10 Most Popular Villas of 2010
When it comes to successful rental seasons, these 10 villas top the list, with more booked weeks in 2010 than any other in our collection. Heavy on Hawaii, our guests also loved Mexico and a little Caribbean was thrown in for good measure. Check out our top 10 performing villas for yourself to see what all the fuss is about…
fp Turks & Caicos – December 31st, 2010
Thousands turned out to dance the night away in the streets and on the beaches of Grace Bay for 2010’s Maskanoo.
A blending of the traditional Christmas masquerade celebrations with elements of Bahamian’s Junkanoo, Maskanoo was born in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and judging this year’s success, it will be celebrated for many years to come.
They came from all walks of life to enjoy the fun and festive atmosphere along the main tourist stretch of Grace Bay Road.
Thousands of adults, children, tourists and residents walked, danced and partied in the streets during the first ever Maskanoo.
Presented by the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association in conjunction with the Cultural and Arts Commission, Maskanoo was held on Monday, Dec. 27, in the tourist capital of Grace Bay.
Starting at 5 p.m., people began to stroll up and down the streets, mingling and trying the local fare.
Grace Bay Road was lined with vendors selling local food, beverages, arts and crafts, creating a carnival like atmosphere along the tourist strip.
Sounds filled the air, from traditional ripsaw music played by none other than the Island Boys to the amazing voice of Turks and Caicos’ own Barbara Johnson.
After the sun set over Grace Bay Beach, the night hit high gear. A vivid street parade, lead by Cultural Director David Bowen, thumped, jumped and whistled along Grace Bay Road.
Dozens of local musicians and dancers dressed in vividly coloured costumes, headdresses and masks where followed by hundreds of dancing party participants.
The night’s festivities were captured in lights with a miraculous display of fireworks over the beach at midnight. That is when the after party got started and went on through the night.
The 2010 Maskanoo was a fun, safe and celebrated local holiday, which organizers say will be celebrated each year on Boxing Day.
Official sponsors and supporters of Maskanoo 2010 included Royal Jewels, Islandcom, FirstCaribbean International Bank, International Banking Group, Bornewell Marketing Ltd., KBC Productions – 92.5 FM and 102,5 KISS FM, Tropical Imaging, Sky Juice – Got U Covered, Dove’s Security, Bangers & Crash Fireworks, Caribbean Cruisin, PPC Ltd., DJ Cliff and Radio Turks and Caicos.
Written by fp staff
Friday, 31 December 2010 16:21
#####
FP TURKS & CAICOS NEWS
Thursday, 28 October 2010 10:57
Continental Airlines announced this week that it will begin non-stop flights between its New York hub at Newark Liberty International Airport and Providenciales on Feb. 18, subject to government approval.
Initially flights will operate four times a week — on Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays — converting to daily service on March 6.
“We are pleased to offer convenient access to Providenciales, a world-class getaway and an exciting new addition to the list of Caribbean destinations served by Continental and United,” said John Slater, United Airlines vice president of sales. “Our merger allows us to offer new flights to new destinations as we begin to efficiently utilize the combined fleet of both carriers.”
The approximately 3½-hour flight will depart Newark at 9:35 a.m. and arrive in Providenciales at 1:10 p.m. The return flight will depart Providenciales at 2:05 p.m. and arrive in Newark at 5:45 p.m.
Continental will use a Boeing 737-800 for the new service, with seating for 160 passengers — 16 in first class and 144 in economy.
“The government of the Turks and Caicos Islands welcomes the decision of Continental Airlines, a leading international airline, to operate nonstop flights between New York and Providenciales in time for winter travel,” said government CEO Mark Capes, now serving as acting governor. “Continental’s decision demonstrates continuing confidence in the TCI and in our tourism product.
“Tourism, as the predominant industry of the Turks and Caicos Islands and its main income generator, is an important part of the interim government’s agenda. With various initiatives, such as the Tourism Working Group, the aim is to grow, promote, and support the industry in order to expand the target markets and range of tourism activities. This in turn will provide economic stimulus in the hospitality sector as well as in retailing and other related activities.”
Written by fp staff
fp Turks & Caicos News
###
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TURKS & CAICOS SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY PARTICPATES IN LUXURY REAL ESTATE CONFERENCE
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos (Nov. 1, 2010) – Turks & Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty, a luxury real estate firm based in Providenciales, Turks & Caicos, recently participated in the 6th Annual Sotheby’s International Realty® Leadership Forum, which brought together nearly 250 network members and staff from 10 countries worldwide.
