Tag Archives: Turks & Caicos Islands

Tourism Growth Hits Double Digits Again

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For a second year, the Turks and Caicos Islands were a favoured Caribbean destination, showing a 12-percent increase in tourist arrivals compared to 2009.

Most of the growth came in the first quarter of 2010, which showed a significant increase over the same period in 2009. Things slowed down in the second half of 2010, but the year ended with an overall double digit increase. The major source markets for the destination continue to be the United States, Canada and Europe.

This bodes well for the TCI when compared to similar Caribbean destinations like Bermuda, which only showed a 2.6-percent increase, and Cayman, with a 6-percent increase in 2010.

The numbers, released  by the Tourist Board on March 5, are being supported by the Turks and Caicos Islands Airport Authority and the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association, which have both confirmed those statistical findings.

The Tourist Board is looking forward to a bright 2011, when it expects the county to surpass the 1 million mark for tourist arrivals for both long stay and cruise passengers. The board, with information from private sector partners and wholesalers, has stated that bookings are up between 30-50 percent in comparison to last year.

This will be made possible in part due to new airlift which began last month with inaugural flight for JetBlue from New York (JFK) and Boston (BOS), and with Continental Airlines (EWR).

The Grand Turk Cruise Center has also seen a steady increase in visitors, including those aboard the Queen Elizabeth 2, one of the world’s largest luxury cruise lines, that called upon the cruise center in December.

The board continues with a limited budget to promote the TCI. During 2010 it represented the country at a number of travel, trade and consumer shows. Additionally, it has sponsored and embraced a number of promotional events in the United States, Canada and Europe, working alongside wholesalers and local hotels.

Next week, together with the Statistical Office of the Department of Economic Planning and Statistics (DEPS) , the board will be conducting a Survey of Departing Visitors at the Providenciales International Airport. The Survey is scheduled to last for a period of seven days and will capture a broad cross-section of visitors.

The goal is for both agencies to gather statistics on expenditures, characteristics of visits and visitors’ opinions. DEPS and the board are planning to conduct this survey on a quarterly basis.

The board continues to operate with an unclear future. A Tourism Working Group appointed by the governor suggested in July that the board be replaced by a Tourism Authority controlled by a board of eight private businessmen and four ex-officio members from government.

The governor said recently that discussions are still underway concerning funding for the board and the new authority.

The working group had recommended splitting the current 11 percent accommodations tax so that the new authority would get 2 percent for operations and the government would get 9 percent.

The current Tourist Board would then be renamed the Tourism Regulatory Board or absorbed into the Tourism Ministry.

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Thursday, 10 March 2011 12:52

Written by fp Turks & Caicos staff

 

History of Turks & Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty

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In the Real Estate and Developement Section of Where When How – Turks & Caicos Islands – Jan.Feb 2011 Issue you will find a brief history of  Turks & Caiocs Sotheby’s International Realty, the market leader in the Turks & Cacios Islands. Click on the link below.

WhereWhenHowHistoryofTCSothebys.JanFeb2011

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Story by Kathryn Fox, Journalist, Where When How

