37 year old male charged with Dangerous Driving
On Tuesday 31st May 2016, Traffic Officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force formally charged and cautioned a 37-year-old male of Blue Hills Providenciales for the offense of Causing Death by Dangerous Driving.
The charges were stemmed from an accident that occurred around 4:37pm on Saturday 27th February 2016 on the Leeward Highway in the vicinity of Automotive Arts when the 37 year old male lost control of his Grey Toyota Corolla Car that he was driving west down the Leeward Highway hit the median and went airborne before colliding into two other vehicles that were heading east on the Leeward Highway causing death to 32 year old Rival Baptist.
The 37-year-old is presently on Police bail for his appearance to court on Wednesday 8th June 2016.
Rihanna in the Turks & Caicos Islands
Bajan pop star Rihanna Fenty recently spent some quiet time in the Turks & Caicos Islands after working hard last fall into spring.
Rihanna inspired a new series of sunny snaps, scenic videos and sexy bikini clad selfies and much more while vacationing in here in the Turks and Caicos, under the hash tag. #getawaygoals.
This is not Rihanna’s first visit to the Turks & Caicos, she was last here during our 3rd music festival that was held in the Turtle Cove area in Provo where she partied along with local and overseas performers.
Her partner in crime Melissa Forde accompanied the working artist, the dynamic duo guzzled wine along the poolside, danced to ’90’s classics from the DJs and held an impromptu photo shoot.
Photos from her visit can be found on Instagram promoting the Turks & Caicos.
TCHTA Addresses Rising Negative Trends
An increase in illegal beach vending as well as tourist harassment is becoming very alarming and is raising concerns among the destination's tourism partners especially its leading private sector association TCHTA.
The Association's Board met recently to address these concerns which have seen the once highly ranked tourism destination drop from the number 1 to number 5 island in the world and from the number 1 beach to number 4 beach in the world on the popular TripAdvisor site.
In addition to the increase in illegal beach vending and tourist harassment, long lines in the departure area at the country's major airport and slow processing by Immigration as it relates to work permits were also discussed with the hope of finding quick and effective solutions which will alleviate the issues.
The Board noted, "These rising negative trends are very alarming and we are finding ourselves working overtime to ensure that our tourism product is not tarnished severely. The Association and its members can continue to pump money into promoting the destination but this will all be for naught if visitors don't feel safe and at peace when they visit.
We rely on our visitors to help us promote TCI on sites like TripAdvisor through their positive reviews but not only are we seeing less visitors voting for us in the various categories but we are also seeing an increase in negative reviews."
Residents who are involved in these illegal activities especially on our beaches need to realize what damage they are doing to the tourism product, damage, which may be irreversible in the long run. Why jeopardize our industry for a quick dollar? The industry belongs to all of us and we all need to play a positive part in its growth and survival.
A better partnership must also be forged with our tourism partners, TCIG and the Police Force to resolve the issues at the airport, the illegal beach vending and tourist harassment in particular. "
The Board is also gravely concerned with the new Immigration processing rules which have created an enormous burden on businesses in the industry as they may not be able to reach their staffing levels required to run their operations effectively. The Board will be reaching out to all relevant groups in the near future to address the concerns and members will also sensitize and educate their staff who in turn will educate their friends and family about being a positive part of our tourism industry puzzle.
Tourist Board hosts Travel Conference
For the twelfth year the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board welcomes premier Travel Wholesalers, Booking Companies and media from North America to its Annual TACC, Turks and Caicos Conference where some $300 million in vacation experiences are secured for these islands.
The opening shindig is hosted at the elite Amanyara Resort in North West, Providenciales tonight and launches three days of events designed to introduce or reintroduce the best of destination Turks and Caicos.
A well-known networking series for the TCI, TACC attracts groups from Expedia, Travel Impressions, Costco, Flight Center (Gogo), Island Destination and many others.
With site tours, conference session, cocktail parties, trade show and a jaunt into South Caicos planned for this year's contingent, it is little wonder TACC, running June 7-10 is accepted as a major event on the TCI Tourist Board marketing calendar.
Add to the travel wholesalers, there is significant media coverage. The Huffington Post, Atlanta Journal, Diplomatic Magazine, Travel Agent Magazine, Resident Media Magazine, Elite Traveler Magazine and Cable News Network (CNN), will all have the opportunity to explore the TCI.
Stories of interest will include the rejuvenated North to Middle Caicos Causeway, plans for Provo International Airport expansion and luxury diving in South Caicos.
