Turks and Caicos Leaders Seek to Maintain Surge in Visitor Growth

Turks and Caicos officials are taking steps to ensure an updated U.S. State Department travel advisory does not impact the destination’s surging visitor arrivals.

Tourism to the Turks and Caicos “is stronger than ever with visitor rates on pace for a record-breaking year,” said Zhavago Jolly, the country’s minister of tourism, in a statement issued earlier this month.

Jolly’s statement followed the State Department’s March 4 update of its Level 2 travel advisory to reflect information on traveling with firearms and ammunition. Last year, five American travelers were arrested in the country for carrying ammunition in their luggage.

“Firearms and ammunition, including single bullets held in carry-on bags or luggage, are illegal,” the update states, adding “Police strictly enforce these laws, even at the airport when travelers are leaving.”

The advisory also recommends travelers “exercise increased caution in the Turks and Caicos Islands due to crime.” Jolly said the advisory has “remained at a level 2 since July 2023 and does not advise against travel to the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

Jolly was named to the cabinet of Turks and Caicos premier Washington Misick in February following the general elections. An entrepreneur who previously served as managing director of Turks and Caicos Islands Capital, a private investment firm, Jolly offers “the expertise to drive sustainable growth in the country’s tourism industry,” said officials at Experience Turks and Caicos, the country’s tourism marketing agency.

“In the coming months, I aim to strengthen relationships with stakeholders across the tourism sector, both regionally and in our key source markets,” Jolly said.

Last year, the Turks and Caicos recorded a 10.7 percent year-over-year increase in airline visitor arrivals (to 734,308 travelers) and a 30.5 percent increase in cruise ship visitors (to 1.23 million passengers).

The archipelago is welcoming new resort properties this year. The 100-room Salterra Resort & Spa luxury resort recently opened in South Caicos. The Andaz Turks & Caicos, a Hyatt property, will debut on Providenciales in late 2025 as a 118-room resort with 74 residences.

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