Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, July 7, 2023 – Football Mega Star Club, Real Madrid is coming back to the Turks and Caicos and the goal in this visit is to train, specifically our boys in the sport which they dominate as world’s best.

Representatives from the Premier League team will arrive in the country for a three-day camp open to boys aged 7 to 14 years old, giving them an opportunity to be guided by some of the best in the sport of football.

The camp is as a result of an initiative by Desarrollos Hotelco, owners of the Ritz Carlton Turks and Caicos and a new development property on Dellis Cay.  They say the camp will provide an unparalleled experience.

Included in the Real Madrid delegation will be José María Gutiérrez Hernández “Guti”.

Guti is a Spanish former professional footballer and former vice captain of Real Madrid who represented the club in 542 official games through three Champions League titles and five La Liga championships.

Perpetually wearing his number 14, he’s described as the “headband wearing, killer assists king,” and is known for his extraordinary passes. Some football pundits describe him as a galactico (superstar) who came long before the era of Lionel Messi and Luka Modrić.

The TCI Football Association says a select group of players from  the U10 and U14 divisions from all TCIFA island-programs have been given a chance to participate in this one of a kind, exclusive experience.

Editorial Staff

#TurksandCaicos, July 5, 2022 – Desarrollos Hotelco, owners and developers of the Ritz Carlton Turks and Caicos are the new owners of the entirety of Dellis Cay.   All 560 acres of prime real estate was sold in a deal brokered by Engel and Völkers between Desarrollos and The Trinidad and Tobago Unit Trust Cooperation.  Philip Misick, veteran realtor and brother of former Premier Micheal Misick, represented the sellers of the property.

While the sale price was not announced, a single unfinished home on the island had been previously  listed for a whopping $3.7 million US dollars.  Engel and Völkers describes the sale as “record breaking.”

But a promise from businessman Dr. Cem Kinay still lurks in the background.  As the visionaire and former developer for Dellis Cay, Kinay has unapologetically emphasized his plans to sue to keep the land he claims is his own.

Dellis Cay was sold to Kinay, a Turkish hotelier in 2005 by a private owner for $18 million and he started a luxury project with Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.  The first phase should have  been completed in 2009 but that would not happen; it was unequivocally interrupted by the scandalous Commission of Inquiry (of the same year) into the alleged nefarious government affairs of the previous Mike Misick administration.  Sadly, Dr. Kinay had a starring role in the details exposed in the inquiry.

His vision for Dellis Cay struck such sensational chords, it attracted the likes of mega stars like Catherine Zeta Jones and husband Micheal Douglas who were named as left with incomplete homes on the cay, which sits just minutes away from Providenciales by boat.

All this because, Kinay found himself a casualty of the Micheal Misick administration’s corruption investigations. Named in the Commission of Inquiry, for gifting among other things half a million dollars to the governing party, Dr. Kinay found his land stripped from him and returned to the sale rack.

In a very recent letter to the TCI SUN posted just this past January he said the donation was “totally legal” and he has simply been “victimized by politics.”

Kinay had also forked out $3.2 million for Joe Grant Cay.  That too was repossessed and sold in 2013.

A 350 acre section of Dellis Cay went up for auction in June 2019 and but no one bought the property.  Now Desarrollos is promising to revive the island, completing the homes Kinay left behind and adding many more amenities.

Actual homes built by Kinay are also listed on real estate sites for sale, all of them only partially constructed.  The property is currently listed for development by Carib Developments. 

Kinay is still attached to the property and says the sale is unlawful calling on the government to put a stop to it.

In that letter  to The SUN, Kinay says he will fight the Government and trust in court “at any cost”.  He says he will not leave the island “which I have paid my hard-earned funds to acquire from its private owner in 2005.”

Walter Gardiner Jr is one such person and today, he is a very, very happy man. 

His dream of attracting and establishing a world class hotel brand in his home country, the Turks and Caicos is fulfilled and the magnitude of the moment is not lost on the 45-year-old real estate developer.

