News
MINISTRY TOURISM STATEMENT ON TRANSITION OF TOURIST BOARD TO A DESTINATION MANAGEMENT ORGANISATION (DMO)
#TurksandCaicos, October 19, 2021 – The Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands has for the past few months signaled the intention of the Government to transform how the tourism industry is managed. The vision to establish a Destination Management Organization (DMO) and a Regulatory Authority has consistently been discussed and referenced in presentations and budget speeches by the Hon. Premier and Minister responsible for Tourism Hon. Josephine Connolly since assuming office and the reins of Government.
The KPMG Tourism Strategy report of 2015 recommended a change in the structure of management of the tourism industry. Although not defining what that structure would look like, the Government after reviewing several models has outlined that the DMO and Regulatory Authority will best meet our needs. 
To this end, the Government has released a tender for a consultancy to assist with the set up these authorities and to also wind down the existing structure of the Tourist Board.
This is meant to be a thorough and open process as all Invitations to Tenders are. The public would have been notified that a tender was released inviting bidders to respond to the invitation.
In the interim as outlined by the Hon. Premier it is important for the Tourist Board to begin to review its ongoing contractual obligations to ensure that the transition will go as smoothly as possible.
As things change, some things will remain the same. The Tourist Board continues its marketing and promotional activities and will work closely with the consultant when that service is procured. The team will also have membership on the working group/advisory committee that will inform the progress of the consultancy.
This does mean the Tourist Board will not exist as it does currently. In order to progress the work and winding down activities, the Premier and Minister for Tourism, asked that the external offices begin to wind down and close, with work conducted via these offices to be done from the Islands.
These offices were affected by the COVID 19 pandemic and have essentially meant that a lot of its work was conducted virtually. Additionally, the New York Office was managed by the periodic visits of the Director and the direct handling of calls and meetings were facilitated virtually. This method will continue with all offices. All trade and fam trips will continue.
COVID 19 did highlight that there was a need to review their existence and find alternative ways to manage them. This will allow for that work to be done expeditiously.
The Premier when he met to discuss the transition to the DMO to the staff, indicated that and gave his promise that no staff would be displaced nor made redundant. What ever structure put in place would mean redefining of roles and responsibilities.
Reviewing and addressing changes in management, deliverables and new ways of doing things are key strategies for any progressive Government. 
The Regulatory Authority would have an enhanced role. This authority will set, monitor and maintain standards for all sectors of the industry. It is important that if we are to maintain our position as a five-star, high end destination that all elements of the industry reflect this. The quality of service and product offered by TCI has to reflect this. The Regulatory Authority will work closely with the planned hospitality institute, the community college and all other key stakeholders to ensure the establishment and grounding of standards all across the sector.
There has not been any talk of redundancies as mentioned on social media and rumors to this effect seems to be an attempt to create mischief. A few weeks ago, the Premier and Minister thought it prudent to meet with staff and Directors of the TB. This was important to help clarify the change process and to allay fears of anyone losing their jobs in the process.
Board members have been consistently updated on the process and subsequently a meeting was held October 2, 2021. The meeting was constructive and staff were promised that they would be kept updated. Dialogue will continue as the project progresses toward a DMO in the new financial year.
The Premier and Minister firmly established their vision to promote local talent as there is an abundance of talent within the Tourist Board. The time has come however to have the structure reviewed and strengthened to meet the new and emerging needs of a dynamic industry.
Additionally, the Premier and Minister of Tourism has met with the TCHTA, the TB, local and international partners on many occasions since the passing of the budget and indeed early in the life of the new regime to discuss its intentions to transition to a DMO.
As of today, no consultant has been engaged as the tender process is still active. Interested parties/companies may find a copy of the tender at www.gov.tc. and are encouraged to apply We look forward to updating the public as we make progress.
Wilkie Arthur
Freelance Court Correspondent
#TurksandCaicos, May 11, 2024 – A string of significant cases are making appearances regularly at the Turks and Caicos CORONER’S Court based in Providenciales. In all of the matters, each has to go through a number of legal steps and procedures before a final decision can be made by a jury or the coroner herself.
Making the list for two-fold proceedings on Thursday, May 2, 2024, was the case concerning the death of BRANDON JUWAN CRISTOVAL SWANN and person of interest linked to the death, RONALD SAUNDERS.
A case which grabbed national headlines; Swann is the younger brother of the Deputy Governor. According to CORONER’S Court records, he died at age 28 on the night of October 22, 2021.
The police/ traffic officer who investigated the case at the time told the Coroner when she asked if the traffic and police investigation
into the death of Brandon Swann is officially completed and closed, he said “yes, from their prospective.”
The Coroner said, “ok, well, this is where I step in, and an investigation or an inquest is held.”
Having heard limited or partial sworn evidence in open court from the investigator and reviewing certain documentary evidence and statements, the Hon Coroner officially opened a full investigative inquest to determine exactly how Brandon Swann met his death.
The investigator told the court that Swann came or ran down the stairs of the bar on Leeward Highway immediately next to Grant’s Gas station and held on to the vehicle of RONALD SAUNDERS. It is suspected that Swann lost his balance, fell and was run over by the vehicle driven by Saunders.
