Turks and Caicos Collection Closes, Lays Off Employees

At least 250 people were laid off and 13 executives made redundant today at the Turks and Caicos Collection of Resorts as the financial onslaught of the travel and tourism industry by COVID-19, escalates.

According to Magnetic Media, Lord Michael Ashcroft, Chairman of Waterloo Investment Holdings Ltd (WIHL), which owns the Collection, is in the country and made known the painful decisions in a private meeting with top executives. 

Blue Haven and Beach House had closed in the early days of the pandemic’s impact on Turks and Caicos tourism. The Alexandra and Ambergris Cay were reopened on July 22 but guest bookings for the Alexandra were a far cry from what is needed to sustain the all-inclusive operation, the publication goes on to explain.

At peak there were 105 guests on property, reflecting a 30 percent occupancy level. Staff from the Beach House, Blue Haven and the Alexandra were being rotated – an effort which kept staff employed, albeit with a lesser salary.

Employees were taken aback by the announcement which also confirmed an eight week layoff beginning on August 10.

Until there is a significant uptick in tourism, the Alexandra will close to tourists this coming Sunday August 9; most disconcerting is that no reopening date was revealed.