Ahead of schedule, the Ritz-Carlton Turks and Caicos was opened on Tuesday June 22, 2021.

“It’s been a journey of faith through the various challenges, disappointments and obstacles,” he reflects as today June 23, 2021 the Ritz-Carlton Turks and Caicos welcomes its very first international guests to the 4,900 acres property on World’s Leading Beach, Grace Bay Beach.

“I have always thought it was important to have in the portfolio of the Turks and Caicos, an internationally branded hotel.  Hotels provide more residual income to the country than the regular condo and the standard of the Ritz-Carlton is only going to help the other resorts and bring the standard up,” said Mr. Gardiner this morning in a phone interview.

The island-wide benefit of the Ritz-Carlton is a key point.  There were resorts and residents who rejected the idea of a 12-storey hotel and were less than welcoming of a Ritz-Carlton hotel.  The push back became more than casual commentary and mushroomed to a string of law suits; all of which were won by the Turks and Caicos Islands Government.  TCIG and many of its citizens valiantly defended the project and incorrigibly held onto the notion that this investment would be a benefit to the Turks and Caicos.

There was no fear about a taller hotel or an overcrowded beach.  Islanders, in the main, were ready for a project of this nature and size.  Consultations and public meetings confirmed it; the Ritz-Carlton would get the green light for construction to begin.

The development agreement was signed between Desarrollos Hotelco and the Rufus Ewing-led government administration.  The project was furthered under the Sharlene Robinson-led government administration.  Today, it is opened under the Washington Misick-led government administration and ushers in a new level of tourism for the Turks and Caicos Islands. 

The Ritz-Carlton is a subsidiary of Marriott International, which not only assures the gold standard in hotel hospitality but a rewards program of 110 million members.

Turks and Caicos has already benefitted from the celebrated training of Ritz-Carlton; the instruction being equally as famous as the globally renowned brand.  Hundreds have been exposed to that training which transforms hospitality hopefuls to Ladies and Gentlemen.

“It is indescribable.  It is a dream come true.  I know many high level executives at Ritz-Carlton that started off as busboys; now they are at the top because of that high standard of training.  I am also very happy that the hotel has employed 70 per cent local, I think that rate is record setting for a resort opening of this caliber in the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

Walter Gardiner was among those thanked by the Ritz-Carlton, naturally.  In 2010 the journey began with Gardiner on the front-line, fighting stealthily to have the hotel in Providenciales; he showed uncommon grit.  With investors, Desarrollos Hotelco, the development which had been fraught with controversial accusations and misplaced fears, gave way to the lofty property and long-standing dream of this Grand Turk native.

“It was very gratifying, it was surreal.  I have thought about this day many times and to actually get to see it, it was phenomenal.  I remember walking to the opening and being greeted by the Ladies and Gentlemen and feeling really proud.  These are my people; we did it,” said Gardiner of the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony held on June 22, 2021 in the lobby of the hotel.

Walter Gardiner Jr, was one of five individuals cutting that ribbon.

At the opening ceremony, Mr. Gardiner said:  “Today is a great day in the history Turks and Caicos, it commemorates not just the completion of the construction and the opening of this Grand Resort and residences, but it also commemorates the beginning of many great things for these Islands.

This opening represents the introduction of our first Five Star International branded hotel. This alone will open the flood gates for thousands of new visitors and solidify the position of the Turks & Caicos as the premier destination in the Caribbean.

This opening will start the process of exposing our local ladies and gentlemen who work at this resort to a hospitality culture that is known for its unsurpassed service and exceptional training opportunities. And, this opening will create many opportunities for spill off business for Turks & Caicos Islanders to capitalize on. If you think the island is busy now, wait and see the difference the Ritz Makes.

First and foremost, I would like to thank God who is the giver of every good and perfect gift. Without his grace, mercy and favor his project would not have been possible.”

Mr. Gardiner has also been enriched by the project; his company, Regency Christie’s International Real Estate inked out the deal which gave it the exclusive on brokerage and sales of the Ritz-Carlton Residences.   The Residences are priced from $2M.

