Wales Tourism and Visit Planning

Interview with Hon. Michael E. Misick, LLB, Chief Minister, Turks and Caicos Islands

Holiday In Wales BTN caught up with Hon. Michael E. Misick, LLB, Chief Minister, Turks and Caicos Islands, B.W.I., back at the AHIC in May to find out what Turks and Caicos has in plan over the coming months as the five star product continues to rapidly expand to increasing demand. Turks and Caicos is the in word in the Caribbean at present and owing to this CTN is re-running this exclusive interview.

Airport Information Visitors fly directly into Provodenciales Island (PLS), and transfers to other islands are available from there. Lynx Air does offer direct flights to Grand Turk from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The Turks and Caicos is only 75 minutes from Miami, less than 3 hours from Charlotte, North Carolina, 3 hours from New York and 3 and a half hours from Boston and can easily be reached with direct flights from the US, the UK, Canada, the Bahamas, Jamaica, Dominican Republic and Haiti. Each traveller is required to pay departure tax of US $23 at the airport upon leaving the island.

Holiday Wales BTN: What new initiatives have you launched recently in Turks and Caicos?
MM: We have a number of new hotels which are under construction. We are very pleased to say that we have the first Aman resort being built in Turks and Caicos the first in the Caribbean. Also we have a new Ritz Carlton that is under construction. The Aman will be open in November of 2005.

The Prime Minister of Jamaica, Hon. P.J. Patterson, is to be the first recipient of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO)s Distinguished Service Award, the regional tourism development agency has announced. Prime Minister Patterson will be presented with the award at the 32nd Annual Governments of the Caribbean State Ball on Friday, June 3, 2005 at New Yorks Waldorf=Astoria.

Cottage Holiday In Wales BTN: What is Turks and Caicos doing here at the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference?

Staff With American Airlines providing two flights a day to Providenciales from Miami, the Turks and Caicos Islands could hardly be more accessible. Room rates on Provo can run anywhere from $80 to $2, 000 a night depending on your tastes and the size of your wallet. The Turtle Cove Inn overlooks the marina and usually runs packages with the charter boats. If you decide to visit from late April through November, prime blue marlin season, by the way, you can save 15 to 20 percent on most hotel rates.

Caravan Holiday In Wales MM: We are here for a number of reasons. First we are here to promote Turks and Caicos as a safe place to invest in the hotel sector. Secondly there is a buzz about Dubai and all the development that are taking place as the Minister who is responsible for investment in tourism as well as Chief Minister I wanted to come here first hand and see what is happening and see whether we can learn from their experience. Turks and Caicos is an upmarket destination. We are not interested in mass tourism and we want to see what is happening in Dubai we are very impressed with the investment here and what is happening.

One of the most valuable possessions of the islands are the pristine white sandy beaches, which in total cover 230 miles and are complemented with crystal clear turquoise waters. The islands are relatively flat but vary from sand dunes to lush green vegetation. Salt Cay, Grand Turk, South Caicos, Middle Caicos, North Caicos, Providenciales, Parrot Cay and Pine Cay. East Caicos and West Caicos along with several other fascinating cays are uninhabited. People on the islands known as "Belongers" are known for their friendly spirit, stress, feel comfortable and truly relax.

Camping Holiday Wales BTN: I notice you are the only Caribbean Island in attendance. Are the other Caribbean Islands showing an interest in the developments here in Dubai?
MM: I dont know but I do think that as many persons in Caribbean tourism and Caribbean hospitality should come to see what is happening here because potentially they could be one of our potential investors.

St. Director of Tourism Since 1998 Mr. Peter Hilary Modeste has served, as the Director of Tourism of the St. Lucia Tourist Board. President of the St. Lucia Hotel & Tourism Association, Mr. Modeste has been employed within the tourism sector for a number of years. He was educated at the University of Wales and is married with three children. A former Minister of Education, Mr. Modeste has served on a number of national organizations including the St. Lucia Development Bank.

Accommodation Holiday Wales [image2_left] BTN: What is your opinion on some of the projects here?
MM: They are all very impressive, including The World and The Palm. It is amazing what money can do. I was very impressed with the level of modern infrastructure, high end hotels and properties that are in Dubai and it certainly shows how much a vision has completely transformed Dubai from a desert into a modern tourism destination.

Holiday Last Minute Wales BTN: How will these developments in Dubai impact tourism worldwide?
MM: This is going to add Dubai on the map as a worldwide tourism destination. It has the potential to compete with the Caribbean, but our core market is North America which is close to the Caribbean and Americans are still a bit sceptical about the region in relation to safety, so in the medium term its not going to have a tremendous impact, but long term if the region stabilises, it might. But, tourism is the fastest growing business in the world and the markets are improving tremendously. World Travel Organisation estimated that by 2010, there will be close to 100 million Chinese travelling, so there is sufficient business for all the regions.

Catering Holiday Self Wales BTN: Is the construction going to put tourists off travelling to Dubai?
MM: Most tourists realise that Dubai is in its construction phase. There is no visible nuisance of the work that is going on.

Holiday Wales Walking BTN: Can you comment on the AHIC?
MM: I think that the AHIC has been a success. I would certainly like to congratulate the organisers on what has been a well planned event. There are a lot of very senior people from the hotel industry from around the world Marriott, Le Meridien, 4 Seasons and investors here, so it is a very well planned event. I think that the outcome will be that more hotel companies will have a spotlight on Dubai and by extension the region and also its an opportunity for investment to flow whether it is in or out of the region.

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