Turks and Caicos Islands Premier Hon. Dr. Michael Misick (right) accepts the Six Stars Diamond Award from President of The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences Joseph Cinque .

By Vivian Tyson
SUN Associate Editor

By virtue of its world-rated vast natural ecosystem, pristine white sand, and the way it develops, sustains and markets its tourism, the Turks and Caicos Islands has been chosen as the world's first Six Stars Diamond tourism destination.

The award was bestowed on the country by The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences, on Monday, April 29, during the official opening of the 10 th Annual Caribbean Conference of Sustainable Tourism Development, at Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort and Spa. Premier Hon. Dr. Michael Misick accepted the award on behalf of the country.

Joseph Cinque, President of the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences, while making the presentation, which he described as the organization's ultimate accolade, noted that a country becomes a candidate for the Six Stars Awards based on its natural ecosystem and the way which it is maintained by its people.

“Is based on what Mother Nature has developed here. It is based on the water, the sand, and the drive and energy to promote that worldwide – that is important to us. Sustenance is very important – there are certain categories we have – but that (sustenance) is very important.

“This award, to me, is very important, because this is not something that you can take away. You can't take away nature and what it has. So I believe that it will be a good experience for us as a country to be together and to promote that world-wide,” Cinque said.

Meanwhile, Premier Hon. Dr. Michael Misick, while accepting the award, underlined the need for the overall environmental sustainability of the Turks and Caicos Islands and by extension the region. According to Premier Misick, in order for the region's tourism to survive, a collective effort would have to be taken by all the region's governments to ensure that we do not harm environment, since the region depends on it for its daily survivals.

“Undoubtedly global warming and climate change continue to appear on the agenda at most forums irrespective of the industry. And I believe that reality is evident by the increased frequency of natural disasters, along with man- made disasters that have brought us to a very crucial place where we must now focus on how we, as a region, as national governments, and as common citizens can do our best to sustain one of the fundamental characters of our tourism industry – the coastal product,” the Premier noted.

Speaking directly to the delegates, Premier Misick added: “The time has come for us as a region to address in more detail how we can work towards ensuring that our coastal products are well protected during times of increased exposure by natural and man-made activities. I believe that you are convinced that in someway, the very nature of your coastal products maybe threatened by the actions of those far away, and that you must carefully plan to ensure that your actions do not compromise its existence any further.”

Premier Misick noted that the local government has seen the need to preserve and conserve its environment, resulting in it declaring a third of the country space as protected, with emphasis being placed on marine environment, which he said his Government was proud to protect.

“We are proud to not only have the world's best beach, but also the third largest reef system in the world,” Premier Misick said, noting that his administration has established The Conservation Fund, which he said is ten percent of Accommodation Tax, which is geared towards the sustenance of parks and coastal monitoring.