Turks & Caicos Sun: Turks & Caicos Sun

One of the Caribbean’s leading tourism brands, Dolphin Cove, has revealed ambitious plans to open its fifth ‘swim with the dolphins’ park in the Cooper Jack area of Providenciales. If approved, it plans to open the $3million world class visitor attraction in Spring 2013.

Dolphin Cove Jamaica picked up the top award as the Caribbean’s leading adventure excursion operator at the World Travel Awards ceremony which was held in the Turks and Caicos.

The project has been granted a business licence by the Turks and Caicos Islands Government, but it still required to complete all of the necessary planning and environmental impact studies.
The company is in ongoing discussions with Department of Agriculture’s Environmental and Maritime Affairs officials to ensure that it complies with planning and the highest welfare standards. The company is seeking to lease Crown Land.

Dolphin Cove already operates to the animal welfare standards required in the United States relating to marine mammals in captivity. During 12 successful years of operation, Dolphin Cove Jamaica has also demonstrated a strong contribution to dolphin educational and conservation programmes. It is now seeking to extend this world class service and unforgettable experience of interacting with these amazing marine mammals to the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Governor Ric Todd said this is potentially a very exciting development for the Turks and Caicos Islands, and it is further confirmation of what we already know – that the Turks and Caicos Islands is a very attractive place in which to do business.
Todd said the TCI economy is in good shape, adding that Gross Domestic Product was over 4% last year, and was the envy of many nations around the world.

Todd said: “Although, clearly still subject to a number of permissions, we believe that the Dolphin Cove development would significantly complement the tourism offer here in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Other recent investment activity in the Turks and Caicos Islands includes: Fuel supply firm Rubis investing $20m in the Territory, the expansion of the world class Amanyara resort following their leasing of additional Crown Land, Beaches conducted a $4m refurbishment and maintenance programme, an $8.4m investment by the GU-Med medical school, $10m being invested in upgrading Providenciales International Airport, a new $15m private aircraft facility is being built at the airport, Communications giant Digicel investing $8m in its infrastructure here, a new $10m Chevrolet dealership, the opening of the Santa Maria Gaming Parlour, Grand Turk and the opening of Cuban Crafters, Providenciales.