Turks & Caicos Hotels, Resorts & Villas

On October 1st the Grace Bay area welcomed a new restaurant, serving authentic local cuisine – Fresh Catch. The restaurant is located in the heart of Grace Bay at the Salt Mills Plaza in Unit 6.

Fresh Catch touts itself as the only “real” local food restaurant in Grace Bay and I couldn’t agree more! After having tried the restaurant for breakfast and lunch I can say that a local restaurant in this area was much needed.

Fresh Catch is the newest restaurant in the Grace Bay serving native dishes

The menu includes island dishes such as chicken souse, grilled lobster and visitor’s favourites conch fritters and conch salad.

The casual restaurant has been a hit for locals and tourists and for service and taste the restaurant deserves an A+.

The menu features local dishes and offers a true taste of native Turks and Caicos cuisine

Visit Fresh Catch at the Salt Mills Plaza – authentic island cuisine in the heart of Grace Bay

Owner of the restaurant, Janardo Laporte is a saxophonist and singer well known for his performances at various resorts and functions throughout the islands.

Add Fresh Catch to your “must visit” list during your vacation for a true taste of the Turks and Caicos!

Turks and Caicos Reservations congratulates the winners and the nominees for this year’s World Travel Awards, held at Beaches Turks and Caicos this past Friday, September 14, 2012.

The event, which brought together leaders in the travel industry from more than 30 nations throughout the Caribbean and the Americas, recognizes the travel brands that have made the greatest contribution to the industry over the past year.

Grace Bay Beach was named the Leading Beach Destination in the Caribbean and Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort Villages & Spa won the Caribbean’s Leading Family All-Inclusive award. Other winners from Turks and Caicos included:

- Parrot Cay – Caribbean’s Leading Boutique Hotel
- The Estate at Grace Bay Club – Caribbean’s Leading Hotel & Residences
- Amanyara – Caribbean’s Leading Luxury Villa
- The Regent Palms – Caribbean’s Leading Spa Resort
- The Grace Bay Penthouse Suite, Grace Bay Club – Caribbean’s Leading Suite
- The Seven Stars Resort – Turks and Caicos’ Leading All-Suite Hotel
- The Grace Bay Club – Turks and Caicos Leading Hotel
- Beach Turks and Caicos Resort Villages & Spa – Turks and Caicos Leading Resort
- The Regent Palms – The Turks and Caicos Leading Spa Resort

Grace Bay Beach was named the Leading Beach Destination in the Caribbean

“I’m so proud of how well the Turks and Caicos was represented at these prestigious awards, which really brought together the best of the best of the travel and tourism sector across the Caribbean and the Americas,” said Val Kalliecharan, general manger of Turks and Caicos Reservations. “These awards reinforce the high-quality product we offer as a destination. The ceremony not only celebrated and acknowledged the brightest and best in the global hospitality industry, it put the spotlight on Turks and Caicos Islands and all it offers for visitors; beautiful natural attractions, luxurious hospitality facilities and a rich local heritage.”

The island is buzzing with this great news about the Providenciales International Airport Terminal – our guests will certainly soon have a lot more to look forward to when coming to our islands!

Checkout the News Release and some mockups below!

News Release as follows:

A $10m redevelopment of passenger facilities at Providenciales International Airport was announced by John Smith, CEO, Turks and Caicos Islands Airport Authority today, Tue, 31 July 2012.

The planned expansion will nearly double the size of the terminal to better accommodate the 500,000 passengers who pass through the Airport each year. It will increase in size from 51,462 to 92,321 sq ft.

Work is scheduled to begin later this year and be completed in 2014 and will ensure that the TCI’s airport meets the International Association of Travel Agents criteria for Level C Class facilities.

Once completed passengers will be able to enjoy expanded check in counter areas and self check in facilities, additional bathroom facilities, larger retail space for shops and restaurants, and improved medical amenities.

The first phase of works will include the construction of a new traffic circulation system, an extension to the existing west car park, and extension of the departure Lounge.

The second phase will continue with the extension on the international check in area, security check point as well as the arrivals hall.

