This week’s broadcast of Eye on Travel comes from Amanyara (which translates to “peaceful place”) in Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos, one of the world’s signature luxury island resorts, located in a 5,000-acre nature preserve. The Wall Street Journal’s Scott McCartney joins Peter to discuss how the TSA plays with numbers and the truth about the real wait times at security check points. David Bowen, Turks and Caicos Director of Culture, on the history of the Turks and Caicos as a British territory. Turks and Caicos news anchor Nadidja Parker on her secrets of the 40 islands. Amy Avenant, from the Department of Environment & Coastal Resources, expands on the untouched nature and protected areas of Turks and Caicos and the challenges that come with preserving, regulating and educating people about the region. And, switching gears, USA Today columnist George Hobica, reports on the changes in some city’s rules about who can and who can’t operate an Airbnb, including some safety and environmental concerns, There’s all this and more as Eye on Travel broadcasts from Amanyara in Turks and Caicos.
Click here to listen to the show streaming live from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 9, 2019.
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Scott McCartney, Author & Travel Editor for The Wall Street Journal, joins the show to share his six ways to improve air travel instantly for everyone including ticket change-fee elimination, seat space and more. Scott and Peter also discuss the truth behind TSA wait times. Some airports are installing their own systems to check times, because they don’t trust the TSA’s numbers. It’s safe to assume that what TSA says its wait time is, should actually be doubled.
David Bowen, Turks and Caicos Director of Culture at Ministry of Culture, dives into some of the common misconceptions about the Turks and Caicos’ geography – is it actually in the Caribbean? David also discusses how Turks and Caicos is a British territory but has a U.S.-based economy. Then, he explains the island-nation’s unique culture and what sets it apart from the rest of the Caribbean countries.
George Hobica, Travel Expert, Journalist, Fly Guy columnist for USA Today, joins to the program to lay it all out regarding Airbnb: his perceptions, how it increases the price of real estate and how he feels living next to one. He also explains what the safety concerns and regulations are that come with using this sort of property-renting. Ever heard of Black Lane? George explains why he gifted it to his mom for Christmas and why it helps ease travel.
Nadidja Parker, Broadcast Journalist for PTV Channel 8 News and native, talks about leaving the island for school and feeling the need to return to a place with a charm that sells itself. Nadidja talks about some of the challenges the country faces on a local level and how the government is working to solve them. She then shares some of her favorite local eats – unexpected recommendations included!
Amy Avenant, Environmental Outreach Coordinator at the Department of Environment & Coastal Resources, expands on the untouched nature and protected areas of Turks and Caicos and the challenges that come with preserving, regulating and educating people about the region. She also talks about the government’s role in preventing resource depletion.
Alex Skye, Expat and Owner of Making Waves Art Studio, talks about her time living around the world and how she ultimately ended up in Turks and Caicos. She then explains what makes her studio unique and talks about her most popular class: drinking wine and painting on the beach. Alex then shares her local food recommendations and what she enjoys at each including eggs benedict and kebabs.
Chris Patzold, Executive Chef at the Amanyara in Turks and Caicos, chats about communicating with guests about what they truly want and keeping them happy. He shares their most popular dish and more about a health-conscious trend that has led to the introduction of sugarless buns, higher quality meat, and more.
