Turks and Caicos Islands
GOVERNMENT

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands; Sunday, October 5th, 2008 - Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon. Dr. Michael Misick says he strongly believes that now is the time to target the Canadian Tourism market.

Premier Misick lead a delegation to Caribbean Week in Toronto held September 24-26. The delegation included Executive Chairman of the Tourist Board, Hon. Wayne Garland, Chief Executive Officer of the Turks and Caicos Islands Hotel and Tourism Association, Caesar Campbell and Director of Tourism, Lindsey Musgrove.

Premier, Misick, along with Tourism Officials attended the Caribbean Media Marketplace, held at the Westin Grand Ballroom. Caribbean Media Marketplace is an opportunity for the media to engage in one on one interviews with Caribbean Tourist Baord Officials, tour operators and airline representatives.

Canada has come to be one of the Caribbean Regions top tourism markets. Premier Misick noted that the Turks and Caicos Islands has always had a longstanding relationship with Canada. "Canada has changed a lot. The Canadian dollar is now very strong, its economy is still relatively strong and so Canada is a very important market for all of us".

"Tourism is the fastest growing business in the world and the largest revenue earner", stated Premier Misick. "We want to target all of the niche areas in all the important markets, particularly those with strong economies".

Mr. Lindsey Musgrove, Director of the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board says that Canada is the second highest tourist generating market for the TCI after the United States. He noted that the main goal of the Tourist Board at Caribbean Marketplace was to get more Canadians to visit the Turks and Caicos Islands and also to attract more investors.

"Attending CTO Week in Toronto gives us an opportunity to meet with the media, wholesalers and travel agents to update them on what's new in the TCI and why it should be at the top of their list of vacation destinations", said Musgrove.

Tourism Officials, tourism suppliers and the media also joined the CTO in recognizing the contributions of the travel agent community during a luncheon.

END