The third and final phase will include the domestic departures and arrivals area, completion of car park and aesthetics, including water features.

“Providenciales International Airport is absolutely crucial to the Islander and visitor experience,” said Governor Ric Todd. “First impressions are vital, and I am certain that this work will provide the level of experience that our visitors demand.

“People who use the airport facilities know that it can become crowded at peak times – so does the Airport’s Management. That is why they have been planning these crucial works  as part of their overall master plan which also saw the runway expansion completed last year.”

“We are embarking on a journey of fundamental change in the way we conduct business and welcome tourists to the Turks and Caicos Islands,” said John Smith, CEO, Turks and Caicos Airports Authority. “Our terminal expansion project

will not only offer better facilities for passengers, but provide us with the room to expand over the next 15 years.”

Artist’s impression of the proposed Providenciales Terminal Building

Artist’s impression of the proposed Providenciales Terminal Building

Artist’s impression of the proposed Providenciales Terminal Building

Artist’s impression of the proposed Providenciales Terminal Building

More information at: http://tciairports.com/web/component/content/article/37-general/89-providenciales-airport-mockups

Voluntourism – is travel which includes volunteering for a charitable cause.

A few months ago I came across a thread in the Turks and Caicos Forum of Trip Advisor along the lines of helping out / donating to a worthy cause while visiting the islands. Also, in reading a recent article on Oprah.com about How to Volunteer During Your Vacation, it seems that this is something that is quickly catching on. It’s amazing that there are people in the world that would love to leave a small token of gratitude in the way of contributing to a meaningful cause for the good of the people of that locale. If you are one of those persons that ask “is there anything that I can help with or do to contribute at all to the well-being of others?” Well… YES! Here are just a few things that I think you will enjoy real benefit from as well as leaving a little something behind.

The Turks & Caicos Tennis Federation
The Turks & Caicos Tennis Federation (TCITF) welcomes visitors to its TCI Tennis Club located on Venetian Road across from the National Stadium. Guests may join in their social club night on Wednesdays from 6pm or Sunday mornings from 8am. Guest fees are only $15 per person. This entitles you to full doubles play in a round robin format so everyone gets to play everyone else. This

promotes meeting many of the members and further allows guests to make their own arrangements with a member to play as their guest for a regular singles or doubles match outside of the social sessions.

If a guest wishes to book a court for play then the fee is $20 per person per hour. The guest will arrange a court booking time through the club pro on 649-431-8367 and the pro or secretary will book the court for them using our electronic booking system. Should the guest wish to have coaching lessons or a hitting partner that may be arranged through the pro on the number above. When tourist plays at these courts their money is supporting junior tennis throughout the islands.

For more information on the Tennis Federation and the TCI Tennis Club please visit their website.

Provo Children’s Home
Provo Children’s Home is a great way to offer sincere aid for the benefit of others. Provo Children’s Home is a residential care facility and long term orphanage in Chalk Sound, Providenciales. Donations and volunteering of time is always welcomed. You can visit their website here and see their list of needed items.

The Potcake Place & TCSPCA
Two of my personal favorites are The Potcake Place and the Turks and Caicos Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. ‘Potcake’ is the name given to the dogs of The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands. It came about because the locals fed the caked remains of the cooking pot to the dogs. Having owned a pot cake for over five years, I know how they become so much a part of the family that you sometimes make little sacrifice for their comfort as you would your very own kids. My son Cameron, with our dog Polo landed “Most Looks Like Owner” and ‘Best in Show” 2008 dog show here on island. Polo was a rescued puppy found in Wheeland by Cameron. The Potcake Place allows you to adopt a potcake to take back from vacation and ensure that every rescued dog has a caring home. The TCSPCA works to spay and neuter animals, advocate for responsible pet ownership to local owners and facilitates fostering of animals.

These are just a few but there are many other ways that you can give back to the local Turks and Caicos communities. You can also donate to the Red Cross or the Salvation Army or make a direct donation to the Youth Center, a school or a religious organization.

What would be more rewarding than a little charity while in paradise?