| Tourist, cruise ship arrivals up in first quarter | | Print | |
| Thursday, 09 June 2011 08:41 | |||
 Tourism continued to bounce back in the Turks and Caicos Islands during the first quarter of 2011, up a total of 17 percent over the same period last year and more than 50 percent better than 2009. Long stay visitor arrivals were up 12 percent from the first three months of 2010, while cruise ship passenger arrivals at the Grand Turk Cruise Center were up 20 percent for the same period, according to figures provided by the Tourist Board, the Airport Authority and the Hotel and Tourism Association. The Cruise Center remains one of the most popular cruise ports in the region, ranking behind only Puerto Rico, Nassau and St. Thomas. “The Turks and Caicos tourism industry is one that continues to grow from strength to strength, even in these challenging economic times,” said Acting Director of Tourism Ralph Higgs. “The Board of Directors, our team and myself are extremely pleased with these figures for our long stay visitors to the destination, it is reflective of not just us but all of our tourism partners, working together to achieve this great success.” Increased cooperation between the private sector and government to promote the destination coupled with Americans traveling more and a strong Canadian dollar have all helped to grow the country’s main industry. Also helping to boost the tourism market are recently added flights from JetBlue and Continential. The two airlines landed their inagural flights to the TCI back to back in March. Jet Blue added daily service from New York’s JFK airport to Providenciales, while Continental started non-stop service daily from Newark. Continental also added a Saturday direct flight from Boston. That adds more than 2,000 potential passengers travelling to the destination each week. This has proved especially important in the traditionally slower season, which usually begins in April. While resorts have reported a slow down, it is not the drop off they generally see after the Easter weeks. Many resorts have said they have experienced record numbers for the winter 2010/11 season, welcome news after a two year slump.
|
Related Articles
Entertainment: Your Island Guide
|
Top things to do in April Top things to do in April 1. From Golfing to More... |
|
Valentine’s Day Cup 2013 model sailboat races The Middle Caicos Sailboat Association will once again present the annual model sailboat races at More... |
|
Lime and Tourist Board announce weekly Fish Fry The Turks & Caicos Tourist Board & LIME partner with Cultural Fish Fry The Turks & Caicos Tourist More... |
|
Turks & Caicos Reef Fun to host dazzling evening The Turks and Caicos Reef Fund will host its 2nd Annual Cocktail Party Reception on Jan. 26 at the More... |
|
Fashion Glam at Regent Palms The Regent Palms is inviting everyone to an evening of fashion and glamour at their event being More... |
Latest Community News
|
Cholera Clinical Management Training Held in the TCI Healthcare professionals from the TCI Health Services were trained in the Clinical Management of More... |
|
Illegal Haitian immigrants Intercepted Illegal Haitian Immigrants Intercepted, to the Repatriated According to the Ministry of Border More... |
|
Ministry of Health Reminding public about sanitation Health surveillance teams attached to the Ministry of Health and Human Services (MOHHS) have More... |
|
Scholarship applications now being accepted The Ministry of Education has announced that they are now accepting applications for scholarships More... |
|
History and traditions stay alive at the 13th annual boat races in Middle Caicos The 2013 Valentines Day Cup welcomed many fun loving residents and tourists to Middle Caicos’ More... |