Turks and Caicos Islands
GOVERNMENT

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos – October 16 2009 – The Tourism Working Group, a body formed by the Governor to make recommendations relating to the promotion of TCI as a tourist destination, has now held initial meetings with some of the major stakeholders in the Tourism Industry.

The group is chaired by Clive Stanbrook, QC and consists of well known local members of the Community drawn from the private sector and Government.  The Members are Clayton Thomas, Julia Williams, David Bowen, Brian Lightbourne, Art Pickering, Mark Durliat, Arthur Been and Kingsley Been.

The Terms of Reference for the Working Group are as follows:

The Working Group is established to make recommendations to the Governor on the promotion of tourism in the Turks & Caicos Islands.  In so doing, it will consider:

a) The respective roles of the private and public sector in the development and maintenance of a profitable and sustainable tourism industry in TCI through the effective, ethical and professional marketing of its products and how these roles can be best coordinated;

b) The most appropriate institutional arrangements for marketing tourism in the TCI

c) Any legislative measures necessary to give effect to b) above;

d) The most appropriate source of funding for the activities of the proposed institutions(s).  All options should be considered other than a direct subvention from Government.  This could include new levies on the industry or by the hypothecation of existing levies.

The first meeting was held in Providenciales on Thursday, October 1. At that meeting discussions were held with Executives and former Directors of the Tourist Board, representatives of the Hotel Association, the Chamber of Commerce, the Developers Association, the Water sports industry and Rotary.  The second meeting was in Grand Turk and representatives of the Grand Turk Chamber of Commerce, Hotels, Diving and Tour operators and Taxi drivers attended.

"How we promote these islands and what form of entity we use to promote them is crucial to the success of most if not all the businesses on the islands. This is of course true at any time but it is especially important in the depressed economic climate in which we are now operating. The Working Group welcomes and is eager to take into consideration the views of all interested persons in the private sector and the community at large.”  Stanbrook further commented, “We would like everyone who feels they have something to contribute to get on line and send us an e-mail tourismwg@gmail.com or to contact our Working Group coordinator Mavis Williams at (946-2936) or to contact any of the members of the Working Group.

Further initiatives being implemented by the Working Group include discussions with and questionnaires to tourism partners such as the international press, tour operators & travel agents and a selection of previous tourists who have visited our destination.

Citizens and residents wishing to provide input, ideas and suggestions are invited to visit the Working Group website at www.workinggroupTCI.com or by sending an Email to: tourismwg@gmail.com. The Working Group expects to send its draft conclusions to the Governor before the end of November.