Issuu

IGEST

EXPERIENCETURKSAND

CAICOSHOSTS41UKTRAVEL ADVISORS

Experience Turks and Caicos hosted 41 travel advisors from November16thto20thfortheannualAspireRetreat

Aspire is the UK’s only luxury travel club that connects suppliers and agents selling high-end travel experiences. Each year, 25 of the UK’s top luxury agents and 15 suppliers are handpicked to attend the company’s retreat which is heldinanewdestinationannually.

This year the group selected the Turks and Caicos Islands and it presented a unique opportunity to position the destination prominently in the UK luxury travel market The event will receive substantial coverage across Aspire’s platforms, including print, newsletters, and social media, ensuringmaximumvisibilityforthedestination

Aspire introduced the Retreat in 2017 to foster stronger relationships between agents and suppliers through a blend of familiarisation trips, one-to-one business meetings, and peer-to-peer learning. The retreat emphasises breaking downformalbarrierstocreatemeaningfulconnections.

TASTEOFTURKSLAUNCHEDIN GRANDTURK

ETCSUPPORTSTHELAUNCH OFSIMPLYMC

ASPIRERETREAT2024

DESTINATION

EXPERIENCETURKSANDCAICOSSUPPORTS ISAACFARMSWITHNEWLOGO

Experience Turks and Caicos Product Development Team designed a new custom logo for Isaac Farms in North Caicos and onOctober25th,2024,presentedMrCourtneyMissick,ownerofthe Farm,with500souvenirtumblerswiththenewlogo.

This presentation is the culmination of a partnership with Isaac Farms that reflects Experience Turks and Caicos’ commitment to fostering local enterprise growth and amplifying the unique offerings of island businesses as a key element of its destination developmentstrategy

The bespoke logo, designed collaboratively with Mr Missick at Isaac Farms, embodies the farm’s unique brand identity and dedication to delivering authentic, memorable experiences for visitors.

NestledintheheartofNorthCaicos,IsaacFarmshasgrownintoa distinctive destination where guests can explore eco-friendly agricultural practices and immerse themselves in the island’s natural beauty and agricultural heritage This new logo marks a cornerstone for the farm’s brand, enabling it to connect with visitorsandlocalsalikeasatrustedsourceofcuratedexperiences andlocalproducts.

In addition to the logo design, Experience Turks and Caicos provided strategic support to optimise tour packaging, elevating Isaac Farms' offerings for maximum guest engagement and business visibility. The 500 branded souvenir cups offer visitors a keepsakethataddsatangibleconnectiontotheirvisit,enhancing the guest experience by giving guests a piece of our islands to takehome

THEPOWEROFCOMMUNITY

Back in April, Experience Turks and Caicos embarked on the first in a series of community meetings. Aptly titled Community Connect, these town halls aimed to establish theExperienceTurksandCaicosnameacrossourislands andtodeveloppartnershipswithcommunities.

We wanted to hear what our communities needed to develop their tourism products, listen to their ideas and see where there were opportunities for us to work with themtomaketheirconceptsareality

Our first Community Connect was in Middle Caicos and it was there that Ms Ethlyn Gibbs, former National Trust Director and proud resident of Middle Caicos declared that her community could stand on its own feet and she had an idea for an organisation names Simply MC to put Middle Caicos on the map and revive their stories and traditions. Ms. Gibbs was later invited to our weekly Spotlight on Tourism show to talk more about their plans andthelaunchofSimplyMC

For Tourism Environment Month we collaborated with Simply MC for the launch, assisting with the creation of storyboards welcoming visitors to Middle Caicos and to theJohnThomasplantation.

On Saturday, November 9th, Simply MC was launched at the Bambarra Beach community centre. Experience Turks and Caicos is excited to see their plans come to fruition andtocontinueoursupportandpartnership.Together,we will put Middle Caicos on the map. That is the power of community!!

TASTEOFTURKS LAUNCHEDINGRANDTURK

Cruise passengers and other visitors to Grand Turk can now experience the culinary andculturalofferingsoftheTurksandCaicos IslandseveryThursday.

Taste of Turks, a food and culture fair was launched on Thursday, November 14th on Queen’sStreet,GrandTurk

Featuring the cuisine and creativity of vendors from across the Turks and Caicos Islands, this weekly event is aimed at enhancing the visitor experience to the nation’scapital.

Charmony Hislop, Event Organiser Specialist

Experience Turks and Caicos hosted a successful two-day workshop on October 18th and 19th, 2024, with tour operators and vendors, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to enhance their productofferingsandguestexperiences.

