Turks & Caicos Upcoming events: Gourment Safari, Conch Festival, Maskanoo
Written by fp staff
Thursday, 16 September 2010

4th Annual Turks & Caicos Gourmet Safari
Saturday, Nov. 6

Turks & Caicos Gourmet Safari is here once again! Celebrate the absolute best in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ culinary experience with an impressive line up of chefs from Grace Bay Club, Coyaba Restaurant, Lemon Cafe, O’Soleil Restaurant partnering with Parrot Cay and Bagatelle Restaurant.

All dishes for the evening will be paired with a selection of Castello Banfi wines, the sponsored wine portfolio of the event, supplied courtesy of The Wine Cellar.

Space for the event is limited with early bird tickets available until Oct. 1 for $200 per person and $400 per couple. After Oct. 1, tickets will be $250 per person and $500 per couple.

For reservation inquiries, contact Grace Bay Club at 649-946-5050 ext. 1021 or e-mail nicole@gracebayclub.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Full Gourmet Safari details may also be acquired by visiting the Gourmet Safari website at http://www.tcigourmetsafari.com.

Conch Festival 2010
7th Annual Turks and Caicos Conch Festival at the Three Queen’s Bar & Restaurant in Blue Hills.
Saturday, Nov. 27, noon-7 p.m.

For more information, visit their website at http://www.conchfestival.com.

MASKANOO 2010
Monday, Dec. 27 (national holiday)

The first ever Maskanoo event will be organised by the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) and the Cultural & Arts Commission (CAC) on Monday, Dec. 27, a national holiday.

This event will showcase the best of the islands’ cultural heritage, mixing Junkanoo (taken from the TCI’s Bahamian heritage) with Masquerade to create Maskanoo.

Maskanoo will be held in the tourist capital of Providenciales, following a route along Grace Bay Beach road between the Regent Village and Salt Mills Plaza. Persons attending the event will enjoy the street parade, local music, island food, arts, entertainment as well as a firework display at the end of the event.

To find out how you can participate, contact the TCHTA at 941-5787

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fp Turks & Caicos

The Turks & Caicos’s own Nutcracker
Written by fp staff

Getting ready for a very special production of the Nutcracker this December, the Turks and Caicos Friends of the Arts Foundation is holding workshops to help children and adults rehearse for their parts.

The production will feature international dance artists side by side with local dancers for four spectacular Christmas performances. With special guest artists from Pages to Pirouettes and the University of Iowa Dance Department, as well as more than 60 local children and adults who came out to audition in April and May, Nutcracker will be a Christmas extravaganza for the entire family to enjoy.

The talented production team that brought you “A Little Caribbean Mermaid” last December is working on this production of Nutcracker, with spectacular and glittering sets, props and costumes, plus some surprise appearances of Pantos’ past!

So mark your calendars for Dec. 2-5 to relive the timeless and enchanting story of Marie and her Nutcracker Prince, who battle the Mouse King and his legions, where the Christmas toys come alive, and Marie and her Prince journey into the Snow Forest and the Land of the Sweets — all set to the most beautiful music by Russian composer, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, where it originally debuted in 1892!

There is a two-week Nutcracker Camp this summer, Aug. 2-14, to rehearse the many children and adults who will be part of the production. In addition, TCFAF is helping to sponsor the Summer Theatre/Music Workshops at the Edward C. Gartland Youth Centre, in the mornings during the week of Aug. 9.

For more information, contact Barbara Pankhurst at bstrogatz@aol.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 941-4617 or 231-2288.

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fp Turks & Caicos

Trip Advisor Readers Rate Turks & Caicos the Best
Written by fp staff

The TCI is making top travel headlines around the globe after being declared the No. 1 beach and sun destination by TripAdvisor’s 2010 reader survey.

Readers cited the powdery white sands, mesmerizing aquamarine waters and plethora of water sports activities as top attractions making this destination the ultimate tropical island experience.

TripAdvisor readers also voted Providenciales in the Top Ten in several other categories, including World’s Top Relaxation and Spa Destination (#8), Top Caribbean Family Destination (#3) and Top Caribbean Romance Destination (#3).

To celebrate the island of Providenciales being named the 2010 World’s Top Beach and Sun Destination by travel Web site Trip Advisor, DiscoverTCI — the Turks and Caicos only locally-based tourism reservation service — is offering great deals on the island’s top hotels and villas. Promotions include free nights, special summer and fall rates, and travel rewards with tour operators and other suppliers.

