Caribbean News
TCHTA President’s Vision: Turks & Caicos as a Premier Service Destination
#TurksandCaicos, September 9, 2021 – When hearing the name Turks and Caicos, our waters, our weather, and immaculate powdery white beaches immediately come to mind.
Allow me to take you on a journey from the “Beautiful by Nature” Turks and Caicos Islands of today, to a destination known not only for its pristine beauty but one rooted in providing an exceptional service experience to visitors and residents alike. To envision Turks & Caicos as a service destination means taking an explorative look at our current positioning, our strengths and weaknesses, and the critical components needed to shape that vision.
The prerequisite of a service destination is a strong service culture. In a world where ‘brand Turks and Caicos’ is synonymous with a high level of service, our philosophy and values regarding service excellence must be embedded in every area of our nation’s service delivery.
Worldwide, perceptions about countries have been carefully established and strengthened over time. This is not happenstance. It is curated, developed, and maintained. A central idea and reputation of a country take years to build and to market, but when successful, the results are clear as indicated by our own personal thoughts when we hear a country’s name. 
Japan has built a reputation for efficiency; Sweden is known as a global design capital; Italy has a strong reputation in luxury fashion; Singapore, strict laws surrounding cleanliness; Estonia, known for technology and the digitalization of public services. These are all examples of successful nation branding, and this is what it will take for the vision of Turks & Caicos as a service destination to be realized.
While our visitors encounter picture-worthy, memorable experiences, as a service destination we would provide an elevated version of what we currently do so well; one where attention to every detail is paid, we anticipate and satisfy guests’ needs, and provide an on-island experience that leaves the guest feeling more exhilarated than a vacation in any other destination has ever made them feel.
Now, imagine if we take this model of an elevated service experience and apply it beyond the tourism sector. Nationally, there is a great deal of focus placed on the growth and management of tourism. When we look at how our product has successfully evolved since the advent of the Turks & Caicos tourism industry, we can proudly boast of a destination that is growing and is among the most popular destinations in the region, among those with the highest annual daily rates experienced in the Caribbean. We see our culinary landscape development and a gentle push toward branding in that area as well. Ultimately, we are uniquely positioned to build on the existing branding and truly set ourselves apart.
However, if we embark on the journey to becoming a fully realized service destination, it will be no small feat. It requires a holistic approach and must be all-encompassing. Service excellence cannot exist only in our hospitality sector but must permeate both the public and private sectors if we are to achieve effective nation branding.
The question then becomes, can we achieve this? The answer: yes, we can!
Mahatma Gandhi said, “A customer is the most important visitor on our premises. He is not dependent on us. We are dependent on him. He is not an interruption in our work – he is the purpose of it. We are not doing him a favor by serving him. He is doing us a favor by giving us the opportunity to serve him.”
This belief should be the guiding principle at the core of our nation branding if we hope to be regarded as a service destination.
There is a simple and abiding truth: if you don’t manage your country’s brand and perception, someone else will!
If we want to take charge of the emotion and feeling that comes to mind when the name Turks & Caicos is heard, there are key ingredients we must implement as we make a push to build our nation’s branding:
First and foremost, a strong vision of Turks & Caicos as a service destination is key. The vision and mission lay the foundation and must be clear to all involved. Effective nation branding is one that is holistic in nature. It is the crafting of a framework that supports the positioning of the country on an international level in a strategic and deliberate way.
This framework creates the basis for the service culture across companies, organizations, and ultimately the country at large. It defines how we act, speak, and look. It essentially harmonizes what the world sees and thinks about us and helps to make the Turks and Caicos brand easily recognizable and reputable.
The second ingredient is alignment. Nation branding requires full stakeholder engagement. What does this mean? It means a complete buy-in from government, businesses, and citizens. Before you can successfully sell yourself to the world as a service destination, there must first be an indoctrination of this theme within the country. Whether young or old, indigenous or non-indigenous, there must be a complete buy-in. In short, service must be the DNA of the destination.
This can only be achieved if the proper mechanisms are put in place to ensure the culture being created is sustainable. Education, training, and continued development are key factors to the success of maintaining the standard of excellence once it is set.
And thirdly, there must be measurement and accountability. Once we brand ourselves as a nation with a strong focus on service, it is important that we put checks and balances in place to ensure that we deliver across the board. Only then we will create the basis for culture credibility.
