Caricom News: Caricom News

Kingston, Jamaica: September 17, 2012 – Jamaica copped several prestigious awards at the 2012 World Travel Awards Caribbean & The Americas Gala, held recently at Beaches Turks and Caicos, as the destination and local tourism partners dominated the competition winning a bounty of top awards and receiving more collectively than any other destination.

Among the awards Jamaica secured were the Caribbean’s Leading Destination award for the 7th consecutive year; the coveted Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board award for the 6th consecutive year; Caribbean’s Leading Airport again going to Sangster International; Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination; Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Port, which went to Ocho Rios; Caribbean’s Leading Sports Tourism Destination which Jamaica also won in 2011; Caribbean’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre for the Montego Bay Convention Centre; and the Port of Falmouth was again named the Caribbean’s Leading Tourism Development Project for the 2nd consecutive year.

Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill is attributing Jamaica’s significant achievement to “the tenacity and determination to market the destination and our excellent tourism product overseas. It is also attributed to the spirit of excellence that continues to drive the team in the Ministry and its agencies and all our tourism partners.”

Director of Tourism Mr. John Lynch expressed that “we are very pleased to be recognized as the Caribbean’s top destination. These awards serve to underscore that our tireless efforts to promote destination Jamaica and to enhance our tourism offerings and tourism infrastructure, continue to reap rich rewards for the destination.”

Minister McNeill also lauded the island’s tourism stakeholders and government partners who also won big at the 19th World Travel Awards. He said “I am proud of the overall achievement of the sector for winning numerous awards in various categories. I want to congratulate our hotel partners for their outstanding accomplishments as well as our valued travel and airline partners on their success.”

Among the awards received by several of Jamaica’s resorts and travel partners were the Caribbean’s Leading Boutique Resort (GoldenEye Hotel and Resort), Caribbean’s Leading Activity Operator (Chukka Caribbean Adventures), Caribbean’s Leading Adventure Excursion Operator (Dolphin Cove), Caribbean’s Leading Meetings & Conference Hotel (Half Moon, Montego Bay), Caribbean’s Leading Villa Resort and Caribbean’s Leading Villa Residences (Round Hill Hotel and Villas), Caribbean’s Leading Attraction Company (Island Routes), and Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Brand (Sandals Resorts International).

Local tourism partners were also named the Caribbean’s Leading All-Suite Hotel (Sandals Royal Plantation), Caribbean’s Leading Car Hire (Avis), Caribbean’s Leading Travel Agency (Trafalgar Travel), Jamaica’s Leading Spa Resort (Round Hill), Jamaica’s Leading Golf Resort (Half Moon), Jamaica’s Leading Hotel (Jamaica Inn), Jamaica’s Leading Resort (Sandals Whitehouse European Village & Spa), Jamaica’s Leading Boutique Hotel (Rockhouse), Jamaica’s Leading Business Hotel (Spanish Court) and Jamaica’s Leading Car Hire (Island Car Rentals).