The Department of Tourism Regulations would like to provide some important updates about the TIDES (Together, Individuals Delivering Excellent Service) programme. The programme is designed to ensure that stakeholders in the tourism industry are well-versed in Turks and Caicos culture and that knowledge is preserved.

The Thriving Tourism Industry in Turks and Caicos

In a remarkable comeback from the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Turks and Caicos quickly rebounded in the first quarter of 2022, shattering visitor arrival records with 138,762 air arrivals and 173,151 cruise arrivals. Comparatively, the destination received only 12,798 stopover arrivals in February 2021.

To provide context, approximately 650 people in the hospitality industry received certification from Tides last year, representing only around 10% of the sector. This low figure can be attributed to the historical emphasis on public service license holders. Nevertheless, our ambitious two-year objective is to significantly boost this number, with the aim of having at least 80% of the hospitality workforce Tides Training certified.

This goal aligns with our steadily growing economy, where we anticipate tourism numbers to exceed the levels observed in 2019. This surge underscores the immediate and critical demand for comprehensive training to effectively cater to the heightened demands of the hospitality sector.

In response to the uptick in tourism in the islands, Director Avi Adams emphasizes the importance of equipping our people with the knowledge required to address the growing tourism demand:

“The TIDES Program initially focused on individuals with public service licenses in transportation. However, we now recognize the necessity of certifying individuals from diverse sectors in the hospitality industry, given the influx of visitors to our area. It's essential to understand that hospitality goes beyond taxi drivers, limos, and public service license holders; it's just the starting point.”

The Role of the Tides Training Program

TIDES training will now be a prerequisite for all employees in the Tourism Industry. The purpose of the revised TIDES training programme is to ensure that all these employees are taught about t24he historical landmarks, dishes, and activities that they may not be aware of due to different cultural experiences.

Ensuring the Highest Standards

In the past, the Tourist Board implemented a one-year certification program provided to Public Service License Holders. The TIDES program requires participants to take a class for about 3-4 hours. A week after the class, they will sit an exam that consists of 40 multiple-choice questions. Subsequently, on an annual basis, they would be required to return for a refresher session. Currently, with the revised implementation of TIDES, all employees of the Tourism Industry are required to undergo the TIDES Training as well as the exam every two years in order to obtain their certification.

Benefits of the TIDES training program for the Turks and Caicos Islands

This revision of the training course will allow stakeholders to update their knowledge of Turks and Caicos culture as it evolves. The TIDES training program is a proactive tool to address the potential decline of Turks and Caicos Culture. The exam is designed to ensure that the stakeholders are equipped with information that is accurate and current before they pass it on to visitors.

Government and Stakeholder Involvement

At the Department of Tourism Regulations, our associates are highly valued. Regular stakeholder meetings will be held to discuss the TIDES training program and solicit feedback from stakeholders to ensure that the program meets the requirements of the tourism industry. The program is also designed to be accessible to everyone, regardless of their age, language skills, or literacy level who may be concerned and worried about the exam.

Conclusion

The TIDES program is not meant to be a barrier for people with disabilities. For individuals who are worried about literacy issues, language obstacles, or accessibility, provisions will be provided. The TIDES training program is a valuable initiative that will help to ensure that tourists have a positive and informative experience in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Persons interested in obtaining certification can register with the Department of Tourism Regulation located, at Regent Village, 3rd floor, Grace Bay, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands during business hours, Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m to 4:30 p.m.