DOLPHIN Cove is taking its popular tourist attraction to the Turks & Caicos Islands.

The company is investing US$3 million ($266.5 million) to set up business there, the government in Cockburntown announced yesterday.

Dolphin Cove has revealed its plans to open its fifth 'swim with the dolphins' park in the Cooper Jack area of Providenciales. If approved it plans to open in Spring 2013.

The project has been granted a business licence to operate, but it is still required to complete all of the necessary planning and environmental impact studies.

“This is potentially a very exciting development for the Turks & Caicos Islands,” said Governor Ric Todd.

“It is further confirmation of what we already know — that the Turks and Caicos Islands is a very attractive place in which to do business,” he said.

Todd said that the country's economy is in good shape. Gross Domestic Product grew by over four per cent last year.

“Indeed, both inward investors and locally based firms are continuing to invest here,” he said.

Dolphin Cove is in talks with Environmental and Maritime Affairs officials at T&C’s Department of Agriculture to ensure that it complies with planning and the highest animal welfare standards. The company is seeking to lease Crown Land.

Although the project is still subject to a number of permissions, the Turks & Caicos government believe that it would complement the tourism offer there.

“Further, we have a number of extremely positive leads being dealt with by our investment unit and are hopeful of further announcements being made soon,” Todd said.

The attraction already operates to the animal welfare standards required in the US for marine mammals in captivity.