This dynamic, three-day event, which was held Oct. 25 to 27 at The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead, in Atlanta, provided a unique opportunity for Sotheby’s International Realty brokers, owners and managers to network and share best practices. It also included a tour of some of the finest luxury real estate in Atlanta, courtesy of Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty.
“The annual Leadership Forum provides a great value to our firm, and this year’s event was no exception,” said Joe Zahm, President, Turks & Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty. “It offered the opportunity to network with some of the world’s most talented real estate professionals and learn more about the industry and the role of emerging technologies.”
Turks & Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty, which has offices in Providenciales, offers exclusive Sotheby’s International Realty marketing, advertising and referral services designed to attract well-qualified buyers to the firm’s property listings. In addition, the firm and its clients benefit from an association with the Sotheby’s auction house, which promotes real estate referral opportunities with auction house clientele.
As a Sotheby’s International Realty affiliate, the firm also has the unique ability to refer its real estate clientele to the auction house for jewelry, art, unique furniture and collectible appraisal services. Property listings from Turks & Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty also are marketed on the sothebysrealty.com global website, as well as on the firm’s local website, http://www.turksandcaicossothebys.com.
“The Leadership Forum is a very effective tool for bringing together our network members from all over the world with the common goal of sharing their own unique experiences,” said Michael R. Good, chief executive officer, Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. “This year’s conference, our largest ever, provided a brand update and presentations on competing in today’s luxury market and leveraging new technologies in real estate marketing.”
Turks & Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty is located at Venture House, Grace Bay Road, Providenciales. For additional information, please contact 649-946-4474. The Sotheby’s International Realty network currently has more than 10,900 sales associates located in approximately 500 offices in 37 countries and territories worldwide.
CONTACT:
Turks & Caicos
Sotheby’s International Realty
t. 649.946.4474
info@tcsothebysrealty.com
###
Amazing Bird-Watching in the Provo Outback, Turks & Caicos
Written by Kathleen Wood
Thursday, 09 September 2010
TCI Protected Areas
In the United States — the Turks and Caicos Islands’ primary tourism market — more than 50 million people claim to be birdwatchers.
Bird watching, or “birding,” is an environmentally sustainable activity that is a $25 billion/year industry in North America (Birdlife International Statistics).
As a country that boasts several internationally important bird areas, the TCI has the potential to become a prime bird watching ecotourism destination. Guided tours, kayaking adventures, automobile rentals, and sales of supplies and equipment like binoculars and field guides are just a few of the business opportunities that abound for creative entrepreneurs.
The best aspect of the birding industry is it requires no development. In fact, bird watching is best where people have left nature alone.
The vast, unspoiled terrestrial and wetland areas of the TCI are exceptional birding habitats where birds share similar histories with people. Some are snowbirds, who make the islands their home only during the winter months. The myriad wetland and shoreline habitats that meander throughout the island of Providenciales are the best place to catch a glimpse of winter visitors.
The Northwest Point Pond, and Pigeon Pond and Frenchman’s Creek Nature Reserves are outstanding venues for migrant sandpipers and plovers including but not limited to black-bellied plovers, lesser golden plover, semipalmated plover, spotted sandpiper, greater and lesser yellowlegs, dunlin and common snipe. The internationally vulnerable piping plover is rumored to stopover in these areas during the spring and fall migrations.
The undeveloped land areas of Providenciales are also a wonderful place to commune with birds during the winter months. The vast expanse of land areas encompassed within the Pigeon Pond and Frenchman’s Creek Nature Reserve and Chalk Sound National Park coupled with the vast frontier of the Northwest Point land areas serve as unfragmented refuge for an impressive variety of migrant perching birds, and the avid birdwatcher is certain to add a few names to their list in these areas. Northern parula, black and white warbler, Cape May warbler, American redstart and yellow-throated vireo are just a few of the numerous small perching birds that have been recorded.
The summer months see their own round of avian visitors on Providenciales. The white-tailed tropicbird nests in seaside cliffs such as those found along deserted shorelines at Long Bay Hills and West Harbor Bluff. Early in May, the voyeuristic birdwatcher can catch a glimpse of the aerial acrobatic mating behavior of these beautiful birds. Antillean nighthawk, gray kingbird, black-whiskered vireo and a number of terns are also TCI summer visitors.
In addition to seasonal visitors, TCI boasts a number of local specialties that are year-round residents. The Cuban crow is known only to the TCI and Cuba and is a common visitor to hotel and residential gardens where local fruit trees provide an opportunity for poaching by these voracious birds.
