DESTINATION
ISSUENO.11|MAY/JUNE2026
Experience Turks and Caicos’ Role Strengthened
Minister of Tourism, Hon. Zhavargo Jolly
TURKSANDCAICOSTOURISM
AUTHORITYBILLPASSED
This legislation gives us a stronger governance framework, greater accountability and the ability to respond more effectively to the opportunities and challenges facing tourism, while remaining firmly focused on our core mandate of marketing the destination, managing tourism sustainably and ensuringthebenefitsoftourismreachourpeople."
Underthenewframework,ExperienceTurksandCaicos willcontinuetoleaddestinationmarketingeffortswhile also advancing tourism product development, research,industrypartnerships,sustainabilityinitiatives, visitor experience enhancement and strategic destinationmanagement
ThelegislationfurthersupportstheGovernment’svision of ensuring that tourism growth benefits communities throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands and contributes to national development while preserving the natural and cultural assets that make the destinationunique
The passage of the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourism Authority Bill will not alter the day-to-day relationship between Experience Turks and Caicos and the tourism sector. The organisation will continue to market the destination internationally, support tourism businesses, engage stakeholders and promote sustainable tourism development.
What the legislation does provide is a stronger institutionalfoundationthatwillenableExperienceTurks and Caicos to better coordinate tourism development, enhance marketing initiatives, manage destination growth, enhance accountability and implement longterm strategies that support the continued success of theindustry
AstheTurksandCaicosIslandscontinuestoexperience recordlevelsofvisitationandinvestment,asevidenced in the first quarter, the establishment of Experience Turks and Caicos as a statutory authority ensures the destination is equipped with a modern, future-focused organisation capable of managing growth while preserving the qualities that make the islands one of the world’s most desirable premier tourism destinations
PREMIER’SROADSHOWRETURNS
The Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon Charles Washington Misick, led a delegation from thedestinationacrossfourcitiesintheUnitedStates forthereturnofthePremier’sRoadshow
OrganisedbytheTurksandCaicosIslandsHoteland Tourism Association (TCHTA) with support from the Ministry of Tourism, Experience Turks and Caicos, and Invest Turks and Caicos, the Premier’s Road Show took place from May 18th to 21st, 2026 and includedtheMinisterofTourism,Hon.ZhavargoJolly, CEOoftheTCHTA,StacyCox,CEOofInvestTurksand Caicos Angela Musgrove and Nikeva Ariza, Director of Corporate Affairs, Communications and Public Engagement,TCIAA.
Hotel partners that participated in the Premier’s roadshow were the Hartling Group, the Turks and Caicos Collection, Wymara Resorts and Villas, Grace Bay Resorts, Salterra, Beaches, and The Strand
TheRoadShowrolledintoNewYorkCity,Chicago, Dallas and Denver Held under the theme “Meet MeinTurksandCaicos,”theinitiativeisdesigned to drive visitation from key and emerging source markets within the United States while strengthening relationships with travel advisors, media,airlinepartners,investors,andconsumers
Anewdestinationvideoentitled“MeetMeinTurks andCaicos”wasalsolaunchedineachcity
DESTINATION
AWARDS
TCI NOMINATED FOR BEST CARIBBEAN DESTINATION IN TRAVVY AWARDS
The Turks and Caicos Islands has been nominated for Best Destination in the Caribbeaninthe2026TravvyAwards,oneofthe travel industry's most respected awards programmes.
The Turks and Caicos Islands is also represented in the Resorts category, with Salterra nominated for Best New Hotel/Resort in the Caribbean and Beaches Turks and Caicos nominated for Best Renovated Resort in Mexico andtheCaribbean
VotingisopenuntilSeptember6th,2026
Tocastyourvote,visittheofficialTravvyAwards votingpage:https://wwwtravvyawardscom/
TURKS AND CAICOS CULINARY STORY WINS TELLY AWARDS
The Turks and Caicos Islands' growing reputation as one of the Caribbean's premier culinary destinations has received international recognition after two episodes of The Food Explorer filmed in the destination were honoured at the prestigious2026TellyAwards
The Turks and Caicos-focused episodes earned a People's Telly Award in the Television Series, Shows & Segments category and a Silver Telly Award in the Travel & Tourism category, placing the destination among internationally recognisedtourismandtravelproductions
AWARDS
The Turks and Caicos Islands has been nominated in nine categories in the 2026 World TravelAwards.
