CARIBBEAN’S LEADING BRANDS COMPETE FOR ULTIMATE TRAVEL ACCOLADE
19th October 2011 - Montego Bay, Jamaica
St Lucia, Barbados, Jamaica and the Bahamas are among the nations that will compete head-to-head for the coveted title of “Caribbean’s Leading Destination” at a VIP World Travel Awards (WTA) ceremony in Montego Bay, Jamaica on 19 October 2011.
Another key category to watch at the WTA 2011 Caribbean & The Americas Ceremony is “Caribbean’s Leading Hotel”, with Half Moon (Jamaica), Jumby Bay (Antigua), Parrot Cay (Turks & Caicos), Sandy Lane (Barbados) and Sandals Emerald Bay (Great Exuma, Bahamas) among the hot contenders.
The awards programme will reward those destinations, hotels and organisations that have made the largest contribution to the travel and tourism industry over the past year.
The ceremony takes place at Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort & Private Island on 19 October 2011, and is set to attract the top decision-makers and thought-leaders from across the Americas and Caribbean as they compete for the most influential accolades in travel.
Negril (Jamaica), The Gold Coast (Barbados), Half Moon Bay (Antigua), Grace Bay Beach (Turks & Caicos) and Dawn Beach (St Maarten) are all in the running for “Caribbean’s Leading Beach Destination”.
With boosting airlift considered the top priority for the region, all eyes will be honed on the “Caribbean’s Leading Airline” category. Nominees include Delta Airlines, Caribbean Airlines, Air Jamaica and Air Canada.
Graham E. Cooke, President & Founder, World Travel Awards, underlined the importance of travel and tourism in steering the Caribbean through the global uncertainty.
“The Caribbean travel and tourism economy has demonstrated remarkable resilience, given the challenges faced by its key source markets in Europe and North America. In particular, our host Jamaica is enjoying an excellent year. Provisional estimates out of that country suggest gross earnings of almost US$1.5 billion during the first eight months of 2011 thanks to a 5.7 percent increase in visitor arrivals.”
“This is testament to tourism’s role as the engine of the Caribbean economy with the power to steer the region out of one of the most challenging periods in global financial history.”
He added: “Our nominees represent those organisations that have made the greatest contribution to the performance of the Caribbean, and I look forward to finding out which ones will make it on to the winner’s podium on 19 October.”
John Lynch, Chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board, feels that the Caribbean region has a strong brand.
He said: “As a tourism region, the Caribbean has a lot to offer. Many of the world’s premium brands are available within the region and these are complimented by brands that developed in the Caribbean and have earned world-renowned status. Caribbean people are also naturally hospitable and throughout history, have had to conquer several challenges. Our resilience is well honed.”
Gordon “Butch” Stewart, Chairman of Sandals Resorts, is pleased to once again support the Caribbean on the world stage by hosting this year’s World Travel Awards Caribbean & The Americas Ceremony.
He said: “At Sandals Resorts, we come from the region, we understand the communities, we understand the quality of the beaches and we understand the services and standards that the customer now demands.”
“As we celebrate 30 years of providing Luxury Included® that exceed expectations, I can say that we are delighted to showcase those services and amenities to the travel industry once again this year.”
The Caribbean & The Americas Ceremony marks the fifth and final leg of World Travel Awards 2011 Grand Tour, and will follow heats in Dubai, UAE; Antalya, Turkey; Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt; and Bangkok, Thailand. Regional winners from these events progress to the Grand Final at the end of the year.
The event partners are the Jamaica Tourist Board, Sandals Resorts and WeClickMedia, while media partners include National Geographic Traveller, ABTA Magazine, ASTA Network, Breaking Travel News, JaxFax and Travel Daily News.
For more info about World Travel Awards 2011 Caribbean & The Americas Ceremony & bookings at Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort & Private Island visit: www.worldtravelawards.com/americas2011
To download images go to www.worldtravelawards.com/downloads/zip/2011jamaica.zip
World Travel Awards was launched in 1993 to acknowledge and recognise excellence in the world's travel and tourism industry.
Now celebrating its 18th anniversary, the awards is regarded as the very highest achievement that a travel product could ever hope to receive.
Attended by senior executives from major travel companies, operators and destinations, WTA events are universally respected as providing established, top level networking opportunities, regionally and globally.
Main sponsors include Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort & Spa, Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Jamaica Tourist Board, Mauritius Tourist Board, Conrad Hotels, World.mobi, Armani Hotel Dubai, Emaar Hospitality Group, Dusit Thani Bangkok, Sandals Resorts, Sports Authority of Thailand, Savoy Sharm el Sheikh and WeClickMedia.
The World Travel Award's official list of worldwide media partners includes: ABTA Magazine, Breaking Travel News, CNBC Arabiya, Khaleej Times, Trav Talk, Trade Arabia, TTN, Travel Daily News International, Focus on Travel News, ASTA Network, New Focus Travel Magazine, Tourism Review, JAX FAX, Passport Magazine, Travel & Leisure China and National Geographic Traveller.
