Stay up-to-date with all that's new at My-Island-Jamaica, Click Here to subscribe for my updates and don't miss a thing!

Have a QUESTION?

Print This Page

Jamaica impresses at the World Travel Awards - Caribbean & Latin America

by My-Island-Jamaica.com
(Jamaica)

Tourism Minister, the Hon. Edmund Bartlett has described Jamaica's dominance of Wednesday's World Travel Awards Caribbean & Americas Gala Ceremony as "pay-back for the hard work that the country has been doing in promoting the destination and its tourism product overseas."

This after Jamaica won several prestigious awards at the global event which is dubbed the ‘Oscars of the travel industry.'

Speaking after Jamaica copped several top awards at the ceremony, which was held at the Sandals Royal Caribbean Hotel & Private Island in Montego Bay on October 19, 2011, Minister Bartlett said “as the leaders of the sector, we are humbled to be rewarded by the global tourism community for the energy and hard work which the team has done over the past year."

He added that “ the fact that the energy and the vision has resulted in Jamaica leading the Caribbean in terms of not only implementing an economic recession survival strategy, but to be earning multiple world awards, brings a sense of satisfaction."

Tourism Minister the Hon. Edmund Bartlett and Director of Tourism and Chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board, Mr. John Lynch, accept one of the destination’s 23 awards from Mr. Graham E. Cooke, President & Founder, World Travel Awards during the 2011 World Travel Awards Caribbean & The Americas Gala on October 19, 2011.

Jamaica won the Caribbean's Leading Destination award for the sixth consecutive year, while the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) won the Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board award for the fifth consecutive year.

The destination was also named the Caribbean's Leading Cruise Destination and was recognized for having the Caribbean's Leading Cruise Port (Ocho Rios), the Caribbean's Leading Beach Destination (Negril), the Caribbean’s Leading Airport (Sangster International Airport), and the Caribbean's Leading Meetings & Conference Centre (Montego Bay Convention Centre, Jamaica).

Jamaica also received the Caribbean Achievement Award and was also named the Caribbean's Leading Sports Tourism Destination, while the new Port of Falmouth was named the Caribbean's Leading Tourism Development Project.

Minister Bartlett expressed pleasure that local hotel mogul and Chairman of Sandals Resorts International, Mr. Gordon “Butch” Stewart walked away with the Tourism

Pioneer Award.

He outlined that “we are delighted that Mr. Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart has received this prestigious award. I believe it is well deserved as he is truly the father of luxury-inclusive in the entire Caribbean. Jamaica is very proud that a home-grown brand has now become the worldwide standard by which luxury-inclusive products are judged.”

Director of Tourism Mr. John Lynch expressed that “we’re honoured to be recognized as the top Caribbean destination. “These awards reaffirm that our tireless efforts to promote destination Jamaica, coupled with continued growth and refurbishment of our tourism infrastructure, have proven to be a successful strategy for the destination. We also want to congratulate our hotel partners for their stellar accomplishments as well as the aviation sector on their success.

We look forward to continuing our strong relationships with our valued travel and airline partners.”

In commending the local tourism entities which also won awards, Minister Bartlett emphasized that “Jamaica remains a very attractive destination and the country's performance and that of our resorts and partners at these awards have proven once again that our country will continue to see good results in terms of arrivals, guest satisfaction and indeed new developments."

Several of Jamaica’s resorts and travel partners were also recognized including the following:

· Caribbean's Leading Adventure Excursion Operator: Dolphin Cove

· Caribbean's Leading All-Suite Hotel: Jamaica Inn

· Caribbean's Leading Boutique Hotel: Rockhouse Hotel

· Caribbean's Leading Boutique Resort: Golden Eye

· Caribbean's Leading Luxury Villa: The Fleming Villa at GoldenEye

· Caribbean's Leading Villa Resort: Round Hill Hotel & Villas

· Jamaica's Leading Boutique Hotel: Strawberry Hill, Island Outpost

· Jamaica's Leading Business Hotel: Spanish Court Hotel, Kingston

· Jamaica's Leading Car Hire: Island Car Rentals

· Jamaica's Leading Golf Resort: Half Moon, Montego Bay

· Jamaica's Leading Hotel: Sandals Negril Beach Resort & Spa

· Jamaica's Leading Resort: Sandals Grande Riviera Beach & Villa Golf Resort

· Jamaica's Leading Spa Resort: Sandals Whitehouse European Village & Spa

This article appeared in the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) website on Friday, October 21, 2011.

Submit Your Own or See Other Stories & Commentaries.

Comments for Jamaica impresses at the World Travel Awards - Caribbean & Latin America

Average Rating

Click here to add your own comments

Oct 24, 2011
Rating

Very proud indeed
by: Jola

Oh Lord me big up me ches' so til. Yes I am very proud of being a Jamaican, of my likkle island, good or bad. I Live in the UK, as I grew up there, but I travel an awful lot and everywhere I go I 'fly the flag!'

Well done JA! 'We likkle but we.......'

Jola

Oct 23, 2011
Rating

Proud!!!
by: Sandrea

I'm so proud at this moment in time that I can hardly express it, my home land JAMAICA!!!!.to the world, we stand tall, proud and strong...comgrats, and thanks for posting this.stay bless.

Oct 23, 2011
Rating

Jamaica No 1
by: Anonymous

We always knew that yawd a de best....keep up the good work

Oct 23, 2011
Rating

Jamaican status
by: Anonymous

I move Jamaica out of the third world category to first world status.

Oct 23, 2011
Rating

Congratulation
by: Novelette

Thanks for sharing,you made me proud to be a jamaican!!!!!!!!!we are bless!

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Jamaican News And Events.

If you found this page useful, please consider subscribing to my weekly newsletter, My Island Jamaica Digest here. It tells you each week about the new information that I have added, including new developments and great stories from lovers of Jamaica!

Back To The Top Of This Page

New! Talk To Me
Was the information helpful? Something needs changing? I welcome your feedback here.

Recommended For You ...

P.S. Didn't find exactly what you were looking for? Still need help?

Click Here to try our dependable and effective Site Search tool. It works!

Or, simply click here and here, to browse my library of over 500 questions and answers! Chances are someone already asked (and got an answer to) your question.

About The Author

A patriotic Jamaican who adores his culture, Wellesley has been using this medium to share what he calls 'the uniqueness of Jamaica with the world' since April 2007.

To date, he serves over 9,300 unique readers / viewers per day.

His efforts have earned him featured positions in local publications, including the Jamaica Gleaner's Hospitality Jamaica, Carlong Publishers, as well as recognition from numerous prestigious international agencies and universities. Read more about him here.

He invites you to join his friends list and stay updated on all the latest. You are also invited to join his exclusive patron community.