Hundreds gathered for a glittering event held at the beautiful Sandals Grande St. Lucian Spa & Beach Resort in the tropical paradise of St. Lucia, for the prestigious 9th Annual World Travel Awards Ceremony.
During an evening full of surprises, comedy and entertainment, the audience enjoyed an exquisite gala dinner, with lively performances from compare, actor and comic Bradley Walsh, and Martha Reeves & the Vandellas, to name but a few. Guests danced until dawn in true Caribbean style in the masquerade ballroom.
Industry giants gathering to celebrate the success of being the very best were joined by St. Lucia’s Prime Minister, the Honorable Dr Kenny Anthony and Governor General, Dame Pearletter Louisy. And many hundreds of thousands worldwide watched the ceremony on the exclusive webcast.
The online voting system at www.worldtravelawards.com

has once again enabled over 500,000 frontline agents and 80,000 travel agencies worldwide the opportunity to let the world know who they think are the WORLD’S BEST in the Travel Industry, further enhancing the value of the World Travel Awards as the professional’s choice.
There were numerous awards presented and winners of these accolades included;

* Air Jamaica - Caribbean`s Leading Airline

* Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas - Caribbean`s Leading Casino Resort

* Jamaica - Caribbean`s Leading Destination

* Sandals International - world`s leading all-inclusive group

* Half Moon Golf, Tennis & Beach Club - Caribbean`s Leading Hotel

* St. Lucia - world’s leading honeymoon destination

(For a complete list of winners, see WTA website)

Winner of the Travel Personality of the Year, 2002 went to Rossi Ralenkotter, Vice President of Marketing, Las Vegas Convention & Visitor’s Authority, who now joins the likes of Richard Branson and Right Hon. Gordon ‘Butch’ Steward, O.J. in the World Travel Awards’ Hall of Fame.
Honoured with this award, Rossi Ralenkotter commented, “We are all competitors in the travel industry, but this past year has shown us that, in difficult times we come together and support each other.

“Congratulations to the World Travel Awards for continuing to recognise excellence in our industry. Thank you for all your support”.
Host of this year’s event, Peter Hilary Modeste, Director of Tourism for St. Lucia commented,  “The St. Lucia Tourist Board is proud to host the World Travel Awards 2002. Our cultural diversity and St. Lucia’s stunning physical beauty together with its friendly population will provide our visitors with an enjoyable and memorable experience.

“We expect the hosting of this prestigious event in St. Lucia will provide the destination with additional international exposure and give us the opportunity to host some of the world’s leading travel executives. We feel that this event will expose St. Lucia not only as a tourism destination to participants of this event, but also expose the island to potential investors in the travel industry”.
The World Travel Awards was conceived in 1993 to acknowledge and celebrate excellence in the world’s travel and tourism industry. Now in its ninth year, travel professionals and discerning travellers have come to regard the World Travel Awards as the very best endorsement that a travel product could hope to receive.
The World Travel Awards is highly regarded and established as a forum that brings together all areas of travel and tourism in recognition of achievements. The event also provides formal and informal networking opportunities for leading decision makers and business professionals in the travel industry.

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