TCHTA releases a 3-year Strategic Plan
With an exceptional close to 2023 illuminated by a showstopping Maskanoo™ and notable participation in regional industry events SOTIC and CHTA CHIEF, the Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) has ushered in the new year with a bold plan rooted in partnership development, strengthened advocacy efforts, people development, and heightened member engagement.
The association has etched a 3-year Strategic Plan, set to be distributed to members at its upcoming Annual General Meeting in April. "Inheriting the legacy of our previous 5-year plan, the arrival of the new Board of Directors in 2023 marked a pivotal moment to redefine our journey.
The organization’s mission is pointed and impactful: ‘To amplify the voice of the country’s diverse stakeholders through collaboration and education, encouraging members to forge meaningful relationships for the advancement of the tourism industry.’ With this as the ethos to its plans, the TCHTA’s vision is supported by its commitment to advocacy, member-centric growth, and the fostering of a resilient, innovative tourism sector.
In January, the association released a 2024 calendar brimming with events that not only honour the stellar service of industry professionals through its 15th annual Star Awards ceremony but adds a nod to the stalwarts of the organization with its newest event, The President’s Ball, set for its inauguration in November.
TCHTA Members, residents, and the travel community are urged to engage in important events like the bi-annual cleanup campaign, TCI Shines, the eagerly anticipated Hospitality Adventure summer camps, and this year’s return of the TCHTA Destination Escape FAM Trip for travel advisors and travel media.
While the organization’s signature events are ever popular and a boon to the destination’s calendar, the day-to-day business of the Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association is rooted in its mandate to advocate on behalf of the industry. This undertaking is carried out through the association’s committees, each chaired by members of its Board of Directors.
Building upon the momentum of past successes, the TCHTA is committed to elevating its impact and reach through a multitude of initiatives designed to foster growth, collaboration, and resilience within the tourism and hospitality sector. The 2024 strategic outlook encompasses a comprehensive suite of activities and focus areas: Advocacy for Industry Excellence
Membership Engagement
Sustainability Initiatives
Communications Strategy
Marketing and Events
Annual Charitable/Community Cause
People Development
The TCHTA plans to redevelop the high school Tourism Clubs and build the TCHTA Young Leaders group, providing crucial support for hospitality workers at the supervisory and middle management levels. Additionally, access to educational opportunities will be expanded, underlining the association's commitment to professional development.
Trump's first criminal trial date is set
The first-ever criminal trial of a former US president will start on 25 March. That's the major takeaway from today's court hearing in New York.
Donald Trump sat in the courtroom and listened as his lawyers tried to have the case thrown out, but their efforts were denied.
So the next step will be selecting a jury.
As things wind down in New York, it’s heating up in Georgia, where Trump and several of his allies are charged with trying to overturn his election loss in the state.
But today’s hearing doesn't concern the election interference allegations. Instead, the focus is on Fani Willis, the district attorney leading the Fulton County case, and whether she should be disqualified because of her romantic relationship with the case’s top prosecutor, Nathan Wade.
Source-BBC
Senate passes $95 billion foreign aid package, but faces tough path in House
The Senate passed a $95 billion foreign aid bill for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan on Tuesday — with more than 20 Republicans defying former President Donald Trump, who fervently spoke out against the bill, which now faces an uncertain future in the House.
The Senate voted 70-29 to approve the bill early Tuesday, with 22 Republican senators supporting it.
Trump, whose opposition to the initial national security supplemental led to its demise, criticized the foreign aid bill, saying in a social media post over the weekend that the United States should only loan money to foreign allies. The bill now heads to the House; however, Speaker Mike Johnson, in a statement Monday night, strongly suggested he may not take the Senate bill on the floor for debate or a vote because it does not address the southern border.
If Johnson does not agree to a vote on the bill, Democrats could attempt a rare maneuver known as a "discharge petition," which allows members to force a House vote. That maneuver requires the signatures of a majority of the House's members. The last successful discharge petition was filed in 2015.
Usher and longtime girlfriend are officially married
While Usher was in Las Vegas, he didn't just rock the Super Bowl halftime show -- he also tied the knot.
