Tourism in Turks and Caicos under direct UK rule - the consequences

By: Chis Burke, originally posted on August 2 (written before the take over. It's prophetic)

As the Islands of Turks and Caicos settles amidst the welcomed departure of Michael Misick Turks and Caicos' former Premier, worries about Crown land deals threaten tourism on the Islands.

If Britain decides to take over the self-governed territory of Turks and Caicos Islands, which has been self-governed since 1973, they better be prepared to keep the status quo. Changing the constitution to take revenues from tourism would be akin to slavery in the sense that revenues would be taken directly from the islands' people who work hard for their economy.

Great Britain must step lightly if they plan to take self-government from Turks and Caicos. As it is, this step would not be favourable to the world or the people of Turks and Caicos. For one, the world has denounced colonialism. For second, the new government of 5 months is doing quite well, which takes away legitimacy for this draconian move by Great Britain.

Crown land is real estate or property owned by the government of Turks and Caicos Island. The government is the largest Crown landholder on the Islands. This makes Crown lands the government’s most valuable asset and this asset value has risen dramatically over recent years. For Britain to suddenly usurp that progress and capitalize on the revenues, will not sit well with the world.

Commercial land development is one of the main purposes of Crown land use and sale. The Crown Land Policy is formulated to "attract investments judged best for the interest of TCI," as prescribed by The Turks and Caicos Islands, Crown Land Policy.

While certain developers have purchased Crown land and are in various stages of developing the real property, Britain's rule could hold these developers hostage within their own multi-million dollar projects, years of planning and promises of employment for many locals.

At the core of the movement to welcome British rule is a small but outspoken group of "Belongers," residents who were born in Turks and Caicos Islands.

According to the Crown Land Policy, a Belonger who is at least 21 years old can qualify for a discount on Crown Land.

Under the former Misick cabinet, several land developers were sold Crown land as encouraged under the Crown Land Policy and did so under the color of government authority.

However, this outspoken group of Belongers have been lobbying British Parliament dating back years, protesting their right to own Crown Land and expressing their dissatisfaction of developers' owning Crown land property. However, their efforts are misguided.

Under the Open Tendering provision of the Crown Land Policy, the government, "will identify potential development site(s) on every island, consistent with its development strategy. These sites will be actively marketed to prospective developers ..."

At the very soul of Turks and Caicos economy is tourism, certainly development is a requisite part of that in every way.

Now that Misick is no longer Premier of Turks and Caicos, some Belongers are reported to be exploiting this political situation by encouraging British rule, presumably to make legal standing for the return of Crown land and to attempt to thwart sales of Crown land to land developers.

However, this Crown Land Policy is not likely to change under British rule and the Belongers are unwittingly putting the future of Turks and Caicos in limbo for a period of at least 2 years should Britain take over. The prospect of Britain's interference would most certainly cause a stalemate in development, hence tourism revenues for the people of Turks and Caicos, which would be an unfortunate short-sighted plan for Crown land grabbers.

Britain better think long hard before disrupting any development or tourism in Turks and Caicos. Resort development is the future of the Turks and Caicos economy for many generations to come.

Crown land in Turks and Caicos, British rule threatens tourism and development

As the Islands of Turks and Caicos settles amidst the welcomed departure of Michael Misick, Turks and Caicos' former Premier, worries about Crown land deals threaten tourism on the Islands. Colonialism is dying, but it's not dead and Britain has clear designs to take over the self-governed territory of Turks and Caicos Islands.

Crown land is real estate or property owned by the government of Turks and Caicos Island. The government is the largest Crown landholder on the Islands. This makes Crown lands the government’s most valuable asset and this asset value has risen dramatically over recent years.
Commercial land development is one of the main purposes of Crown land use and sale. The Crown Land Policy is formulated to "attract investments judged best for the interest of TCI," as prescribed by The Turks and Caicos Islands, Crown Land Policy.

While certain developers have purchased Crown land and are in various stages of developing the real property, Britain's rule could hold these developers hostage within their own multi-million dollar projects, years of planning and promises of employment for many locals.

At the core of the movement to welcome British rule is a small but outspoken group of "Belongers," residents who were born in Turks and Caicos Islands.

According to the Crown Land Policy, a Belonger who is at least 21 years old can qualify for a discount on Crown Land.

Under the former Misick cabinet, several land developers were sold Crown land as encouraged under the Crown Land Policy and did so under the color of government authority.

However, this outspoken group of Belongers have been lobbying British Parliament dating back years, protesting their right to own Crown Land and expressing their dissatisfaction of developers' owning Crown land property. However, their efforts are misguided.

Under the Open Tendering provision of the Crown Land Policy, the government, "will identify potential development site(s) on every island, consistent with its development strategy. These sites will be actively marketed to prospective developers ..."

At the very soul of Turks and Caicos economy is tourism, certainly development is a requisite part of that in every way.

Now that Misick is no longer Premier of Turks and Caicos, some Belongers are reported to be exploiting this political situation by encouraging British rule, presumably to make legal standing for the return of Crown land and to attempt to thwart sales of Crown land to land developers.
However, this Crown Land Policy is not likely to change under British rule and the Belongers are unwittingly putting the future of Turks and Caicos in limbo for a period of at least 2 years should Britain take over. The prospect of Britain's interference would most certainly cause a stalemate in development, hence tourism revenues for the people of Turks and Caicos, which would be an unfortunate short-sighted plan for Crown land grabbers.

Without advancement of tourism and tourism revenues, Turks and Caicos will regress; this at a time when Turks and Caicos might be the only economy on the upswing. Again, the economic upswing is thanks to tourism dollars and resulting jobs.