“The secret is out of the bag,” said Val Kalliecharan, managing director of DiscoverTCI. “Instead of being one of the Caribbean’s hidden gems, Turks and Caicos is rising in popularity, thanks in part to our fantastic beach and sea environment, convenient location, diverse range of accommodations and wide variety of attractions, restaurants and spas. And now, with the special offers and discounts being offered through our service, the Turks and Caicos is an even more appealing getaway location for savvy travelers.”

DiscoverTCI is a centralized reservations service based in the Turks and Caicos that provides in-depth local knowledge to travelers to the Turks and Caicos, including a real-time booking service for nearly 30 hotels and more than 50 villas in the islands and the most current information on special deals, discounts, tours, attractions and water sports activities. The service is staffed by reservation agents that love living and working in Turks and Caicos and are standing by to provide insightful tips and advice through the service’s tool free number (1-877-774-5486), live chat and e-mail.

Kalliecharan added that the DiscoverTCI service works with most of the leading hotels in the Turks and Caicos, including those which were cited with individual recognition in Trip Advisor’s 2010 Traveler’s Choice Award, to customize a unique and personalized experience for visitors.

DiscoverTCI includes a full-featured web site (www.discovertci.com) where travelers can browse accommodation options, view current specials and promotions, make reservations through an automated booking engine, read reviews, view photo galleries, engage in a “live chat” with an on-the-ground agent, send an e-mail with specific questions and/or talk to at Turks and Caicos destination expert in real-time via a toll-free number.

One of the key values the service offers is special rates on hotel packages as well as bonus “Travel Rewards” that include discounts on spas, scuba diving, car rentals and other services.
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fp Turks & Caicos

Eight Annual Conch Festival November 26-28, 2010

The Eighth Annual Turks & Caicos Conch Festival, will take place November 26-28, 2010 and will feature a weekend-full of activities on Providenciales, home to the World’s Best Beach. The popular beachside event attracts tourists and locals alike to celebrate the islands’ most famous delicacy, historical icon, and number one export. The main event will take place on Saturday afternoon (November 27) in the charming Blue Hills area of Providenciales, outside of Three Queen’s Bar & Restaurant. This year, the culturally-rich festivities extend throughout the weekend with a pre-party at The Somerset Resort on Friday evening and a charity run on Sunday morning.
“We’re excited about another outstanding Festival that showcases our great chefs and celebrates the unique aspects of the Turks and Caicos. It’s an ideal way for visitors to get a sense of our history, culture and diverse tourism offering,” said Dick Bain, President of the Blue Hills Conch Festival Association. “This year the Conch Festival, once again, adds a fine-dining component that highlights the culinary destination that the Turks and Caicos has become. A night of music, wine and gourmet dining at The Somerset will set the stage for the traditional seaside island party in Blue Hills that is the Conch Festival. Rounding out the weekend is the charity road race being hosted by Wrightfully Fit Fitness Center on Sunday morning, with the proceeds benefiting the Provo Children’s Home.”
The traditional Conch Festival takes place on Saturday, November 27 at noon in Blue Hills and is highlighted by a conch tasting competition among 25 local restaurants and chefs, various conch-related activities, local entertainment and the annual Pot of Gold drawing where The Rotary Club of Providenciales draws one lucky ticket worth $10,000. An added twist this year is that a member of the public will also serve as a judge, through a contest hosted by Turks and Caicos Reservations – a centralized Turks and Caicos tourism service.
Friday Night, November 26: Jazz on the Lawn
Held on the grounds of the luxurious beachfront Somerset Resort on Grace Bay, the Friday evening event features local jazz musicians performing under the stars on the resort’s croquet lawn. While listening to smooth tunes, guests will enjoy a gourmet conch-themed dinner presented by host chef Lauren Callighen of The Somerset’s O’Soleil restaurant, who will be joined by guest chefs and Conch Festival judges.
Saturday, November 27: Eighth Annual Conch Festival
The weekend kicks into high gear on Saturday, November 27 at Noon in the Blue Hills area. The marquee event of the weekend is the ‘conch-etition’ which pits the island’s best chefs against each other in a hotly-contested tasting competition judged by a panel of experts as well as the Festival attendees. Categories include Best Conch Salad, Best Conch Chowder, Best Specialty Conch, Best Presentation and Best in Show. More than 25 restaurants are expected to compete for the cash prizes and bragging rights this year. Tasting begins at Noon and runs until 5PM. An entry fee of $25 gives Festival-goers a chance to sample all the dishes entered and cast a vote for Best in Show.
Augmenting the always delectable restaurant competitors is the annual Mojito-making contest where the island’s best bartenders put their creative twists on this classic Cuban cocktail. This year’s event also features the Turks and Caicos’ own world-renowned Junk-a-Noo, with two separate rushes, plus other local performers.
Special conch competitions for conch blowing, conch knocking and a conch hunt in the sea will assure that chefs and bartenders are not the only ones who can win prizes. Plus, the biggest prize of all will be the cash prize of $10,000 drawn at 5:30 on the day of the festival by the Rotary Club of Providenciales as part of its annual Pot-of-Gold raffle. Tickets are currently on sale from local Rotarians and will be available on the day of the event. However, buying tickets early is highly encouraged because only a limited number are available.
Sunday, November 29: Run for Charity
To burn off the caloric effects of Friday and Saturday, Wrightfully Fit Fitness Center is hosting its second annual charity run on Sunday moving, November 28, 2010. Runners of all levels can enter fun runs of either 5K/3.1 miles or 10K – 6.2miles. The longer race begins at 6:30AM while the 5K race goes off at 7:00AM. Both races begin and end at Wrightfully Fit near Turtle Cove and wind through the scenic beachfront of Providenciales. Entry fees are $60 for adults and $30 for children under 18. Sign up in advance at Wrightfully Fit Fitness Center (located at the Miramar Resort near Turtle Cove marina) or by calling 941 3311. All proceeds will go to benefit the Provo Children’s Home.
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Posted Sept 17 2010
Turks & Caicos SUN Newspaper