The workshops were held in collaboration with the Aquila Centre for Cruise Excellence with facilitators Ms. Marie Berthe Hatt and Ms. Melanie Colpitts leading the discussions. Experience Turks and Caicos and Aquila are Platinum PartnerswiththeFloridaCaribbeanCruise Association(FCCA).

The workshops took place at the Yellowman and Sons auditorium in Grand Turk and focused on two critical areas: Product Development and Vendor Excellence, with an emphasis on creating anddeliveringinnovativeexperiencesthat respondtotoday'straveltrends.

TOURISMENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESSMONTH

Experience Turks and Caicos and the Ministry if Tourism celebrated Tourism Environmental AwarenessMonththisNovemberunderthetheme,“SustainableChoices,LastingImpact.”

Activitiesincludedcommunitycleanups,schoolvisits,acareerfairinGrandTurkforthestudents of the HJ Robinson High School, Green Fest, church services and a panel discussion in South Caicos

GREENFESTLAUNCHED

Experience Turks and Caicos brought the curtain down on Tourism Environmental Awareness Month (TEAM)withthestagingoftheinauguralGreenFest GreenFestisaneco-friendlyfestivalthatseeksto promote environmental awareness to locals and visitors in a through music, dance, and cuisine. Experience Turks and Caicos collaborated with sustainable businesses, non-profit organisations, and vendorswitheco-friendlyproductstocreateaplatformtoshowcaseandsell

The event, which took place at Grace Bay Market on November 29th, featured a cultural performance from the Long Bay High School Dance Group, and a showcase of sustainable costumes made by studentsoftheClementHowellHighSchool

ROUTES2024

Experience Turks and Caicos, in collaboration with the Turks and Caicos Airport Authority (TCIAA),showcasedTCIatRoutesWorld2024in Manama,Bahrain

This annual event, a global hub for airline and airport executives, enabled TCI to promote its high-end tourism potential and explore new air connectivitypossibilities

Meetings led by the Strategic Development Manager, Courtney Robinson, accompanied by key government figures, the delegation demonstrated a united front for promoting tourism and travel infrastructure development inTCI.

Mr. Robinson engaged in high-level meetings with potential airline and airport partners to strengthen air connectivity and hubs, critical factorsforincreasingtouristtraffic.

PhotoscourtesyTCIAA

AWARDS&RECOGNITIONS

Congratulations to the following for their awardsandrecognitions.

Sailrock Resort for winning Best Service in USA,Canada,México&TheCaribbeaninthe Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence2025.

Laura Dowrich-Phillips, PR Manager, Experience Turks and Caicos, and Kashmie Ali of Sailrock for being awarded a CMeX LeadershipAward2024

The Top Resorts in the Bahamas, Bermuda and The Atlantic in the Conde Nast Readers’ ChoiceAwards2024:

·Sailrock-#2

·BeachEnclave-#3

·Amanyara-#3

·AmbergrisCay-#9

·SevenStarsResort-#10

·WymaraResortandVillas-#11

ComoParrotCay-#14

SPONSORSHIP

Experience Turks and Caicos continues to support our communities through sponsorship of events In the last twomonthswehavesupportedthefollowing:

Kashmie Ali, Vice President of Sales and Marketing Sailrock Resort with the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence 2025

PARTNERUPDATES

BEACHENCLAVEOPENSTHERESERVEATGRACEBAY

Beach Enclave Turks & Caicos, a collection of exclusive-use beach houses and villas across North Shore, Long Bay, and Grace Bay, has announced the opening of The Reserve at Grace Bay by Beach Enclave The westerly neighbor to Beach Enclave Grace Bay, along the most highly desirable stretch of sunset-facing Grace Bay beach.

The Reserve consists of three ultra luxurious villas located on five acres of beachfront property, each ranging between 9,424 to 10,696 square feet of interiorspace.

Facilities include a 4,500-square-foot golf-green complex with multiple tee boxes, two tennis courts with shaded pavilions, and courts for padel, pickleball,andbeachvolleyballandbicycles.

Astate-of-the-artfitnesscenterisaccessible24/7, alongwithanoutdoorgameloungeequippedwith bocce ball and cornhole For water enthusiasts, complimentary non-motorized water sports equipment such as kayaks, snorkeling equipment and paddleboards providing unprecedented amenities and activities for active guests, who desireyear-roundfacilitiesattheirdoorstep

OnOctober4th,2024,theHartlingGroup,in partnership with Sotheby’s International Realty, officially broke ground on The Villas at Blue Mountain, an exclusive residential developmentinProvidenciales.

