DMMO Experiment Has Failed – Astwood

Originally published January 30th 2026

Leader of the Opposition Hon. Edwin A. Astwood has sharply criticised the Government’s handling of Experience Turks and Caicos (Experience TCI), the country’s Destination Management Organization (DMO), arguing that its announced restructuring is an admission of failure after years of unmet targets, rising costs, and weakened tourism governance.

Hon. Edwin A. Astwood, Leader of the Opposition

In a detailed statement issued this week, Astwood said the Government’s decision to restructure Experience TCI comes after three years of tourism key performance indicators not being achieved, alongside funding challenges and what he described as “missteps and half-measures.” He noted that he has warned since 2022 against dismantling the former Tourist Board (TB) in favour of an unproven DMO model.

“The Government is now at an embarrassing point of having no other choice but to restructure Experience TCI,” Astwood said, adding that public trust is at risk as “words have again outpaced results.”

Promises Versus Outcomes

Astwood said the DMO was promoted as a modern, streamlined approach that would unlock new markets and strengthen tourism product development. Instead, he argued, millions of dollars were redirected away from the Tourist Board into an entity with unclear mandates and no verifiable outcomes.

He also raised concerns about transparency, stating that key decisions were made with limited stakeholder consultation, minimal independent review, and no clear contingency plans for employees affected by the closure of the Tourist Board.

Longstanding Warnings

The Opposition Leader reiterated that he had consistently advocated for strengthening the Tourist Board rather than dismantling it. He recalled publicly warning in February 2023 that closing the TB would negatively impact staff and the country’s tourism reputation, and earlier cautions in May 2022 that funding earmarked for a new DMO would be better invested in product enhancement, staffing, and targeted marketing within the existing structure.

Astwood also referenced a Live Press Conference held on 13 July 2023, during which he described the transfer of tourism marketing responsibilities to the DMO as “reckless and irresponsible,” arguing that it reduced direct control over how the Turks and Caicos Islands are marketed internationally.

Funding Concerns Raised in Budget Debates

In his 2024 Budget Address, Astwood pointed to a sharp increase in funding allocated to Experience TCI, citing Budget Volume II, page 3.88, item #35829. According to his figures, the DMO received $2.3 million the previous year, rising to $6.5 million in the current budget cycle, despite what he said was an absence of measurable results.

He said the current restructuring, emerging as the country approaches 2026, mirrors earlier warnings that the shift away from the Tourist Board would ultimately require reversal.

Calls for Independent Review

Astwood is now calling on the Government to ensure that any restructuring of Experience TCI is guided by transparency and evidence. He urged the publication of an independent business case, a clear cost-benefit analysis comparing the Tourist Board and DMO models, and a transition plan that protects staff, preserves institutional knowledge, and ensures continuity of tourism programmes.

He also called for sustained dialogue with tourism stakeholders across all islands, including industry associations, operators, and workers.

Livelihoods at Stake

Highlighting tourism’s role as the backbone of the Turks and Caicos economy, Astwood warned that poorly managed reform could disrupt product development, reduce market access, and threaten the livelihoods of thousands of residents employed across the sector.

“If reality continues to diverge from rhetoric, we risk stalled investment, declining visitor satisfaction, higher unemployment, and reduced living standards,” he said.

Astwood concluded by reaffirming his commitment to advocating for a tourism strategy that prioritises product enhancement, market access, and long-term stability for workers and businesses dependent on the industry.