Last year The Turks and Caicos Islands welcomed their millionth visitor to the country, now on the heels of that prestigious landmark the TCI Tourist Board is optimistic for a sensational 2012.
The Tourist Board said it is expecting growing business from the Canadian market this year courtesy of addition of the new in season direct flight from the eastern Canadian city of Halifax, Nova Scotia.
“The destination continues to draw on its major source market, the United States with Canada in second place. The United States continues its dominance in arrivals to the destination due in part to major airlift to the destination that increased in 2011, namely JetBlue from New York and Continental from New Jersey,” the Tourist Board said in a release.
Director of Tourism, Ralph Higgs pointed out that the TCI that the increase in tourism arrival numbers served as good news for the country and the industry, since it represents the potential for growth in the short, medium and long term.
“Surpassing the one million mark is a major accomplishment for all of us, our partners and stakeholders in the industry and while we are pleased and proud we are also cognizant of the work that lies ahead,” Higgs was quoted as saying.
Stacy Cox, Executive Member of the TCHTA, said the arrival statistics for 2011 pointed to a very good year for the local tourism industry, declaring that the Hotel & Tourism Association was very happy to see the record-breaking number of arrivals to the island over the last two years.
In the meantime, Chairman of the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board, Dr. Hubert Fulford noted: “The destination and its people, partners in both public and private sectors should be proud of this milestone,” saying that no efforts should be spared in shoring up the arrival numbers.
