Turks & Caicos Wants You Back
The Turks & Caicos tourism board published this press release today, days after proclaiming the island had suffered a “tremendous loss” in the wake of Hurricane Ike. Here it is, in its entirety:
The Turks & Caicos Islands Tourist Board is pleased to welcome travelers to Providenciales with the opening of Providenciales International Airport (PLS) for unrestricted commercial flights. Minimally impacted by Hurricane Ike, Providenciales’ powder white sand beaches have been cleared of debris, its crystal clear oceans are calm and most water activities are resuming. Provo is buzzing as people return to normal, everyday life and tourists enjoy the island paradise.
“More than 50 percent of our hotels are fully open and operational with the remaining hotels opening the 1st of October after they have completed their annual general maintenance,” said Honorable Wayne Garland, executive chairman of the Turks & Caicos Islands Tourist Board.
Many of Providenciales’ resorts are currently open to guests including The Somerset, The Tuscany, and Club Med all on Grace Bay. The Regent Palms and The Sands on Grace Bay will reopen on Saturday, Sept. 13 followed by Seven Stars on Monday, Sept. 15. Parrot Cay and Beaches will reopen on Sat. Sept. 27. Grace Bay Club and Turks & Caicos Club will reopen on Oct. 1 after regularly scheduled annual maintenance. Ocean Club Resort, Ocean Club West, Nikki Beach Hotel and Amanyara will reopen in the coming weeks after landscaping cleanup is complete.
There have been extensive damages to Grand Turk, Salt Cay, South Caicos and North Caicos, where recovery efforts are concentrated. While impact to the capital is substantial, the Grand Turk Cruise Center experienced limited damage and repairs are expected to be underway shortly. For Carnival Cruise itineraries that included Grand Turk, the line is working on alternate ports and will advise impacted guests as those modifications are finalized.
The Turks & Caicos Islands Tourist Board will continue providing updates regarding tourism to Turks & Caicos, and invites travelers to enjoy Providenciales’ beauty, resorts and amenities.
On an island whose entire economy is based on tourism, you can’t blame them for wanting those tourism dollars to start rolling back in. I know they sorely need it, but I still wouldn’t risk the trip if I were you. When only one half of the resorts are open, you can bet there is still quite a lot of damage.