The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica’s national tourism agency based in the capital city of Kingston. The JTB was declared “Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board” by World Travel Awards from 2006 to 2010. Also in 2010, Jamaica earned the WTA’s vote for “World’s Leading Cruise Destination”, “Caribbean’s Leading Destination” and “Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination” for the fourth consecutive year. Additionally, Montego Bay was named “World’s Leading Beach Destination”, Ocho Rios was named “Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Port” and Sangster International Airport was voted “Caribbean’s Leading Airport”.
JTB offices are located in Kingston, Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto and London. Representative offices are located in Düsseldorf, Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam and Tokyo.
Jamaica, easily accessible via non-stop flights from many major gateway cities, is 146 miles long with mountainous peaks soaring to 7,402 feet (2,256 meters), higher than any in the eastern half of North America. Jamaica features over 120 rivers, stunning waterfalls and white sand beaches. Jamaica’s accommodations range from luxury resorts to charming cottages and inns, all focusing on top-notch service. The destination includes restaurants to fit any taste and price point. A year-round vacation destination, some of Jamaica’s diverse activities include hiking the Blue Mountains, bird-watching, championship golf, award-winning festivals, caving in the Cockpit Country, zip-lining, horseback riding, cliff diving, rainforest bobsledding, deep sea fishing, bicycle tours, dog-sledding, dolphin and shark encounters and more.
For details on upcoming special events, attractions and accommodations in Jamaica go to the JTB’s web site at www.visitjamaica.com, or call the Jamaica Tourist Board at 1-800-JAMAICA (1-800-526-2422). Follow the JTB on Facebook at www.facebook.com/visitjamaica, on Twitter at www.twitter.com/visitjamaicanow or on YouTube at
www.youtube.com/aboutjamaicajtb.
Sandals Resorts has earned a worldwide reputation for providing two people in love with the most romantic vacation experience in the Caribbean. Currently, there are 14 Luxury Included® Sandals Resorts located in Jamaica, Antigua, Saint Lucia and The Bahamas. Each offers stunning beachfront locations; a choice of à la carte restaurants, from white-glove dining to barefoot elegance; all premium brand wine and spirits, including an exclusive partnership with California's legendary Beringer Vineyards; luxurious accommodations in a range of categories; unrivaled watersports including the Caribbean's largest PADI certification program; Butler Service for truly indulgent pampering; Sandals Weddings by Martha StewartTM; and signature Red Lane® Spas, with services and treatments inspired by the region.
Sandals Resorts has set the industry standard for the Luxury Included® vacation and has been voted “Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Brand” at World Travel Awards for 17 years in a row, and “World's Leading All-Inclusive Company” for 15 years in a row. For more information, call your local travel agent or 1-800-Sandals (1-800-726-3257) or visit www.sandals.com.
Another key category to watch at the WTA 2011 Caribbean & The Americas Ceremony is “Caribbean’s Leading Hotel”, with Half Moon (Jamaica), Jumby Bay (Antigua), Parrot Cay (Turks & Caicos), Sandy Lane (Barbados) and Sandals Emerald Bay (Great Exuma, Bahamas) among the hot contenders.
The awards programme will reward those destinations, hotels and organisations that have made the largest contribution to the travel and tourism industry over the past year.
The ceremony takes place at Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort & Private Island on 19 October 2011, and is set to attract the top decision-makers and thought-leaders from across the Americas and Caribbean as they compete for the most influential accolades in travel.
Negril (Jamaica), The Gold Coast (Barbados), Half Moon Bay (Antigua), Grace Bay Beach (Turks & Caicos) and Dawn Beach (St Maarten) are all in the running for “Caribbean’s Leading Beach Destination”.
With boosting airlift considered the top priority for the region, all eyes will be honed on the “Caribbean’s Leading Airline” category. Nominees include Delta Airlines, Caribbean Airlines, Air Jamaica and Air Canada.
Graham E. Cooke, President & Founder, World Travel Awards, underlined the importance of travel and tourism in steering the Caribbean through the global uncertainty.
“The Caribbean travel and tourism economy has demonstrated remarkable resilience, given the challenges faced by its key source markets in Europe and North America. In particular, our host Jamaica is enjoying an excellent year. Provisional estimates out of that country suggest gross earnings of almost US$1.5 billion during the first eight months of 2011 thanks to a 5.7 percent increase in visitor arrivals.”
“This is testament to tourism’s role as the engine of the Caribbean economy with the power to steer the region out of one of the most challenging periods in global financial history.”
He added: “Our nominees represent those organisations that have made the greatest contribution to the performance of the Caribbean, and I look forward to finding out which ones will make it on to the winner’s podium on 19 October.”
John Lynch, Chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board, feels that the Caribbean region has a strong brand.
He said: “As a tourism region, the Caribbean has a lot to offer. Many of the world’s premium brands are available within the region and these are complimented by brands that developed in the Caribbean and have earned world-renowned status. Caribbean people are also naturally hospitable and throughout history, have had to conquer several challenges. Our resilience is well honed.”
Gordon “Butch” Stewart, Chairman of Sandals Resorts, is pleased to once again support the Caribbean on the world stage by hosting this year’s World Travel Awards Caribbean & The Americas Ceremony.