After word came that the singer and his longtime girlfriend, Jennifer Goicoechea [goy-coe-CHAY-ah], had obtained a marriage license, ABC Audio confirmed on February 13 that the two got married in Las Vegas on February 11.
In a statement, a rep for Usher tells ABC Audio, "We can confirm that Usher and Jennifer Goicoechea took the next step in their relationship and did get married on Sunday night in Las Vegas at The Little White Chapel surrounded by close friends and family."
"They both look forward to continuing to raise their children together surrounded by love and thank everyone for the well wishes," the statement added.
The couple, who've been linked since 2019, have two children: daughter Sovereign and son Sire. Usher also has two sons with his ex-wife, Tameka Foster.
Camilla Lightbourne appointed as Executive Assistant to Experience TCI
Experience Turks and Caicos is continuing to build its team. The organization is pleased to welcome Camilla Lightbourne, a native of South Caicos, to the post of Executive Assistant to the CEO effective February 06th, 2024.
Lightbourne is currently pursuing further education while working full-time, and being a mother to 2 young ladies.
Lightbourne previously worked as an Import Logistics Associate at Graceway Trading Ltd. and a Business Account Executive at Digicel Televommunications.
In welcoming Lightbourne to the team, Racquel Brown, Change Manager and Interim CEO of Experience Turks and Caicos said quote "Ms. Lightbourne’s appointment underscores the growth of the organisation. Experience Turks and Caicos is growing as we fill out key positions and responsibilities in the organization. As such, it has become necessary to bolster the CEO’s office by adding an Executive Assistant to work with the CEO on the effective administration of the day-to-day tasks." End quote
Lightbourne said she is pleased to be part of the Experience Turks and Caicos team, looking forward to making her mark in the future development of our country’s tourism product.
Congratulations Camilla, we wish you all the best in your new role!
Christopher Eyre is the Acting Commissioner Of Police in the TCI
Mr Christopher Eyre on Monday February 12th 2024,took the Oath of Affirmation of Office as the acting Commissioner of Police of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF).
The Oath was administered by Her Excellency the Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam at Police Headquarters, Airport Road, Providenciales, and witnessed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police Rodney Adams, Assistant Commissioners of Police Kendall Grant, Darron Williams and Mat Newton.
Superintendents of Police Dwight Gardiner and Willet Harvey were also present.
Following the brief ceremony, acting Commissioner Eyre met with the officers of Division B at the Ethel Ingham Centre.
Acting Commissioner Eyre expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead the Force temporarily and vowed to work tirelessly to ensure the well-being and safety of all within the TCI.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to lead and serve”.
“I look forward to collaborating with the Force Executive and community stakeholders to address emerging challenges and uphold the principles of justice. I am deeply committed to serving our community with integrity, transparency, accountability and dedication while upholding the rule of law and fostering trust between law enforcement and the community.
Mr Eyre has 37 years of experience as a police officer, including 18 years as Assistant Chief Constable Rank and above. His final role in UK policing was as Chief Constable (Commissioner equivalent) of Nottinghamshire Police.
During his career, Mr Eyre led the operational response to terrorist attacks, riots, major demonstrations, international criminal investigations and sensitive covert operations. In his last post, Mr Eyre led the British Overseas Territory Police Force in the Sovereign Base Area of Cyprus.
DECR Valentine’s Vendors’ Market
The Department of Environment & Coastal Resources (DECR) is excited to invite the community of Providenciales to the Bight Culture Market’s ‘Valentine’s Vendors’ Market’! Show our local vendors some love on February 14th between 10am and 3pm, and enjoy good music, great shopping and a special unveiling of custom artwork by The Island Kyd, Mr. Durando Pinder.
This is a wonderful opportunity to share in the cultural heritage of the Turks and Caicos Islands, while supporting small business and we hope to see you there.
