Janet Silvera, Gleaner Writer
Chief Minister of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Michael Misick (right), with Brian Jardim, Margaritaville Caribbean's managing director, during the official opening of the Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville Grand Turk, last Friday. - PHOTO BY JANET SILVERA
WESTERN BUREAU:
JAMAICAN COMPANIES Margaritaville Caribbean and Chukka Caribbean Adventures are the latest addition to the US$2 billion expansion planned for the Turks and Caicos Islands over the next two years.
Both properties valued at US$4 million and US$1.5 million respectively, were officially unveiled at the Carnival Cruise Centre in Grand Turk on Friday, by the island's Chief Minister Michael Misick.
The Carnival Cruise Centre is the first cruise ship port to be opened on the arid island and the first harbour positioned on a beach in the Caribbean. Chief Minister Misick told The Sunday Gleaner that since his government's partnership with Carnival commenced, he has been approached by Holland America and Princess Cruise lines.
ATTRACTIVE INCENTIVES
"Investors are flocking this country because of the attractive incentives and stability that our government is offering. We spread the red carpet, instead of the red tape," he boasted.
Over the years, the region's governments, including Jamaica, have been heavily criticised for the bureaucracy that investors face in order to get projects off the ground.
Speaking proudly of his country's long-standing relationship with Jamaica, Mr. Misick said that one of his largest investors was Gordon 'Butch' Stewart, who operates a Beaches Resort in Providenciales (Provo) and is about to expand by building a Royal Plantation there.
"We are exploding at the seams with the increase in major investments from hotels such as The Ritz-Carlton, Fairmont Resorts and Mandarin, with negotiations currently taking place ...," he revealed.
AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE
Margaritaville Grand Turk, the first Caribbean project outside of Jamaica, joins 10 Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville locations in the U.S. The new Turks and Caicos restaurant provides both visitors and residents of Grand Turk with an unforgettable experience. This two-storey restaurant and bar boasts not only a swim-up pool bar, but an additional upper-level deck-bar and stage for daily live entertainment.
After preparing the Grand Turk location in five incredible months, the Margaritaville team now has two months left to prepare for another significant occasion: the opening of Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville in Grand Cayman this August.
In the case of Chukka Caribbean Adventures, this is the third Chukka outpost outside of Jamaica. The others are located in Belize and The Bahamas.
Thirty thoroughbred horses, five trail-ride guides and four Jamaican drivers, dune buggies and monster Ford F250s ushered the unique brand of land-based soft-adventure tours to the island.
