May 5th, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DIVERS DESCEND INTO TURKS & CAICOS FOR
UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION
Islands’ Extensive Coral Reef System Sets Stage for
Incredible Marine Photography
The Turks & Caicos Islands, a burgeoning luxury Caribbean destination featuring world-class beaches, will host the Fourth Annual Underwater Photographic Competition June – September 2008, offering $25,000 in prizes.
The competition, which has previously produced exceptional underwater photos in pristine dive conditions, invites both amateur and professional photographers to participate. Grand prize winners will have their photographs published by the government of the Turks and Caicos Islands as a series of commemorative postage stamps bearing the winning photo, the photographer’s name, and his or her country of origin.
“Our islands have hundreds of miles of barrier reefs, making up the world’s third largest coral reef system and offering visitor’s exceptional underwater sights,” said Lerone Ingham, senior quality control officer at the Turks & Caicos Tourist Board. “Guests are invited to explore our crystal clear turquoise waters, where marine life and sea discoveries are endless. The challenge is not finding a sight worth capturing, but finding time to visit the many spectacular dive attractions.”
Competition coordinators are taking careful measures to preserve the extensive reef system during the competition by implementing strict rules for divers and photographers, reinforcing the competition motto, “Take only pictures-leave only bubbles.”
This year, $25,000 in prizes will be awarded including cash prizes and dive travel, photo equipment, SCUBA gear, and cameras. The top 12 photos taken during the competition will also appear in the Underwater Photo Competition’s international “Out of the Blue” calendar, available for purchase in 2010.
Participants must take their photographs in the Turks & Caicos Islands, June – September 2008, when diving conditions and tropical water temperatures are optimal. Each participant must apply online or on the Islands for an official ID card to be recognized as a competitor, but the competition imposes no restrictions on artistic expression. Photographers are not limited to dive equipment, photographic technology, brand of camera, underwater lights or other equipment. However, final entries are limited to the five photographs each competitor considers his or her best.
Additional rules and regulations are available at the competition Web site, www.underwaterphoto.tc. For press inquires, please contact Jenn Myres at 619-234-0345.
About Turks & Caicos
The 40 islands of the Turks & Caicos, of which eight are inhabited, are renowned for their award-winning beaches, diving and array of world-class resorts. Additional activities include tennis, golf and horseback riding. The Islands feature a variety of spa and body treatment services and is home to the world’s only conch farm. There are three daily 90-minute direct flights from Miami, a US Airways direct flight from Charlotte, daily direct flights from New York and weekly flights from Dallas, Boston, Philadelphia, Atlanta and Toronto. For more information on travel, visit the Turks & Caicos Islands Tourist Board Web site at:
www.turksandcaicostourism.com or call (800) 241-0824.
For further information contact the Turks & Caicos Tourist Board at:
HEAD OFFICE
Lindsey Musgrove
Director of Tourism
P. O. Box 128, Front Street
Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands
British West Indies
Tel: 649-946-2321 / Fax: 649-946-2733
tci.tourism@tciway.tc
PROVIDENCIALES OFFICE
Ralph L. Higgs
Director of Tourism
Stubbs Diamond Plaza
Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands
British West Indies
Tel: 649-946-4970 / Fax: 649-941-5494
rhiggs@turksandcaicostourism.com
NEW YORK OFFICE
Earl Higgs
Manager
Suite 2817
The Lincoln Building
60 East 42nd Street
New York, New York 10165
Tel: 646-375-8830 / Fax: 646-375-8835
ehiggs@tcigny.com
CANADIAN OFFICE
Rosemarie Wilson
Sales & Marketing Executive
Turks & Caicos Islands Tourist Board
175 Bloor Street East
Suite 307, South Tower
Box 22
Toronto, ON
M4W 3R8
Tel: 416-642-9771 / 9772 / 9773
Fax: 416-642-9774 / Cell: 416-819-4319
rwilson.tcitourism@allstream.net
UNITED KINGDOM OFFICE
Janet Shankland
42 Westminster Palace Gardens
1-7 Artillery Row
London, England,
United Kingdom SW1P 1RR
Tel: 44 (0) 207 222 2669 OR 9024 / Fax: 207 222 9025
j.shankland@tcilondon.org.uk ..
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