RTC Director

PREMIER OF TCI ATTENDS CTO STATE OF THE INDUSTRY CONFERENCE IN USVI

Dr. the Hon. Rufus W. Ewing, Premier and Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage, left the Country this past weekend to join other Tourism Ministers and Leaders from the Caribbean Region in attending the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) State of the Industry Conference 2014 in St. Thomas of the United States Virgin Islands (USVI).

The week-long event, held annually, is the industry’s biggest event of the year where tourism specialists and academics, Ministers and policy makers, come together with the key stakeholders, tourism professionals and strategic planners from both the public and private sectors to discuss issues and identify solutions as a part of their mapping of the road way for the sustainable growth of the tourism industry for the future.

This much anticipated event, held under the theme: Realizing the Vision: Positioning Caribbean Tourism for Major Change, is expected to attract some 350 participants, and will feature speakers of international and regional acclaim on a wide range of topics, best practices and formidable strategies that will be critical to growth of Caribbean economies. Among those topics to be discussed this year is the Diversification of the Tourism Product to Secure Year-Round Business and Private-Public Partnerships and its Implications, two key components that Premier Ewing has long promoted in his Tourism and Strategic National Agenda for the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Premier Ewing commented, “Tourism in the Turks and Caicos Islands has continued to be the bread-basket of our economy and has taken our brand as a high end luxury destination to the farthest reaches of the world, and this is excellent, especially for the main economic center of Providenciales. However, our beautiful by nature Turks and Caicos Islands have many different sites and sounds and smells and tastes and it is past time that we diversify our product to ensure that our visitors also get to experience the unique flavours of our other islands. Achieving this would give the small businesses of those islands the regeneration of income, create jobs and community sustainability.”

The Premier also noted that with the development of tourism and jobs in the family islands, there will be a need for the development of major infrastructure, particularly in the linkage of the Caicos Islands and other critical facilities.

“The Government is also in discussions with many potential investors, who are keen to form Public-Private Partnerships with the Government in facilitating the development of the Caicos Islands Causeway that will link Providenciales all the way down to South Caicos. Not only will this give tourists easy access to the family islands, but is will also allow those persons with homes in the family islands to commute to Providenciales for work and recreational purposes, thereby lessening the over-crowding that we are experiencing today.”

The Premier also noted that already, resorts on Providenciales are experiencing year-round bookings as opposed to the more seasonal pattern for which the Caribbean was previously known.

“In discussions this week, it is my aim to garner the key elements for inclusion in policy formation and the National Tourism Strategy that will support and encourage this emerging trend. While we may not have been the triggers necessarily, we must ensure that we do our best to encourage, maintain and sustain this new strand of tourists, which in time will promote and sustain the growth of our small businesses and tourism industry year-round.”

The Premier, who is accompanied by Mr. Ronlee James, the Head of Secretariat to the Office of the Premier, will also be joined in the USVI by the Chairman of the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board, Dr. Kingsley Been for the Conference.

Premier Ewing is expected to return over the coming weekend, and during his absence, the Deputy Premier and Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Library Services, Hon. Akierra M. D. Missick, has charge for Country Leader’s portfolio.

by RTC Director

Hoteliers Return from Successful Sales Blitz

Several hoteliers are back on island after returning from a successful Sales Blitz in the USA aimed at promoting their properties and the destination.

Organised by Tourist Board's Regional Marketing Manager Pamela Ewing the Sales Blitz saw hoteliers teaming up for a concentrated Sales Blitz, visiting Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia and New York. Hotels participating in the Road Trip included Point Grace, The Sands, Windsong Resort, Club Med, Ports of Call Resorts, The Tuscany, Gansevoort, Amanyara, Ocean Club and Royal West Indies Resort. Delta Airlines also joined the contingent in Atlanta to promote the Atlanta to Provo route.

 Stacy Cox, TCHTA's Executive Director who also attended the Sales Blitz said, "Our hoteliers welcome any opportunity to promote their properties and the destination. This Sales Blitz allowed us to meet with over 200 travel partners throughout the four states with a view to gaining more business for the year ahead.The Tourism Showcase not only gave the travel partners a new taste of Turks and Caicos but also offered hoteliers a host of informal networking opportunities."

 Cox added, "This traditional sales approach has been utilised successfully by our hoteliers for a number of years. Not only does it provide them with the opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge of any imminent business that may be available, but also raises awareness of Turks and Caicos as a preferred destination.

With the Winter Season just around the corner TCHTA and its numbers will be joining the Tourist Board on another marketing/promotional trip later this month to target the much sought after Brazilian market.

by RTC Director

EVERYONE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN NEW ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMME

Turks and Caicos Islanders (TCI) interested in their extraordinary natural environment are invited to a new series of workshops running over the next few weeks. 