Why should we embark on becoming a service destination? Self-made millionaire and motivational speaker Jim Rohn once said, “If you make a sale, you can make a living. If you make an investment of time and good service, you can make a fortune.”
The key to any nation’s success is its ability to attract trade, investment, tourism, and talents. The strength of a nation’s service delivery and reputation can be the pivotal element to this as its overall perception has a distinct economic and social impact on its advancement.
Turks & Caicos as a service destination can significantly enhance the country’s competitiveness on the global stage and thereby support economic growth. This strong reputation can then be leveraged by all industry sectors for a united approach in the international markets.
Imagine a Turks & Caicos where your experience as a customer – whether with a government agency, your telecommunications provider, or even a service station – is honed specifically with you in mind. A nationwide service culture provides the framework for providers to continue seeking ways to better serve you, the customer, and to ensure that every effort is made to provide exceptional service even in challenging circumstances. 
It is said that courteous treatment will make a customer a walking advertisement. This is true and must apply not only to the service we deliver to our tourists and guests, but to the service we provide our citizens and residents as well.
With or without a push to brand ourselves nationally as a service destination, delivering a quality experience to clients and customers should be the objective of any business or organization in these islands. Take a good look at the inner workings of your business and examine whether or not you are operating with customer satisfaction in mind.
- Do your policies work for you as an organization more than they do for your customer?
- How can you optimize your policies with the customer or client in mind?
- What new solution would lend to a more customer-friendly experience?
- How do you ensure that the customer knows he/she is the most important component to the success of your business?
If we apply these questions to all business models, then we easily see a theme of service on a heightened level with tourism providers, investment organizations, public service agencies, and even our ‘Mom & Pop’ operations.
Once the key ingredients for nation branding are embedded in the country’s culture, this needs to be marketed to the masses. Here is where logos, slogans, and entertainment are developed to awaken the feelings and emotions that should be associated with your brand.
For this to resonate globally, no single organization should be responsible for this messaging. When nation branding is effective, an identity emerges that serves the country as well as the brands within it. Key operators leverage the theme of the nation’s brand to continue building value for the country and cementing the message of a strong service destination.
Let’s examine the Emirates model as an example. This airline not only markets and brands their company’s offerings but leverages the country’s image and culture essentially acting as a brand representative. They brand their product as an extension and representation of the national experience. This is what a complete buy-in throughout our country’s sectors will need to be. Everyone incorporating the central theme within their individual branding efforts to build a clear, consistent, credible, and competitive message.
I invite us all to begin thinking about the part we play in the branding of this wonderful country, and how we can develop a mindset of service excellence. This must be the order of the day without fail if we are to be regarded and recognized as a strong service destination.
Remember that a logo or slogan is not all there is to nation branding. The feelings, emotions, and perceptions that come to mind are indicative of our brand. If we are to stamp ourselves in this way, we must live and breathe service so much so that it is second nature.
The future of Turks and Caicos as a service destination begins with treating the customer as if you are that customer.
As Walt Disney once said, “Do what you do so well that they will want to see it again and bring their friends.”
A week of wind, water, and heartbreak
From Haiti’s hillsides to Bermuda’s reefs, seven Caribbean nations have been battered, bruised, and forever marked by Hurricane Melissa — a storm that tested not only the region’s infrastructure but its unshakable spirit of unity.
Saturday–Sunday, October 25–26 – The First Strike: Hispaniola
Before the storm even earned its name, torrential rain and flash floods swept across Haiti and the Dominican Republic, claiming lives and
tearing through rural communities.
In southern Haiti, rivers burst their banks, swallowing roads and homes; 23 people were confirmed dead by Sunday evening. Across the border, one death was reported in the Dominican Republic as swollen rivers cut off villages in Barahona and Pedernales.
By nightfall, the tropical system had strengthened — and the Caribbean knew it was facing something historic.
Monday, October 27 – Evacuations and Airlifts
In The Bahamas, Prime Minister Philip Davis issued a mandatory evacuation for the MICAL Islands — Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins, Long Cay, and Ragged Island.
Bahamasair added extra flights as the nation braced for what forecasters warned could become the strongest storm in nearly two decades.
Meanwhile, Jamaica, Turks & Caicos, and Cuba activated their national emergency operations centers.
