for our children. Let’s put our differences aside for a time and fight for the greater good. A cause much bigger than self. Are you ready? I know I am.
Today, I will ask my people to sign a petition as one united front to have our Constitution restored as per the recommendations in 2015. To restore the constitutional power to the people we elect to represent us. This is the start that we need for a brighter future. This is not a PDM or a PNP issue or problem. The problem affects all of us who live in the country. Let’s show the world that we can unite and operate at a level bigger than politics and set our country on the right foot to prosperity.
Our goal is to get enough signatures from the voting population of the country that the powers that be will give the people of this country a referendum to decide if they want their constitution restored or not. LET’S RESTORE THE POWER BACK TO THE PEOPLE ONE SIGNATURE AT A TIME!!!
Anyone interested in helping or volunteering with this cause, please contact me on (649) 232-3382 or email me at Malcolm_Deveraux@Hotmail.com.
Release: Malcolm Deveraux
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — Beaches Turks & Caicos continues to lead the way in sustainability by cultivating a
culture of environmental stewardship across the Turks and Caicos Islands. Through the introduction of biodegradable alternatives, agricultural education and community partnerships, the resort is setting a new standard for eco-conscious hospitality. As part of its ongoing sustainability mission, the resort has replaced single-use plastics and certain chemicals with compostable, biodegradable products derived from natural sources, to reduce pollution and minimize the resort’s carbon footprint.
“At Beaches Turks & Caicos, sustainability is woven into every part of the guest experience,” said Managing Director, James McAnally. “From the products we use to the relationships we nurture, our goal is to make responsible environmental choices that benefit our guests, team members and the wider Turks and Caicos community.”
The resort also practices on-site composting, recycling fruit and vegetable waste from its kitchens to enrich soil and sustain its lush
landscaping. This closed-loop system reduces waste and promotes biodiversity across the property.
Beyond the resort, Beaches collaborates with local partners including schools, government agencies and NGOs to extend green education into the wider community. Through the Sandals Foundation, the resort supports projects such as the installation of water filtration systems, tree-planting activities and biodegradable workshops. Schools like Enid Capron Primary have expanded their farming projects and integrated agricultural science into their curriculum thanks to this partnership. Beaches also leads regular coastal cleanups and reforestation drives which inspires residents and students to play an active role in protecting their environment. “The Earth Guardian volunteers take pride in giving back to our schools and the communities we serve,” noted Public Relations Manager, Orville Morgan. “These initiatives create a sense of shared responsibility that strengthens both our communities and our natural resources.”
With its commitment to biodegradable innovation, sustainable education and environmental action, Beaches Turks & Caicos continues to set the benchmark for biodiversity and sustainability in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Photo Captions
1st insert: Beaches Turks and Caicos and the Sandals Foundation celebrate with students at the Enid Capron Primary School in a Reading Road Trip experience where guests and students get to experience a cultural melting pot of activity.
2nd insert: Beaches Turks and Caicos resort Simone Woodfine from the Bar Department prepares to plant a tree at one of our schools to celebrate the mission of providing a healthier environment for the Turks and Caicos Islands
TCI News
Turks and Caicos Corporate Community Join Beaches Resort to Raise Funds for Jamaica’s Hurricane Melissa Relief
Turks and Caicos Islands, December 17, 2025 – Corporate partners in and around Providenciales recently joined Beaches Turks and
Caicos Resort raising over US $54,000 to support Jamaica’s Hurricane Melissa Relief effort. The fundraising dinner, aptly titled, ‘One Caribbean, One Family, One Love’ saw over eighteen companies gather on Friday, December 12 to support the recovery of families and the rebuilding of communities affected by the category 5 storm.
“When our Caribbean family calls, we will respond with love,” said Deryk Meany, General Manager of the Beaches Turks and Caicos resort. “Today it is Jamaica that is affected, but tomorrow, it could be the Turks and Caicos or another neighbouring island. We are committed to serving our brothers and sisters and are deeply grateful to everyone who have donated to the cause.”