Signs of Life in Construction – Turks & Caicos Islands

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Turks & Caicos Islands’ once booming construction industry – one of the country’s economic linchpins – is on the road to recovery. That’s the word from leading Provo architects who have reported a “dramatic” upsurge in enquiries from developers.The sector has long been one of the largest employers in the Islands but took a nosedive amid the recession and political upheaval.Architects, who are the first to be approached about forthcoming schemes, told the Weekly News they were now experiencing a hike in work.Simon Wood, of SWA Architects in Grace Bay, said: “We feel the move a year or two before the construction industry and things are certainly picking up.“In the last few months, the phone has started ringing again.“We have had a lot of enquiries for residences and started a few new projects.“We have been working on a number of leads for larger projects too, including condos and a hotel.”Mr Wood said he anticipated construction would start to pick up by the middle of the year.It’s a welcome shift from the deadly quiet which, he said, began in 2007.“As architects we had two years of nothing, which means two years of nothing in the construction industry.“It’s not by any means back where it was and I don’t think it ever will be but development was happening too fast before. We are now getting about 40 per cent the number of enquiries we were receiving in recent years.”He added: “We are very hopeful and looking forward to a positive 2011.”SWA, in operation since 1995, is currently working on a handful of private residential developments in Providenciales and North Caicos and is in discussions regarding the forthcoming Hyatt hotel.In June last year the hotel giant announced it had signed a deal to manage a vast 170-unit resort on Cooper Jack Bay.The 21-acre site will include restaurants, pool, spa and fitness centre when it throws open its doors in 2014, bringing with it much needed revenue and jobs.Ron Shaw, of RA Shaw Designs in Leeward Highway, said his company had seen a 10-fold jump in enquiries compared to January 2010.“It’s dramatic.“A lot of it is still conceptual work but if it turns into drawings then it will certainly be a welcome relief.“The last 24 months have been a struggle. If half the work we have on the table now comes to fruition we will be busy through 2011. If it all comes through, it will be out of control.”RA Shaw Designs has been operating in the Islands since 1998 with a niche market in single family residences.In the fiscal heyday of recent years, he said the firm was forced to turn work away.Mr Shaw continued that he expected to soon see an upswing in employment opportunities.He revealed that the firm is currently working on designs for two small resorts.“It will be a slow start over the next three months but we hope by late spring, early summer, we will see things moving into the ground.”Fellow architect Oliver Stubbs also predicted “major improvements” were ahead.“Things are picking up, I have a couple of projects on the table right now,” he told the Weekly News.Mr Stubbs said political instability and the seemingly lackadaisical pace of administering justice to corruption-accused former Ministers were prompting some scepticism among potential developers.“Once the prosecutions start and they start doing what they have to do, we will see more things happen.”At a Chamber of Commerce meeting in December, members spoke of a “very challenging” year and offered ideas to revitalise and reform the lucrative construction industry.Among those making headway is lawyer turned developer Beryn Duncanson, behind the recently completed $30m Flamingo Crossing affordable condo scheme. Mr Duncanson spotted a niche in rent-to-own contracts, a lure for cash-strapped buyers.Other members said it was vital to reestablish the Contractors Association to help regulate the sector.We reported in November that the TCI’s real estate market was also starting to see an upturn.ReMax Elite broker Simon Padgett said “green roots of a recovery” were starting to sprout, in part due to the strength of the Canadian dollar.
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By Gemma Handy
Turks & Caicos Weekly News

