CHTA LINES-UP LEADING INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS FOR CARIBBEAN HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY EXCHANGE FORUM (CHIEF)
The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) has tapped leading tourism industry professionals to engage members during the general sessions of the association's Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF). CHTA members will learn valuable business practices which can be implemented to generate revenue, reduce costs and become more efficient.
CHIEF, scheduled for Oct. 2-4, 2015 at El Conquistador Resort, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, in Puerto Rico, will bring together global experts with regional expertise to share insight with Caribbean hoteliers and other tourism and hospitality providers.
"We are bringing together the best tourism professionals as CHIEF panelists and moderators so all of our members can exchange ideas that lead to a more successful and profitable business model," said Emil Lee, president of CHTA. "Members who participate in CHIEF will return home with the tools and contacts to help them implement strategies in their businesses right away," Lee noted.
The general session Peering Into The Future: Turning Knowledge Into Dollars provides insight into global and regional economic performance, industry and travel trends, and other factors that must be considered when making sound business decisions such as currency fluctuation, taxes, fuel prices and technological changes. Leading that session will be John Fareed, principal, John Fareed Hospitality Consulting, LLC; Gary Brough, managing director, KPMG Turks and Caicos and Head of Caribbean Leisure Tourism Unit; Greg Oates, senior editor, Skift; and Nicola Madden-Greg, president, Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association, and group director of marketing and sales, for The Courtleigh Hotel.
The Future of Travel Distribution: Are You Tuning Into the Right Channels? panel explores the ever-changing dynamics of consumer buying behavior and travel distribution. Hoteliers will look at how best to tap into the channel trends and the pros and cons of each as well as become better equipped at generating sales through the various available travel channels. The panel will be led by Clayton Reid, president & CEO, MMGY Global. Joining Reid will be Karen Cardwell, senior revenue manager, RockResorts; Demetrius Canton, director, market management - Caribbean, Expedia; Andrew Von Luchene, CEO, JackRabbit Systems Inc.; and Manny Melendez, director strategic sales, Travelclick.
Cuba: Opportunity or Threat? will examine how the U.S./Cuba normalization will impact CHTA members' businesses and provide solutions for minimizing the potential downside from the displacement of U.S. based business. The session will also present the opportunities Cuba offers for CHTA member hotels and the region. This session will be moderated by Anton Edmunds, president & CEO, The Edmunds Group, joined by Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, principle partner for the Bedford Baker Group.
Travel + Leisure's Editor Nathan Lump, CHIEF's keynote speaker, will define the future of the hospitality and travel sector from the consumer's perspective,particularly as it relates to leisure travelers to the Caribbean.
CHIEF offers three days of value-packed and engaging exchange sessions focused on helping businesses to generate revenue, reduce costs and become more efficient. CHIEF incorporates a variety of educational tracks so attendees can walk away with practical business tips. Peer-to-peer opportunities will be provided to allow hoteliers to learn from one-another's best practices and their success in tackling operational and marketing challenges. The educational tracks will be led by experts from a variety of travel, tourism and hospitality industry segments featuring roundtable panels with one-one-one discussions in Operations, Sales & Marketing, and Sustainability. An interactive tradeshow format, featuring an open floor plan, has been designed so participants and exhibitors can interact through live demonstrations of new products. Exhibitors will offer exclusive discounts on services and products to CHIEF attendees.
TURKS AND CAICOS POST CABINET MEETING STATEMENT
His Excellency the Governor, Peter Beckingham, chaired the 21st meeting of the Cabinet on Wednesday, 5th August 2015 at the Hon. Hilly Ewing Building in Providenciales.
All Ministers were present except the Hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Planning and the Hon. Minister of Home Affairs, Transportation and Communication.
