A Raw Deal for our Local Entrepreneurs in the Water Sports Sector

An OpED by Former Deputy Premier Sean Astwood

I see your true colors, its red and yellow. Premier Washington Misick and his administration have once again shown their true colours with the controversial partnership between Grace Bay Resorts and Red Hospitality.

This so-called "Red deal" is nothing short of another calculated move to marginalise local businesses and further entrench corporate monopolies in the Turks and Caicos Islands. It seems like the PNP's colour isn’t just yellow but also red.

Misleading Justifications

Deputy Premier Jamell Robinson’s recent statements defending this partnership are rife with contradictions. He claims that this deal aims to “ensure vendors meet high standards and reduce liability risks.” Yet, what standards are we talking about?

The only standards being upheld are those that prioritize profit over people, favouring large corporations like Red Hospitality at the expense of local entrepreneurs. Cronyism at the highest levels.

Robinson’s comments about commission rates, ranging from 5% to 25%, are equally disingenuous. This partnership is not about fair competition or individual negotiations; it is about leveraging financial muscle to squeeze out small vendors. Red Hospitality, with its deep pockets and political connections, is set to dominate the market, leaving local operators with crumbs.

Premier Misick's Hollow Promises

Premier Misick’s pledge to investigate Red Hospitality’s operations is nothing but a smokescreen. His administration’s history shows a pattern of favouritism towards big businesses, often at the expense of local enterprises. His recent meeting with the watersports community, accompanied by Deputy Premier Robinson, was a mere performative act to placate public outrage.

Misick’s assurances of protecting local businesses and promoting healthy competition ring hollow. If his government were truly committed to these principles, they would not have greenlit a deal that effectively hands over control of a vital sector to an outside entity. This move is a betrayal of the very entrepreneurs who have worked tirelessly to build the local watersports industry from the ground up.

Impact on Young Entrepreneurs

The watersports sector has been a lifeline for many young men in the Turks and Caicos Islands. It has provided them with opportunities to create sustainable livelihoods, contribute to the local economy, and stay away from the lure of gun violence that currently plagues our communities.

This deal threatens to dismantle that progress, robbing them of their means to support their families, build their businesses, and contribute positively to society. While some young men in our islands are unfortunately caught in cycles of violence, most are making commendable strides in sectors like watersports.

They are the unsung heroes who are adding real value to our tourism product while building a better future for themselves and their families. Yet, instead of supporting these young entrepreneurs, the Misick administration is undermining their efforts by not acting swiftly to prevent the beginning of a ‘Red’ monopoly that may subject our local entrepreneurs to price fixing,

selective inclusions, arbitrary exclusions, and eliminations, deciding who will succeed and who will fail.

This is completely unacceptable, and this is why one of my major platform initiatives is to make certain sectors of our economy, like the water sports sector exclusively for Turks and Caicos Islanders. This means that 100% of the business licenses, the company’s shares and it’s assets, bank accounts and profits will belong to TCIs period. Foreign companies and individuals will only be able to benefits from these sectors through current and new financing offerings. It’s time for TCIs!

A Call for Action

It is time for the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands to hold Premier Misick and his 14- 1 government accountable. We must demand transparency and fairness in how business partnerships are formed and regulated. Local businesses deserve an equal playing field, not a rigged game that favours wealthy outsiders.

Our young men, who are striving to make a positive impact, need our support now more than ever. We must champion their cause and ensure that opportunities in sectors like watersports remain accessible to them. The future of our islands depends on empowering local entrepreneurs, not selling out to the highest bidder.

I stand with our young men and women in this sector and will not allow the government to play games with their future while selling them out.

Conclusion

The "Red deal" is a stark reminder of the political machinations that prioritize profit over people. Premier Misick and his administration have shown where their loyalties lie, and it is not with the hardworking men and women of the Turks and Caicos Islands. It is time for a change. It is time to stand up for our local businesses, support our young entrepreneurs, and reject the corporate greed that threatens to engulf our economy. The people do not need a Red Deal; they need a Real Deal! It’s time for TCIs!