Caribbean’sLeadingBeachDestination
Caribbean’sLeadingCruiseDestination
Caribbean’sLeadingDestination
Caribbean’sLeadingDiveDestination
Caribbean’sLeadingFamilyTravelDestination
Caribbean’sLeadingHoneymoonDestination
Caribbean’sLeadingLuxuryIslandDestination
Caribbean’sLeadingTouristBoard
Caribbean’sMostRomanticDestination I
Voting is open across all regions, with both industry professionals and consumers invited to cast their votes To participate, visit https://wwwworldtravelawardscom/vote and register to vote Voting has been extended to August
NATIONALTRUSTWINSCTOSUSTAINABLE TOURISMAWARD
The Turks and Caicos National Trust was the proud recipient of the Caribbean Sustainable Tourism Award for Regenerative Tourism from the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) Executive Director of the National Trust, Dr Jasmine Thomas, described the award as an extraordinary honour for both the TCI National Trust and the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
“It affirms that protecting our natural and cultural heritage is not only the right thing to do it is the foundation of a stronger, more resilient future for our islands. This recognition celebrates a vision of tourism that gives back more than it takes, empowering communities, preserving biodiversity, and ensuring that future generations inherit a Turks and Caicos that is even richer in beauty, culture, and identity than it is today"
COMMUNITYUPDATES
The Product Development Unit of Experience Turks and Caicos is pleased to announce the completionandinstallationoftwonewlandmark signs in South Caicos and Salt Cay as part of ongoing tourism product enhancement initiativesacrosstheFamilyIslands
InSouthCaicos,thenewlyconstructedlandmark signhasbeenerectedatRegattaVillage,whilein Salt Cay, a new landmark sign has also been successfully completed and installed, further enhancing the visitor experience and strengtheningeachisland’sdestinationidentity
The landmark signs form part of broader efforts by Experience Turks and Caicos to improve tourism infrastructure, enhance place branding, and create engaging visitor experiences throughouttheTurksandCaicosIslands.
Football Star Mathys Tel Visits the Turks and Caicos Islands
TottenhamHotpsurplayerMathysTel visited the Turks and Caicos Islands to share his experience and engage withlocalplayers.
Minister of Tourism, Hon. ZHavargo Jolly and Minister of Education Hon. Rachel Taylor welcomed him the FrenchplayertotheNationalFootball Academy, where he toured the new dormitory facilities, talked football, and spent a few moments on the field with the Ministers and Billy Forbes, one of the Turks and Caicos Islands’ most accomplished footballers
COMMUNITYUPDATES
INTERCARIBBEANUNVEILSSPIRITOFTURKS AIRCRAFT
The first of its kind for the region, CaribCon 2025 took place from October 24th to 26th at The Shore Club in Providenciales The two-day conference, brainchild of Omega Simmons, CEO of SOS Media, attracted government officials, regional and local speakers, and creative professionals, creating a dynamic atmosphereofdialogue,inspiration,andcollaboration
ExperienceTurksandCaicoswasakeysponsoroftheeventwhichsawattendancefrom theGovernorofthe TurksandCaicosIslands,HerExcellencyDileeniDaniel-Selveratnam,PremierHon CharlesWashingtonMisick, Deputy Premier Hon. Jamell Robinson, Minister of Tourism Hon. Zhavargo Jolly, Minister of Immigration Hon. ArlingtonMusgrove,MinisterofEducationHon.RachelTaylor,andMinisterofHealthandHumanServicesHon. KyleKnowlesfortheirsupportthroughattendanceandparticipation.
ANCHORAGE RESTAURANT OPENS AT BLUE HAVEN MARINA
Anchorage Restaurant & Bar is Blue Haven Marina's newest waterfront dining destination, where Mediterranean flavors meetthevibrantspiritoftheCaribbean
Set against the tranquil backdrop of the marina, guests are invited to linger over fresh seafood, shareable coastal-inspired dishes, and thoughtfully crafted cocktails in a relaxed yet elevated dockside setting. LocatedatBlueHavenMarina.
