Turks & Caicos Tourist Board Hosts 17TH Annual TACC
The Turks and Caicos Tourist Board hosted its 17th annual Turks and Caicos Conference (TACC) from May 5 to 6, 2021. The event which is the signature tourism conference for the destination, was presented with a hybrid of virtual and in-person events for the first time.
This year’s conference had 117 registrants which included wholesalers, airline representatives, hoteliers and local government officials. The Turks and Caicos Conference is typically a three-day event which sees major industry representatives assemble in the islands to receive updates on the destination, network and conduct meetings. In order to comply with current public health protocols, this year’s conference format was revised to a two-day event inclusive of an Opening Ceremony at Amanyara on May 5th and the main conference session at Beaches Resort on May 6th. Additionally, interactive virtual events were hosted courtesy of Grace Bay Resorts and The Hartling Group.
During the Opening Ceremony at Amanyara, the attendees were addressed by the Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands Hon. Charles Washington Misick, Minister of Tourism Hon. Josephine Connolly, Chairman of the Board of Directors Beverly Howell, Director of Tourism Pamela Ewing and President of the TCHTA Trevor Musgrove.
The main conference session at Beaches Resort saw several dignitaries in attendance including Her Excellency Deputy Governor Anya Williams, Deputy Premier Hon. Erwin Jay Saunders, Minister of Tourism Hon. Connolly, Junior Minister of Tourism Hon. Stubbs and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism Mrs. Cherylann Jones.
The theme of this year’s conference was ‘Rediscover Turks & Caicos: Resilience, Innovation and Sustainability’. The guest speakers included Senior VP of Investor Services at Invest Turks & Caicos Angela Musgrove, National Trust Executive Director Winema Saunders-Penn, TCHTA President Trevor Musgrove, and an industry presentation by Director of Tourism Pamela Ewing.
The keynote speech was delivered by Turks and Caicos Islands Deputy Governor Her Excellency Anya Williams who provided an overview on the growth of tourism over the years, the impact of the recent pandemic, and the way forward toward a full recovery of the economy and tourism industry.
In the address, which focused on the resilience of the destination and highlighted the strategy to re-opening the tourism industry, she stated, “As we were the only overseas territory to do so at the time, there were lots of fears, but recognizing that tourism is the major source of revenue to our economy, we had to balance health and safety with the need to ensure that persons were able to maintain some form of livelihood and that businesses were able to earn some source of direct income.
The Turks and Caicos currently offers one of the safest travel experiences to its guests. Our COVID-19 position here in the islands has significantly improved where at the moment we only have 33 active cases and a localized positivity rate of just over 3%, which we hope to further improve. The positivity rate amongst guests tested prior to their return to their home destination sits at below 1% which means that the large majority of the guests that come to our islands are able to enjoy their visits here without the significant fear of contracting the virus on island.
The pandemic is not over, but we are certainly working towards our exit strategy and 2021 has brought with it, new hopes, a refined focus and renewed strategy.”
This year’s wholesaler segment provided hoteliers with industry updates featuring presentations from Apple Leisure Group, American Airlines and Classic Vacations which are among the top producing wholesalers for the destination.
The Turks and Caicos Tourist Board is committed to its mandate to promote the ‘Beautiful by Nature’ islands as well as continue to build and strengthen strategic industry partnerships through events such as TACC.
Tourist Board representatives anticipate that TACC will return to the shores of the Turks and Caicos Islands with its traditional format in 2022.
Subaru recalls 877,000 SUVs and sedans
The Subaru Forester, Crosstrek and Impreza are all included in two new recalls for stalling issues and suspension woes.
Subaru issued two recalls for a handful of popular models it sells this past week, according to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The first covers 408,271 vehicles for bad rear stabilizer bracket bolts; the second deals with faulty ECM software that could cause a stall for 466,205 cars.
The models included in the stabilizer bracket bolt recall are the 2018-2019 Crosstrek, 2019 Crosstrek Hybrid and 2019 Forester. The bracket bolts may loosen over time and detach, which may increase the risk of a crash. All owners will need to do is bring the car to a dealership where a technician will inspect the problem area. A tech will torque the bolts to their proper spec, or replace the bolt if it's missing.
The second recall for ECM software is for 2017-2019 Impreza vehicles and 2018-2019 Crosstrek crossovers. According to the company, the software may continue to power the ignition coil after a driver shuts off the car. If this happens, the vehicle may stall while driving, which increases the risk of a crash. Subaru will update the ECM software for vehicles with the problem and replace the ignition coil if necessary. Owners may also receive a new front exhaust pipe if needed. Owners should also note this recall covers all vehicles included in a previously issued recall for an identical problem.
Subaru is not aware of any incidents involving either of the recalls and started mailing notices to owners this past week
PUBLIC FORECAST 6 AM MONDAY 3 MAY 2021
SUNNY, HOT, AND A BIT BREEZY WITH THE CHANCE OF A FEW PASSING SHOWERS OR AN ISOLATED THUNDERSTORM BECOMING FAIR, WARM, AND A BIT BREEZY TONIGHT WITH THE CHANCE OF A PASSING ISOLATED SHOWER
ADVISORY: A SMALL CRAFT CAUTION IS IN EFFECT FOR THE TURKS & CAICOS.