Tuesday, October 28 – Jamaica and Haiti Hit Hard
By afternoon, Hurricane Melissa made landfall near St Elizabeth, Jamaica, as a Category 5 hurricane — winds of 185 mph, central pressure 892 mb, the lowest ever recorded so close to the island.
Roads collapsed, bridges washed away, and Black River Hospital lost its roof. Power failed for 72 percent of the island.
BOJ TV footage shows split asphalt, sparking lines, and flooded communities abandoned for safety.
Initially four were reported dead, that grew to seven deaths and heavy damage in 170 communities; Andrew Holness, Jamaican Prime Minister calling it “a national test of resilience.”
Haiti, still recovering from the weekend’s flooding, was hit again as outer bands dumped more rain on Les Cayes and Jacmel, deepening the humanitarian crisis.
Wednesday, October 29 – Crossing to Cuba
Weakened slightly to Category 4 (145 mph), Melissa tracked north-northeast at 8 mph, hammering eastern Cuba with hurricane-force winds
and mudslides. Over 15 000 people were evacuated from Santiago de Cuba and Holguín.
In Turks & Caicos, the Regiment deployed to Grand Turk, Salt Cay, South, North and Middle Caicos, preparing shelters and securing public buildings.
Thursday, October 30 – The Bahamas and the All Clear
Melissa’s speed increased, sparing the northern Caribbean its worst.
The Bahamas Airport Authority closed 13 airports from Mayaguana to Exuma International; none reported casualties, though infrastructure suffered.
In Turks & Caicos, the all-clear came early Thursday after minimal impact. Premier Washington Misick expressed gratitude and pledged support for neighbors:
“We must act — not only with words, but with compassion and deeds.”
Friday, October 31 – Counting the Cost
By Friday, Melissa had weakened to Category 3 (120 mph) north of Cuba.
The Bahamas Department of Meteorology issued its final alert, lifting warnings for the southern islands.
Regional toll:
- Haiti: 23 dead, thousands displaced.
- Jamaica: 7 dead, 170 communities damaged; 72% without electricity
- Cuba: 2 dead, 15, 000 evacuated.
- Dominican Republic: 1 dead, flooding in southwest.
- Bahamas: 0 dead, minor infrastructure damage and flooding in southeast.
- Turks & Caicos: minimal to no impact.
Relief and Reconnection
The Cayman Islands became the first government to touch down in Jamaica post-storm. Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly led a contingent bringing a plane-load of essentials and pledged US $1.2 million in aid.
Reggae icon Shaggy arrived on a private jet with friends, delivering food, medical kits, and hygiene supplies.
Meanwhile, Starlink and FLOW Jamaica activated emergency satellite internet across Jamaica providing free connectivity through November.
From overseas, U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking during his Asia tour, announced that American search-and-rescue teams and disaster aid will support the region.
“They can depend on U.S. assistance as they recover from this historic storm,” he said.
Faith, Funds, and False Websites
The Government of Jamaica and the Sandals Foundation have both launched verified donation portals for recovery. Officials are warning against fake crowdfunding pages posing as relief sites and urging donors to use only official channels.
A Seventh Nation in the Crosshairs – Bermuda
As Hurricane Melissa left the Caribbean basin, Bermuda found itself next in line.
Forecasts indicated the storm would pass just west of the island late Thursday into Friday, likely as a Category 1 to 2 hurricane with sustained winds near 105 mph.
Though far weaker than when it ravaged Jamaica, officials issued a hurricane warning, urging residents to secure property and expect tropical-storm conditions.
By all appearances Bermuda is heeding the warnings
The Human Response
Across the Caribbean, solidarity surged.
The Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) in Miami began airlifting relief supplies, while churches, civic groups, and businesses in The Bahamas and Turks & Caicos organized drives for displaced families.
“Your dedication gave our islands the strength to face the storm,” Premier Misick said. “Together, as one Caribbean family, we will rise stronger.”
Resilience in the Wake
Melissa’s winds may have faded, but her impact endures. Engineers are inspecting bridges, hillsides, and water systems; volunteers are clearing debris and distributing aid in communities still cut off.
