Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands - Wednesday, 18 March 2026: With enforcement initiatives ongoing for 2026, the Department of Tourism Regulations is proud to report that 90% of tourism accommodation properties were registered in 2025.Using data from AirDNA, approximately 1,300 properties were identified across Turks and Caicos, with over 1,200 now accounted for in the Department’s licensing system.
The initiative was led by Quality Assurance Officer Donessia Skippings and Regulations Specialist Sasha Arthur, who coordinated the preparation and distribution of enforcement letters nationwide and managed the inspection schedule for Accommodation Controllers Kevin Lightbourne, Claudenise Jean, and Patral Handfield. The team carried out the enforcement drive while maintaining their regular responsibilities for licensing tourism accommodation properties.
The Department first notified the public of the Enforcement Letter Initiative in July 2025, as part of its mandate to uphold tourism standards and enforce a zero-tolerance approach to non-compliance with the Tourism Regulations Ordinance 2023. The initiative has resulted in a significant increase in registered properties, rising from 50% compliance the previous year to 90% in 2025.
Tourism Accommodation Inspectors and Controllers are trained to assess factors that enhance the guest experience in line with international tourism quality standards. The inspection process ensures that properties meet key safety and service criteria, helping to prevent situations where a visitor’s experience could be compromised due to missing or inadequate amenities. For example, proper pool safety signage helps reduce the risk of guest injuries. Compliance also contributes to the broader development of Turks and Caicos, as fees collected support infrastructure development and the maintenance of government assets.
By partnering with the Department of Tourism Regulations, property owners help strengthen the tourism product and reinforce the reputation of Turks and Caicos as a trusted destination, giving stakeholders confidence when welcoming visitors and assuring them that their properties meet the standards approved by the Turks and Caicos Islands Government.
Director Avi Adams, commenting on the success of the initiative, stated: “I commend the responsiveness of those who have received letters and taken the necessary steps to become licensed. Your cooperation is vital in safeguarding our tourism industry and preserving it for future generations. Enforcement continues in 2026; we encourage property owners and managers to renew their licenses promptly to avoid fines or legal action. We look forward to seeing even stronger compliance numbers in the year ahead.”
“Achieving 90% compliance in accommodation registration is a significant milestone for the Turks and Caicos Islands and is a clear indication that our enforcement efforts are working and that accountability is strengthening across the sector. We will continue to take a firm but fair approach to enforcement, as maintaining standards is essential to protecting the integrity and global reputation of the Turks and Caicos tourism industry.”
Register for your Accommodations License today via http://bit.ly/4rT8xVD!
For more information, please contact:
Department of Tourism Regulations
Email:
Telephone: 338-5349