TCI Government to Fully Fund Redevelopment of Howard Hamilton International Airport

The Turks and Caicos Islands Government has announced that it will fully finance the redevelopment of the Howard Hamilton International Airport, rejecting all bids previously submitted for the project.

The Howard Hamilton International Airport

Premier Washington Misick made the declaration during his State of the State Address on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at the Shore Club Resort.

Misick told the nation that after reviewing the proposals, the Government determined that none met its expectations and instead opted to take complete ownership of the airport’s transformation.

“Having reviewed the bid proposals and decided not to accept any of the bids for the Howard Hamilton International Airport, I am pleased to say that it hasn’t stopped there,” the Premier said. “The Government has decided to take full ownership of the airport redevelopment.”

He explained that this approach would ensure that revenue generated from the aviation sector remains within the country and is reinvested directly into modernizing airport infrastructure for the benefit of Turks and Caicos Islanders.

“This ensures that the revenue generated from our aviation sector is reinvested directly into modernizing our airports for the benefit of our people,” Misick said.

Tourism Growth and Resilience

The announcement comes against the backdrop of steady, though moderating, tourism growth.

According to data from Experience Turks and Caicos, stayover visitor arrivals climbed from 560,000 in 2022 to 580,000 in 2023, and then to 642,000 in 2024. In 2025, arrivals levelled off slightly at 641,000. Meanwhile, cruise passenger arrivals in Grand Turk have surpassed one million annually.

Premier Misick acknowledged that while 2025 showed flattened stayover growth, it was not a negative year. He cited global shifts in travel patterns, increased competition, higher costs, and changes in external economic policies that affected discretionary travel spending.

“Five years ago, our economy stopped. Tourism shut down. Revenue fell sharply. Families worried. Businesses struggled,” he reflected, referencing the pandemic-era collapse. “But we reopened responsibly. We rebuilt carefully.”

Looking ahead, the Government is projecting modest growth of approximately three percent in 2026.

“That is steady, realistic, and sustainable,” the Premier noted, adding that sustainability remains central to national policy.

Focus on Sustainability and Reform

The Turks and Caicos Islands recently completed what the Premier described as the first tourism-carrying capacity study in the Caribbean. Cabinet has also approved the creation of a dedicated unit focused on economic and tourism sustainability.

The study will guide development decisions and ensure that growth does not outpace infrastructure or compromise environmental and social priorities.

“Tourism cannot simply grow,” Misick cautioned. “It must benefit the Turks and Caicos Islands. It must be sustainable. TCI cannot only be a conduit for other people to make money. It must be managed with discipline.”

DMO Right Idea; Poorly Executed

The Government also plans to restructure Experience Turks and Caicos, the country’s Destination Management Organization (DMO). While defending the concept behind its creation, the Premier admitted its execution had been flawed.

“The DMO was the right idea, but it was poorly executed,” he said, adding that reforms will ensure alignment with the public finance management framework and shift fully toward data-driven decision-making and long-term destination management.

Gateway to the Nation

Emphasizing the importance of airport infrastructure, the Premier described the Howard Hamilton International Airport as the gateway to the country’s tourism industry and the first and last impression for visitors.

“Our airports are the gateway to our tourism industry and the first and last impression of the Turks and Caicos Islands for every visitor who arrives on our shores,” he said.

By assuming full control of the redevelopment project, Misick intimated that the Government is positioning itself to directly shape the future of the nation’s primary gateway, while keeping control of one of its most critical revenue streams firmly in public hands.