TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS SHOWCASED AT CHTA MARKETPLACE 2011
The Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA), the Tourist Board and several resorts attended the annual Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) Marketplace in Montego Bay, Jamaica. This much anticipated event spanned over a period of four days, January 15th to January 18th, 2011.
Caribbean Marketplace 2011 had the third largest attendance over the past 10 years with 1,518 delegates as compared to 1,362 in 2010. CHTA Marketplace is one of the most important annual sales and marketing event on the region’s tourism calendar, with the main objective of providing an avenue for suppliers and buyers to conduct negotiations that benefit the entire region. Destinations, airlines, car rental and ground handlers had the opportunity to meet with tour operators and wholesalers to discuss plans for the 2011-2012 season.
President Karen Whitt represented the TCHTA, along with delegates from The Somerset, Amanyara, The Gansevoort, Point Grace, Seven Stars, The Sands, Royal West Indies, Parrot Cay, Ocean Club Resorts, Alexandra Resort & Spa, La Vista Azul, The Regent Palms, Turks and Caicos Club, West Bay Club, and Ralph Higgs, Director of Tourism at the Tourist Board.
Overall the feedback from the wholesalers, tour operators and other industry partners was very positive for the TCI. TCHTA’s President, Karen Whitt was extremely pleased with the outcome of this year’s Marketplace and commented that, “It was a very productive event for us and many of us signed some very lucrative contracts and forged new business relationships. There was a 22% increase in the wholesaler buyer companies and this is a very good indication that interest in vacations to the Caribbean is returning. We look forward to seeing an increase in packages, promotions and ultimately bookings for TCI and the Caribbean on a whole. We definitely had really positive discussions which left us optimistic about the future of our tourism industry.”
Karen also added that, “This year in particular we were able to use Marketplace as an opportunity to further promote the Providenciales International Airport’s expansion project. We highlighted that the expansion of the runway will be completed next year and will allow us to accommodate long-haul aircrafts as large as Boeing 777s. Additionally, we were able to make specific mention of the recently added flights to Providenciales with JetBlue and Continental Airlines coming on board from February 2011.”
CROWN LAND SOLUTION STILL NOT IN SIGHT
The issue of crown land and its allocation continues to be a major talking point in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The latest proposed Crown Land Policy drew criticism from some members of the Consultative Forum who saw it as a further example that the interim government is treating Turks and Caicos Islanders like “a bunch of crooks.”
Forum member Dr. Linda Williams said recently at meeting that “Too many of the things that are now being put to us seem to be saying to the world, ‘This is a bunch of crooks, and we have to design things in a way to put them in order.’”
Her comments came in response to the suggestion that the administration of the country’s Crown Land Policy be moved from control of TCI elected ministers and Cabinet to the Attorney General’s Office. Crown land advisor Jon Llewellyn suggested the change “in order to ensure independence of Crown land management and to restore confidence in wider land administration by government.”
Under the Crown land policy enacted in 2005, the former government gave huge discounts on Crown land worth billions of dollars to individuals and developers, making little money for government and leaving only 23 percent of all developable land for Belongers to seek ownership today.
Some of those allocations are being challenged by the interim government’s Civil Recovery Team of lawyers to reclaim property for the government. Those claims include huge tracts on Joe Grant Cay and Salt Cay, while other allocations on Dellis Cay and the Third Turtle development are under review. Several individuals also are accused of obtaining Crown land for personal residential use, then wrongly flipping the property to developers for huge profits.
The new policy would require people who have pending applications for Crown land to make new applications, but forum members argued that those people should be given preference under the new policy in the order in which pending applications were submitted.
Llewellyn said it would be inefficient to do that with more than 6,000 pending applications, given the limited resources of the Crown Land Unit. “There are literally just boxes of them,” he said. Llewellyn said he would look into finding a way to prioritize pending applications under the new policy.
RAPPORT HITS THE STREETS
Rap Port, the youth Arm of the National AIDS Programme for the Turks and Caicos Islands will tomorrow be hosting a workshop on STIs, Condom Demonstrations, Handing out pamphlets, etc. at the TCI Community College from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
That will be followed by ‘Talk on the Block‘ at “Freddiez Yard” opposite IGA, where Male and Female Condom Demonstrations in Creole and English will be done at 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Rap Port is committed to providing relevant social support services to youth to enable them to cope with and overcome the challenges of daily life; to assist young persons in acquiring negotiating skills; to empower persons to make informed choices; to increase their knowledge of safer sex practices and to encourage healthy lifestyles.