Return of the ‘Big South’ – South Caicos, Turks & Caicos Islands

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ONCE booming South Caicos could be in for a resurrection amid a gargantuan scheme set to create hundreds of jobs and breathe new life into the sluggish island. Work on the second phase of the Sailrock resort is slated to begin within months – and will include restoring several of the island’s beloved historic buildings.Dubbed the ‘Big South’ during the roaring salt industry, the tiny isle has been largely left languishing since the trade’s demise in the 1960s.Some still scratch a living from the previously booming fishing sector but locals say poor oversight and over-fishing has rendered it somewhat listless. South Caicos also took a battering from hurricanes Ike and Hanna in 2008.Residents told the Weekly News they hoped the project would be the economic shot in the arm the community needs.Whether the fact that developers CMK have rights over 2,400 acres – almost half of the 8.5sq mile island – will stir hostility, remains to be seen.One resident expressed concern about the firm owning an “inappropriately large” portion of the land.CMK chiefs said they were looking forward to giving a much needed facelift to the island, steeped in rich history and known for its abundant landmark architecture.They have already ploughed thousands into fixing up many of the decades-old stone walls which characterise the place.The upcoming construction phase in the north of the island will include private homes, a 22-room hotel, restaurant, reception building and swimming pool.It follows a 236-unit sub-division in Bell Sound, of which 130 lots have been sold.Chicago businessman Ted Weldon, one of three partners in Sailrock Development Ltd, said the focus was on low density, eco-friendly construction.He said development would take place slowly over 25 years to ultimately comprise four hotels and 600 villas.“We are starting small and being smart about the way we develop; we will grow it slowly which is especially important in this economy.“We also have very strict guidelines about protecting the beautiful land and nothing will be higher than two storeys.”Mr Weldon said the developers had been attracted to South Caicos on account of its history and tranquil ambience.Some buildings dating back almost 200 years will be incorporated into the scheme, including a former plantation home which is set to become a restaurant.The company also plans to establish a thriving fish market and museum to commemorate South Caicos’ colourful past.“Tourists love the authentic Caribbean experience. Here they can walk down streets with centuries-old buildings and learn about their past.“We want to create a proper fish market where people can have dinner next to the fishermen and hear fascinating stories about the island.”Mr Weldon said he was optimistic about the TCI’s future.“I am very bullish that we will see this economy grow. The US is coming out of recession now and more airlift will be coming from Europe.“We will soon start to see a growth and renaissance.”Resident Butch Clare told the Weekly News he hoped the project would be “the comeback kid” for his native island.Mr Clare, a local representative for CMK, said around a dozen homes dating back to the 19th century had been identified for restoration.They include the old government warehouse, built around 1840, the original Timco building on the waterfront and the crumbling former District Commissioner’s mansion, believed to be 130 years old.Mr Clare said some people may have concerns that the firm had control over half the island.“They will have the ability to monopolise and control whatever development comes to South but, at the same time, it could produce a legitimate, long term, sustainable plan for the community.“Fishermen are finding it more and more difficult to enjoy the kind of catches they used to get years ago, Hurricane Ike did a lot of harm and the community really needs an economic injection to revive it.“I have heard no opposition from anyone so far. It will open up a lot of entrepreneurial opportunities and encourage investors to come to South for restaurants, boutiques, gift shops and entertainment.”His brother, historian Bill Clare, added: “We are hoping this will come to fruition. Anything that breathes new life into the community and keeps young people in South Caicos is great.”Another resident, who asked to remain nameless, said: “South Caicos definitely needs development and an injection of commercial activity.“It’s good that this company will be investing but when one party owns such a large portion of the land it can become non-competitive and that party will have an undue amount of potential influence.“I don’t think they needed that much land to bring about economic activity.
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By Gemma Handy
Turks & Caicos Weekly News

World Gourmet Affair Gala Raises Nearly $9k for TCI Schools

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The World Gourmet Affair ended Saturday with a gala event that not only delighted guests, but set the stage for many more to come.

The impressive weeklong event hosted 480 guests over six nights, a turnout that organizers consider a tremendous success for its first year.

“It shows that the Turks and Caicos community is ready for our Gourmet Affair showcasing the resorts and Turks and Caicos as a gourmet destination,” said Ingo Reckhorn, who helped organize the event. “We (the organizers) are thrilled about this level of support and look forward to making next year’s World Gourmet Affair an even bigger success.”

The World Gourmet Affair began Monday, Jan. 17, with a unique dinner hosted at a different top resort on Providenciales each night of the week. Resorts included the Regent Palms, Amanyara, Point Grace, Gansevoort and the Grace Bay Club. Each invited an international guest chef to prepare a five-course menu that highlighted the culinary mastery available in the TCI.

Residents as well as visitors enjoyed the splendors prepared at the hands of the impressive international chefs based in Europe and the U.S. The chefs who travelled from afar to participate in the World Gourmet Affair included French Chef Christian Ville, Spanish Chef Jordi Pallas, Michelin star Spanish chef Fernando Canales, American/French Chef Bernard Guillas and Belgian chef Eric Crutzen.

The weeklong affair culminated with a gala event Saturday night under the stars, hosted in the beautiful gardens of the Regent Palms resort.

Along with the culinary delights, Turquoise Distribution treated guests to an impressive wine, Champagne, Armagnac, rum and Belgian beer tasting second to none. Java Island was also on hand to serve the perfect cup of coffee to end the meal on a high note.

In addition to the evening’s enjoyable fare, funds were raised to help support several local schools.

“We are proud to be able to donate $8,910 to the schools, which includes, $2,000 from Scotia Private Client Group, a successful silent auction and ticket proceeds from the gala event,” organizer Michel Neutelings told the fp.

In addition, during the course of the week, each of the five guest chefs hosted a cooking lesson for students from several local schools including Maranatha High, the New Age Academy, Wesley Methodist, the Whole Gospel Academy, Clement Howell High as well as from the Community College.

