NEW YORK – Viewers across North America and the Caribbean can soon see how the Turks and Caicos Islands deliver the very best five-star hospitality experiences in the world, when BET and BET J television networks shine a spotlight on the 2005 edition of the Turks and Caicos Music and Cultural Festival.
On Tuesday, March 28 at 11 p.m. (PST) and on Wednesday, March 29 at 2 a.m. (EST), BET viewers can sample the best of the festival, produced by the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board in association with BET Event Productions. It attracted the likes of reggae dancehall pop star Shaggy, chart-topping R & B vocalist Ashanti, funky soul singer Jeffrey Osborne, the “cool” voice of reggae Gregory Isaacs, the Haitian Creole sounds of Tabou Combo, gospel/disco queen Candi Staton, contemporary gospel crooner BeBe Winans, as well as some of the Turks and Caicos’ top local artists.
“BET J has enjoyed the partnership with Turks and Caicos over the past few years and we’re pleased to put the spotlight on a quality festival staged in a quality destination,” said Cybelle Brown, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for BET Digital Networks.
The Turks and Caicos Islands recently received the International Star Diamond Award from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences, recognizing their commitment to excellence in exceptional service, superb facilities, ambiance, gastronomy, cleanliness and, above all, hospitality.
Chief Minister Dr. Michael Misick says part and parcel of the territory’s tourism marketing strategy is to attract African-American visitors and investors, and BET and BET J provide a key opportunity for the destination. “Brothers and sisters can come and see what we have to offer in Turks and Caicos …whether it is through BET or other avenues, we reach out to African-American populations in the United States,” he said, crediting BET J’s role in producing and promoting the annual summer festival, slated to be held this year from July 31 to August 7.
Forthcoming BET J air dates are on April 15, May 13 and 27, June 10 and 24, and July 8 at 1 p.m., 8 p.m. and 1 a.m. the following morning. All times are Eastern.
