Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, May 15, 2025 — Invest Turks and Caicos Islands (Invest TCI) proudly participated as a Patron Sponsor at the newly rebranded ALIS CALA, a merger of the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS), Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS), and Hotel Opportunities Latin America (HOLA). The event was held from April 29 to May 1, 2025, at the Loews Coral Gables Hotel in Coral Gables, Florida.
ALIS CALA has rebranded as the premier hotel investment conference for the Caribbean and Latin America, emphasizing equity, development, collaboration, and regional growth. This year’s event attracted over 500 delegates, including senior executives, investors, developers, and key financial stakeholders representing countries and destinations with active investment opportunities. The agenda featured targeted breakout sessions on trending topics such as capital stack strategies, experiential tourism, investor sentiment, multi-destination travel, and emerging opportunities across the Caribbean and Latin American markets.
A key session at the event explored hotel occupancy rates across Latin America and the Caribbean, a topic of direct relevance to the Turks and Caicos Islands. The data shared provided valuable context for understanding performance trends in comparable markets and can support Invest TCI’s ongoing efforts to attract strategic tourism investments. Notable brands in attendance included IHG, Play Hotel, Carnival Corporation, Hyatt, and BCQS International, offering perspectives and presence that underscored the strength and potential of the hospitality sector in the region.
At the conference, Investment Services Executive Mr. Salik Garland delivered a compelling presentation on investment opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands, with a particular focus on the Family Islands and their unique potential. He outlined the diverse prospects available in sectors such as marine tourism, adventure tourism, and eco-tourism, highlighting the untapped value these niche markets offer for sustainable development.
The presentation generated several inquiries about the Family Islands, a clear sign of rising investor interest beyond Providenciales. This growing attention supports Invest TCI’s strategic objective to elevate the visibility of islands such as Grand Turk, South Caicos, Salt Cay, North Caicos, and Middle Caicos as attractive destinations for responsible investment and long-term economic diversification.
Mr. Garland also participated in the panel discussion, “A Spotlight on the Caribbean: Investment Opportunities and Challenges.” The panel included representatives from the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association, World Hotels, Top Shelf Project Management, Invest Saint Lucia, and Hyatt Hotels Corporation. The session explored regional trends, emerging opportunities, and the shared challenges facing island economies. Mr. Garland emphasized the Turks and Caicos Islands’ readiness for strategic investment and Invest TCI’s commitment to regional collaboration and sustainable economic growth.
Speaking on the event, Mr. Garland stated “It was a pleasure to represent the Turks and Caicos Islands at ALIS CALA this year. The event provided a valuable platform to showcase the investment potential of our family islands and to reaffirm our commitment to attracting investment that is equitable, inclusive, and sustainable. Conferences like these are important not only to showcase our own opportunities, but also to connect with key stakeholders and stay informed on what our regional counterparts are doing. During the Caribbean investment panel, we explored the trends, risks, and opportunities shaping the region. TCI remains a leader in high-end tourism, offering strong potential for both foreign and local investors.”
Another memorable moment at the event was the announcement of the prestigious “Development of the Year” award, which was won by The Strand, Turks and Caicos. Part of the Leading Hotels of the World collection, The Strand is a luxury boutique resort located on the pristine shores of Cooper Jack Bay in Providenciales. The award was proudly accepted by Mr. John Fair, Developer and Managing Director of The Strand. This marks the third time in recent years that a development in the Turks and Caicos Islands has earned this regional recognition, with Rock House taking the title in 2023 and The Ritz-Carlton, Turks and Caicos receiving the award in 2022. This consistent recognition signals growing investor confidence in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ luxury tourism market and reinforces the territory’s reputation as a premier destination for high-end development.
Accompanying Mr. Garland was Marketing Support Officer, Mr. Hezron Henry, who assisted with event arrangements and engaged with investors to showcase the Turks and Caicos Islands’ investment potential.
Invest TCI’s presence at the event reaffirmed the agency’s mission to position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a world-class investment destination. Through strategic engagement and continued visibility at high-level forums, Invest TCI remains focused on attracting quality investments aligned with the nation’s development goals.
For more information on Invest TCI events, please visit www.investturksandcaicos.tc or follow us on social media at @investtci.
