Jamaica came out the biggest winner at the just concluded World Travel Awards (WTA) Caribbean & The America’s Gala Ceremony 2023 in St. Lucia.
The island saw off a tough field to emerge as ‘Caribbean’s Leading Destination’, as well as ‘Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination’ and ‘Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board’ at Saturday night’s gala ceremony.
In the hospitality sector, Jamaica’s Half Moon won ‘Caribbean’s Leading Hotel’; Round Hill Hotel & Villas copped ‘Caribbean’s Leading Villa Resort’ while the relentless drive for excellence helped Jamaica’s Sandals Resorts International to lift the title of ‘Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Brand’.
In the aviation sector, Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica, took the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Airport’. Other winners include GO! Jamaica Travel as the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Tour Operator’.
Jamaica cleaned up at the Oscars of the global travel industry, the @WTravelAwards, winning over 30 awards. I have so much respect and love for the hard work and dedication from every last one of our destination partners that make our tourism product one of the best and most… pic.twitter.com/DV90HzY0yN
— Donovan G White 🇯🇲 (@maninja2) August 27, 2023
Other country awards
The Turks & Caicos was voted ‘Caribbean’s Leading Beach Destination’ while The Bahamas took the title of ‘Caribbean’s Leading Luxury Island Destination’. Canada was named ‘North America’s Leading Destination’, whilst Miami Beach claimed the coveted title of ‘North America’s Leading City Destination’ and Seattle claimed ‘North America’s Leading Meeting & Conference Destination’.
The Mexican resort of Tulum, with its great beaches, lush jungles and Mayan ruins, was named ‘Mexico & Central America’s Leading Beach Destination’. Costa Rica picked up the top prize for ‘Mexico & Central America’s Leading Destination’. Peru was voted ‘South America’s Leading Destination’, whilst it’s cutting-edge gastronomy was recognised with ‘South America’s Leading Culinary Destination’.
The romantic charms of San Carlos de Bariloche were acknowledged as the Argentine resort picked up ‘South America’s Leading Honeymoon Destination’. In the hospitality sector, winners included Amanyara, Turks & Caicos (‘Caribbean’s Leading Beach Resort’); Beaches Turks & Caicos (‘Caribbean’s Leading All-Inclusive Family Resort’).
Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort, St. Lucia was hailed ‘Caribbean’s Leading Luxury Resort’ and Jade Mountain Resort, St. Lucia took ‘Caribbean’s Leading Luxury Honeymoon Resort’.
Host country praised
Founder of the World Travel Awards, Graham Cooke, hailed the host country saying, “it has been a privilege to start our 30th anniversary celebrations on the beautiful island of St. Lucia, which has hosted an incredible ceremony featuring the leading lights of travel from across the Caribbean and Americas.”
The breadth and depth of St. Lucia’s tourism offerings was reinforced with three key awards: the majestic island was named ‘Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon Destination’, ‘Caribbean’s Leading Adventure Destination’ and ‘Caribbean’s Leading Nature Destination’.
Minister for Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture & Information, Dr Ernest Hilaire, responded, “we take immense pride in hosting the 30th annual World Travel Awards Caribbean and the Americas Gala Ceremony, an event that truly highlighted Saint Lucia’s remarkable hospitality and rich cultural heritage. Being honoured with three significant accolades that will undoubtedly enhance our marketing endeavours is a source of great honour.”
Continuing, he added, ”this recognition serves to further strengthen our standing as a premier destination and serves as a motivating force to continue providing unparalleled world-class experiences to global travellers, spanning adventure, romance, and the wonders of nature.”
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