Tourist Board Director, Ralph Higgs spoke with our affiliate Deandrea Hamilton of magnetic media about the importance of TACC.
Next stop for TACC is South Caicos on Wednesday to tour Sail Rock and East Bay resorts with a return to Provo to check out the new Shore Club in Leeward.
QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY PARADE MARKS TO MAJOR ANNIVERSARIES
The Turks and Caicos Islands will join sister Commonwealth nations around the world in celebrating Her Majesty the Queen’s Birthday on Saturday, 11 June 2016.
The ceremony will be held on the nation’s capital, Grand Turk, where the annual Queen’s Birthday celebrations will take place on the parade ground at 10am.
“The Governor’s Office would like to invite everyone to come out and enjoy this special event marking the ninetieth birthday of Her Majesty the Queen,” said the Governor, Peter Beckingham. “As this is a particularly special occasion, and also marks the 50th anniversary of the visit by Her Majesty the Queen to the Turks and Caicos Islands it would be great to a strong turnout to mark the event, and also to support the many members of the local community who will be participating.”
The ceremony will include participants from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF), staff from HM Prison, Customs and Immigration officials, Fire fighters, the Ex-Serviceman Legion, TCI Red Cross youth, Cadets, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, Girls Brigade, Rainbows and children from the Island’s schools. The RTCIPF band will accompany all.
Following the parade, Governor Peter Beckingham will present long service awards to key members of the uniformed services in recognition of their 18, 25 or 30 years of service to the Crown.
The ceremony will last for approximately 60 minutes and it will conclude with a royal salute taken by the Governor.
As is traditional in the TCI, the Governor’s Office will provide refreshments to all participating in the parade.
JOB FAIR 2016 Launched in Grand Turk
The 2016 Job Fair began in Grand Turk today as the Government invited the general public for the first time to the 1st Annual Job Readiness Fair being held at the Dillon Hall in Grand Turk.
Welcoming the ministries & the public during the opening was Her Excellency, the Hon. Anya Williams.
The DG also spoke to some 150 positions that are available within TCIG for persons to apply for.
Minister the Hon. George Lightbourne was also on hand and sat with Expressions host Pastor Chad Archibold to talk about the undertaking of the 1st job fair.
Ministries set up booths at the Dillon Hall, where presentations were done on how to apply for TCIG vacancies and tips and techniques for successful interviews.
CSA President Mr. Patterson also praised the HR Directorate & the Deputy Governors office for holding this event.
Day 2 of the Job Fair will be held at the Gustarvus Lightbourne Sports Complex on Thursday June 9th, 2016.
Golf Champion
Dustin Johnson shrugged off a controversial intervention by officials to win the U.S. Open at Oakmont Sunday and claim a long overdue first major title.
The 31-year-old American carded a final round 69 to finish on four under 276, eventually three shots clear of veteran Jim Furyk, who closed with a superb 66, Scott Piercy and Ireland's Shane Lowry.
He had finally triumphed after a string of near misses, most recently at last year's U.S. Open at Chambers Bay where he three-putted from short range on the 18th hole to hand victory to Jordan Spieth.
Leicester City sign Luis Hernandez from Sporting Gijon
Leicester City have signed Spanish defender Luis Hernandez on a four-year deal, starting on 1 July.
The 27-year-old will join the Premier League champions on a free transfer when his current deal at Sporting Gijon expires.
Hernandez has made 140 appearances for the La Liga club since making his debut in 2012.
The centre-back is a product of the Real Madrid youth system but failed to make a first-team appearance.
Russia in bad shape
It has really been tough week for Russian sports. First the ban over doping which threatens their athletes' participation in the Rio Olympics, then a humiliating group-stage exit from Euro 2016.
During Monday's 3-0 defeat by Wales which sealed their fate and led coach Leonid Slutsky to offer his resignation, Ukrainian commentator compared the Russia team to a "Chinese counterfeit which breaks every time pressure is put upon it".
Beckham backs Remain campaign
David Beckham has weighed in on Brexit ahead of Britain's crucial referendum -- and the former England international has come down on the side of the Remain campaign about whether the UK should stay or leave the European Union.
Now a UNICEF ambassador, Beckham posted a statement on his social accounts Tuesday calling for Britain to stay in Europe, citing some of his legendary Manchester United teammates from the continent, as well as his stints playing in Madrid, Milan and Paris as the reasons as to why he had come to that decision.
I'm passionate about my country and whatever the result of Thursday's referendum, we will always be great. Each side has the right to their opinion and that should always be respected whatever the outcome of the European Referendum," he wrote.