TCI’s TOURIST ARRIVALS UP

By Hayden Boyce Publisher & Editor in Chief

Despite the international recession and some unfavourable publicity over the past year, the Turks and Caicos Islands still remains a strong brand as a tourist destination.
        This was amply represented by the just-released tourist arrival statistics from the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board which showed that combined long stay and cruise arrivals for 2009 increased by 12.5 per cent over 2008.
        In 2009 there were 513,928 cruise passengers; a 21 percent increase over the 404,952 passengers who came to the Turks and Caicos Islands in 2008.
        Last year, there were 351, 498 long stay visitors. This was 773 persons (or 0.21 percent) less than the 352,271 visitors who came to the country by plane in 2008.
        “Seeing increases in cruise ship arrivals and a minimal decrease in long stay arrivals confirms that our islands are still one of the most sought after vacation destinations,” Ralph Higgs Director of Tourism for the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board, said in a press statement.
        “Based on these numbers it is apparent that the destination showed much resilience through the global financial situation and I am confident that 2010 will be a stronger tourism year. 
        “We anticipate that 2010 will be a strong tourism year. We are seeing an increase in our tourist arrivals, additional flights to the islands, approval for the expansion of the Providenciales International Airport, as well as a number of resorts properties to be added to the accommodation collection.”
        John Smith, CEO of the Turks and Caicos Airport Authority said the Turks and Caicos Islands has showed tremendous strength during the global recession.
        “I am extremely optimistic of the projections going forward,” Smith added. “I am happy to note that the projected growth driven by the demand can finally be accommodated by the redevelopment of the Providenciales International Airport.”
        So far this year, Turks and Caicos Islands’ tourism has been off to a relatively good start. Tourist arrivals for January 2010 were up 12 per cent compared to the same period a year prior. In January 2010 the destination saw a combined total of 102,592 cruise ship and long stay visitors, compared to the combination of 91,659 cruise ship and long stay visitors in January 2009. 
        In January 2010, the destination saw 65,411 cruise ship visitors and 31 cruise ships, compared to 57,752 cruise ship visitors and 29 cruise ships for the same period last year.
        Long-stay visitors are also increasing, with 37, 481 coming in January 2010, as against 33,907 long stay visitors for January 2009.
        Meantime, the 2009 tourism statistics showed that the United States, Canada and major European markets, in that order,  remained the Turks and Caicos Islands’ top markets for tourists.
        The US market showed a 4.4 per cent increase (277,426 visitors) when compared to the same period in 2008 which had 265,732 visitors. The European market remained steady, reporting no percentage change. The Canadian market showed a 20 per cent increase in passengers arriving via scheduled and charter flights in 2009 when compared to the same period in 2008.
        In 2009,  the Tourist Board did not participate in its usual marketing calendar of international promotional events.
        However, the destination was featured on a number of US and UK based television series and publications including Travel Channels’ Bridget’s Sexiest Beaches, Real Housewives of Orange County, Magazines namely, Brides, Weddingbells, Caribbean Travel + Life, and Bon Appetite.
        In addition, the destination also played hosted a number of photo shoots for publications, high-end retailers and designers such as: Macys, Victoria Secret, W Magazine, and Fitness Magazine, to name a few.
        The Turks and Caicos also became more accessible to North American travelers, as US Air and Westjet increased flight service to the islands.
        US Air introduced additional flights from Boston , Philadelphia and Charlotte and Westjet introduced twice weekly scheduled flights from Toronto.
        In 2009, the destination had a number of hotel openings, including the opening of the Estates at Grace Bay, a 22-suite all luxury residential property featuring four bedrooms, four ½ bathrooms, in a total of nearly 4,800 square feet of indoor/outdoor luxury, with private plunge pool, outdoor shower and the finest of interior finishes; plus Beaches Resort and Spa’s Italian Village, a 162-room Italian-inspired village with complete Butler Service, 3 additional restaurants, water park with 7 additional pools, and kids camp.