Operators are hailing the Turks and Caicos as a destination on the up, despite the fact that a planned UKcharter service has failed to materialise for the second year running.
Now Caledonian Airways is trying to persuade operators to commit to seats on a weekly service from Gatwick to Providenciales via Jamaica, scheduled to start in May 2000.
Hoteliers have been lobbying Bahamasair to connect its Miami-Provo service with both British Airways and Virgin’s UK-Miami flights. “The Bahamasair service should happen which will be good news,”said Tradewinds senior contracts manager Gordan Torrance.
The islands are popular with US visitors who are attracted by quality diving on unpolluted reefs and white sand beaches.
Interest has been further fuelled by Sandals which opened its Beaches Turks and Caicos resort two years ago, and Allegro Hotels, which opened a four-star property in January.
“Turks and Caicos Islands is going to do very well next year. It offers the traditional image of the idyllic beach holiday and now has two large hotels that appeal to different markets,”said Torrance.