Turks and Caicos Posted Robust Tourist Arrivals in 2018
Tourist arrivals to destination Turks and Caicos Islands increased by 23 percent in 2018 over the 2017 figures.
This was according to Director of the Tourist Board, Ramon Andrews who was at the time speaking to international travel partners at the 15th annual Turks and Caicos Travel Conference (TACC) held from May 8 to 10 in Providenciales.
In 2017, the Islands welcomed 1.24 million tourists, down from 1.3 million a year earlier. This was a four percent decrease from 2016.
The 2017 decrease in arrivals was a stark indication of the effect of hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017 on the territory. Andrews made the disclosure during the conference phase of the event held at The Shore Club.
Other speakers at the event included Premier Sharlene Cartwright Robinson, Minister of Tourism Ralph Higgs, Junior Minister of Tourism Danae Dennie along with the TCHTA’s Todd Foss and CEO of the TCHTA, Stacy Cox.
In Foss’s opening speech, he gave an overview of the history of tourism in the TCI while applauding the growth in infrastructure, airlifts and partnerships.
Foss noted that the growth of destination Turks and Caicos Islands has been an astonishing one, and now it is boasting more than 600,000 airline seats per annum, more than 3,600 rooms in the destination, and Government revenue estimated at approximately $65 million from the sector.
He added that with new properties in the pipeline that will be open within three to five years, the Turks and Caicos Islands is now ranked among the most desired places to visit in the Caribbean, by extension the world, with many accolades and more than a million visitors to our shores on an annual basis.
"The snapshot history lesson is about partnership, positioning and perseverance between you, our hotel partners and the Tourist Board to make Turks and Caicos Islands what it is today,” Foss said.
In her remarks, Premier Cartwright Robinson laid out the Islands’ plan to become an eco-friendly destination, while Minister Higgs expressed his gratitude and encouraged travel partners to stick with brand Turks and Caicos.
A Big Thank You to All Involved
The TCHTA president wrapped up the conference by extending a big thank you to all involved, stating: "We join the minister of tourism and director of the Tourist Board in thanking those who have travelled to our shores for this year’s event and to all our participating TCHTA members; Turks and Caicos Collections, Ocean Club Resorts, Bianca Sands, Solana, Sailrock, La Vista Azul, Villa Del Mar, Windsong Resort, Ports of Call Resort, Seven Stars Resort, Coral Gardens, and Beaches.
"We’d also like to give a special thanks to the Hartling Group who is providing the yacht party, the closing party at The Shore Club, the venue for the conference at The Shore Club and the tradeshow at The Palms.”
During the conference, more than 40 top producing travel and tourism wholesalers participated in numerous hotel site inspections, and special tours and excursions.
The three-day event allowed travel professionals to experience brand TCI for themselves and also see first-hand the Islands, hotels, resorts and facilities that they offer to their clients.
Top travel wholesalers in attendance include Orbitz, Travel Impressions, Expedia, Travelocity, US Airways Vacations, JetBlue Vacations and other companies which promote and sell the destination to travel agents and consumers in North America, the top tourist markets for the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Source: Turks & Caicos Weekly News
