The Turks and Caicos Islands tourism arrivals for 2011 surpassed the 1 million mark and grew to an all time high in the country’s history.
Since the destination has begun keeping records of tourism arrivals from the 1980’s, the Turks and Caicos have reached a pinnacle in the growth of the nation’s top industry. The overall total arrivals for the past year was 1, 009,720 which draws on both cruise arrivals and land base arrivals to the country. When broken down separately, cruise arrivals accounted for 655,497 and land base arrivals accounted for some 354, 223 totalling in the aforementioned surpassed 1 million mark.
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 expects the Canadian market to grow even more in 2012 with the addition of the new in season direct flight from the eastern Canadian city of Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The Tourist Board in the collaboration with the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA and the Turks and Caicos Islands Airport Authority (TCIAA) and the Grand Turk Cruise Center (GTCC) marked the occasion of the arrival of the 1 millionth and the 1 millionth and 1 arrival at both the Providenciales International Airport and the Carnival Cruise Center on December 31st 2011. The lucky winner in Grand Turk was awarded return vacation tickets sponsored by JetBlue and accommodations sponsored by the Tourist Board and the TCHTA. The winners on Providenciales were awarded a 7 day vacation back to the destination with airfare provided by JetBlue as well and accommodations sponsored by the Tourist Board and the TCHTA.
In recognition of this accomplishment, the Director of Tourism, Ralph Higgs on reviewing the official statistics report said “The islands remain to shine through a number of factors that would have diverted it from growth but these numbers indicated not only good news for the country and the industry but it also represents the potential for more growth in the months and years ahead.” Higgs further added, “Surpassing the 1 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.”
Chairman of the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board, Dr. Hubert Fulford’ said that “the destination and its people, partners in both public and private sectors should be proud of this milestone.” He further added that “as a country we must continue working to win and keep these numbers up and growing.”
Association Executive of the TCHTA, Mrs. Stacy Cox on receiving the arrival statistics for 2011 said “2011 was indeed a very good year for the tourism industry. The Hotel & Tourism Association is very happy to see the record-breaking number of arrivals to the island over the last two years. Our joint efforts with the Tourist Board are bearing fruit and signify the importance of working closely on the marketing of our islands. Promotions coupled with the increased airlift which we have garnered from our major source markets last year, should result in further increases over the next few years. We have a very strong brand but must not “rest on our laurels”. We have to ensure that the Turks & Caicos Islands continue to be at the top of mind of travelers when they are thinking about booking a vacation. There is still work to be done, and as the private sector we will continue to play our role in the development and maintenance of a strong product so that we can offer visitors an experience like no other. We look forward to working even closer with the tourist board and the government in 2012.”
