The Cruise Steering Committee and the Ministry of Tourism under the patronage of
the Hon. Charles W. Misick, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) hosted
a daylong high-level discussion on the Grand Turk Master Plan and the way
forward, in particular as it relates to the Turks and Caicos Islands Government
(TCIG)/Carnival Infrastructure Fund. The master plan provides an adaptable
blueprint to control, coordinate, and direct change on the island that comes
from development and improvements to infrastructure. This plan integrates with
the vision and planning initiatives improved lifestyle and preservation of the
island’s cultural and natural heritage.
Premier Misick was joined by Hon. E. Jay Saunders, Deputy Premier and Minister of
Health; Hon. Josephine Connolly, Minister of Tourism; Hon. Akiera Missick,
Minister of Infrastructure; Hon. Otis Morris, Minister of Home Affairs; and the
Hon. Arlington Musgrove, Minister of Immigration. Other attendees included
members of the House of Assembly headed by the Hon. Speaker, Hon. Gordon,
Permanent Secretaries and support team along with the Cruise Steering Committee
with others joining virtually. Issues pertinent to the holistic enhancement of
Grand Turk were discussed and not limited to cruise tourism.
Sessions were facilitated by Permanent Secretary, Cheryl Ann Jones and Tourism Risk
Manager, Mr. Brian Been of the Ministry of Tourism alongside Infrastructure Officer,
Mr. Bradley Coalbrooke. Partners such as
the Grand Turk Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Services Providers and others
discussed the prioritization of high impact projects for Grand Turk and TCIG’s
commitment to providing a unique and high-quality environment on Grand Turk.
Mrs. Cheryl Ann Jones, stated; “this session
is evident of the Ministry of Tourism’s commitment, ensuring an integrated
approach is taken with clear goals and objectives that are measurable. She further
commented, ‘that the plan is a live document, we will all benefit from in the
long-term but must ensure planning and policy is reflective of sustainability; whilst
being proactive.”
In solidifying the partnership, the Minister of Tourism, Hon. Josephine Connelly
stated her ministry’s commitment to the initiative and thanked all participants
for their support since the start of the programme in 2016. She expressed gratitude to organizers for
guidance in hosting the session and said this project will surely benefit the
TCI in general and Grand Turk in particular from a development standpoint.
Premier Misick stated that God has been good to us.
And we must use the opportunity to leverage development especially as it
relates to the rich, architectural history of the country and align it with the
good ratings the country receives. He
stressed that there is a need to focus on product development. With corridors
in now economically depressed communities holding immense historical wealth such
as Middle Street there is a huge opportunity to convert this into potentially
millions of dollars in sustainable livelihoods, thus creating a paradigm shift. These areas are posed to be great tourism
clusters, with buildings such as the Old Constabulary being converted in art
houses and museums. Sustainability will
monetize these areas but a collective decision-making approach is needed to
accomplish such. The focus is to preserve
what we have and enhance it through incentives, whilst having a community
tourism approach where everybody benefits.