The public is asked to attend.
TWO PERSONS STABBED IN PROVIDENCIALES
An InterHealth Canada spokesman has confirmed to RTC News that,"A man and a woman arrived at the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre in Provo a few minutes after 2.15pm on Monday.
The spokesman has confirmed that "Both were suffering serious stab wounds and were immediately treated in the emergency department by a team of specialist doctors and nurses."
"The man had suffered injuries to his leg while the woman had injured her hand"
The spokesman further added: "Both patients are now stable and due to undergo further treatment at the hospital.”
BEACHES AND TCI INVESTIGATION
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Attorney for Sandals Resorts International, Dmitri Singh has said that the hotel chain had been voluntarily co-operating with international authorities investigating the former Turks and Caicos Islands administration.
Dmitri Singh, the general counsel for Sandals, said in a statement that during its own internal investigations, Sandals had unearthed various unauthorised transactions that were traced to a former senior employee who was close to that administration. The information was turned over to the investigators.
Following is Singh's statement:
"International authorities have been conducting an ongoing investigation in the Turks and Caicos Islands concerning activities connected to the Islands' former governing administration.
"Sandals Resorts International, which operates a Beaches Resort in the Turks and Caicos, has voluntarily agreed to co-operate with this ongoing investigation and as a result also launched its own internal investigation.
"In the course of our internal investigation, various unauthorised transactions were discovered which have been linked to a former senior officer of Sandals Resorts who was also closely associated with the governing Turks and Caicos administration at the time. This information has been turned over to the relevant authorities.
"We are satisfied with the progress of the investigation thus far and are committed to co-operating with the authorities as required.
"We wish to clarify that contrary to assertions made by another former director of Sandals Resorts, Mr Patrick Lynch, in his recent statement, this issue is not linked to Mr Lynch and is a completely separate investigation.
"As stated, this matter is in the hands of investigative authorities and we are therefore constrained in making any further comments at this time."
AIR TC TO FLY TO PUERTO RICO
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Reliable sources have confirmed that local airline Air Turks and Caicos is about to add the Puerto Rico to its list of available destinations once approval has been granted.
The announcement was made at a lavish reception hosted for the airline by the Dominican Tourism Authorities at the upscale Hemingway’s Cafe in Puerto Plata on Monday, January 17th, and was 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 its top executives, Chairman Lyndon Gardiner, CEO Darrell Richardson, VP, Business Development Deborah Aharon and VP of Flight Standards Capt. Harold Williams.
The Air Turks and Caicos flights would all originate in Providenciales, thereby offering connections between Turks and Caicos, Puerto Rico and points beyond in the Eastern Caribbean.
Gardiner told the crowd that this new route was an important step in realizing his dream to unite the Caribbean Islands through more convenient and expanded connections that promoted trade and tourism. He expressed his wish that the separate Caribbean nations would focus more closely on cooperative marketing for the benefit of the entire region.
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 Sr. Francisco Javier Garcia and his Ministry.
More Ja-made cars for Turks and Caicos
After exporting three of his locally made, five-seater Island Cruisers to the Turks and Caicos Islands last December, the Jamaican businessman has secured another deal for more than 10 times that number.
"I have a letter of commitment, dated January 12, 2011, from car-rental company Rent A Buggy Limited, for 32 more cars over a 24-month period," said the elated 60-year-old Westmoreland-based car manufacturer.
Marzouca said as part of the second contract, the Providenciales-based firm - owned by Gilly Williams and his son Nikimo - is requesting 27 of his Island Cruisers creations; three Island Cruiser Coupe (Wasp) and two of the stretched 11-seater version of the Island Cruiser.
"Finally, my vision for the cars has been recognised," said Marzouca, who has been manufacturing vehicles locally since 2000.
With the Island Cruisers priced at US$15,000 each, Marzouca said the brightly coloured, fibreglass-framed vehicles are ideal for tourists, as they need very little maintenance.
