Grace Bay crowned world’s best for third year

10 December 2008 - TC Weekly News

Turks & Caicos Weekly News

THE TUXEDOS were pressed, the champagne flowing and the air thick with excitement as Islanders turned out to witness Grace Bay crowned world’s best beach for the third successive year.



The prestigious accolade, bestowed by the glitzy World Travel Awards ceremony on Tuesday, is a valuable feather in the cap for the country’s tourism industry reeling from the effects of the global economic crisis.



The badge of distinction is testimony indeed that Grace Bay’s glorious turquoise waters and powdery sands are truly second to none.



The TCI saw off stiff competition from Rio’s Copacabana, Miami’s South Beach, Jamaica’s Seven Mile Beach, Key West in Florida, Costa Smeralda in Sardinia, Italy, and Jaco Beach in Costa Rica to claim the title.



Accepting the trophy, Premier Michael Misick said he was delighted that the TCI had been chosen once again to stage the event.



"We are very pleased also to receive the award for world’s best beach for the third year in a row and I can assure you that it was not a reward," he told the audience.



"We do have the best beach and a travel and tourism market which is one of the fastest growing in the world."



"The world has changed a lot since we were last here for this ceremony and it has got a lot more challenging."



"Tonight is the night for those of you who have worked hard and are now being honoured for your excellence."



"There’s no better place to receive those awards. We pride ourselves on being the premier upmarket destination in the world."



Against the elegant backdrop of Beaches’ French Village, the scene was set for an evening of sophistication and opulence.



Organisers excelled themselves in transforming the family-friendly venue from the exquisitely crafted poolside ice sculptures to the majestic floral decorations adorning each table.



Revellers tucked into a feast of lobster and conch soup, mushroom ravioli and roast lamb before trying out the splendid selection of chocolates displayed on a special dessert stand.



It was a successful night for a handful of the country’s resorts too with Parrot Cay crowned world’s leading spa resort and Point Grace named the Caribbean’s leading boutique hotel.



The Regent Palms was declared the TCI’s leading hotel.



But none reigned more supreme than the Beaches and Sandals chain which claimed an armful of gongs including the world’s leading family resort for the TCI complex.



A trophy was presented to chairman and founder Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart.



Sandals was declared the region’s leading hotel brand for the 15th year in a row and the world’s leading all-inclusive company for the 13th time.



Beaches resorts across the region along with the Royal Plantation Collection, which form part of the Sandals Resorts portfolio, also enjoyed top nods during the event taking home a total of 15 trophies.



Mr Stewart said: “Throughout our 27 years of operation, our number one priority has always been, and will continue to be, offering travellers a top luxury product and an unforgettable experience.



"We are humbled and flattered that our ongoing efforts to modernise and improve our resorts have been recognised today."



"As we have evolved over the last two decades, it is still our continued goal to challenge industry standards in order to provide our guests with the best vacation available."



Entertainment was provided by funnyman Baron Vaughn followed by a performance by pop veterans Sister Sledge.



The sibling quartet, which had a string of dancefloor hits in the late 70s and 80s, had the audience dancing on stage to the classic ‘We Are Family’.



The evening was hosted by Home Shopping Network frontman Maven Huffman, a former wrestler, while celebrity couple Jennifer Finnegan, aka Bridget Forrester in US soap The Bold and the Beautiful, and Jonathan Silverman, of Gimme A Break fame, presented a number of awards.



Dubbed the ‘Oscars of the industry’ by the Wall Street Journal, the World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge and celebrate excellence in all aspects of the sector.



Nominations are made as a result of votes cast by travel professionals in more than 164 countries.



It is the third year Providenciales has been picked to host the grand final ceremony which is a culmination of regional finals held in seven continents.



By Gemma Handy

Source: TC Weekly News

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