At this meeting Cabinet:
·Agreed to issue an RFP for the scrapping and removal of the Mega-One Triton vessel from Governor’s Beach in Grand Turk;
·Advised His Excellency the Governor to approve in principle the draft TCI Gaming Policy to allow the necessary consultation to be conducted between August 15 - September 1, 2015 with the policy to be returned to Cabinet along with the consultation findings for ratification no later than October 15, 2015; and to grant approval for the Ministry of Tourism, Environment, Culture and Heritage to commence legislation works with the Attorney General's Chambers with regards to the Gaming Ordinance and Regulations in line with the proposed draft policy;
·Approved an increase in budgeted funds in the amount of $30,000 from the Carnival Infrastructure Fund, subject to Carnival’s approval, to facilitate the implementation of the consultancy to provide design and technical documentation suitable to tender for the reconstruction and upgrading of Lighthouse Road in Grand Turk;
·Agreed the recommendations for the relevant Government Departments to complete an analysis of the proposals for an FBO in Grand Turk and for the Investment Unit to complete due diligence and issue a full paper to Cabinet;
·Advised His Excellency the Governor to make regulations, the effect of which would waive the fees for a Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate and a TCI Status Card for the period commencing August 15th ending December 1, 2015 for persons who are eligible to register to vote but who do not appear on a current voters list, making application to be registered as an elector under the Elections Laws.
·Agreed the Immigration (Amendment) Bill and approved it being transmitted to the House of Assembly for its consideration. The effect of this Bill is to amend the definition of "gainful occupation" and to make provision for the foreign spouses of TCI Status-holders to continue to work in the Islands in circumstances where they are no longer living together with their spouse because said spouse have treated them cruelly, causing them hardships;
·Agreed to reduce the Duty Free Royalty (DFR) rate for non-alcohol and non-tobacco goods from 10% to 4.5% from November 1, 2015 to bring it in line with competing jurisdictions. Cabinet will review the impacts of these reductions on an on-going basis;
·Agreed the appointment of Dr. Stephen Francois Bourne and The Rev. Dr Conrad Howell to the National Health Insurance Board (NHIB) in accordance with Sections 16 (1) j and 16 (1) of the National Health Insurance Ordinance;
·Considered and approved the nominations for the National Honours and Awards Recipients 2015 and agreed for the list to be published in the Gazette in accordance with the National Honours and Awards Ordinance;
·Advised His Excellency the Governor to approve the transmission of the Immigration Bill and the TCI Status Bill for consideration in the House of Assembly and for the Ministry to undertake a period of consultation on the Bills after first reading in the House of Assembly;
·Approved the proposed measure to legalise Hawaiian Slings for holders of Commercial Fishing Licenses and for this measure to be incorporated into the 2015 Amendments of the Fisheries Protection Ordinance;
·Considered the recommendations coming out of consultations on amendments to the Fisheries Protection Ordinance and agreed to the amendments to the Regulations to reflect the views which were largely submitted by the fishing community throughout the islands;
·Agreed to amend the policy which prohibited the grant of work permits to persons changing employers, to provide for the grant of work permits in these cases where the Immigration Board is satisfied that exceptional circumstances exists for the grant or the applicant meets certain other criteria as the Minister might develop, which shall include the release from the previous employer. This policy extends to public sector, statutory bodies and private sector employees;
· Noted concerns regarding the level of customer service at the Ministry of Border Control and Employment's One Stop Shop and the time delays in completing transactions as well as the Ministry's plans for restructuring that Unit and its commitment to turning around its service deliverables. Cabinet supported the request for additional funding for the improvement of service delivery and increased resources;
·Received a presentation from Professor Gilbert Morris on behalf of the Canadian Working Group on the success of the TCI mission to Canada in May 2015;
·Approved the Tobacco Control Bill to advance to the House of Assembly;
·Advised His Excellency the Governor to approve the following Bills for advancement to the House of Assembly:
- Investment Dealers (Licensing) (Amendment) Bill 2015
- Trade Marks (Amendment) Bill 2015
- Mutual Funds (Amendment) Bill 2015
- Domestic Insurance Bill 2015
- Companies (Amendment) Bill 2015 - Companies (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations Schedule II - Paragraph 5
- Company Management (Licensing) (Amendment) Bill 2015
- Companies Amendment Bill 2015
Further information on these matters will be provided by Ministers in due course.
Long Bay High taking 180 students, will be ready says Minister
The Long Bay high school will be ready for the 2015/2016 academic year, and if it is not – the Minister of Education assures she will send alerts out to parents stating otherwise.
During House of Assembly debate last week; Hon Akierra Missick’s ministerial statement gave some update and during the parliamentary question and answer period, more light was shed on the coming new school which is touted to help with overcrowding in the public high school system in Provo. While it was clear the Opposition PDM doubts the school will be completed this phase one construction in time for September 7, 2015 – it was again explained that the 180 seventh grade students will not got to Clement Howell High but will instead be the first students to populate the new eastern school currently under construction.