JetBlue coming to TCI from February 2011

By Hayden Boyce, SUN Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

JetBlue Airways has confirmed that it will commence flights to Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands from New York and Boston, starting February, 2011.
The announcement, which was made in New York today (Wednesday September 8th), is subject to receiving government operating authority.
The value carrier intends to launch daily service from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) commencing Feb. 17 and seasonal (November – April) Saturday only service beginning Feb. 19 from Boston Logan International (BOS). JetBlue’s flights to the Turks & Caicos Islands are expected to go on sale in October at http://www.jetblue.com, according to a press release from the airline’s New York headquarters.
Last month, The SUN newspaper first broke the news about JetBlue’s imminent entry into the Turks and Caicos Islands market.
“JetBlue is proud to continue our successful expansion in the Caribbean with new service to the Turks & Caicos Islands,” said Scott Laurence, JetBlue’s vice president of network planning. “Thanks to the support of our customers, we are pleased to offer more destinations, great low fares and the award-winning JetBlue Experience to the places they want to go.”
The daily flight from JFK International Airport will leave New York at 9:10 a.m. and arrive in Providenciales at 1 p.m. Flights will leave Providenciales daily at 2 p.m. and arrive in New York at 5:40 p.m.
The Boston flights will leave Logan International Airport at 11 a.m. and arrive in Providenciales at 2:45 p.m., then leave Provo at 3:40 and arrive in Boston at 7:20 p.m.
John T. Smith, CEO of Turks & Caicos Islands Airports Authority, said: “The Turks & Caicos Islands Airports Authority has commenced the redevelopment of its Gateway Airport, Providenciales. JetBlue has impressed us with their success in the region and we are pleased to welcome their popular low fare, high value service to the island. We look forward to continuing the development of a mutually beneficial long term relationship.”
Providenciales would be JetBlue’s 64th destination and its 17th destination in the Caribbean. With the addition of the Turks & Caicos Islands, the carrier would serve 40 nonstop destinations from Boston.
JetBlue intends to operate its Providenciales service with spacious 150-seat Airbus A320 aircraft.
The A320 offers travelers all of the amenities for which JetBlue has become well-regarded: complimentary seatback televisions including free first-run movies, comfortable leather seats and the most legroom in coach of any U.S. airline, unlimited free snacks and award-winning customer service.
The Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) held an extraordinary meeting regarding the proposed JetBlue service on September 3rd, 2010, at Beaches Resort & Spa.
Chief Executive Officer of the TCHTA, Caesar Campbell said JetBlue it is very motivated in introducing this service for the destination, and they have had a number of meetings with key local tourism partners, including the Tourist Board, the Airports Authority, and the TCHTA.
He said that as a result of these meetings, a marketing plan has been submitted by the airline to government and the TCHTA in order to support the promotion of the service.
The strategic marketing plan was modeled on another destination where JetBlue started up service recently, and was submitted to the TCHTA for directional purposes only, as the total spend is over $1Million.
Noting that the destination is clearly not in a financial position to provide this kind of funding, Campbell said that in reviewing this plan, the government has made a commitment of $200,000.00, over a one (1) year, period, to the support marketing of this service, which will not only increase our airlift out of the these major gateways, but also increase the visibility of the destination in these vital market sources.
“Given that the above-mentioned amount that the government is willing to commit is a faction of the total spend in JBA’s marketing plan, it was recommended that in the TCHTA’s attempt to provide additional marketing support for this service to be sustainable, which will increase our market share in this area, we would match the $200,000 over a one (1) year period by implementing the following method to raise funds,” he reported.
Hotels in the luxury category would be assessed a special JBA marketing fee of $10,000 and hotels in the budget to moderate category would be assessed a special JBA marketing fee of $5,000.
This special JetBlue marketing fee would not be assessed in one lump sum, but over a one (1) year period, that is, quarterly or bi-annual.
“In principal, it was agreed that would move forward, as an association, with the above-mentioned recommendation with the support of government, in the interest of promoting tourism to the destination, which has been conspicuously absent over the past two years,” Campbell stated.
Jet Blue was voted “Most Eco-Friendly Airline” by Zagat’s Airline Survey in 2008 and 2009, and it has created a new airline category based on value, service and style.
In 2010, the carrier also ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Low-Cost Carriers in North America” by J.D. Power and Associates, a customer satisfaction recognition received for the sixth year in a row.
Known for its award-winning service and free TV as much as its low fares, JetBlue is now pleased to offer customers Lots of Legroom and super-spacious Even More Legroom seats.
JetBlue is also America’s first and only airline to offer its own Customer Bill of Rights, with meaningful and specific compensation for customers inconvenienced by service disruptions within JetBlue’s control.
JetBlue serves 61 cities with 650 daily flights. New service to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington, DC and to Bradley International Airport in Hartford, CT begins in November. With JetBlue, all seats are assigned, all fares are one-way, and an overnight stay is never required.
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Posted Sept.8th 2010
Turks & Caicos SUN Newspaper