The cooking lessons were made possible thanks to support from the Scotia Private Client Group under the umbrella of their Scotiabank community program “Bright Future.”

After a delicious week , the World Gourmet Affair left guests with a satisfied pallet, but also craving for more next year.

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by fp Staff
fp Turks & Caicos

ATC to Connect TCI and Puerto Rico

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Air Turks and Caicos, the country’s only national airline, will start daily flights from Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, to the popular Caribbean hub of San Juan, Puerto Rico, on April 15.

The ATC flights would all originate from Providenciales, offering connections between the TCI, Puerto Rico and points beyond in the Eastern Caribbean, subject to regulatory approvals.

ATC Chairman Lyndon R. Gardiner says this new route is an important step in realizing his dream to unite the Caribbean Islands through more convenient and expanded connections that promoted trade and tourism.

In late 2010, Jamaican authorities put a stop to Gardiner’s plans to offer expansion through Jamaica to other Caribbean nations with the addition of flights through Kingston.

Gardiner said he wishes that the separate Caribbean nations would focus more closely on cooperative marketing for the benefit of the entire region.

The announcement of the new route was made during a reception Jan. 17 hosted for the airline by the Dominican Tourism Authorities in Puerto Plata, attended by the Deputy Minister of Tourism César José de los Santos, the Chamber of Commerce as well as representatives from local hotel and tourism organizations.

The airline was represented by Gardiner, CEO Darrell Richardson, VP, Business Development Deborah Aharon and VP of Flight Standards Capt. Harold Williams.

Deputy Minister de los Santos thanked the airline executives for choosing Puerto Plata as their new gateway to San Juan and assured them that the initiative would have the full support of the Minister of Tourism Francisco Javier Garcia and his Ministry.

President of the Puerto Plata Chamber of Commerce Amaurys Plá also welcomed the company and noted that with the opening of the new route would also come new business opportunities for trading of goods and services as well as tourism, and reiterated his organization’s support.

Max Iglesias, president of the Northern Hotel Association, thanked the executives of ATC and said that he was pleased that the route would open up many potential connections with other Caribbean islands.

Roberto Casoni, president of the Hotel Association for the popular Playa Dorada region, said that the daily flights would offer more flexibility and convenience that he expected would result in longer stays by visitors.

Gardiner surprised and delighted the crowd by addressing them in their native Spanish, explaining the history of the airline, which started with a single piston aircraft in 1992 as InterIsland Airways. After changing the name to Air Turks and Caicos to better reflect this country’s identity and national pride, the airline continued to grow and now has a fleet of 15 mainly turbine aircraft, ranging in size from 9 to 30 passengers.

He also spoke about the long history of friendship and trade between the two countries, recalling the days of old when folks often sailed from North Caicos to the Dominican Republic in fishing boats to trade dried conch for produce and rum.

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by fp Staff
fp Turks & Caicos

VIP Flyers Club Coming to Providenciales Airport

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Starting next week, travellers will be able to escape the hustle and bustle of the Providenciales International Airport departure area and wait for their flights in elegant style.

The VIP Flyers Club, being called a service-conscious sanctuary, will open its doors Jan. 31 at the airport, giving travellers an option for VIP service for a fee.

The VIP Flyers Club will cater to travellers who need to relax and wait in style while escaping the confinement and hustle associated with airport terminals.

Olympia Destination Management Company, managers of the VIP Flyers Club, say the intimate and luxurious 15-guest lounge is uniquely designed to handle the demands of Turks and Caicos Islands travel.

Not only will the VIP Flyers Club cater to persons departing TCI, but will also offer a Fast Track Service which will see trained staff meeting and greeting passengers and assisting them through security, immigration and customs. The Fast Track Service will include private transfers, getting travellers and luggage to their private, licensed car service quickly.

“This is definitely a vision come to fruition,” said the managing director of ODMC. “ODMC is committed to providing travellers with a level of service unparalleled to others and saw the opening of a VIP airport lounge as a great opportunity to provide such a service.

“We have already received requests from companies to use the club for private functions, and we must thank the TCIAA for being very instrumental in making this enhanced passenger experience happen.”