"They are a great investment," he said. "Anyone who buys these vehicles will definitely get his or her money's worth. They are low-maintenance and have longevity due to design and construction."
Biggest to date
Marzouca said the latest project would be his biggest to date and he was in the process of securing financing to begin manufacturing the cars.
"I'm currently in talks with Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO). They are helping me with the paperwork in order to secure a loan from EX-IM Bank," he told Automotives.
The businessman said the interest rate offered by that institution on a US-dollar loan was "realistic".
"They are charging 6.75 per cent per annum and that's the best I've seen," the local automaker said.
Dr Karl Reid, consultant at JAMPRO, told Automotives that if all goes well the loan could be processed within six to eight weeks.
"Ten weeks, in a worst-case scenario," Dr Reid added.
Marzouca, who sources fibreglass resin from Colombia, said his current operations would have to be overhauled to meet this big order.
"We have four employees, but we would need another 15 to 20 persons and we would have to train them," he said.
The University of Florida-certified engineer said the vehicles are equipped with a 1500cc, five-speed automatic engine that can reach a speed of up to 170 km per hour.
"They are very fuel-efficient, too. You can get 44 miles to the gallon providing you're driving between 80 and 90 kilometres per hour," he said. "And, that's driving within the speed limit."
Marvin Sapp Brings Home Top Honors At 26th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards
Platinum artist Marvin Sapp topped the list of winners during the 26TH ANNUAL STELLAR GOSPEL MUSIC AWARDS announced Saturday night during the show's taping at Nashville's iconic Grand Ole Opry House Theater. Sapp took home four awards, including Artist of the Year, Traditional Male of the Year, CD of the Year and Traditional CD of the Year. A highlight of the evening, his emotion-filled finale performance of his biggest hit "Never Would Have Made It" with Stellar Awards host Donnie McClurkin created an overwhelming audience response as he dedicated the night to his recently-deceased wife Dr. Malinda P. Sapp. The Grand Ole Opry landmark was transformed into a spirit-filled sanctuary as Pastor McClurkin led the 'congregation' in a prayer for Sapp and provided one of the night's biggest moments.
It's great to be honored by your peers, and you do your best to give honor and glory to God," said Sapp. "But it's bittersweet with my wife not here with me."
Before introducing the performance, McClurkin added, "If it wasn't for Pastor Marvin Sapp's wife Malinda, this song would have never made it on the CD."
Other top winners included James Fortune & FIYA who received two awards for Group/Duo of the Year and Contemporary CD of the Year, and presented his award to his wife who joined him on stage for standing by him while they were homeless, sleeping out of their car and expecting their third child. James Fortune was also named Contemporary Male of the Year. Seasoned vets Bebe & Cece Winans won awards individually and collectively; the duo received the Urban Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year and Music Video of the Year awards. Bebe Winans also received the Song of the Year award while CeCe Winans was named Contemporary Female of the Year.
Karen Clark Sheard received the first-ever Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year award, presented to her by legends Shirley Caesar (former member of The Caravans) and Vickie Winans. In addition, Serump/Psalms/Universal Music Group artist Kristina Halloway won the hotly-contested Best New Artist category.
Gospel superstar Kirk Franklin, who was honored with the Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award for his Haitian relief efforts, was moved to tears during an All-Star tribute of the song he wrote to benefit disaster victims "Are You Listening: A Love Song for Haiti" by his friends and colleagues. The choir included stars CeCe Winans, Vickie Winans, Karen Clark Sheard, Marvin Sapp, Wess Morgan, Dorinda Clark Cole, Shirley Caesar, J Moss, Myron Butler, The Nevel Sisters and others. The award was presented to Franklin by Haitian-born actor Jimmy Jean-Louis (NBC's "Heroes").
Franklin spoke of the industry's response to the tragedy in Haiti, saying "Gospel music - we were the first genre to come together and respond musically."
The hand-clapping, foot-stomping revival began with star-studded red carpet arrivals featuring stars from Gospel, television and film, such as Andrae Crouch, Omari Hardwick (For Colored Girls), Meagan Good (The Game), Yvette Nicole Brown (NBC's Community), BET's Dr. Bobby Jones (Bobby Jones Gospel), Beth Payne, Shari Addison and Jessica Reedy from Sunday Best, Committed (winners of NBC's "The Sing Off"), and Trin-I-Tee 5:7 as well as other notable personalities. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee presented Central City Productions CEO and founder of the Stellar Awards Don Jackson with a proclamation celebrating the establishment of September as national Gospel Music Heritage month.
