News
TCHTA Reveals Jaw-Dropping Cover and Features Local Talent in Destination 2022 Magazine
#TurksandCaicos, January 28, 2022 – The highly anticipated return of the TCHTA’s Destination Turks & Caicos Islands Magazine delivered all the sensation and dazzle befitting the time-honoured publication.
Now in its 16th year of production, the “Destination Guide”, as it has been endearingly dubbed, is a mainstay of the tourism product in the Turks & Caicos Islands. It is a cover-to-cover representation of the sights, accommodations, activities, and culture of this destination with all resort, villas, and hospitality businesses proudly displaying and sharing the guide with those who come to our shore.
The powerful imagery within the pages of the Destination magazine has made it a collector’s item for visitors and residents alike with requests from past visitors for the latest edition to be mailed to them each year.
At the 15-year mark, the TCHTA took the bold leap to contemporize the publication and to discontinue the outsourcing of its production, taking on the task in-house. The Marketing Committee and Office Team brought on local talent to build a powerhouse creative group that would give a face-lift to the showpiece and modernize its production to assure continued appeal to the today’s market. The result was astounding, with the TCHTA adopting a modern, sleek, oversized luxury magazine and retiring the hardcover coffee table book that had become synonymous with the annual.
Chair of the Marketing Committee, Karen Whitt, shared “We are ecstatic over the success of the new approach we have taken to ‘Destination’. More than just a piece for guests to enjoy while on island, it is a critical tool we use internationally to market the destination and show travel partners and their clients what awaits them here in Turks & Caicos. Now that we are launching the 2022 edition, truly, the 2020 magazine is still fresh and so powerful that people are still falling in love with it every day. After seeing the stunning cover for the 15th edition, I wondered how we could possibly top it. But as you can see, our team has somehow delivered another unbelievable cover and I simply cannot stop looking at it.”
And arresting, it is! The 2022 cover of the Destination Magazine features a magnificent montage of 20 faces representing a wide array of roles in the hospitality sector: Bartenders, Event Planners, General Managers, Human Resources Management, Pool & Beach Attendants, and more. The mosaic face made up of black and white images is not only a visual representation of the fact that it takes the efforts of many to make ‘brand TCI’ what it is, but a symbolic one as well. The dynamic photography provided for the work of art was aptly done by Anita Marcus and David Gallardo of Brilliant Studios, and it is indeed just that…. brilliant.
High praise was extended to the core creative team: Designer & Art Director, Erin Patrick of EP Designs; Editor, Nicholette Thomas of the TCHTA; Editor and Head Writer, Sonia OMEGA Simmons of TCHTA/SOS Media; and Head Writer, Dominique Rolle of Caya Hico Media, all of whom collaborated on the creative direction of the publication with overall guidance from the association’s Marketing Committee Chair & Co-Chair, Karen Whitt and Stacy Cox, respectively.
The strength of the piece does not end with the breathtaking cover or the dynamic images within its pages. The Destination Magazine is also filled with strong stories giving way to readers learning more about the Accommodations, Activities, Shopping, Wellness, Weddings, Photography, Dining, and Businesses across the country with the magazine using a feature story in each of these categories.
Last year, the TCHTA sent out a clarion call inviting local writers to join the creative team and author these fascinating stories. As such, Destination 2022 proudly features work by Jayne Baker, Tiersa Hall, Tatiana Handfield, Cynclair Musgrove, Brianna Walcott, and Keton Whitter.
“This has added an elevation to the piece that makes it historical and provides a further connection to community,
highlighting that hospitality is a part of each and every one of us here in these islands,” said Stacy Cox, TCHTA CEO. “We are so proud of the work these writers have done and how special they have made this edition with their contributions. We invite all residents to collect a copy of the magazine and to celebrate these thespians along with us. Front to back, Destination 2022 is a testament to the strength of the association, and its commitment to the continued advancement of the people and the industry.”
Cox continued, “I cannot extend enough thanks and appreciation to our members for supporting the magazine, and to our photographers for always providing us the awe-inspiring imagery that makes the Destination Guide distinct and exceptional.”
Caya Hico Media, Paradise Photography, Visit TCI and Brilliant Studios provided all photography for the magazine along with feature photography from TCHTA members.
Magazine distribution to accommodations and businesses around the island is now underway, with the option of collection available to the public at the TCHTA’s office at #52 Salt Mills, Grace Bay. With the current climate in mind, for businesses and resorts who are still on a reduced touch-points protocol, the association has produced tent cards featuring a QR code that allows anyone wishing to view the magazine to conveniently do so via their mobile device. As an added feature, the TCHTA is prepared to take Destination 2022 around the world on USB drives compatible with Android or Apple devices which will be distributed at marketing shows and conferences.
Highlights of the magazine will be shared on the association’s social media platforms and website.
News
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL STATEMENT REGARDING RECENT THREATS MADE AGAINST TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS AIRPORTS AND SCHOOLS
May 6th, 2024 – As co-chairs of the National Security Council, Her Excellency the Governor and the Honourable Premier condemn strongly recent threats made against Turks and Caicos Islands airports and schools.
We have zero tolerance for these disruptions and the alarm that they cause. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) continues to work closely with partner agencies and will keep the public updated as we manage the situation.
The National Security Council wishes to reassure residents, travellers and parents that the safety and security of our Islands is its highest priority.
