Jamaica’s Minister of
Tourism, Entertainment & Culture, the Hon. Aloun N’dombet Assamba, has accepted the island’s award for Caribbean’s Leading Destination at
the 13th annual World Travel Awards which took place at Beaches Turks &
Caicos Resort & Spa in the Turks & Caicos Islands.Minister Assamba also accepted the award Caribbean’s Leading Tourist &
Convention Bureau which was received by the Jamaica Tourist Board.
  Jamaica’s cruise facilities were the toast of the travel industry when
it was named World’s Leading Cruise Destination and the Caribbean’s Leading
Cruise Destination (Port Authority of Jamaica).
  This was the first time in the history of the awards that Jamaica was
being voted World’s Leading Cruise Destination, an honor that solidified
Jamaica’s position as a major player in the world cruise business.
  William Tatham, Vice President of the Port Authority of Jamaica was on
hand to accept the prizes for World’s Leading Cruise Destination and
Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination.
  The World Travel Awards are considered the most comprehensive travel
awards in which travel agents from 200 countries vote to recognize
excellence in travel destinations, airlines, hotels and cruise facilities
from regions around the world.
  This year, more than 167,000 travel professionals world wide, including
110,000 travel agents, participated in the voting in which Jamaica took
pride of place amongst the world’s leading tourist destinations.
  Commenting on Jamaica’s success in winning the four Awards, Minister
Assamba said, “Without the co-operation of our partners throughout the
industry and their continued support, winning these awards would not be
possible. We extend our thanks and congratulations to all of those whose
hard work and excellence in service have proven to travelers and the travel
industry alike, that Jamaica is the premier Caribbean destination.”
  Chairman of the JTB, Dennis Morrison, stated, “The dedication,
innovation and imagination that have been displayed over the years by our
tourism partners are being richly rewarded. I specifically want to
recognize and thank all the workers in the industry and other sectors whose
talents, skills and efforts support the performance of Jamaica’s tourism
industry.”
  “Being recognized in regional categories is a great honor and winning
in a global category, as the World’s Leading Cruise Destination,
underscores the fact that Jamaica is a leader in tourism world wide,” Mr.
Morrison added.
  Minister Assamba also said, “While Jamaica was recognized as a
destination, we are very proud to congratulate the very many hotel, airline
and airport partners who dominated this year’s categories with nominations,
including Air Jamaica, Sir Donald Sangster International Airport, Jamaica
Conference Centre in Kingston, Franklyn D. Resort, Half Moon, Sunset
Jamaica Grande Resort & Spa, Ritz-Carlton Golf & Spa Resort, Rose Hall,
Wyndham Rose Hall Resort & Country Club, Rockhouse, Royal Plantation Ocho
Rios, Couples Negril, Couples Sans Souci, Round Hill Hotel & Villas,
Jamaica Inn, Strawberry Hill, Sandals Dunn’s River Villagio Golf Resort &
Spa, Grand Lido Negril Resort & Spa, Sandals Montego Bay, Tryall Club, Wild
Orchid Villa, Jakes, Sunset at the Palms Resort & Spa, Emerald Seas,
Goldeneye, and Blue Lagoon Villas.”
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