The countdown is on for the one millionth cruise ship visitor to the Turks and Caicos Islands
The countdown is on for the one millionth cruise ship visitor to the Turks and Caicos Islands.
T-shirts with the slogan "1,000,000 and Counting - 2011" will be given to industry partners and will also be available for sale - $5.00 each.
Banners with the slogan will be placed at the Providenciales International Airport, the Jags McCartney International Airport and the South Caicos airport. Banners will also be sent to Salt Cay, Middle and North Caicos.
The TCHTA and other stakeholders in the tourism sector hosted a press conference earlier today Thursday, December 15, at the Tourist Board's office in Provo, to launch the week of activities to celebrate TCI's 1,000,000th visitor.
The week of activities will kick off at Maska-noo 2011 on Monday December 26. The Tourist Board is expected to have a booth at the event and will provide persons with information about the initiative.
December 27 - 30, 2011 - Rum and Fruit Punch will be served at the PLS airport and GT Cruise Centre along with rum cake. Island Boys will provide entertainment
December 31, 2011 - Celebrations continue at the Providenciales Airport and the Grand Turk Cruise Terminal, when the 1,000,000th (one millionth) visitor will be identified and presented with a round trip ticket to the destination along with accommodation for a future stay.
Governor Ric Todd has responded to requests for clarification re: SIPT cost
His Excellency Governor Ric Todd has responded to the many requests received for clarification re SIPT cost.
A press statement from Gov Todd said:-
"The costs of the SIPT and Civil Recovery Programme will be recouped several times over from the proceeds of their work.
"Each year the SIPT costs approximately $7m and Civil Recovery $4m. Both are expected to run for three years each. To date (until 30 Sep 11) the cumulative cost of both operations is $17.4m, already abated by a $10m payment by the UK Government.
"The remaining costs for this, the second year, and next year will be initially met by TCIG, with the costs ultimately abated by the proceeds from the Civil Recovery programme. This has already made significant progress recovering $2.25m in cash and some 800 acres of land valued at $150m. The pace, success and sums recovered throughout 2012 is expected to accelerate greatly, recovering millions of dollars in misappropriated funds and assets for benefit of the people of the TCI.
"The original Ministerial statement about both the SIPT and Civil Recovery programme was clear that the UK would make a contribution to the costs in year one. I am sorry if TCIG did not make this clear enough at that time.
"We will investigate all means of reducing this burden to TCIG, including asking the UK for additional support, but, clearly, this is not guaranteed. However, and it is worth repeating: we expect that the costs of these investigations will be recovered many times over and will significantly boost the coffers of the TCI Government."
Turks & Caicos Hotel Introduces Complimentary Sunshine Savings Value Package of $300 in Savings for 2012
The Alexandra Resort, a beachfront resort located on famed Grace Bay in Providenciales, Turks & Caicos, has introduced a complimentary value package for the 2012 season for an amazing Caribbean Vacation.
The Alexandra Resorts new value package is designed to help consumers stretch their vacation dollars while visiting the exclusive destination.
'We know consumers have really been feeling the effects of the economic downturn,' observes Alexandra Resort General Manager, Anette Mullings.
'Even though, as hoteliers, we work hard to keep our room rates affordable, even more we want to help our guests stretch their limited vacation budgets so that they have a wonderful vacation here. The complimentary value package, appropriately titled the 'Sunshine Savings Value Package', represents at least $300 in savings and includes*:
- Hearty continental breakfast for up to 4 people at Mango Reef Restaurant for three days
- 20% off spa services at Sanay Spa
- One complimentary round trip to IGA for two people
- Complimentary airport pick up for up to 4 people (must share one taxi)
- Late check-out up to 4pm - subject to availability. Must request at time of booking reservation.
- $100 in free casino chips to the Casablanca Casino
The Sunshine Savings Value Package is included with any five night minimum stay in a one or two bedroom unit at the Alexandra Resort, for travel from January 4 to April 30, 2012.