All appropriate measures are being taken to address these threats and all required security protocols are being followed.
The Airports Authority and the Ministry of Education, with school principals are collaborating with the RTCIPF investigations.
We encourage the public to be extra vigilant against phishing and malicious emails and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
We appreciate the understanding of the public as we work to ensure the safety and well-being of our airports, schools and communities.
Press Release
PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS (May 3rd, 2024) The Turks and Caicos Islands’ Grace Bay Beach has once again been recognised among the top beaches in the world.
The World’s 50 Best Beaches has listed Grace Bay Beach among the top beaches in the world.
Grace Bay Beach, located on the island of Providenciales was listed at number 17 on the annual list.
The World’s 50 Best Beaches list, sponsored by Banana Boat, is a collaboration with over 1,000 of the world’s leading travel influencers and professionals.
The World’s 50 Best Beaches 2024 is a reflection of the opinions and experiences of top travel influencers and professionals around the world. The beaches were ranked according to eight important criteria: unique characteristics, wildlife, untouched, soundtrack of nature, easy to enter the water, often calm water, not too crowded and frequency of idyllic conditions.
Grace Bay Beach also featured among the top 20 in the 2023 World’s 50 Best Beaches list.
This is the latest accolade for Grace Bay Beach this year. Known for its powdery white sand and breathtakingly turquoise blue water, the famous beach was adjudged the number one Caribbean beach in February in Tripadvisor’s® Travelers’ Choice® Awards and Best of the Best for 2024, ranking number five among the Top 25 Best of the Best Beaches in the world.
In January 2024, Grace Bay was recognised as the #9 Best Beach in the Caribbean in the 10Best Reader’s Choice with Bambarra Beach in Middle Caicos ranked at #2.
Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Josephine Connolly said she is proud of the continued recognition of the leading beach in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
“As a destination that prioritises sustainable development and environmental preservation, the fact that Grace Bay Beach features consistently as one of the top beaches in the world stands as a testament to our commitment to stay “Beautiful by Nature”. I urge visitors to come to the Turks and Caicos Islands to experience this and many other of our beautiful beaches across the Turks and Caicos Islands,” said the Minister.
Tine Holst, Co-Founder of The World’s 50 Best Beaches, said the list is meant to inspire travellers.
She said: “Our 2024 list is a reflection of the countless days spent by our judges, Beach Ambassadors and World’s 50 Best team discovering beaches around the world. The list will help inspire travelers to leave the beaten path behind and enjoy the most stunning and relaxing beaches on earth”.
Read World’s 50 Best Beaches description of Grace Bay Beach here.
News
Family of 16 yo Tourist claims negligence in jet ski death; TCI Coroner’s Court hearing evidence
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, May 2, 2024 – The family of a 16-year-old who died in Grand Turk six years ago while on a Carnival Cruise into Grand Turk is a little closer to closure as the Turks and Caicos Islands Coroner’s Court has opened his case for an inquest.
“On Wednesday, May 16th, 2018, at 11:30 a.m. Police and Emergency Medical Officials responded to a two-jet-ski collision that left a 16-year-old male dead, near the Cruise Terminal in Grand Turk. Two people were involved in the collision. The second male did not receive any injuries. This incident is under Police investigation.”
That was the brief police report in the aftermath of Nicholas Twyman’s death.
In the comments dozens of residents and visitors claim to have been on the scene that day, as the boy was pulled ashore, some trying to assist while others looked on, horrified.
Coroner Mickia Mills called up the case on March 21, 2024 almost six years after the incident occurred. Mills is in charge of finding out what exactly happened that day in Grand Turk and whether there was any negligence or if it was simply a terrible accident. 
That verdict will be for the coroner and her potential jurors to decide. However, the family has shared their version of what happened that day.
A lawsuit filed in Florida Courts in October 2019 (Twyman v. Carnival Corp) detailed the heartbreaking hours that led up to the death of Nicholas. In it, the plaintiffs, listed as Gyjuanna TWYMAN and Michael Twyman, claim that they docked in Grand Turk and were curious about using the jet skis; both parents and the son were told by the Carnival team aboard the ship that there was not a formal shore excursion in Grand Turk involving jet skis, but that jet skis would be available for rent by the hour.
The family from Indiana claims three jet skis were rented, one for Nicholas, another for his father, Michael, and another for a different passenger, while their mother remained ashore. Wet Money Enterprise is listed as the jet ski company.
The family says they were given little instruction on using the Jet Skis, especially their son who was a new rider. The lawsuit maintains that Michael was not given any instructions other than being told where the kill switch was and not to ride too close to the cruise ship.
Sometime during his excursion, the young man crashed into the other jet ski. The family claims that neither Carnival Cruises nor representatives from the jet ski company responded. They say it was his father who spun around on his own jet ski, dived into the water for his son, and brought him to shore.
Once there, it was the young man’s mother, a registered nurse, who started emergency medical care.
When Turks and Caicos’s EMS did arrive after 15 minutes the family claims they were unsure how to use certain medical implements and had to be directed by the distressed mother.
The court documents list the cause of death for the young man as blunt force trauma and drowning, similar to what is listed in the TCI courts.
Coroner Mills, who took up her position in 2024, will oversee the proceedings which continued on Tuesday, April 23rd.
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