A bus tender is also out and the new uniform, which boasts in large part a gray color has already been distributed to the various uniform stores so that parents and guardians can begin purchase.
The Minister also confessed that some people do not like the name of the institution; however there was no indication that at this stage, that would be changed.
New PDA Party charges Gov’t with public worker discrimination
The government is charged with discriminating against government staff by the newly formed Progressive Democratic Alliance, which is calling on the PNP Administration to desist.
PDA leader, Oswald Skippings in a statement to Magnetic Media said: This PNP government needs to put a stop to its blatant, persistent discrimination against local Turks and Caicos public servants.”
Skippings added that: “It is high time that our people are given equal if not better treatment in their own country and government must begin to appreciate our people and their worth and ensure that they are treated with the kind of respect that they deserve and rewarded accordingly.”
The outrage by Skippings is sparked by the fact that TCIG, he said, has issued yet another contract to Permanent Secretaries and under-secretaries without any gratuities while they continue to offer gratuities to expatriates that are on government contracts.
The PDA political party finds it extremely ‘disturbing,’ and have vowed to do more than talk on the matter. “I am putting government on notice that I will not cease to deal with this issue…”
DIGICEL ROLLS OUT “SUMMER IN THE FAST LANE” CAMPAIGN Over $10,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs!
Digicel TCI today announced details of its “Summer In the Fast Lane” campaign through which customers can enter for a chance to win their share of $10,000 in cash and prizes.
Marketing Manager for Digicel, Trina Adams, said; “We’re really excited to be launching our summer promotion which this year gives our customers the chance to win over $10,000 in cash and prizes. There will be four weekly winners of $1,000 each in cash and one lucky winner will walk away with a year of free Digicel mobile, broadband and TV services valued at $4000- plus many more.”
Other prizes in the four-week long promotion include weekly giveaways of smartphones, data plans and credit.
“What’s great about this promotion is that customers can enter to win simply by doing the things they always do – like purchasing a handset or signing up for a data plan.” Adams continued, “Entering for a chance to win couldn’t be easier. Customers are automatically entered by purchasing a featured LTE handset, signing up for a LTE postpaid or prepaid plan, activating a LTE data plan or topping up $20 or more
Winners of the summer campaign will be selected randomly each week and contacted by a marketing representative. The promotion ends on August 31st.
Nutrition in Demand held its second annual fitness and nutrition summer camp
Nutrition in Demand held its second annual fitness and nutrition summer camp Edward Gartland Youth Center in Providenciales recently (during the week of July 20th – 24th, 2015). The camp was designed so during the first half, students learned about the importance of fitness and nutrition in living a healthy lifestyle; but, there was also a practical portion of the camp where everyone was involved in making and tasting a healthy recipe and participated various forms of physical activity.
Children between ages 11 – 17 took part in Cross Fit, a fitness craze that is a core strength and conditioning program that can be adapted to any fitness level; they also were exposed to the different equipment at a gym, yoga, aerobic exercises and a hike to Bird Rock Trail.
“We thought it was important to expose the children to many different types of activities so that they could then choose which activity (ies) they like best. They could also choose based on their desired goal.” Mrs. Tamika Handfield explained.
This year, Ms. Lisa Lagace travelled from Canada to volunteer her time and expertise with Nutrition in Demand. Ms. Lagace has been working in the field of fitness for many years; she is the former owner of the Fun N’ Fit Gym, commonly known as Erebus Gym and currently works in the area of teaching communities on the importance of physical activity and nutrition.
When asked about her involvement in the camp, Ms. Lagace had this to say, “Children today are spending many hours a day in front of a screen (TV, computer or video game) and very few children are physically active for 60 minutes a day (the recommended minimum). In the Fitness component of the camp, these were some of the topics we touched upon. Our goal was to give the youth the basic tools to lead a healthy lifestyle, no matter what their size or level of fitness. They were taught about different body types and the importance of being comfortable in their own skin. They were introduced to many different activities and shown that being active is for everyone. The camp was a huge success. The participants took on every challenge we gave them and together we had a great week.”
Each year, the camp is open to 20 children but this year much more children were interested. Mrs. Handfield said, “We were ecstatic that so many children wanted to be a part of the camp because it shows that either they or their parents saw the importance of learning about health and nutrition while still young,” Mrs. Handfield said.