He said: “At Sandals Resorts, we come from the region, we understand the communities, we understand the quality of the beaches and we understand the services and standards that the customer now demands.”
“As we celebrate 30 years of providing Luxury Included® that exceed expectations, I can say that we are delighted to showcase those services and amenities to the travel industry once again this year.”
The Caribbean & The Americas Ceremony marks the fifth and final leg of World Travel Awards 2011 Grand Tour, and will follow heats in Dubai, UAE; Antalya, Turkey; Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt; and Bangkok, Thailand. Regional winners from these events progress to the Grand Final at the end of the year.
The event partners are the Jamaica Tourist Board, Sandals Resorts and WeClickMedia, while media partners include National Geographic Traveller, ABTA Magazine, ASTA Network, Breaking Travel News, JaxFax and Travel Daily News.
For more info about World Travel Awards 2011 Caribbean & The Americas Ceremony & bookings at Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort & Private Island visit: www.worldtravelawards.com/americas2011
To download images go to www.worldtravelawards.com/downloads/zip/2011jamaica.zip
– Ends –
Notes to Editors
About World Travel Awards
World Travel Awards was launched in 1993 to acknowledge and recognise excellence in the world's travel and tourism industry.
Now celebrating its 18th anniversary, the awards is regarded as the very highest achievement that a travel product could ever hope to receive.
Attended by senior executives from major travel companies, operators and destinations, WTA events are universally respected as providing established, top level networking opportunities, regionally and globally.
Main sponsors include Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort & Spa, Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Jamaica Tourist Board, Mauritius Tourist Board, Conrad Hotels, World.mobi, Armani Hotel Dubai, Emaar Hospitality Group, Dusit Thani Bangkok, Sandals Resorts, Sports Authority of Thailand, Savoy Sharm el Sheikh and WeClickMedia.
The World Travel Award's official list of worldwide media partners includes: ABTA Magazine, Breaking Travel News, CNBC Arabiya, Khaleej Times, Trav Talk, Trade Arabia, TTN, Travel Daily News International, Focus on Travel News, ASTA Network, New Focus Travel Magazine, Tourism Review, JAX FAX, Passport Magazine, Travel & Leisure China and National Geographic Traveller.
About the Jamaica Tourist Board
The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica’s national tourism agency based in the capital city of Kingston. The JTB was declared “Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board” by World Travel Awards from 2006 to 2010. Also in 2010, Jamaica earned the WTA’s vote for “World’s Leading Cruise Destination”, “Caribbean’s Leading Destination” and “Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination” for the fourth consecutive year. Additionally, Montego Bay was named “World’s Leading Beach Destination”, Ocho Rios was named “Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Port” and Sangster International Airport was voted “Caribbean’s Leading Airport”.
JTB offices are located in Kingston, Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto and London. Representative offices are located in Düsseldorf, Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam and Tokyo.
Jamaica, easily accessible via non-stop flights from many major gateway cities, is 146 miles long with mountainous peaks soaring to 7,402 feet (2,256 meters), higher than any in the eastern half of North America. Jamaica features over 120 rivers, stunning waterfalls and white sand beaches. Jamaica’s accommodations range from luxury resorts to charming cottages and inns, all focusing on top-notch service. The destination includes restaurants to fit any taste and price point. A year-round vacation destination, some of Jamaica’s diverse activities include hiking the Blue Mountains, bird-watching, championship golf, award-winning festivals, caving in the Cockpit Country, zip-lining, horseback riding, cliff diving, rainforest bobsledding, deep sea fishing, bicycle tours, dog-sledding, dolphin and shark encounters and more.
For details on upcoming special events, attractions and accommodations in Jamaica go to the JTB’s web site at www.visitjamaica.com, or call the Jamaica Tourist Board at 1-800-JAMAICA (1-800-526-2422). Follow the JTB on Facebook at www.facebook.com/visitjamaica, on Twitter at www.twitter.com/visitjamaicanow or on YouTube at
www.youtube.com/aboutjamaicajtb.
About Sandals Resorts
Sandals Resorts has earned a worldwide reputation for providing two people in love with the most romantic vacation experience in the Caribbean. Currently, there are 14 Luxury Included® Sandals Resorts located in Jamaica, Antigua, Saint Lucia and The Bahamas. Each offers stunning beachfront locations; a choice of à la carte restaurants, from white-glove dining to barefoot elegance; all premium brand wine and spirits, including an exclusive partnership with California's legendary Beringer Vineyards; luxurious accommodations in a range of categories; unrivaled watersports including the Caribbean's largest PADI certification program; Butler Service for truly indulgent pampering; Sandals Weddings by Martha StewartTM; and signature Red Lane® Spas, with services and treatments inspired by the region.
Sandals Resorts has set the industry standard for the Luxury Included® vacation and has been voted “Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Brand” at World Travel Awards for 17 years in a row, and “World's Leading All-Inclusive Company” for 15 years in a row. For more information, call your local travel agent or 1-800-Sandals (1-800-726-3257) or visit www.sandals.com.
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