Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers during our recent bouts with Hurricanes Hanna and Ike. Fortunately, the majority of our tourism offering survived in tact and we are already welcoming visitors back to our sunny beaches.

Hopefully these photos will assure you that this Fall is an excellent time to visit the Turks and Caicos. While Providenciales has returned back to its former glory - some of our other islands didn't fare as well and are in the midst of a longer rebuilding process. By planning a visit here you will not only be able to enjoy one of the best beaches in the world - you'll be helping the overall recovery effort. So, as the leaves start to fall and winter sets in, consider a getaway to the Beautiful-by-Nature Turks & Caicos Islands.

You can book your travel directly through www.turksandcaicostourism.com, or contact any one of our expert agents to plan your holiday.

PROVIDENCIALES - The Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism industry reports that it is largely 'business as usual' for the majority of its member properties and services catering to tourism in the island chain. Most properties in Providenciales, the main tourism center, suffered only minimal damage during the recent Hurricanes Hanna and Ike. Greater damage was experienced in the outlying islands of Grand Turk, South Caicos and Salt Cay.

Structural damage on Providenciales was minimal and no major beach erosion or environmental issues have been reported. While many resorts use the slower September and October months to temporarily close and perform annual maintenance, there are plenty of resorts and villas open for business throughout the islands.

Wayne Garland, Executive Director, Turks and Caicos Tourist Board

"We were extremely fortunate to have avoided a major hit to our tourism product, and are now prepared to resume business as usual in most places," said Wayne Garland, Executive Chairman of the TCI Tourist Board.

"While September and October are typically slower months, and some properties are routinely closed for renovations during this time, we encourage travelers to consider the Turks & Caicos this fall and winter. As our country depends largely on tourism, it is important that we keep this economic engine running strongly as we work to help the less fortunate islands in the Turks & Caicos recover."

Tourism operators such as scuba shops, fishing charters and others are also back in operation, and visitors can expect minimal if any, interruption from most service providers.

We suggest you contact your individual resort directly to confirm any reservations.

MIAMI - The Grand Turk Cruise Center, which is operated by Miami-based Carnival Corporation & plc, and located on the island of Grand Turk, has scheduled an Oct. 8, 2008 re-opening date, following the passage of Hurricane Ike.

An engineering survey has confirmed that no damage was sustained to the cruise ship pier, which can accommodate up to two ships at one time. Minimal damage occurred to the facility's retail and restaurant complex.

"We believe we can complete repairs to the cruise center within a 30-day period and bring cruise ships back to Grand Turk," said Giora Israel, Carnival's vice president of strategic planning and port development. "We will be able to provide many of the wonderful, beach, snorkeling and water sports experiences that Grand Turk is famous for, along with the oversized pool and food and shopping opportunities at the cruise center, including the extremely popular Margaritaville restaurant."

Carnival Corporation will also be providing financial and logistical assistance to shore excursion operators to enable them to resume their businesses. Cruise passengers and crew members will be provided the opportunity to participate in volunteer-oriented excursions for those who wish to assist in the island's recovery effort.

The first cruise ship scheduled to call at Grand Turk will be Carnival Cruise Lines' Carnival Destiny on Oct. 8. Carnival Cruise Lines is the largest cruise-line user of the Grand Turk facility. Several other cruise lines, both from within the Carnival Corp. & plc family of brands and from other cruise operators, also regularly call at Grand Turk.

Contact Carnival at 1-888-CARNIVAL or www.carnival.com.

Following an extensive evaluation of all rooms and grounds following Hurricane Ike this week, Gordon "Butch" Stewart, chairman of Sandals Resorts International, has announced that Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort & Spa will re-open November 15, 2008.

"With safety as our first concern, we have taken the difficult but prudent decision to do needed repair and maintenance work while the resort is closed, bringing back the high five-star standards that guests would expect at Beaches Turks & Caicos. We look forward to reopening on November 15, when we will be ready to welcome guests to the Luxury Included® family vacation Beaches Resorts is known for," said Stewart.

Passengers scheduled to travel to Beaches Turks & Caicos while the resort remains closed are given the option of relocating to one of the three Beaches Resorts in Jamaica or receiving a fall travel credit. The fall credit entitles guests to return to Beaches Turks & Caicos later this fall (November 15 through December 20, 2008), next fall (September 1, 2009 to December 20, 2009) or revise their dates to return to Beaches Turks & Caicos anytime between January 1 and August 31, 2009, receiving full value of their stay. Certain restrictions and black-out dates apply.

Guests wishing to travel on their existing travel dates can stay at one of the other three Beaches Resorts, or a Sandals Resort and have their current rate protected.

The storm has not affected the construction of Beaches Turks & Caicos' Italian Village, which is still scheduled to debut in winter 2009.

For more information, contact 1-888-BEACHES or go to www.beaches.com.

The Fifth Annual Turks & Caicos Conch Festival is scheduled for Saturday, November 29 on Providenciales. This fun filled event celebrates our most famous export and favorite food product, the delicious conch.

For more information go to www.conchfestival.com

Many people are wondering how they can help with the recovery and re-build of the affected areas of Turks & Caicos. The best way to help is to come visit us. Our economy is based on tourism and by coming here you are directly contributing to the recovery efforts.

Many of our hotel and resort partners are also contributing funds to the hurricane recovery effort based on revenue they generate during the next several months. Look for this logo on their web sites and front desks, and you'll know that by staying with them, you are helping out.

We thank you for your support of Turks & Caicos and we look forward to welcoming you to our Beautiful by Nature destination.