| WestJet Has Landed | | Print | |
| Thursday, 05 November 2009 10:52 | |||
 WestJet landed its inaugural flight from Toronto on Wednesday, November 4th to cheers from airport authorities and staff, representatives from WestJet, Air Turks and Caicos Flight Services and members of the Tourist Board as well as the Hotel and Tourism Association. "This is a proud day for our company,” said Dale Tinevez, WestJet Vice-president.
The arrival of the flight was celebrated, because it signals a needed leap forward for the tourism market in the Turks and Caicos Islands. “We have realized the positive impact the Canadian market can have on the TCI and we look forward to the benefits now and in the near future,” said Dr. Hulbert Fulford, Chairman of the Tourist Board. The addition of WestJet’s flights from Toronto opens a new door for potential tourism customers to the Turks and Caicos. Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association CEO Caesar Campbell said the addition of the regularly scheduled flights from Toronto doubled the airlift out of Toronto to the country, expanding the opportunity for attracting customers in this critical market. Campbell just returned from a Canadian sales blitz, travelling with members from thirteen hotels and resorts to several major Canadian cities to meet with travel agents and tour operators in an effort to promote the Turks and Caicos as a destination. “We expect to see an increase in visitor arrivals from Canada in the upcoming season with the additional Air Canada flights out of Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto and the introduction of the thrice-weekly WestJet service to Providenciales.” WestJet says the reception from its customers has been so great, that they have already added a third flight to the schedule. “We have added a flight on Monday by popular demand,” Tinevez said. “We call it the Honeymooner flight. Many couples marry on the weekend and want to jet off to their honeymoons on Monday mornings.” The WestJet flight will now fly every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday direct to and from Toronto. Tinevez also said they are considering to add the flight as a year round service, “We have been happy with the response and will continue to evaluate the demand and react accordingly.” Campbell says the increase in flight service reflects a growing demand among Canadian tourists to visit the islands. Tinevez says he is convinced, “Canadians are going to embrace and have a love affair with the Turks and Caicos." If the inaugural flight is any indication, the over 90% capacity is a good sign of things to come. Increased air service to and from Canada also provides additional potential for much needed investment in TCI real estate by Canadians. Airlift is the key to opening the door to a greater expansion of the tourism market. It appears this new flight is not only welcome news for today, but a sign of great things to come. John Smith, CEO of the Airport Authority, said "WestJet comes on the brink of our expansion. We are moving and developing and growing ferociously.”
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