WINDS: SOUTHEAST TO SOUTH AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS OVER OPEN WATERS IN THE NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS, EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS IN THE TURKS & CAICOS.
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET OVER THE OCEAN IN THE NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS, 4 TO 6 FEET IN THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS.
HIGH TEMPERATURE 91°F 33°C LOW TEMPERATURE : 72°F 22°C
SUN
SUNRISE: 6:33 AM SUNSET: 7:39 PM
MOON
MOONSET: 12:41PM MOONRISE: 2:33 AM TUE
TIDES
LOW TIDE: 8:21 AM HIGH TIDE: 2:19 PM
LOW TIDE: 8:25 PM HIGH TIDE: 2:49 AM TUE
EXTENDED FORECAST FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS: HIGH PRESSURE WILL CONTINUE TO BUILD ACROSS THE ISLANDS WITH FRESH TO MODERATE BREEZES
Margaritaville TCI goes a year without revenue
On Friday, RTC news carried a story that the CDC has given the green light for cruise ships to begin in July with stipulation, good news for ports such as the one at the Grand Turk Cruise Center. With no cruise ships arriving at the Grand Turk Cruise port in over a year, the port with many shops,stores & the famous Margaritaville (Turks), MTL is reporting that it incurred a third-quarter US$261,014 or ($39.2 million) in losses, with its cumulative loss for the nine months to February 28 totalling US$1.1 million or ($159.9 million).
MTL which provides food, beverage, and entertainment services — has been one of the businesses most impacted by the novel coronavirus pandemic. The absence of the cruise ship industry and lack of general tourism have left the island of Grand Turk at a stand still & Margaritaville business to only record its inventory at cost to avert spoilage. As a result, MTL has only been recording expenses with no revenue to its name. Even with expenses being a fraction of their normal levels, the operating loss for the nine months that stood at US$1.1 million, compared to the operating profit of US$617,831 generated before the pandemic.
With no incoming cash from normal business, MTL's parent company Margaritaville Caribbean Limited has fully repaid a related party balance of US$815,457 ($122.3 million) and advanced US$12,567 as MTL explores suitable financing options. MTL had US$9,612 of cash with no bank overdraft nor external debt at the end of the quarter RTC is learning.
Even with the increased levels of vaccinations and relative reopening of global markets, the report, which was signed by Ian Dear and John Byles, stated: “The location is in standby mode for commencement of cruising activities. All remedial work necessary has been identified and work plans prepared. According to Byles & Dear, they are awaiting timelines when cruise companies will announce their call dates into Grand Turk either befoer or after July based on the CDC's new announcement."
While RTC News did not obtain a profit or loss update from other businesses at the the port, the total assets registered declined by 22 per cent to US$4.2 million or ($627.3 million) as MTL's current assets shrunk by 47 per cent to US$1.1 million. Total liabilities fell by eight per cent to US$953,959 while equity decreased by 25 per cent to US$3.2 million according to a report publised recently.
Source-JO
50 Cent and Swizz Beatz rip Irv Gotti for drug comments about DMX
As the hip-hop world continues to mourn the passing of DMX, 50 Cent and Swizz Beatz are blasting Irv Gotti for his comments about the Ruff Ryders icon dying from drugs.
"This guy is a idiot, did he just say DMX died from smoking crack and fentanyl! why would he say that?" Fiddy wrote on Instagram, with a clip from Gotti’s recent interview on a Chicago radio station.
The Murder Inc. founder stated during the interview, “They said it was a bad dose of crack and they said some drug fentanyl was mixed in with the crack and that's what made him overdose,"
"Then when he got to the hospital, he got diagnosed with COVID and he couldn't breathe -- you know that COVID messes with your respiratory system," Gotti added. "So that's why he had to get hooked up to the ventilator. They said before he did, they was like, 'His brain died.'"
Swizz, who joined his fellow Ruff Ryders in a moment of silence at the DMX memorial service April 25 in New York City, also expressed his anger about Gotti’s interview. “Bozo moves can’t lie,” he wrote in a comment.
DMX spokesperson Angelo Ellerbee previously stated that DMX did not test positive for COVID-19. The Exit Wounds star passed away April 9 at White Plains Hospital outside of New York City. He was 50 years old. The cause of death was listed as a heart attack.
Source-ABC
Epic Games takes Apple to Court
After months of hype and warring words, Epic Games is about to get its day in court with Apple.
The trial begins on Monday - and is one of the most important in Apple's history.
Apple boss Tim Cook will be giving evidence, the first time he's given testimony at a trial.
At stake is the future of the App Store and the amount it charges developers - a wildly lucrative money spinner for the company.
In August last year, Epic Games laid a trap for Apple.
Its hit game Fortnite implemented its own in-app payment - bypassing Apple's 30% charges.
Apple promptly kicked Epic Games off the App Store.
But Epic Games was waiting for just that.