The development, which spans five acres, will eventually house 12 uniquely designed villas, ranging from three to seven bedrooms With prices starting at $34 million and reaching up to $7 million depending on the configuration, these homes promise exclusivity and craftsmanshipofthehighestcalibre

PARTNERUPDATES

SOUTHBANKRESORTOPENS

SouthBankResortofficiallyopenedon November5th,2024withastar-studdedceremonythatincludedthe DeputyGovernor,HerExcellency,AnyaWilliams,thePremier,theHon CharlesWashingtonMisick,theMinisterof Tourism,theHon JosephineConnollyandseveralotherministers,businesspeople,representativesfromthe TCHTAandthewho’swhooftheTCIcommunity

The31-acreProvidencialesresort,situatedalongLongBayBeach,comprisesamixof92one-tosix-bedroom accommodations Accommodationswillbespreadacrossfourdistinctareas-theOceanEstateVillas,Lagoon Villas,TheBoathousesandArc,whichisontrackforcompletionin2026

Theproperty’scenterpieceisa5-acre,man-made“oceanswimminglagoon,”whichGraceBayResortssaidis designedtoprovide“guestswithaprotectedareaforswimmingandplaying.”

Thelagoon,whichwillbe4.5-feetdeep,willbesurroundedbywhitesandandfeaturetwoislands.

Otheramenitiesareabeachfirepitlounge,fitnessfacilities,atenniscourt,apickleballcourtandaspawithfour waterfronttreatmentrooms.

ThepropertyisalsohometoLua,aMediterranean-inspiredrestaurant,andtheNuttinBar,whichwillbeononeof thelagoonislands

ThisisthefifthluxuryTurks&CaicosresortintheGraceBayResortsportfolio

PARTNERUPDATES

NEWCHAPTERFORTHEPALMS

The Hartling Group proudly reopened The PalmsTurks&Caicoson December14,2024.

After an impressive $18 million renovation, this iconicgemsituatedonworldfamousGraceBay Beach now features an expansive outdoor experience, complete with a stunning new pool deck,newoceanfrontrestaurant,andbeautifully refreshed guest rooms all crafted to deepen your connection with the spectacular surroundings and vibrant community of Turks andCaicos.

Addingtotheexcitement,theadditionofSíSí a new oceanfront Mexican-inspired restaurant set to tantalise your taste buds With the Caribbean seaasitsbreathtakingbackdrop,andledbythe talented Executive Chef Rajasaker Ravindran, along with a renowned guest Chef and collaborator Elia Herrera, guests can expect an exhilarating blend of traditional and contemporary Mexican flavors with every dish. Signature delights will include Corn Bread Soufflé,ShrimpCoconutCeviche,QuesoFundido, Salpicón de Pescado and Chicken Tinga to nameafew.

The Palms’ guest rooms have received a thoughtful refresh, enhancing comfort and style with completely refurbished bathrooms, upgradedkitchencountertops,chiclighting,and fresh hues New textiles add a modern touch, making every moment in your room feel like an extension of the island’s welcoming spirit. The PalmsTurks&Caicosisreaffirmingitsplaceasa premier destination, offering both modern hospitality and a deep reverence for the natural beautyandheritageoftheisland.

Reservations are open, toll-free 866-877-2756, and for more information, visit wwwthepalmstccom or follow along social channelsat@thepalmstc

FROMOURSOURCE MARKETS

The Turks and Caicos Islands continues to attract important real estate in the travel trade and travel publications in our source markets. From collaborations with international publications to articles written by visiting journalists, our destination has been featured across prominent publicationsandwebsitesasseenbelow

CONNECTINGWITH TOURISMCLUBS

ExperienceTurksandCaicosisdedicatedtoworkingwithTourismClubsinourschoolsaswehelp tonurturethenextgenerationtotakethereinsofthetourismindustryinthefuture. Wevisitedthe ClementHowellTourismClubandparticipatedintheirHeritageDayactivitiesandweareactively workingwiththeMinistryofEducationtorevitaliseotherTourismClubs

The Turks and Caicos Islands welcomed one million passengers in the first 10 months of 2024.

There have been 1,034,251 cruise passengers arrivingattheGrandTurkCruiseCentreupto October31st,2024,farsurpassingthe924,250 total number of passengers that arrived in 2023