“There are only four residences left, it has been phenomenal, it is a powerful brand which a lot of people are attracted to and that we were able to get it here is just a testament to the Turks and Caicos,” said Gardiner.

Turks and Caicos as a regional tourism destination is accomplishing the exceptional, in Walter Gardiner’s view. 

“We are coming out of this (pandemic) and performing really strong.  There is really nothing like this happening in the Caribbean, tourism on this level is just great.”

Gardiner, tried getting Ritz-Carlton for West Caicos but that project flopped under the weight of the Global Financial Crisis of 2008.  Successfully, he brought the Somerset on Grace Bay and the Windsong Resort to Providenciales, Turks and Caicos.

“After working on this for ten years, now I won’t have anything to do.  So I guess for me, I will be looking for my next project.  I am a realtor, but I am truly a developer at heart.  I want to see development for the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

A meeting held on November 17 with Delroy Williams, Minister of Labour and Employment Services and his team including Edwin Taylor, TCI Labour Commissioner was meant to give guidance on best practices during the hiring process. 

RitzCarlton executives: John Hazard, Corey Guest, Roberto Spita and Steven Redkoles learned of opportunities to partner with schools, colleges and vocational institutions in Turks and Caicos for possible internships and to offer developmental courses as it seeks to staff is world class, branded resort.

Shared with the hotel executives were recommendations on pay, benefits, employee taxes, programs like retirement savings and a session to better acquaint the team with the labour laws of Turks and Caicos.

The Ministry shared:  “A number of topics were covered, some of which are as follows: Turks and Caicos Labour Laws; General pay (including required or non-required service charge and distribution) & benefits offered on island; Medical, dental and other required and standard insurance provided to employees; Pension/Retirement plan requirements that are offered in the industry to employees; Vacation, holiday and sick leave entitlements; Local vs. Expat differences and any potential requirements as it relates to Live-in/Live-out, pay and benefits; Offer Letter/Work Agreement templates and requirements.”

On November 26, the Turks and Caicos Islands cabinet approved “a 99 year license for and licence to operate a restaurant and to renovate an existing pier/jetty…”

Minister Williams, who was also accompanied by Desmond Wilson, Permanent Secretary and James Astwood, the deputy PS said, “… that he is confident that the opening of this resort will create major employment as well as entrepreneurial opportunities for the residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands, and is looking forward to the Ritz Carlton team working closely with my Ministry team during the various phases of the project, to ensure that the end result will prove beneficial to all.”

There is optimism and anticipation from the RitzCarlton Turks and Caicos side as well, “When I exited the plane in Turks and Caicos last year, I felt an immediate connection with the island as it truly felt like home. We look very much forward to a successful opening and partnering with you (TCI Government) and the community,” said Mr. Guest, Director of Human Resources.

Additionally, RitzCarlton, in July signed on as FortisTCI’s tenth UORE (Utility Owned Renewable Energy) customer. 

“A 210.6 kW rooftop solar PV system will be installed on the resort’s casino and restaurant rooftop. It will be a grid-tied installation, generating approximately 310MWh annually and help avoid approximately 244 tons of CO2 emissions. Customers participating in the UORE program receive a monthly fixed credit for rooftop space and an annual variable incentive based on system production,” said FortisTCI in a media statement.

RitzCarlton Turks and Caicos will be the country’s tallest hotel at 12 storeys and features 124 hotel rooms, 60 residences, restaurant, meeting rooms and a casino stretched across 700 feet of uninterrupted views of the world famous, Grace Bay Beach.