It slapped Apple with a 65-page lawsuit - and had even prepared a high production video, a spoof of Apple's iconic 1984 advert for the Apple Mac.
Epic Games has for years claimed the charges imposed on it by Apple are extortionate.
Their argument is simple: that Apple's control over the App Store is anti-competitive.
It believes that developers should be able to make apps for smartphones without having to pay large sums to Apple (and to Google for Google Play purchases).
Spotify, Match and Tile are just a few of the many companies that have also claimed Apple's charges are unfair.
Apple is estimated to have made hundreds of millions of dollars from Fortnite alone in charges.
Epic Games' big argument is: if they don't want to pay, then where else do they go to sell their products?
Source-BBC
EasyJet and Virgin Atlantic call for re-opening of skies
Most of Europe should be cleared for take-off under the government's planned easing of air travel restrictions, says EasyJet boss Johan Lundgren.
His call not to delay the resumption of mass travel was echoed by Virgin Atlantic boss Shai Weiss.
He said there is now no reason for the government not to allow the return of US services next month.
Under the UK's roadmap out of lockdown, a list of permitted destinations is expected to be published soon.
In a speech on Friday he cited research that suggests mass travel to many popular holiday destinations would have limited Covid risks.
Mr Lundgren revealed a study commissioned from epidemiologists at Yale University's school of public health that indicated that unrestricted travel to some of the most popular holiday destinations would increase hospital admissions by 4%.
He said the research suggested that much of Europe, including Spain, Portugal and Greece, should be categorised as "green" under a traffic light system being proposed by the government to show which countries can be visited.
It is expected that governments will use a traffic light system to rank countries with high vaccination rates and other data, showing which are suitable for travel.
Mr Lundgren said the government "urgently needs" to publish this, and that most of Europe should be given a "green" light.
"As the rest of the economy emerges from this lockdown with some precautions in place, there is no reason why the same is not possible for travel."
Source-BBC
Mario Rigby kayaks 60km in the TCI
Mario Rigby, TCI's Eco Explorer took on the sporting challenge on Satutday when he kayaked from Salt Cay to Grand Turk and turned around the following day and journeyed 25 miles to into South Caicos with two hours to spare.
The 60km was done in open ocean between Grand Turk, South Caicos & East Caicos.
Rigby after the challenge added that It was such a pleasure going out on the water with his crew for this experience, he added that he was crapped up a few times but it was an easy run for him.
Chev Dixon who accompanied Rigby has a wealth of knoweledge to the history of kayaking in open water and was the paddling partner on the quest.
Rigby added that the duo are raising funds and awareness about initiatives that are close to Rigby's heart.
Delhi faces major oxygen crisis in India
Hospitals in Delhi have started facing shortages of oxygen nearly two weeks ago.
The crisis according to RTC's affiliate the BBC shows few signs of abating.
At least 12 patients, including a doctor, died when a prominent hospital ran out of oxygen on Saturday. Outside the hospitals, families of patients who can't find a bed are struggling to get hold of portable cylinders - sometimes standing in queues for up to 12 hours.
Several big hospitals in Delhi are relying on daily oxygen supplies but they are not getting enough to keep some as backup in case of emergency.
One doctor described the situation as very frightening, explaining: "Once you've used up your main tank, there is nothing to fall back on."
The situation is worse still in small hospitals that don't have storage tanks and have to rely on big cylinders.
And the oxygen crisis comes as coronavirus cases continue to surge.
Delhi alone reported more than 25,000 new infections and 412 deaths on Sunday evening.
India, meanwhile, over the weekend recorded its highest daily coronavirus death toll since the pandemic began, and became the first country to register more than 400,000 new cases in a single day.
Source-BBC
Cayman Opposition Leader encourages all to be vaccinated
Leader of the Opposition Roy McTaggart is encouraging everyone across the Cayman Islands who has not yet been vaccinated to do so “as soon as possible”.
In a voice note disseminated via WhatsApp to residents and others beyond the shore, McTaggart stressed: “It is really important to protect the health and wellbeing of all of us, including our loved ones.”
He added that vaccination is essential to ensure the borders can safely reopen in the months to come.
McTaggart warned, “Folks, we cannot stay in a bubble for ever,”
According to numbers issued by the Ministry of Health over the weekend, 65,991 vaccines have been administered in Cayman to date, 35,774 or (55% of the estimated population of 65,000) have received at least one dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, while 46% have completed the two-dose course.
The plea from the leader of the Opposition comes after Chief Medical Officer, Dr. John Lee, Governor Martyn Roper and Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the UK’s minister for South Asia and the Commonwealth, reiterated similar requests this week, as Cayman’s vaccination rate has begun to drop off from its peak in March.
In a press release issued yesterday, Lord Ahmad stressed that the “supply of vaccines cannot be taken for granted and each batch has a limited shelf life”.
He added: “In Cayman, the expiry date for the remaining vaccines is 30 June. I must therefore implore everyone who can, to take the vaccine, not only for themselves, but to protect their friends and family, and do their part to ensure you can re-open borders and restart that economy.
Source- The Compass