JAMAICA OBSERVER
11th November 2009
For the fourth consecutive year, Jamaica has been named the World's Leading Cruise Destination in the highly acclaimed World Travel Awards. Jamaica also copped its fifth win as the Caribbean's Leading Cruise Destination and Ocho Rios was named Caribbean's Leading Port.
The awards, described by the Wall Street Journal as the Oscars of the global travel and tourism industry, are decided by votes cast by travel professionals from companies and tourism organisations in over 160 countries.
A view of the Port Antonio harbour which is designed for the smaller boutique lines.
"Without a doubt, our success at the World Travel Awards must be attributed to the increasing diversity of experiences that we have to offer cruise visitors," said William Tatham, the Port Authority of Jamaica's vice president for cruise shipping and marina operations. "We have everything from shopping and historical tours, to high impact adventures and that allows Jamaica to connect with almost every passenger on a cruise ship in ways no other destination can."
The Port Authority is responsible for marketing the cruise shipping under the brand 'Cruise Jamaica'.
According to the organisers, research has shown that winning a World Travel Award increases international brand recognition and builds consumer loyalty.
"The past 12 months have brought several challenges, namely the economic downturn and the outbreak of swine flu, which have impacted travel and tourism worldwide," said Graham Cooke, president and founder of World Travel Awards. "Today's winners have not only been recognised as the best in their region, but they have proved themselves to be the best in the world and the number one choice of travel professionals and consumers alike."
Ocho Rios and Montego Bay host some of the world's largest cruise ships, while Port Antonio is designed for the smaller boutique lines. The next generation Jamaican port debuts with Historic Falmouth, a port that is itself an attraction. Designed to host one Oasis-class vessel as well as a Freedom-class vessel, Falmouth will take its cues from 18th Century Jamaica when the town was one of the leading ports and commercial centres in the Americas.
"The town is recognised as having some of the best representations of Georgian architecture outside of Britain, and we've used this to create a historically correct experience that delivers big on education and entertainment," said Tatham.
Historic Falmouth will be inaugurated in fall 2010.
Article taken from JAMAICA OBSERVER.
