Chukka Tours and Oasis Diving, two tour companies based in Grand Turk have been awarded prestigious awards by Princess Cruise-lines, and both companies are now ready to take their operations to the next level.
Jerome Miller of Chukka, told RTC News that he is extremely proud of his staff and they currently offer three tours; those being horseback riding safari, 4by4 safari and dune buggies however there is scope to expand their services.
“We have a really good relationship with all the cruise lines which come here and would love to see more. Of course we would to expand and plan to, but we have have to look at peoples spending power globally and the recession,” said Miller. He noted that a fourth tour however is on the cards and would put Grand Turk in an even better position as well as open up job opportunities.
Everett Freitas of Oasis Diving commented that his company normally takes about 200 persons on tour a day and this has been a great revenue asset to Grand Turk. He expressed pride in winning the award from one of the most respected Cruise lines in the world.
“To win any award from Princess Cruise lines is great. They are one of the most professional and respected lines. It also shows that we are going in the right direction.” Frietas believes that more tours are needed to create employment and revenue opportunities in Grand Turk and already his company has plans on offering a land based safari tour or two.
That would be a new area for Oasis who current have 11 water based excursions and there is already talk of a city submarine which can take 24 persons underwater for a tour and they also plan to start up a fishing expedition tour for those visitors who want to spend the day fishing.
“Taxi drivers also play a key role in our success as a nation because they are ambassadors for Grand Turk,” ended Freitas.
Senior Product Development Officer of the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board Brian Been is also beaming about the news of the two awards and says he wants to see more recognition and arrivals for Grand Turk.
“I see a need for more internal marketing, where we use mediums such as the Government Press Office, RTC and the other leading media houses, so we can encourages visitors to Provo to come over to Grand Turk for a few days and see what they are missing,” said Been.
Been also added that the Tourist Board and tour operators have always had a pleasant relationship and that it is a partnership in which everyone must be thanked such as the DECR and the Environmental Health Department which aim to keep these islands beautiful by nature.
He called the future role of the Tourist Board as a holistic one where they will encompass all areas of tourism and to this end is currently engaging in an awareness programme to protect the environment from natural and man-made hazards as they seek to increase the cruise ship industry.