The TCI environment programme is taking place at the Edward C Gartland Youth Centre, Providenciales, every Monday evening until 27 October 2014 from 4.30-5.30pm.

Each session is designed to help participants find out more about the natural environment of the TCI, the issues that it faces, and ways in which everyone can contribute to saving it.

“These workshops are designed to help everyone who lives in these islands to achieve a better understanding of our number one assets - our beautiful by nature environment,” said Amy Avenant, Outreach Co-ordinator, Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs. “The sessions are open to anyone and everyone and are completely free. We look forward to seeing you there!”

 The activities associated with the workshops include:

• Finding out more about International Coastal Clean-up Day, and taking part in it on Saturday, 20 September 
• A tour of the National Environmental Centre, where they will learn about the TCI’s natural environment
• Learning about the TCI Lobster conservation initiative, and assisting with the construction of new artificial lobster habitats to be deployed in the sea at the Bight Park
• Learning about the birds of the TCI, and why they matter. This will be followed with a bird watch walk, to be held on International Migratory Bird Day, Saturday, 11 October 2014
• The topic of Climate Change and its effects on the TCI with participants, helping them to become more aware of the necessity of global conservation efforts
• Designing a poster to illustrates why environmental conservation is important to each participant, based on what they have learned over the course of the program.

by RTC Director

TURKS AND CAICOS POST CABINET MEETING STATEMENT

Her Excellency the Acting Governor, Anya Williams chaired the 23rd meeting of the Cabinet on Thursday 11th September 2014 at the Hilly Ewing Building on Providenciales.

All Ministers were present.

At this meeting Cabinet:

•         Received a presentation from representatives from the Caribbean Development Bank (CBA) setting out the results of the Turks and Caicos Islands Country Poverty Assessment (CPA). The CPA has been a joint undertaking of a National Assessment Team including members from Government Agencies and NGOs and a team of consultants funded by the CDB. The report provides a general overview of the historical, economic and social context of TCI as it affects current and potential future levels of poverty and describes the current extent of poverty in the country. Cabinet welcomed the report;

•         Advised HE the Governor to approve the Immigration Regulations 2014. The regulations supplement the 2014 Immigration Bill which had its first reading at the August 28th siting of the House of Assembly. The regulations will proceed to the House of Assembly;

•         Noted the recommendations of the Procurement Board on award of the following contract: Refurbishment of the existing rented Detention Centre;

•         Noted a report from the Minister Border Control and Labour updating Cabinet regarding the repatriation of British Overseas Passport issuance and the costs associated with this. From May 2015 all applications will be received, examined and agreed in TCI. The finished passport will be issued to the applicant by Her Majesty's Passport Office (HMPO) in the  UK;

•         Advised HE the Governor to agree the Ministry of Border control and Labour revised policy for dealing with the immigration process regarding  persons with matters pending before the courts and the labour tribunal. The new policy will be published by the Minister for Border Control and Labour in due course;

•         Advised HE the Governor to approve amendments to the Schedule of Ports Authority (Stevedores, Fees and Charges) Regulations 2008 to enable a variation of tariff in accordance with Regulation 15 of the aforementioned regulations. The increased fees represent a 2.54% increase over the September 2013 tariff and will take effect on 1st September 2014;

•         Received a proposal from the Ports Authority to introduce scanning facilities to scan containers entering and leaving the country via seaports for customs and security purposes. Cabinet welcomed the proposal and agreed that the Ports Authority should lead on its further development and revert to cabinet again in due course;

•         Agreed to defer by one year Cabinets decision of the 13th August 2014 to maintain Daylight Savings Time as the standard time of the islands. This is to allow sufficient notice for implementation to be provided to key stakeholders in the aviation and tourism sectors. This means that the Islands will remain on USA Eastern Standard time.

by RTC Director

TCI Receives Final Country Poverty Assessment Report

The Caribbean Development Bank Social Sector Division officially handed over the final Country Poverty Assessment Report to the Turks and Caicos Government today, Thursday, 11 September 2014.

The report showed that the proportion of people living in poverty in the islands has reduced.

In 2012 22 percent of the population and 16 percent of households were living in poverty, compared to 26 percent and 18 percent respectively in 1999.

However, due to the greatly increased population, the absolute number of poor people in 2012 (6,800), rose from the 1999 figure (3,900).

The study found that there was a strong correlation between nationality, household size and level of poverty in the Turks and Caicos Islands, where incomers have contributed to the poverty ratios.

The Country Poverty Assessment funded through a grant of more than $130,000 that also included support for the 2012 Census.

It involved an assessment of the social and economic conditions of the TCI using a household survey.

Commenting on the exercise CDB Social Sector Division Chief Deidre Clarendon said:  "The Caribbean Development Bank is pleased to hand-over the Final Report of May 2014, to the Government.