ReservationsareavailableviaOpenTableor bycalling+1(649)946-9902.
THE SHORE CLUB JOINS LEADING HOTELS OF THE WORLD
The Shore Club has been welcomed among the world’s most distinguished luxury properties as the newest member of The Leading Hotels of the World, a highlycuratedcollectionofindependentluxuryhotels
The Shore Club Turks & Caicos is one of only a select few properties in the Turks and Caicos Islands to be invited to The Leading Hotels of the World, underscoring its distinction as a premier luxury destination both on island and in the Caribbean overall Known for its spacious suites and villas, breathtaking ocean views, immersive dining experiences,andexclusive,serenegrounds,TheShore ClubembodiestheultimateCaribbeanescape
Thisrecognitionhighlightstheresort’scommitmentto providingguestswiththoughtfulserviceandauthentic experiences that celebrate the beauty and culture of Turks&Caicos
PARTNERUPDATES
STAR-STUDDED CELEBRATION FOR OPENING OF TREASURE
BEACH VILLAGE AT BEACHES RESORTS
THE THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS FEATURED IN TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS FEATURED IN
OPRAH DAILY TRAVEL EDITION OPRAH DAILY TRAVEL EDITION
The Turks and Caicos Islands was once again featured in the Oprah Daily Travel Edition. Published in June, this is the second travel edition by the media mogul This issue is focused on wellness with the Turks and Caicos ad and editorial showcasing how our multi-island destination is the ideal spot for those wishing to unplug and get away from the rigours of life.
FROMOURSOURCEMARKETS
TURKSANDCAICOSISLANDSFEATUREDINTHE TENNESSEAN
The Turks and Caicos Islands is featured in in The Tennessean, the principal daily newspaper in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, following a hosted visit of journalist Melonee Hurt.
The main feature, titled “Turks and Caicos offers 40 islands and surrounding waters to explore,” encourages travelers to get out and see the islands, spotlighting the destination’s local culture, culinary scene, natural beauty, and experiences beyond the resort setting Within the article, Minister of Tourism, Hon Zhavargo Jolly provides insight on how travellers can safely explore the islands, while pointing readers to Experience Turks & Caicos as a trusted resource for reputable excursions and authentic local experiences
Throughout the piece, Melonee highlights North and Middle Caicos, Bambarra Beach, Mudjin Harbor, Miss B’s Bayside Café, Crackpot Kitchen, the Thursday night Fish Fry, Junkanoo, snorkeling, eco tours, and more.
An additional photo gallery titled “With multiple islands, Turks and Caicos is a great place to explore local culture” was also published, further showcasing the destination’s beaches, turquoise waters, local dining, artisans, cultural events, and The Shore Club
DESTINATIONINSIGHTS
PreliminarydatasuggeststhatstayoverarrivalsbyairforthemonthofJunewas59,293;three percenthigherthanJune2025 Thedestinationrecordedyearoveryearincreaseseverymonthfor thefirsthalfofthisyear,resultinginasixpercentincreaseoverthesameperiodlastyear
The384,590arrivalsrecordedduringthelastsixmonthsof2026marksthehighestnumberof arrivalseverrecordedatthistimeofyear Thecontinuousgrowthwitnessedthisyear,atteststothe persistentdemandforthedestination
Visitorarrivalsaretraditionallylowerinthesecondquarteroftheyear,signifyinganendtothewinter season Thisyearwasnoexception,butthefivepercentincreaserecordedinthesecondquarterof 2026,markedthehighesttotaleverrecordedforthistimeofyear
ExperienceTurksandCaicos TheRegentVillage Number3,GraceBayRoad Providenciales,TurksandCaicosIslands TKCA1ZZ
ForMediaQueriescontact: PublicRelationsManager Ms.LauraDowrich
Email: ldowrich@myexperiencetci.com Phone:(649)-341-4071
Website:visitturksandcaicos.com