Blue Hills Community Clinic will be closed on February 13
The general public is hereby advised that the Blue Hills Community Clinic will be closed on February 13th, 2024, for the reminder of the week due to unforeseen circumstances. The government operated clinic at the Cheshire Hall Medical Center will be operational during the following times:
February 13th, 2024, from 9:00 am until 3:30 pm
February 14th to 16th, 2024 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
The extended hours clinic at the hospital will remain operational Monday to Friday, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
The Blue Hills clinic will resume regular services on February 19th, 2024, at 8:30 am.
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused by this closure.
UK chip designer Arm sees shares almost double
UK chip designer Arm Holdings has seen its stock market value almost double in less than a week as investors bet on the artificial intelligence (AI) boom.
The Cambridge-based company reported financial results last Wednesday that showed demand for AI-related technology is boosting its sales.
Chips designed by Arm already power almost every smartphone in the world.
The firm was taken private by Japan's SoftBank in 2016 and it returned to the stock market last September.
Arm's shares have soared since its earnings announcement last week and are now up by more than 98%.
It comes as chipmaker Nvidia has seen its shares more than triple in value in the last year on soaring demand for its AI chips.
The AI boom has helped Nvidia become one of the most valuable publicly-traded companies in the world, with a stock market valuation of around $1.8 trillion (£1.4 trillion).
It has also made it the fifth publicly traded US company to join the so-called "Trillion-dollar club", along with technology giants Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet and Amazon.
Arm's technology is not directly used for AI work, but chip makers like Nvidia are choosing it for central processing units (CPUs) that complement their AI-specific chips.
Aside from Nvidia and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), Arm's customers also include well-known consumer brands like Apple.
Demand for Arm-designed chips is also growing in the car making industry thanks to the development of self-driving technology.
Arm was founded in 1990 by a group chip designers in the university city of Cambridge.
It was bought by SoftBank in 2016 for $32bn. Four years later, the Japanese conglomerate announced that it planned to sell Arm to Nvidia.
However, in April 2022 SoftBank shelved the deal after facing objections from regulators around the world and said it would instead sell shares in Arm on the Nasdaq stock exchange in New York.
The jump in Arm's shares is welcome news for SoftBank, as it has been hit by losses due to the falling valuations of some of its investments, including struggling office space firm WeWork.
SoftBank, which still holds a roughly 90% stake in Arm, has seen its own shares gain almost 30% in the past week.
Source-BBC
BAHAMAS PM urges the media to keep crime off the front pages
Prime Minister Philip Davis is urging the local media to keep crime off the front pages amid concerns that the tourist sector, the lifeblood of the chain of islands, could be severely affected.
The US Embassy here has US Embassy has issued a security alert on crime in The Bahamas and the subsequent international reporting has highlighted the situation here.
Davis said that a plan of action is underway, with the government preparing to launch an aggressive campaign to promote and protect the country’s reputation
“You see the advisory that went out the other day, how that has taken legs?. We are now hearing some concerns about the falloff in tourism,” Davis told religious leaders on Monday as he discussed his administration’s plans to deal with the crime situation.
“Right now, the hotels are seeing some fall off, but more importantly, those who are in the hotels today, they’re not coming out into the community. They’re not going to the restaurants, for example. They’re not going sightseeing as they used to,” he said.
Of course, the hotel owners don’t mind because as long as they are staying in the hotels … they’re spending it all there. So here again, we are shooting ourselves in our foot by allowing this to get out of hand.
“What is happening in this country is not only happening here. If you go to Jamaica, they had over 70 murders in less than three and half weeks. Trinidad over 100 …”
The Bahamas has recorded 25 murders so far this year with police saying many of the murders are gang related.
Davis urged the press to understand their role in maintaining the country’s reputation, saying that other countries give less prominence to certain crimes than the local media does.
“I want to call upon the press to be sensitive. I think they should see their role as trying to help the country. I’m not saying not to report, but where you report, it may make a difference.
And all I ask them to do is check, check to see where their crime report is. Check Trinidad, check the United States, just check and see where it is. It’s never on the front page.
“But every bullet that is fired appears to be front page news on all of our daily news. And what happens, AP picks it up, Reuters pick it up and what happens, and it’s continuing,” Prime Minister Davis said.
He said that the long-promised anti-gang legislation will be released next week.