*Bookings can be made directly with resort or by calling 800.284.0699. Some conditions apply. Please contact resort for more details.
For more information visit http://www.alexandraresort.com or contact Anette Mullings, General Manager, at anette@alexandraresort.com or call
649-946-5807.
Top Turks & Caicos Resort targets tech-savvy travelers
The Sands at Grace Bay is committed to providing tech-savvy travelers with the most current tools to access real-time information, make reservations
and easily research resort and island information when planning their Turks & Caicos vacation. In response to the rise of web-based bookings over the past year, the resort has unveiled a new mobile application that will enable travelers to book real-time reservations and browse hotel information via their smart phones. The resort is also pleased to debut a new resort blog that provides prospective travelers with local insight, tips and expert advice for planning the most memorable trip to the Turks &
Caicos Islands.
The decision to enhance the resort's online and mobile booking capabilities was made in response to the significant increase in occupancy numbers and vacation inquiries that the resort has been experiencing this fall and winter travel season, after debuting a newly revamped website and Facebook page in the beginning of the year. The Sands at Grace Bay is pleased to announce a successful fourth quarter that is on pace to be the second best year in sales since the resort first opened in 1998, with December occupancy numbers already 27 percent ahead of this time last year. The resort also reports strong first quarter 2012 bookings that are
pacing well ahead of last year and forecasts 2012 to be a record breaking year in sales overall.
By simply typing 'thesandstc.com' into their mobile web browsers, travelers will now be redirected to the resort's new mobile-optimized webpage 'm.thesandstc.com' that offers a quick and easy format for booking vacation reservations online and accessing timely resort information. The resort blog will provide guests with resort news and announcements, exciting excursion and day trip ideas, up-to-date information on island events and festivities, advice for planning weddings, family trips and special vacations in Providenciales and much more.
By embracing social media over the past year, the resort has kept more travelers on the pulse with resort and island news through the resort's well received Facebook page, which increased from 150 active monthly users in January 2011 to over 790 followers to date. The resort's Facebook page serves as a platform for travelers to inquire about the vacation experiences of past resort guests, through personal recommendations, photo sharing and more.
24 Hour Crime Recap Providenciales
During the past twenty four (24) hours Police in Providenciales responded to four reported crimes, namely three (3) Burglaries and one (1) Attempted
Burglary. All investigations are still under investigation with no arrests being made to date.
During this same time period a female was arrested on suspicion of sending death threats and extortion via email. This incident is still under investigation.
A male has been charged for taking a Motor Vehicle without Authority. This is relation to an incident which occurred on Monday the 12th of December.
A female has also been charged for Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Cocaine with intent to supply, Possession of Cannabis and Possession of
Cannabis with intent to supply. This is in relation to a stop search and subsequent residence search which occurred on the 10th of December. This
female was released on Police bail with a surety.
The Help leads Screen Actors Guild award nominees
Deep South drama The Help has scored the most nods in the film categories at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards.
As well as best ensemble cast, Viola Davis is up for best female with co-stars Jessica Chastain and Octavia Spencer receiving supporting honours.
Sitcom Modern Family led the field in the television categories, also securing four nominations.
British actresses Emily Watson, Dame Maggie Smith and Kate Winslet dominated the TV movie/miniseries category.
Davis will be up against Meryl Streep for The Iron Lady, Glenn Close for Albert Nobbs, Tilda Swinton for We Need To Talk About Kevin and Michelle Williams for My Week With Marilyn on the best film actress shortlist.
Silent movie The Artist also received three nods for its actors, including best ensemble cast in a film.
The male lead acting nominations went to Demian Bichir for A Better Life, George Clooney for The Descendants, Leonardo DiCaprio for J. Edgar, Jean Dujardin for The Artist and Brad Pitt for Moneyball.
Kenneth Branagh is also nominated for best supporting male for his role as Laurence Olivier opposite Williams in My Week With Marilyn.