Since the passage of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica on October 28, the Sandals Foundation has been working around the clock with local
agencies and international partners to provide shelter essentials, food, and clean water, restore schools, and provide medical support to hospitals. Funds raised at the recent benefit dinner will help bolster the next phase of the philanthropic organisation’s support to rebuild schools and livelihoods in affected communities.
“As we continue to provide essential first-relief support, we have already begun our long-term recovery response,” says Patrice Gilpin, Public Relations Manager at Sandals Foundation. “Many schools, which are the cornerstone of stability, learning, and emotional support for our young ones, require urgent attention. This donation will go a far way in restoring a sense of normalcy in the lives of our youngest and most vulnerable.”
The One Caribbean, One Family, One Love fundraising dinner featured, amongst other things a silent auction of Sandals and Beaches
Resort stays, airline tickets, spa services, catamaran cruise, and private chef dinner. The night’s four course meal was also spearheaded by the TCI’s 2025 Taste of the Caribbean silver medalist culinary team- all of whom volunteered for the event.
Managing Director of the Northern Caribbean and Curaçao, James McAnally expressed delight at the outcome noting, “The success of this event is indicative of the power of partnerships to effect real change. We are grateful to the TCI business community, resort guests and our resort team for coming together and making this moment count.”
Photo Captions
1st insert: Sandals Foundation Public Relations Manager Patrice Gilpin (centre) accepts the cheque from Beaches Turks and Caicos resort General Manager Deryk Meany (left) and Managing Director of the Northern Caribbean and Curacao James McAnally
2nd insert: Members of the Beaches Turks and Caicos resort’s entertainment team were on hand to provide scintillating performances at the event
3rd insert: Beaches Turks and Caicos resort General Manager Deryk Meany (5th left) poses for the cameras with representatives of the Graceway Communities as he personally thanked those who were in attendance
TCI News
Experience Turks and Caicos Projects Month-on-Month Growth of Stayover Arrivals for Winter Season
PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS – (December 17th, 2025) – As the Turks and Caicos Islands welcomes visitors for the 2025/2026 winter season, forward bookings for the peak travel period from December to March are projected to surpass those of the same period last year. Experience Turks and Caicos is also forecasting steady month-on-month growth throughout the first half of 2026, with forward bookings already tracking ahead of 2025 levels.
“This is welcome news for our tourism sector, which experienced modest declines over the last two quarters,” said Mr. Paul Pennicook,
Interim CEO Consultant of Experience Turks and Caicos. “One of the key drivers of this positive outlook is increased airlift, including a 19 percent increase in capacity from Canada for the winter season and a six percent increase from the United States.” Mr. Pennicook also attributed the improved projections to targeted marketing and trade engagement efforts led by Experience Turks and Caicos, particularly ongoing training and education for travel advisors and tour operator call-centre agents across all key source markets.
“We have maintained a strong presence through product launches and travel trade events such as Delta Vacations University, while significantly increasing the destination’s visibility through co-op advertising with major tour operators in our three primary markets,” he added.
Public relations activity has also played a critical role, with several hosted media visits from journalists in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Latin America, alongside proactive pitching efforts that resulted in more than 100 placements in travel trade and consumer publications in 2025.
Analysis of current booking patterns also indicates a notable shift toward shorter booking windows. “One major U.S. tour operator reports
that over the past several weeks, approximately 90 percent of bookings have been for travel within the next 60 days,” Mr. Pennicook noted. “Hoteliers are reporting similar trends, suggesting the potential for further growth as we move into 2026.”
Despite the positive outlook, October and November recorded declines in stayover arrivals. Preliminary data shows 30,508 air arrivals in October, representing a seven percent decrease compared to October 2024, largely due to reduced airlift from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom as well as the impact of Hurricane Melissa on travel to the region. November recorded 52,547 stayover arrivals by air, a marginal one percent decrease year-on-year.
As the Turks and Caicos Islands welcomes visitors back to its shores this winter season, Experience Turks and Caicos would like to reassure that the island remains safe and welcoming. Statistics from the Royal Turks and Caicos Police Force show that overall crime is down, with a 40 percent reduction in murders. Experience Turks and Caicos is working closely with the police force to ensure tourism areas are well monitored and patrolled to enhance visitor security.