The autopsy report said, he died due to multiple blunt trauma injuries.
A jury will be summoned and called to hear the circumstances surrounding the death, review statements, and documentary evidence, including the autopsy report from the Pathologist who performed the autopsy on young Swann.
The Swann family was not present in court, but they’ve hired senior criminal defense counsel Mrs Lara Maroof Misick and the sole person of interest in this inquest proceedings is Mr. Ronald Saunders, who was also not present.
Saunders is however, represented by Mr. Oliver Smith KC and assisted by Mrs Kimone Tennant.
At the conclusion of the inquest, the jury could be left with certain options to consider, and if Ronald Saunders is found culpable in the death of Brandon Swann, he could possibly be arrested and charged with manslaughter. Saunders could also be cleared, altogether.
For the week of Monday, April 22nd – Friday, April 26th, 2024
Matters for Monday April 22, 2024
(1) Her Honor will have further hearing in police involved shooting case of LAVERN SMITH
(2) BABY GIRL FRITZ. Type of Matter: Child Death Hearing is listed for an Inquest
(3) AUDLEY DORIC QUANT is listed for an Inquest.
(4) HOWARD KANE
Type of Matter: Drowning Incident Hearing is listed for Decision.
Matters for Tuesday April 23, 2024
(5) A 2022 motor vehicle incident of ROMARIO RICKARDO REID is down for an Inquest (Opening).
(6) 2019 Drowning incident of TERRY GOODMAN is down for Further Hearing
Matters for Wednesday April 24, 2024
(7) Listed as a 2024 case concerning SHENGLI FU
Workplace Incident is listed for an Inquest (Opening)
(8) 2022 – ROMARIO RICKARDO REID matter continues for further hearing in the motor vehicle incident.
(9) Case from 2016 – ARSENE PIERRE. Type of Matter: Thermal Injuries
Hearing Type: Inquest (Opening)
(10) Case from 2018 – NICHOLAS TWYMAN. Type of Matter: Blunt Force Injury
Hearing Type: Inquest (Opening).
(11) Nine(9) John Doe’s for Exposure Related Deaths continues.
(12) Four(4) unidentified decedents for Exposure Related Deaths continue.
Matters for Thursday April 25, 2024
(13) Continuance of SHENGLI FU
Type of Matter: Workplace Incident
Hearing Type: Inquest (Opening)
(14) KATHLIN COX
Type of Matter: Drowning Incident
Hearing Type: Listed for Mention
(15) A JANE DOE No.1. Type of Matter: Drowning Incident
Hearing Type is fixed for Decision.
(16) A 2019 Drowning incident case of MICHAEL VONLUERTE.
Hearing Type is fixed for Mention
(17) A 2021 Grand Turk case of OPHELIA TALBOT SMITH
Type of Matter: Motor Vehicle Collision, this matter is listed for Mention.
Wilkie Arthur
Freelance Court Correspondent
#TurksandCaicos, May 11, 2024 – Ambulance Driver/ Paramedic remanded for possession of four rounds of ammunition.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution during the plea and directions hearing dropped the firearms charge on an application by senior defense counsel, Mrs. Lara Maroof Misick.
The accused TERRELL JOSEPH, 29 then entered a guilty on the ammunition charge alone in the hope of a reduced sentence of less than 12 years imprisonment; a sentence he automatically faces according to law.
His counsel, Maroof-Misick will indeed argue and put forward submissions before his Lordship, The Hon. Mr. Justice Chris Selochan surrounding “exceptional circumstances” in an attempt to get a significantly reduced sentence for the four rounds alone.
The firearm, in this case, that he allegedly possessed was “somewhat” defective and may not have passed the legal test in a criminal
trial. Joseph knew the gun wasn’t working and at the time of his arrest, the firearm could not be fired, Magnetic Media learned.
As proper ministers of justice under the leadership of the then acting DPP, Mrs. Angela Terry Brooks, hearing counsel for the accused, decided to withdraw the firearm charge and proceeded with the ammunition alone.
Sentencing for the ammunition possession offence is on May 29th at 2pm and many will be watching as the ambulance driver – a man of very good standing in the community who was described as having “saved many lives” – hears the decision on his sentence.
Many have drawn comparisons between this case and that of tourists, who were also charged under the Firearms Ordinance with possession of ammunition.
Terrell Joseph could be the first local to be sentenced since the Court of Appeal’s direction on the proper interpretation of the Firearms Ordinance Amendment 2022.
Joseph was found with the gun and ammo in an early morning raid by Police at his apartment in early October 2023. He was remanded, and despite his clean record and impeccable lifestyle, he was denied bail.
The former ambulance driver remains at the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation awaiting sentencing.
Members of the public speaking to our news team, says that if anyone deserves a chance to far lesser sentence or no jail time, it is this accused.
His arrest for firearm and ammunition broke the hearts of many upstanding law-abiding citizens of these Islands as no one could speak ill of him, and he was and still is loved by many given his profession of saving lives.
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