The show was filled with stirring performances, including a heart-pumping opening performance of "Lord You're Mighty" by JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise; Beverly Crawford brought the audience to their feet with a rendition of "It's About Time for a Miracle;" Forever Jones masterfully sang "He Wants It All;" and Joshua's Troop delighted the crowd with the youthful praise song, "Everybody Clap Your Hands." Other big performers included Voices of Destiny - 2010 Verizon Wireless "How Sweet the Sound" Choir Contest Winners, Deitrick Haddon, VaShawn Mitchell, a quartet collaboration between The Rance Allen Group, The Soul Seekers, and The Williams Brothers, and more.
The show also recognized the great accomplishments of some of Gospel's brightest stars as Donald Lawrence received the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award and Vanessa Bell Armstrong received the Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Legends Award. Both were lauded for their significant contributions to Gospel music which have set the bar for future generations of artists.
The 2011 Award Winners are:
ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
- MARVIN SAPP, HERE I AM, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP
SONG OF THE YEAR:
- BEBE WINANS, CLOSE TO YOU - STILL, B&C/MALACO
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR:
- BYRON CAGE, FAITHFUL TO BELIEVE, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR:
- KAREN CLARK SHEARD, ALL IN ONE, KAREW RECORDS
GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR:
- JAMES FORTUNE & FIYA, ENCORE, BLACKSMOKE MUSIC WORLDWIDE
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
- KRISTINA HALLOWAY, FREE, SERUM/PSALMS GROUP UNIVERSAL MUSIC CHRISTIAN GROUP
CD OF THE YEAR:
- MARVIN SAPP, HERE I AM, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP
CHOIR OF THE YEAR:
- WILMINGTON CHESTER MASS CHOIR, HE'S BEEN GOOD, EMTRO GOSPEL
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR:
- AARON LINDSEY, HERE I AM, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP
CONTEMPORARY GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR:
- FOREVER JONES, GET READY, EMI GOSPEL
TRADITIONAL GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR:
- THE MIGHTY CLOUDS OF JOY, AT THE REVIVAL, EMI GOSPEL
CONTEMPORARY MALE OF THE YEAR:
- JAMES FORTUNE, ENCORE, BLACKSMOKE MUSIC WORLDWIDE
TRADITIONAL MALE OF THE YEAR:
- MARVIN SAPP, HERE I AM, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP
CONTEMPORARY FEMALE OF THE YEAR:
- CECE WINANS, STILL, B&C/MALACO
TRADITIONAL FEMALE OF THE YEAR:
- LUCINDA MOORE, BLESSED, BROKEN & GIVEN, TYSCOT RECORDS/JOYFULA RECORDS
CONTEMPORARY CD OF THE YEAR:
- JAMES FORTUNE & FIYA, ENCORE, BLACKSMOKE MUSIC WORLDWIDE
TRADITIONAL CD OF THE YEAR:
- MARVIN SAPP, HERE I AM, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP
URBAN/INSPIRATIONAL SINGLE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR:
- BEBE & CECE WINANS, CLOSE TO YOU - STILL, B&C/MALACO
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR:
- BEBE & CECE WINANS, CLOSE TO YOU - STILL, B&C/MALACO
TRADITIONAL CHOIR OF THE YEAR:
- WILMINGTON CHESTER MASS CHOIR, HE'S BEEN GOOD, EMTRO GOSPEL
CONTEMPORARY CHOIR OF THE YEAR:
- MYRON BUTLER & LEVI, REVEALED LIVE IN DALLAS, EMI GOSPEL
SPECIAL EVENT CD OF THE YEAR:
- VARIOUS ARTISTS, COCO BROTHER LIVE PRESENTS STAND 2010, TYSCOT RECORDS
RAP HIP HOP GOSPEL CD OF THE YEAR:
- TRIP LEE, BETWEEN TWO WORLDS, REACH RECORDS
CHILDRENS PROJECT OF THE YEAR:
- KINGDOM KIDS WORLDWIDE, KINGDOM KIDS WORLDWIDE VOLUME 1, HEADSTRATE ENTERTAINMENT
QUARTET OF THE YEAR:
- THE CHRISTIAN ANGELS, BRING IT TO THE ALTAR, 4 WINDS/MALACO
RECORDED MUSIC PACKAGING OF THE YEAR:
- DEREK BLANKS & KEN BARBOZA, BEBE & CECE WINANS - STILL, B&C/MALACO
PRAISE AND WORSHIP CD OF THE YEAR:
- DARWIN HOBBS, DARWIN HOBBS LIVE: CHAMPION, IMAGO DEI
SPECIAL AWARDS - HONOREES
THOMAS A. DORSEY MOST NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD HONOREE
KIRK FRANKLIN
AMBASSADOR DR. BOBBY JONES LEGEND AWARD HONOREE
VANESSA BELL ARMSTRONG
JAMES CLEVELAND LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD HONOREE
DONALD LAWRENCE
The 26th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards is scheduled to air in syndication from January 22, 2011 to March 13, 2011 and air on Saturday, March 5 at 8 p.m. EST on GMC (Gospel Music Channel).