From Haiti’s ravaged river valleys to Jamaica’s sugar towns, from Cuba’s eastern hills to The Bahamas’ salt ponds and Bermuda’s reefs, the region once again stands at the crossroads of ruin and renewal — and leans, as always, toward hope and a faithful God
By Deandrea Hamilton | Magnetic Media
October 14, 2025 – It’s being called political theatre — but for citizens, constitutional watchdogs, and democracy advocates across the Caribbean, it feels far more serious. Within a single week, two national parliaments — in Trinidad and Tobago and St. Kitts and Nevis — descended into turmoil as opposition members stormed out in protest, accusing their Speakers of bias, overreach, and abuse of parliamentary procedure.
For observers, the walkouts signal a deeper problem: erosion of trust in the very institutions meant to safeguard democracy. When Speakers are viewed as political enforcers instead of neutral referees, parliaments stop functioning as chambers of debate and start performing as stages for power and spectacle — with citizens left wondering who, if anyone, is still accountable.
October 6: St. Kitts Parliament Erupts
The first walkout erupted in Basseterre on October 6, 2025, when Dr. Timothy Harris, former Prime Minister and now Opposition Leader,
led his team out of the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly in a protest that stunned the chamber.
The flashpoint came as the Speaker moved to approve more than three years’ worth of unratified parliamentary minutes in one sitting — covering 27 meetings and three national budgets — without individual review or debate.
Dr. Harris called the move “a flagrant breach of the Constitution and parliamentary tradition,” warning that the practice undermines transparency and accountability. “No serious parliament can go years without approving a single set of minutes,” he said after exiting the chamber.
The Speaker defended the decision as administrative housekeeping, but critics were unconvinced, branding the move a “world record disgrace.” The opposition’s walkout triggered renewed calls for the Speaker’s resignation and sparked a wider public discussion about record-keeping, accountability, and respect for parliamentary norms in St. Kitts and Nevis.
October 10: Trinidad Opposition Follows Suit
Four days later, on October 10, 2025, the Opposition United National Congress (UNC) in Trinidad and Tobago staged its own walkout from the House of Representatives in Port of Spain.
The UNC accused the Speaker of partisan bias, claiming she had repeatedly blocked urgent questions, ignored points of order, and allowed government members to breach standing orders without consequence.
“The Speaker has failed in her duty to act impartially,” the Opposition declared in a statement. “Parliament is not the property of any political party or Presiding Officer.”
The dramatic exit was seen as a culmination of months of rising tension and frustration, with opposition MPs arguing that parliamentary rules were being selectively applied to silence dissenting voices.
Political analyst Dr. Marcia Ferdinand described the twin walkouts as “a warning sign that parliamentary democracy in the Caribbean is teetering on the edge of performative politics.”
“When chairs become political shields rather than constitutional referees,” she said, “democracy becomes theatre, not governance.”
A Pattern Emerging
While St. Kitts and Trinidad are very different political environments, both incidents point to the same regional fault line: the perception that Speakers — the guardians of parliamentary order — are no longer impartial.
In Westminster-style systems like those across the Caribbean, the Speaker’s authority depends not on power but on public confidence in fairness. Once that credibility erodes, parliamentary control collapses into confrontation.
Governance experts say the implications are serious: eroded trust between government and opposition, declining public confidence in state institutions, and growing voter cynicism that “rules” are flexible tools of political advantage.
Why It Matters
Parliamentary walkouts are not new in the Caribbean, but what makes these recent events different is their frequency and intensity — and
the regional echo they’ve created. Social media has amplified images of lawmakers storming out, with citizens from Barbados to Belize questioning whether the same erosion of decorum could be happening in their own legislatures.
Analysts warn that if this perception takes hold, it risks diminishing the moral authority of parliamentary democracy itself.
“Once opposition MPs believe the rules are rigged, and once citizens believe Parliament is just performance,” said one Caribbean governance researcher, “you’ve lost the most valuable currency in democracy — trust.”
Restoring Balance
Political reformers across the region are calling for tighter Standing Order enforcement, independent parliamentary service commissions, and training to strengthen Speaker neutrality. Civil society leaders say the public must also play its part by demanding transparency and refusing to normalize partisan manipulation of parliamentary procedure.
Whether these twin walkouts become catalysts for reform — or simply another episode of Caribbean political theatre — will depend on what happens next inside those chambers.
For now, democracy watchers agree on one thing: when opposition leaders feel the only way to be heard is to walk out, the entire democratic house — not just its Speaker — is in danger of collapse.
Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.
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