TOP BRANDS FROM ACROSS THE AMERICAS TO ATTEND WTA IN JAMAICA

19th October 2011 - Montego Bay, Jamaica

North American brands compete for ultimate travel accolade

Jumeirah Essex House, Mandarin Oriental Miami, The Beverly Hills Hotel & Bungalows, and The St. Regis Hotel New York are among the iconic properties competing for the coveted title of “North America's Leading Hotel” at a VIP World Travel Awards (WTA) ceremony in Montego Bay on October 19, 2011.

Another key category to watch at the WTA 2011 Caribbean & The Americas Gala Ceremony is “Mexico & Central America’s Leading Destination” with Los Cabos (Mexico), Bay Islands (Honduras), San Jose (Costa Rica) and Granada (Nicaragua) among the hot contenders.

The awards program will reward those destinations, hotels and organizations that have made the largest contribution to the travel and tourism industry over the past year.

Nominees for South America’s Leading Airline” include TAM Airlines, Aerolineas Argentinas, Avianca and Lan Airlines, whilst San Andreas Island (Colombia), Acapulco Beach (Chile), Copacabana (Brazil), and Mar del Plata (Argentina) and Bartolome, Galapagos Islands (Ecuador) are all nominated for “South America’s Leading Beach”.

The ceremony takes place at Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort & Private Island on October 19, 2011, and is set to attract the top decision-makers and thought-leaders from across the Caribbean and North, South and Central America as they compete for the most influential accolades in travel.

Graham E. Cooke, President & Founder, World Travel Awards, underlined the importance of travel and tourism in steering the Americas and the Caribbean through the global uncertainty.

“Travel and tourism across the Americas and the Caribbean has demonstrated remarkable resilience, given the challenges being faced globally. This is testament to tourism’s role as the catalyst for economic growth 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 organizations that have made the greatest contribution to the performance of the Americas and the Caribbean, and I look forward to finding out which ones will make it on to the winner’s podium on October 19.”

John Lynch, Chairman and Director of the Jamaica Tourist Board, is honored that the island was selected to host the ceremony.

He said: “Jamaica is pleased to be chosen as the host destination for the celebrated World Travel Awards 2011 Caribbean & The Americas Gala Ceremony. Our island is easily accessible and has many new tourism offerings to showcase to the WTA’s prestigious global audience. We appreciate this opportunity and look forward to welcoming our guests to a variety of Jamaican experiences.”

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 Gala 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 vacations 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 Gala 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 Gala Ceremony & bookings 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 the Jamaica Tourist Board, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Mauritius Tourist Board, Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort & Spa, 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, ASTA Network, Breaking Travel News, CNBC Arabiya, Khaleej Times, Trav Talk, Trade Arabia, TTN, Travel Daily News International, Focus on Travel News, 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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