The Bahama woodstar hummingbird, endemic to the Bahamas and TCI is also a common visitor to local gardens, where it is attracted to brightly colored, nectar producing flowers. Other interesting local specialties include a local variant thick-billed vireo, western spindalis and pearly-eyed thrasher.
Every season offers something new for birding enthusiasts on the island of Providenciales. Armed with nothing more than a pair of walking shoes and a pair of binoculars, anyone can take off on an unparalleled adventure.
Charles Lindbergh, the great American pilot, reportedly said shortly before his death in 1974, “I realized that if I had to choose, I would rather have birds than airplanes.”
While man’s aspirations for flight are constrained within the confines of awkward flying machines of various persuasions, we can still watch the birds and dream of unencumbered flight.
Click HERE to read other articles in the TCI Protected Areas series.
For more information on Protected Areas, visit http://www.environment.tc/Protected-Areas-Division.html
Terrestrial ecologist and Master Gardener Kathleen Wood, B.Sc., is a Permanent Resident of the TCI, dividing her time between the Turks and Caicos and North Carolina. She is the author of many publications including the book, “Flowers of the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands.” She has worked for the public and private sectors on many environmental projects in the Bahamas, TCI and U.S. She recently worked on a government project classifying and mapping the terrestrial habitats of the TCI. Anyone interested in discussion on a broad range of environmental issues can follow Kathleen on her blog at http://www.killingmother.blogspot.com.
###
fp Turks & Caicos
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
###
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.
###
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.
####
fp Turks & Caicos
Seven Benefit from Grace Bay Resorts Scholarship Programme
Dr. Carlton Mills (left) and Donna Musgrove (seventh from left) of the Grace Bay Resorts Community Foundation pose with the recipient students and their parents shortly after a brief news conference to announce the scholarship programme. By Vivian Tyson – SUN Senior Editor
Seven students are to benefit from the perennial generosity of the Grace Bay Resorts, through its education and community development scheme – the Grace Bay Resorts Community Foundation – set up in August 2009.
Of the seven scholarships, four were handed to employees of the Grace Bay Resorts – Grace Bay Club and Veranda and two from the 2010 graduating class of the Marjorie Basden High School in South Caicos. Among the recipients are Deandro Toussaint, Girlie Joseph, Telisha Adams, Kanute Cox and Darron Hillaire Jr. Cox and Hillaire are from the Majorie Basden High School.
According to Dr. Carton Mills, who is responsible for staff development at the Veranda Resort, the Foundation is responsible for developing education standards in the Turks and Caicos Islands through its adopt a school programme.
Toussaint will take up his scholarship at the prestigious Munro College in Jamaica, where he will be doing sixth form, while the other six will take up theirs at the TCI Community College. Toussaint is regarded as one of the most outstanding athletes in the TCI, and according to Dr. Mills, the scholarship will open the doors for him to improve on his budding talent.
“This will give him the opportunity to further enhance his athletic training. This will also give him the opportunity to further enhance his training under Mr. Brenford Gayle, former principal of the Marjorie Basden High School and Mr. (Neil) Harrison, former physical education teacher at the Helena J. Robinson High School in Grand Turk – two gentlemen who are familiar with the Turks and Caicos Islands,” Dr, Mills said.
Added Dr. Mills: “As you are aware, we have a number of students currently pursuing studies and also enhancing their athletic abilities at Munro College in Jamaica. Donna Musgrove, a key member of the Foundation, travelled with Toussaint to Jamaica on Tuesday, September 7, to have him enroll at Munro, which is located in the deep rural parish of St. Elizabeth, more than three hours drive from the capital Kingston.
Toussaint’s tuition is approximately $4,000 per year, and he would be receiving a stipend from the Foundation, while cost for each Community College is about $3,000, and will also receive stipends.
According to Dr. Mills, back-to-school items were slated to be issued to the Charles Hubert James Primary School in Kew, the Adelaide Oemler Primary School in Bottle Creek, North Caicos, and the Iris Stubbs and Marjorie Basden High School in South Caicos – the four school adopted by the Foundation, during the course of last week.
Dr. Mills, who said the Foundation would be providing school supplies to the institutions, recently paid installation fees for the provision of electricity to new blocks at the Charles Hubert James Primary School and the Iris Stubbs Primary. He noted that the buildings were constructed in 2009, but could not be used because they had no power.
The scholarship recipients, who were present at the ceremony at the Veranda Resort, were thankful for the munificent gesture by the company, and said they would be doing their best to make their sponsors proud.
###
Posted Sept 17 2010
Turks & Caicos SUN Newspaper
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.
###
Posted Sept 17 2010
Turks & Caicos SUN Newspaper
Turks & Caicos Real Estate | Caribbean 