For $40, passengers will be able to enjoy up to two hours of peace and comfort ahead of their journey while watching satellite TV, browsing the Internet or simply taking in the panoramic views of the runway while enjoying complimentary refreshments, newspapers and magazines.

The lounge will also offer access to a printer, loaner laptop computers and laptop trays, free international telephone calls, and is accessible to the disabled.

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by fp Staff
fp Turks & Caicos

Signs Show Economy Starting to Wake Up

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Although the boom days of the recent past may not return with gusto, hope is dawning that the local economy is poised to make a comeback.

“We are turning the corner, a little bit,” a cautiously optimistic Owen Hamilton told the fp.

Owen Hamilton has been in business in the Turks and Caicos Islands longer than a decade, involved in several construction related business — both on the building and supply side — including Provo Steel, Island Painting and Island Home Builders, as well as Quality Supermarkets.

His range of companies offers him a unique overview of what is happening in the construction industry and its affects on the economy.

Hamilton calls the last year “lackluster,” but he says there are signs of things turning around. “Some businesses are still quiet, but some are starting to wake up.”

Hamilton says he is starting to see and hear about more and more potential projects coming down the pipeline, and that is a good sign that things are looking up.

“Real estate is starting to pick up,” he notes. “Also, those who bought property are now looking to start construction.”
“We are on the launch pad ready to take off.”

While he notes it won’t be as explosive as the growth seen five years ago, “we also have to realize the whole world economy has changed.”

“Over the past year we have had to downsize and reduce hours due to the slowdown in the industry,” he says, but noting that is a trend being experienced around the globe. “This is not the first time the economy has corrected itself,” says Hamilton.

With each downturn, companies have to reinvent themselves, something he has done with the support of his staff to keep the business alive though the recent rough times, Hamilton said.

“We have had to sacrifice to keep people employed, while at the same time working harder to keep our customers happy.” He says customer service is more important now than ever.

“We have to go that extra mile to make a difference with a customer. We have to inform and educate customers so they can save money for the long term, by helping them to make better decisions.”

The businessman also credits the government for quickly reacting to the crime situation last year as a positive contributor to the potential economic rebound. “I also have to commend the officers out there,” he said. “It is a thankless job because there is so much that goes on that we don’t even hear about.”

Looking to the future, Hamilton says prospects are still at an all time high.

“We have always been blessed that people come here and fall in love with it,” something he attributes not just to the environment, but the mix of people, water and sunshine.

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by fp Staff
fp Turks & Caicos

Provo Air Center Busiest FBO

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Provo Air Center was the busiest FBO in the world on Sunday, Jan. 2, according to flight support company Jeppesen Dataplan, which provides flight planning services to private and fractional aircraft worldwide.

Overall, PAC moved up from 10th to 6th busiest FBO for all their locations in 2010, but the FBO handled a whopping 113 private jets on a single day, jumping well ahead of the two usual hot spots in the Caribbean, St. Maarten and Nassau.

It was a new record and a big surprise to everyone, said General Manager Deborah Aharon. Some of the extra traffic was due to fuel shortages around the Caribbean, a possibility that PAC had anticipated.

“Every year some locations run out,” Aharon said, “and we saw an opportunity to position and promote Provo as the guaranteed fuel source.”

The company invested just under $1 million in a new fuel storage facility, finishing it just days before the holiday rush. It also studied historical figures around the Caribbean and consulted with its fuel partners and customers to accurately project how much extra fuel should be stored.

The extra effort paid off, as many locations ran low and aircraft had to be diverted to PAC for fuel, bringing extra revenue to the depleted government coffers through landing and other fees.

Aharon says that her staff and the customs and immigration officers assigned to the facility, as well as the air traffic controllers, did a superb job dealing with the extra loads. Their jobs were further complicated by bad weather in the U.S. and Europe, which delayed scheduled departures and eventually caused multiple flights to land in Provo at once.

“We would have a quiet 15 minutes, and then seven planes would all come down at once, and then a few minutes later another half dozen, and it was like that all week,” she said. “If we were that busy on the ground, can you imagine what it must have been like in the Control Tower with that many planes coming at you? We really have to applaud them.”

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by fp Staff
fp Turks & Caicos