It’s All Happening In Turks And Caicos
As Turks & Caicos prepares to host the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC), Experience Turks and Caicos is celebrating its acceptance into Virtuoso’s portfolio of luxury travel partners, comprising over 2,000 preferred suppliers in 100 countries.
According to Racquel Brown, Interim CEO/Change Manager of Experience Turks and Caicos, inclusion in Virtuoso will present new sales and marketing opportunities to the network’s more than 20,000 luxury travel advisors and their clientele. Virtuoso agencies worldwide sell an average of (U.S.) $25–$30 billion annually, making the network the most significant player in luxury travel.
Brown observed that: “With this new collaboration, we are thrilled to expose Virtuoso’s extensive network of advisors and their affluent clients to the extraordinary amenities and values inherent to the Turks and Caicos Islands. This partnership propels our visibility on the global stage and further solidifies the Turks and Caicos Islands’ reputation as a premier destination for discerning luxury travellers worldwide.”
The Turks and Caicos Islands currently has eight properties that have met the requirements to become Virtuoso properties. They are Amanyara, Beach Enclave, COMO Parrot Cay, Grace Bay Club, The Palms, The Ritz-Carlton, The Shore Club, and Wymara Resort and Villas.
For a destination to have a resort or hotel included in Virtuoso’s portfolio of luxury accommodations speaks volumes; however for the Turks and Caicos Islands to have eight properties included in Virtuoso’s luxury accommodation portfolio is a significant achievement and reason to be known globally as a Virtuoso Destination.
Gearing Up For SOTIC
The fact that the Virtuoso announcement comes as Turks & Caicos gears up to welcome those attending SOTIC from Oct. 9 to Oct. 13 is good news for a destination that is attracting more and more attention.
Minister of Tourism, Hon. Josephine Connolly said that: “The countdown to SOTIC is on, and we’re buzzing with excitement. We’re refining every detail to ensure our distinguished guests truly feel the essence of our Beautiful by Nature, Turks and Caicos Islands.”
The Minister continued: “This gathering goes beyond a conference — it’s an invitation. An invitation to engage in dialogue that will shape our industry, and an invitation to bask in the rich culture and beauty of our islands. To our esteemed peers and media, we eagerly await the opportunity to collaborate, strengthen regional ties, and envision an even more sustainable future for Caribbean tourism together.”
Both Canadian Travel Press and Travel Courier will be on hand for SOTIC as it presents an impressive roster of speakers and experts, with major highlights including keynote addresses by Angel Cárdenas Sosa and Doug Lansky.
SOTIC will also include a comprehensive range of panel discussions, with topics spanning everything from investment trends to Caribbean aviation competitiveness to nuances of the film industry.
The Caribbean Youth Congress will be held on Oct. 13 at Beaches Turks and Caicos and will showcase the brilliance and vision of the region’s youth in tourism.
Delegates from Caribbean countries, from Anguilla to The Bahamas, are set to participate. The event also features insights from Hon. Kenneth Bryan as well as Dona Regis-Prosper, the Minister of Tourism of the Cayman Islands and Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, and Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, respectively.