Dame Maggie is recognised for her role in ITV1's Downton Abbey, Winslet is up for period drama Mildred Pierce and Watson is shortlisted for her part in the Fred West drama Appropriate Adult.
The trio will go up against Diane Lane for HBO's Cinema Verite and Betty White for CBS' Hallmark Hall of Fame: The Lost Valentine.
White also scored a second nomination for best female in a comedy series for her role in Hot In Cleveland.
Modern Family stars Ty Burrell, Julie Bowen and Sofia Vergara are recognised in the best male and female categories, with the sitcom is in the running for best ensemble cast in a comedy.
The casts of 30 Rock, The Big Bang Theory, Glee and The Office will also compete in that category.
Best male in a TV movie/miniseries nominees include Laurence Fishburne, Paul Giamatti, Greg Kinnear, Guy Pearce and James Woods.
Boardwalk Empire, Breaking Bad, Dexter, The Good Wife and Game of Thrones will compete to win best ensemble in a drama.
The SAG awards ceremony is due to take place in Los Angeles on 29 January.
Madonna Signs Three-Album Deal With Interscope
Madonna has signed a three-album deal with Interscope in which she will earn a base of $1 million per record. The pop star's pact with Interscope and the Universal Music Group will work in tandem with her 10-year multi-rights "360" deal with Live Nation, the promoter of her top-grossing Sticky and Sweet tour in 2008. Madonna signed that deal in 2007, and the promoting giant had always intended to partner with a label to release new music.
Madonna's first album for Interscope, expected to arrive sometime in 2012, will be the star's first record for a company other than Warner Bros., her label of 25 years.
Flavor Flav Pleads No Contest Over Traffic Violations
Flavor Flav has pleaded no contest to a variety of misdemeanor charges in Las Vegas.
The 52-year-old hypeman was busted in May for driving with a suspended license and having no insurance.
He was also busted for outstanding warrants for traffic and parking violations.
Flavor Flav, born William Drayton, must now pay a $250 fine.
He must also attend drug counseling classes.
Warrant for Bob Marley's granddaughter withdrawn
A warrant that was issued for the arrest of the granddaughter of Reggae legend Bob Marley yesterday, was withdrawn today by Senior Magistrate Judith Pusey.
RM Pusey withdrew the warrant after she was informed that Donisha Prendergast had in fact attended the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday but was not summoned to answer a charge of possession of ganja.
Prendergast, 26, today paid a fine of $100 to avoid a 10-day jail sentence after a small amount of ganja was found in her possession.
She was accompanied by her attorney Diane Jobson who asked the judge not to record the conviction. The request was granted.
Prendergast was arrested on November 21 after police officers who were doing spot checks along Water Lane in downtown, Kingston searched her car and found three clear plastic bags containing a small quantity of ganja.
Deejay Vybz Kartel has been slapped with another charge.
Yesterday, it was revealed in the Corporate Area Resident Magis-trate's Court that Gaza Slim, whose real name is Vanessa Saddler, and Kartel are jointly charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Saddler was remanded in court yesterday. She is being represented by attorney Pierre Rodgers.
The court also heard that the police are searching for a third person known by the alias 'Pim Pim' in relation to the same matter.
Allegations are on October 29, Saddler went to the police to report that she had been robbed by Clive 'Lizard' Williams, one of the men whose murder fellow entertainer Kartel has been charged with.
The police believe this was an attempt to prove that Williams was not dead.
Investigators claim they have a cellular phone with a text message proving Saddler and Kartel fabricated the story.
Saddler was charged by the St Andrew North police on December 8, days after she surrendered herself subsequent to being named as a person of interest.
They are to return to court on December 19.
Kartel's co-accused, fashion stylist Calvin 'Moonie' Haye, deejay Shawn Storm, and Cairo Jones, are to also reappear in court on that same date.
It is reported that on August 16, Williams, a resident of Portmore, St Catherine, was killed in Havendale, St Andrew.
Williams was allegedly taken to a house in Havendale, where he was beaten and stabbed to death over the loss of an illegal gun.
His body has not been found.