Turks and Caicos tourist arrivals increase during recession
Published on September 17, 2010
Caribbean News Now

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands — Despite the global recession, tourist arrivals in the Turks and Caicos Islands increased by 25 percent for the first half of this year when compared with the same period last year.

Ralph Higgs, Acting Director of Tourism for Turks and Caicos Tourist Board, said, “We are thrilled to see our arrival numbers for 2010 (first half) up 25 percent and we are optimistic that these numbers will continue to climb through the remainder of the year, except for the traditional slow months of September and October when many of our hotel partners close for repairs and refurbishment.”

Tourism arrivals for the first half of 2010 show the Turks and Caicos welcomed 489,069 long stay and cruise visitors. This number represents 167,057 long stay visitors for the first six months of this year, compared to 131,352 for the same period last year.

Between January and June this year, 322,012 visitors arrived by cruise ship, as against 258, 495 for the corresponding period last year.

During the first half of 2010, the TCI welcomed a total of 125 cruise ships, a 25 percent increase over the same period 2009, when the destination recorded 113 cruise ship arrivals.

The USA, Canada, Europe and the Caribbean remain the TCI’s major source markets. These markets have grown by 21 percent, 97 percent, 5 percent and 27 percent respectively.

Higgs said, “We are impressed by these increases and we feel this speaks to the strength of our tourism industries; airlift, accommodation, attractions both natural and man-made; and the hospitable nature of our people working directly and indirectly in our tourism industry.”

Additionally, officials in the Turks and Caicos Ministry of Finance confirm that increased tourist arrivals correspond with revenue collected from the accommodation tax for the same period in 2009.

The Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) also confirms that unaudited occupancy figures amongst its members also show average increases of 11 percent for the first half of 2010, but admit that room rates have been discounted as a means to attract more guests.

Moving forward, the Tourist Board said it will continue to increase its presence within the market place, embarking on a series of travel and trade shows, sponsor and promotional events in the US, Canada and Europe and continue working with wholesalers and hotel partners to sell the destination.

The Tourist Board said it is also working to make the TCI more accessible from major gateways worldwide.
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CARIBBEAN NEWS NOW

Turks and Caicos protected areas get EU funding
Written by fp staff
Thursday, 16 September 2010 08:28

The Turks and Caicos National Trust has received the first installment from the European Union to support sustainable use of the country’s Protected Areas.
Three major islands and cays will receive much needed infrastructure that will promote and encourage sustainable use of Protected Areas, which include national parks, nature reserves, sanctuaries and areas of historic interest. The spinoffs will create job opportunities for Turks and Caicos Islanders.

Construction of a modest and appropriate visitor lounge for Little Water Cay (Iguana Island) Nature Reserve should commence soon. It will be the first of several activities designed for the project.

The focal point of the trust’s project will be 111 acres at Bird Rock Point on the eastern most tip of Providenciales.

