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Interview with Hon. Michael E. Misick, LLB, Chief Minister, Turks and Caicos Islands

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Privacy, peace, purity and pleasure on an island of paradise encircled by incredibly soft sands and by the clearest of impossibly blue waters....this can only be Parrot Cay in the Turks and Caicos Islands, a secret too good to keep. 1000 unspoilt and spacious acres, dotted with 60 rooms, some situated on the beach itself or some only a few minutes' walk away, offer you the chance to rediscover the beauty of simple living combined with the best of haute cuisine and comforting spas.

Travel Agency BTN caught up with Hon. Michael E. Misick, LLB, Chief Minister, Turks and Caicos Islands, B.W.I., back at the AHIC in May to find out what Turks and Caicos has in plan over the coming months as the five star product continues to rapidly expand to increasing demand. Turks and Caicos is the in word in the Caribbean at present and owing to this CTN is re-running this exclusive interview.

Overview The Turks & Caicos Islands}are a spectacular destination for those who wish to get away from it all. One of the most valuable possessions of the islands}are their pristine white sandy...

Cheap Hotel BTN: What new initiatives have you launched recently in Turks and Caicos?
MM: We have a number of new hotels which are under construction. We are very pleased to say that we have the first Aman resort being built in Turks and Caicos the first in the Caribbean. Also we have a new Ritz Carlton that is under construction. The Aman will be open in November of 2005.

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Flight Booking BTN: What is Turks and Caicos doing here at the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference?

The Turks & Caicos Islands}are a spectacular destination for those who wish to get away from it all. One of the most valuable possessions of the islands}are their pristine white sandy beaches, which are complemented with crystal clear turquoise waters. In addition, there are numerous national parks, nature preserves, sanctuaries and historical sites.

Travel Agent MM: We are here for a number of reasons. First we are here to promote Turks and Caicos as a safe place to invest in the hotel sector. Secondly there is a buzz about Dubai and all the development that are taking place as the Minister who is responsible for investment in tourism as well as Chief Minister I wanted to come here first hand and see what is happening and see whether we can learn from their experience. Turks and Caicos is an upmarket destination. We are not interested in mass tourism and we want to see what is happening in Dubai we are very impressed with the investment here and what is happening.

Privacy, peace, purity and pleasure on an island of paradise encircled by incredibly soft sands and by the clearest of impossibly blue waters....this can only be Parrot Cay in the Turks and Caicos Islands, a secret too good to keep. 1000 unspoilt and spacious acres, dotted with 60 rooms, some situated on the beach itself or some only a few minutes' walk away, offer you the chance to rediscover the beauty of simple living combined with the best of haute cuisine and comforting spas.

Hotel Chicago BTN: I notice you are the only Caribbean Island in attendance. Are the other Caribbean Islands showing an interest in the developments here in Dubai?
MM: I dont know but I do think that as many persons in Caribbean tourism and Caribbean hospitality should come to see what is happening here because potentially they could be one of our potential investors.

Online Booking [image2_left] BTN: What is your opinion on some of the projects here?
MM: They are all very impressive, including The World and The Palm. It is amazing what money can do. I was very impressed with the level of modern infrastructure, high end hotels and properties that are in Dubai and it certainly shows how much a vision has completely transformed Dubai from a desert into a modern tourism destination.

Travel Health Insurance BTN: How will these developments in Dubai impact tourism worldwide?
MM: This is going to add Dubai on the map as a worldwide tourism destination. It has the potential to compete with the Caribbean, but our core market is North America which is close to the Caribbean and Americans are still a bit sceptical about the region in relation to safety, so in the medium term its not going to have a tremendous impact, but long term if the region stabilises, it might. But, tourism is the fastest growing business in the world and the markets are improving tremendously. World Travel Organisation estimated that by 2010, there will be close to 100 million Chinese travelling, so there is sufficient business for all the regions.

Hotel Reservation BTN: Is the construction going to put tourists off travelling to Dubai?
MM: Most tourists realise that Dubai is in its construction phase. There is no visible nuisance of the work that is going on.

London Hotel Booking BTN: Can you comment on the AHIC?
MM: I think that the AHIC has been a success. I would certainly like to congratulate the organisers on what has been a well planned event. There are a lot of very senior people from the hotel industry from around the world Marriott, Le Meridien, 4 Seasons and investors here, so it is a very well planned event. I think that the outcome will be that more hotel companies will have a spotlight on Dubai and by extension the region and also its an opportunity for investment to flow whether it is in or out of the region.

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