The meeting which got on the way at 2:00 pm was held at the office of the Premier with the following persons: Mr. John Hazard, Mr. Corey Guest, Roberto Spita and Mr. Steven Redkoles. A number of topics were covered, some of which are as follows:

• Turks and Caicos Labour Laws (those that are most important)
• General pay (including required or non-required service charge and distribution) & benefits offered on island;
• Medical, dental and other required and standard insurance provided to employees;
• Pension/Retirement plan requirements that are offered in the industry to employees;
• Vacation, holiday and sick leave entitlements;
• Local vs. Expat differences and any potential requirements as it relates to Live-in/Live-out, pay and benefits;
• Offer Letter/Work Agreement templates and requirements;
• Retention rate
• Partnering with any schools, colleges, and Vocational Institutions that have Hospitality or Culinary or Engineering/Technical programs to discuss partnerships for internships and offering leadership and development courses;

Mr. Guest, the Multi-Property Director of Human Resources during the meeting said that when I exited the plane in Turks and Caicos last year, I felt an immediate connection with the island as it truly felt like home. We look very much forward to a successful opening and partnering with you and the community.

Hon Williams in his remarks stated that he is very elated about the Ritz Carlton Resort coming to the Turks & Caicos Islands next year, as this is a world-renown hotel brand. Hon. Williams went on to say that he is confident that the opening of this resort will create major employment as well as entrepreneurial opportunities for the residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands, and is looking forward to the Ritz Carlton team working closely with my Ministry team during the various phases of the project, to ensure that the end result will prove beneficial to all.

The Ritz Carlton on Providenciales is scheduled to open mid-2021.

TCIG Press Release

The project, with the help of Turks and Caicos Islands realtor, Walter Gardiner, in late 2017 finally received the nod of approval from the Physical Planning Department to go forward with the controversial construction and now, according to the country’s Premier the knot is tied.

“The Turks and Caicos and #RitzCarlton and the Desarrollos Group have flirted for many years, and today on this beautiful Grace Bay Beach we are all at a destination wedding.  A destination wedding of huge proportions, today before God and man we promise to come together to deliver a new experience for visitors to our shores, joining a family of strong members who are equally as excited,” said Hon Sharlene Robinson.

Members of the former government administration were on hand too; then Premier Rufus Ewing with the Governor and Finance Minister announced the Memorandum of Understanding for the project, which at the time was projected at $224 million – that was in 2015.

Premier Robinson commended the Planning Department team for its work in ushering the #DesarrollosGroup project to the point of a ground breaking ceremony.  It was additionally a bonus morsel that the turning of the sand at the new home of the hotel came just days after the Turks and Caicos learned that it had secured the enviable top spot on a TripAdvisor list.

“We are again on the World’s Best Beach and I say congratulations to you on being able to get a slice of the World’s Best Beach.”

The Premier, Hon Sharlene Robinson in her remarks at the ground breaking on Monday afternoon explained that a new thrust for tourism in the Turks and Caicos will under-gird this and other industry partners. 

“And with my Government’s endorsement last week of a new tourism strategic direction, we are on the cusp of ensuring that we remain a well sought after destination, consistent with the strong TCI brand that many continue to work to maintain.”

Mr. Gardiner, in an interview with the Turks and Caicos Weekly News explained once work begins, it will be a six day work week – Mondays to Saturdays from 7am to 5pm.

Already 75 per cent of the residences at the property are sold, the total construction period is three years and there are projected to be two phases of construction.

]]> 38463 https://magneticmediatv.com/2017/11/tci-town-meetings-pdm-administration-and-ritzcarlton-top-the-agendas/ Thu, 09 Nov 2017 01:41:09 +0000 https://magneticmediatv.com/?p=33245 PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos, November 8, 2017 – The general public will get to express to the PDM Administration exactly how they are feeling when the quarterly public meetings resume and they begin in the Capital, Grand Turk tonight.

HJ Robinson High school is the venue for the first meeting with North and Middle Caicos having their turn on Friday.

In Middle Caicos, the meeting with the Government is set for 2:30pm at the Conch Bar Community  Center and in North Caicos, the town meeting is set for Raymond Gardiner High at 6:30pm.

Dates are to come for the remaining islands… but in Providenciales, there will be a meeting on Thursday night at the Gus Lightbourne Gyme.  The session is related to the Environmental Impact Assessment or EIA of the RitzCarlton to be constructed by the Desarollos Group; that public meeting begins at  5:30pm.