Over a three-year span, Bird Rock Point will be surveyed demarcating the boundaries for a nature reserve, a sanctuary and areas set aside for picnicking, camping and other recreational and commercial activities which would contribute to the sustainability of this venture. In the second year of the project, the trust hopes to complete construction of its educational resource facility which will also serve as a visitor centre in this area.

The Cheshire Hall Plantation site in Providenciales will be upgraded with a visitor centre and general enhancement, including trails, landscaping and interpretative material through this special project.

The community of Kew on North Caicos and the wider community of the TCI stand to benefit in the short- and long-term from the redevelopment of the Wade’s Green Plantation, another activity within the three-year project. This particular heritage site will also receive a visitor lounge, enhancement to field roads, restructuring of the maintenance programme, additional interpretative panels and literature as well as redesigning of the guided tour.

With the first installment of $83,618, the three-year Management of Protected Areas to Support Sustainable Economics Project is 58 percent EU financed. It is a regional project involving three U.K. overseas territories — TCI, Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands.

The National Trust is relieved that the project has finally come to fruition having been in the embryonic state for more than three years. The management council of the trust expressed gratitude to the EU delegation for working through the bureaucracy to bring the project on stream.

At the completion of the project, the TCI and the National Trust would have benefitted from more than 900,000 Euros.

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Turks & Caicos Free Press

Wednesday, Jul 28, 2010

WORK is officially underway on an immense $70m expansion and renovation project at Providenciales International Airport.
Over the coming months the runway and terminal will be completely transformed to accommodate larger aircraft, more frequent flights and more visitors.
Dubbed “a major milestone” for the country, the self-financed venture is expected to assist the Turks and Caicos Islands on its way to economic recovery.
On Monday morning all of the project’s major supporters gathered at the site of the runway extension to witness the historic groundbreaking ceremony.
John Smith, chief executive officer of the Turks and Caicos Islands Airport Authority (TCIAA), took to the podium to tell a packed tent full of attendees about the project.
He explained that during the first phase Canadian-based company Dexter Construction will carry out a lengthening of the runway.
During phase two, which has yet to be released to tender, a selected company will expand the terminal building.
Once the entire project is complete the airport will be able to accommodate more frequent flights to and from North America, Mr Smith said, as well as larger aircraft from as far afield as Europe and Asia.
Mark Capes, acting governor and public service CEO, said he was delighted to see the first stage of the project underway.
“The construction of the new runway is an important step towards creating a modern, safe and efficient international gateway that will enhance the appeal and competitiveness of the TCI.
“It will inject several million dollars directly into the economy, safeguarding many local jobs during this difficult period of economic recession that confronts the region.”
Mr Capes said that the TC Government has worked in close partnership with the TCIAA to secure the necessary funding and approvals needed for this “critical” project.
He added that the award of the contract to Dexter Construction is an example of the government’s commitment to follow internationally recognised standards in investment appraisal and public procurement.
The company has vowed to establish a scholarship programme for a number of Belongers working on this project, who will have the opportunity to study at training facilities in Canada.
“This will help to bring-on young local talent and build a skilled indigenous workforce, ready to contribute to the future of this country,” Mr Capes said.
Locally-based Cove Construction and CBMS have also been chosen as major sub-contractors in the extensive runway works.
Mr Capes continued: “Many challenges still lie ahead as we work to stabilise our fiscal position and economy.
“The road to recovery here, as elsewhere, will be testing. But I have no doubt that this project will play a key part in securing that recovery over the longer term.”
Caesar Campbell, CEO of the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Authority, said the project would make life easier for visitors and residents arriving at Providenciales Airport.
“Congestion is a major challenge for us particularly on the weekends and we have to fix this – we’ve been getting complaints left, right and centre from our visitors and residents.
“So it’s a welcome move on the part of the government and we look forward to working with Airport Authority.”
FirstCaribbean and Barclays Capital have partnered to provide up to $70m for the redevelopment and expansion project.
FirstCaribbean corporate director Peter Horton, who was present at the ceremony, said he was proud to be part of the “momentous” occasion.
“We would like to thank the Turks and Caicos Airport Authority for the confidence they have placed in us.
“We are pleased to have been chosen as your financial partner in helping facilitate this milestone and we look forward to working with you to ensure its successful conclusion.”
An airport redevelopment charge of $20 which is paid by every passenger that passes through Providenciales International Airport will fund the loan repayments.
Following the speeches Mr Capes joined Herbert Ingham, chairman of the TCIAA, in breaking ground at the site of the runway extension.

By Rebecca Bird
Turks & Caicos Weekly News