MoT and Experience Turks and Caicos host Smart Destination Management luncheon; Experience Turks and Caicos co-chairs interviewed by CBS News
Stacey, Donna and the Reverend
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands (June 18, 2024) – Tourism Minister Josephine Connolly led a delegation made up of representatives from the Ministry of Tourism, Experience Turks and Caicos and the Turks and Caicos Islands Hotel and Tourism Association to participate in the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) Caribbean Week, held in New York from June 17-21.
The delegation included Wesley Clervaux, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Leandrea Missick, Assistant to the Minister, Alvin Hegner, Co-Chair of Experience Turks and Caicos, Trina Adams, Chief Marketing Officer, Experience Turks and Caicos, Laura Dowrich, Public Relations Manager, Experience Turks and Caicos, and Stacey Cox, CEO, Turks and Caicos Islands Hotel and Tourism Association.
This year’s Caribbean Week revolved around CTO’s 35th anniversary theme, “Connecting the World, Celebrating Diversity,” and included events to stimulate dialogue to advance the development of the Caribbean tourism industry.
Interview at Media Market
On the final day, Experience Turks and Caicos and the Ministry of Tourism hosted a Smart Destination Management Luncheon. In his welcoming remarks at the luncheon, Minister Connolly spoke about Experience Turks and Caicos’ use of data to drive strategy and inform the tourism industry in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
“Experience Turks and Caicos Islands’ vision is to be a pioneer in the field of smart destination management. While we are still in the early stages of this journey, our goals are clear and ambitious: we aim to harness the power of technology, innovation and collaboration to enhance visitor experiences, protect our natural and cultural assets and ensure sustainable growth for our islands,” she said.
Speakers at the discussion included Nicola Madden Greig, Chairperson of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, Jeremy Jones, Corporate Director of Resort Operations Jamaica, Sandals Resorts International, Carl Gordon, Director of Government Strategic Growth at Mastercard, and Chelsea Collier, Founder of Digi City.
Minister Interview 2
While in New York, Hegner, co-chair of Experience Turks and Caicos Islands, was interviewed by CBS News about the issue of five Americans being detained on suspicion of possessing ammunition.
Hegner reassured Americans that the Turks and Caicos Islands-U.S. relationship remains strong and that the destination is a welcoming and peaceful place for all.
Hegner also welcomed the abolition of the 12-year minimum prison sentence for those convicted of firearms offences.
On Friday 14 June 2024, the House of Representatives unanimously approved the Bill. The Bill clarifies that where a court finds exceptional circumstances in relation to the illegal possession of a firearm or ammunition, it may impose a fine, imprisonment, or both a fine and imprisonment. This amendment was introduced to address marginal cases of exceptional circumstances for both residents and visitors and ensure sentences are proportionately consistent with those circumstances.
Header: Tourism Minister Josephine Connolly with the TCI delegation