Nutrition in Demand would like to say profound thanks to everyone that helped to make this year’s camp a success. Ms. Lagace says she would volunteer with the camp again in a heartbeat!
Car Makers Having Difficulties with Tesla Car
Tesla has issued a software update for its model S car after two researchers found a way to subvert its onboard systems. It is the second time in a month that a car maker has had to act to solve security problems with its vehicles uncovered by hackers. In the latest instance, the researchers were able to shut off the car and force it to stop.
Tesla said that it had addressed all six vulnerabilities. It told the BBC that it had worked closely with the security community to protect its systems.
Marc Rogers, of security firm Cloudflare, and Kevin Mahaffey, from Lookout, have released information about problems they found in Tesla's Model S vehicle.The researchers praised Tesla for the way the vehicle handled the bogus commands and how the car maker responded to their findings.
In late July, Fiat Chrysler issued a recall for more than 1.4 million vehicles after hackers Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek showed how to use bugs in the onboard software of the Jeep Cherokee to shut it down remotely. By exploiting a connection between the car's entertainment system and its onboard controllers, the two researchers were able to issue commands and take over the car.
Mr Rogers said car makers faced difficulties because they had little control over what was done to vehicles once they were in customers' hands.
"With embedded systems like you find in cars, you cannot control who has access to it," he said. "Someone can take it home and apply any tool they want to it."
Tesla said in a statement to the BBC: "Our well-developed safeguards protect every layer of our vehicle and network security system, including for the mobile app, Tesla's servers, and the car itself.
Stuart Broad Captures Shortest First Innings in Test History
Stuart Broad took 8-15 as Australia were bowled out for 60 and Joe Root hit a century as England put themselves in a strong position to win the Ashes on the first day of the fourth Test.
Broad passed 300 wickets and equalled the fastest Test five-wicket haul - 19 deliveries - as the tourists were dismissed in 111 balls at Trent Bridge. It was the shortest first innings in Test history. Root's unbeaten 124 helped England to 274-4 at the close, a lead of 214.
Alastair Cook scored 43 and Jonny Bairstow made 74, sharing a fourth-wicket stand of 173 at more than five runs an overs with Yorkshire team-mate Root.
Victory will give England an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series and see them regain the urn they lost courtesy of a 5-0 whitewash in Australia in 2013-14.
Cosby Attempts To Get Ms.Huth To Testify First
Bill Cosby will be questioned under oath in October as part of a civil legal case brought by a woman who accuses the comedian of sexually abusing her when she was 15. He will answer questions from Judy Huth's lawyer on 9 October, while she will give her deposition a week later. Mr Cosby had been attempting to get Ms Huth to testify first.
He has denied giving her alcohol and abusing her at the Playboy Mansion in 1974. Ms Huth is one of a string of women who has accused the 78-year-old of sexual assault dating back decades.
All the allegations so far fall outside the statue of limitations so he is not facing any criminal charges, although Los Angeles police have opened an investigation. Ms Huth's case can proceed in civil court because, she says, the alleged abuse happened when she was a minor.
"We are pleased that we will now be able to move ahead without further delay on Ms Huth's case," the accuser's lawyer, Gloria Allred, said in a statement
11 Year Old Faces Manslaughter Charges After Shooting 3 Year Old, Elijah Walker
An 11-year-old boy has been charged with manslaughter, accused of using his father's gun to shoot a three-year-old boy in Detroit, US media reports say. The boy was visiting his father in the east of the city on Monday when he took a handgun from the bedroom. He is said to have thrown the gun out into the back garden, retrieved it and jumped into a parked car. Later, the three-year-old boy went into the car, was then shot in the face and later died, prosecutors say.
The older boy appeared in a juvenile court for a preliminary hearing on yesterday afternoon. He faces another two charges of death by weapon aimed with intent, but without malice, and felony firearm. "I cannot remember a time when we have charged someone so young with taking a life," said prosecutor Kym Worthy in a statement. "Very unfortunately and very tragically, the alleged facts in this case demanded it."
But experts who spoke to the Detroit Free Press newspaper said it was not clear whether an 11-year-old could be competent enough to face such charges. In Michigan, prosecutors have wide discretion to charge people of any age, though the judge has some say in the process, the paper says. But prosecutors would have to prove that a youth, in this case 11 years old, had "criminal intent".