Turks & Caicos replacing tourist board with new DMMO

A new destination marketing and management organization (DMMO) will replace the current Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board in the coming months, according to the destination’s Minister of Tourism Josephine Connolly

The update was shared at Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA)’s Marketplace held in Barbados earlier this month.

“Experience Turks and Caicos” will officially launch July 1, with a goal of managing and marketing the Turks and Caicos Islands tourism industry.

Home to some of the best beaches in the world, including Grace Bay Beach, and stunning natural assets, the Turks and Caicos Islands have become the primary engine of economic growth for the Islands.

“In the post pandemic era, our dependence on tourism has demonstrated the need for Turks and Caicos Islands to review the management and development of tourism, preserve and protect our natural assets for sustainable economic growth, resilience and competitiveness to attract and increase international visitors annually,” stated Minister Connolly in a press release.

In March 2022, the Turks and Caicos Islands government commissioned the services of Target Euro Srl. to develop a new TCI Destination Marketing and Management Organization and financial model.

“The New DMMO, Experience Turks and Caicos, is designed to more than market and promote the destination,” Connolly said. “Its mandate is to increase the tourism value chain throughout the entire destination, improve competitiveness, inclusive growth and sustainable development."

“All tourism sectors will be represented with a seat at the table in the way forward in the management and marketing of the destination with their representation on the Board of Directors.”

Some of the key objectives of the new DMMO are to increase collaboration with the private sector, diversity luxury product offerings, and support the protection of natural and cultural heritage.

A Change Manager, interim CEO, is currently in place to lead and manage the transition and the recruitment process for senior management and other key positions within the DMMO to ensure business continuity.

A total of 24 individuals will be employed within its first year.

In 2022, the Turks and Caicos welcomed approximately 500,000 stayover visitors, a 17 per cent increase vs 2019, and 1.1 million cruise visitors. 

At Marketplace 2023, the CHTA reported the Caribbean led the rebound for travel globally for 2022 and for Q1 2023, noting that this trend continues.

Stayover arrivals increased by 17 per cent for Q1 2023 for Turks and Caicos.

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