The Stellar Awards is sponsored by American Airlines, Ford Motor Company, Verizon How Sweet the Sound, Johnson & Johnson, AllState, Chevrolet, State Farm and McDonald's.
Eric Benet Engaged to Prince’s Ex-Wife
With Halle Berry and her ex-boyfriend in tabloid headlines this week, the Oscar winning actress’ ex-husband is making news of his own.
Us magazine is reporting that Eric Benét is now engaged to Prince’s ex-wife Manuela Testolini.
Benét, who was married to Berry from 2001 to 2005, proposed to his girlfriend of three years Testolini in November, according to the publication.
A rep for Benét reportedly confirmed to Us: “They are engaged and very happy.” A wedding date has yet to be set.
Testolini wed Prince in 2001, but filed for divorce from the star in 2006.
Berry’s 2005 divorce from Benet came in the wake of his alleged “sex addiction,” although he denies ever having such a condition.
8 Sundance Film Festival flicks we want to see
(The Frisky) -- Yesterday independent film's glitterati bundled up in their sweaters and ear muffs for the start of the Sundance Film Festival. And since we all know that today's Sundance movies are tomorrow's breakout hits and the movies we'll all be betting on come next year's award season, here are eight movies on the lineup that have me salivating. Here's hoping they'll be in theaters soon.
"Project Nim": Back in the 1970s, scientists conducted an experiment an a young chimp named Nim. If they raised him like a human, would he learn to communicate using sign language? In this doc, brought to you by the guy who made the amazing "Man on Wire," you'll find out how it went down -- and say "awwww" a bunch.
"Meek's Cutoff": We adore Michelle Williams and this movie sets her on the Oregon trail in 1845. It'll be a quiet movie, but we predict that with Michelle in the lead, bonnets will become the new cool girl thing to wear.
"Higher Ground": Vera Farmiga isn't just one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood, in my humble opinion -- she's also the smartest. This flick is her directorial debut, about a woman who spends 20 years in a fundamentalist commune and finally decides to leave.
"The Future": We love Miranda July, so will forgive the fact that the plot of her new movie -- a 30-something couple slowly falls apart -- sounds an awful lot like "Blue Valentine," only with brown, curly hair rather than blondes. We also hear that it's narrated by a cat?
"My Idiot Brother": We're still so glad that Paul Rudd's beard was grown for a movie and not just because. In this comedy, Paul stars as the slacker brother of three uber-ambituous sisters, played by Elizabeth Banks, Zooey Deschanel, and Emily Mortimer.
"The Greatest Movie Ever Sold": Morgan Spurlock, the man who ate Big Macs for science in "Super Size Me," takes on the world of product placement in this new doc. The twist? The movie is funded by the products you see in it.
"Like Crazy": Long-distance relationships are rough. Like, really hard. This movie, which already has some great buzz going, tells the story of a young couple that meets in college and then has to split when one of them has to return to the UK.
"Red State": Kevin Smith's publicity stunt for his new religious horror film is ... that he won't be doing any publicity for it. Oh, and he'll be auctioning off the rights. Put in a bid on Sunday.
Source: CNN