Jamaica in the Spotlight at World Travel Awards

Jake Johnson Insider Tips

Christmas came early for Jamaica.

At the 23rd World Travel Awards (WTA) they topped all other Caribbean destinations by winning nine awards three individuals and six by resorts and travel partners.

Jamaica walked away with the individual awards for: World’s Leading Cruise Destination and World’s Leading Wedding Destination, while Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett continued with his ‘purple patch’ by copping the award for the World’s Leading Personality for Outstanding Services to Travel.

The island’s resorts and travel partners scored with: World’s Leading Luxury Hotel Villa (Ian Fleming Villa @ Goldeneye); World’s Leading New Island Resort (Melia BracoVillage), World’s Leading Villa Resort (Round Hill Hotel and Villas); World’s Leading Family Resort Brand (Beaches); World’s Leading All-Inclusive Company (Sandals Resorts International); and World’s Leading Caribbean Attractions Company (Island Routes Caribbean Adventure).

Bartlett, who in September also won the prestigious award for Caribbean Leading Personality by the WTA, told The Sunday Gleaner yesterday that he was both thrilled and overwhelmed by the island’s achievements.

He, however, stressed that the success of Jamaica’s tourism is not sufficiently measured by the number of international awards that are won but by the “resilience of our people and the nimbleness of our models”.

The minister shared that Brand Jamaica was on full display in the Maldives during the WTA and that the world took full notice. He said that never before has the tourism industry been this interestingly poised, adding that Jamaica is at a place in time where “there’s really no turning back”.

“The WTA is to travel and tourism as the Oscars are to the film industry or the Grammy is to music. These awards are for the people of Jamaica and all of the staff affiliated with the Ministry of Tourism. This is also for all our stakeholders and all the people who have worked tirelessly to ensure that our tourism product remains first class and competitive. They are the real unsung heroes in all of this the wind beneath my wings.”

Continue Reading at: The Gleaner - "Simply The Best - Jamaica Shines At World Travel Awards"

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About Jake Johnson 242 Articles
Jake Johnson is a full-time travel bum, who prefers warm climates where the women wear less clothing. We've tried to teach him things like manners and diplomacy, but we've given up and simply rely on our editors to remove the most offensive bits from his articles. We take no responsibility for his inane ramblings opinions - they are his own.
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