“Having completed the CPA and indeed the Census, the Government is now equipped with up-to-date information and data that is readily available to inform its development, planning and responses."

Acting Governor Her Excellency Anya Williams remarked: "I would like to thank the Caribbean Development Bank for their continued support and partnership with the Ministry of Finance, particularly the Strategic Policy and Planning Unit.”

Premier Honourable Rufus Ewing added: "The Turks and Caicos Islands Government is grateful to the CBD for this report.  We will carefully review and will use to assist us in developing policies and programs to assist in improving the conditions of those living in poverty."

A preliminary summary of the CPA's initial findings was released earlier this year while details of the final Country Poverty Assessment Report will subsequently be released by the Strategic Policy and Planning Unit.

by RTC Director

Turks and Caicos Islands completes UK hospital fact finding mission

The Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) top health officials returned to office from an intense fact finding trip to the UK, Monday, 8th September 2014.

The group visited medical facilities around London in order to understand the role of the National Health Service (NHS) Trusts in managing the costs and value associated with Public Private Partnership.

Meetings were held at the Department of Health, North Middlesex University Hospital, and Queen Mary’s Hospital with representatives from, National Audit Office, NHS National Property Services, NHS Contracting and Public Finance Unit.

These meetings focused on clinical services performance management, contract management and proper touring of the facilities.

The Minister stated; “It is the responsibility of TCIG to explore all options in regards to our health care system, and through our special relationship with the UK, we were able to visit these medical facilities around London.

“We were able to visit mental health, elderly and special needs facilities that successfully outsource management through Public Private Partnerships.  These were just two of many examples that could potentially be implemented in TCI.

“Overall, the visit was an excellent learning experience for the team.  We intend to continue utilizing relationships like these to improve on TCIG’s product.”

Team Members Included:

·         The Honourable Porsha Stubbs-Smith, Minister for Health and Human Services

·         Mrs Desiree Lewis, Permanent Secretary, The Ministry of Health and Human Services

·         Ms Athenee Harvey, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance

·         Dr Nadia Astwood, Director of Health Services Development, The Ministry of Health and Human Services

·         Mrs. Zaneta Burton, Chief Executive Officer, National Health Insurance Board

·         Mr Stephen Batts, Adviser to Permanent Secretary, The Ministry of Health and Human Services

by RTC Director

CUSTOMER SERVICE IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND WITH THE MY DIGICEL APP

Digicel customers can take care of many of their customer service needs straight from their handsets thanks to the new look My Digicel app.

Designed to put the power in the hands of customers and save time and hassle, the My Digicel app is available for free download on Android devices and is the smart and easy way for customers to manage their mobile lives.

Text numbers and complicated short codes are a thing of the past as customers can use the app for a large variety of their service needs from the basics like checking their account balances and the status of their current plans to highlights like purchasing new plans, using online top up, sending credit to another user or managing their account settings.

But that’s not all – available in English, French and Spanish, the My Digicel app also keeps customers in the loop with all of Digicel’s social media channels and allows users to give feedback on the app from their handsets.

Ava-Dayne Fulford, Head of Marketing at Digicel said; “We are delighted to be making the My Digicel app available to our customers. This is all about putting the power in the hands of our consumers and providing them with the tools to manage their lives through their pockets. With the My Digicel app, time spent calling and talking to customer care can be spent doing something far more productive as all the mobile help you need is just a touch away.”

by RTC Director

Superintendent Grant to attend FBI course in 2015

Commissioner Colin Farquhar of the Royal Turks & Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) is pleased to announce that Superintendent Kendal Grant has been selected to attend the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Academy in Quantico, Virginia in April 2015.

Supt. Grant was nominated by Commr Farquhar and then interviewed by Mr. Bill Nicholson the FBI Ass’t Legal Attaché from the Bahamas before being accepted from a long list of highly qualified candidates.

Supt. Grant, who is the Divisional Commander for Providenciales, North Caicos, and Middles Caicos, will attend the ten-week Senior Executive Strategic Leadership course.

“This is not just an opportunity to increase my knowledge to better fight crime but also an opportunity to network and build partnerships with our overseas collegues”, said Superintendent Grant.

The FBI National Academy is a professional course of study for United States and international law enforcement leaders that serves to improve the administration of justice in police departments and agencies and to raise law enforcement standards, knowledge, and cooperation worldwide.

Following graduation, Superintendent Grant will have the opportunity to join the FBI National Academy Associates, a dynamic organization of more than 16,000 law enforcement professionals who actively work to continue developing higher levels of competency, cooperation, and integrity across the law enforcement community.

The National Academy is specially geared for leaders and managers of police departments, military police organizations, and federal law enforcement agencies. Participation is by invitation only, through a nomination process. Participants are drawn from every state, including USA territories, and over 160 international partner nations.

The National Academy has been in operation since July 29, 1935.

by RTC Director