Jamaica is preparing to welcome the legendary Boney M on Friday 22 October for a night of celebration at World Travel Awards The Americas Ceremony. The elite of travel and tourism will compete in the “Oscars of the travel industry”, which is being hosted at Sandals Whitehouse.

Living legends Boney M were not only THE disco cult band of the 70s and 80s, their extensive list of hit singles are still well-loved today. Since forming in 1975, the group has sold over 800 million records, and notched up no less than 15 number ones in the European charts including Daddy Cool, Sunny, Ma Baker, Belfast, Rivers of Babylon, Brown Girl in the Ring, Rasputin and Mary’s Boy Child. Their number one single Rivers of Babylon was also entered into the Guinness book of Records as one of the ten best selling records of all time.

Held at Sandals Whitehouse European Village & Spa, World Travel Awards 2010 The Americas ceremony will take place from 6:30pm and will play host to CEOs and directors of leading travel companies, government ministers and tourist board chiefs from across Jamaica and the rest of the Americas.

After months of intense voting, Jamaica will at last see who will take away the highly-coveted World Travel Awards. The ceremony will celebrate those brands that are pushing the boundaries of excellence in travel.

Jamaica has been nominated for a host of top awards including “Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination”, “Caribbean’s Leading Destination” and “Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon Destination”.

Montego Bay and Negril are both representing Jamaica in the battle for “Caribbean’s Leading Beach” while Half Moon, Montego Bay and Royal Plantation Ocho Rios are both in the running for the title of “Caribbean’s Leading Resort”. Sangster International Airport is up for “Caribbean’s Leading Airport” whilst both Jamaica Inn and Royal Plantation Ocho Rios, Jamaica are up for the title of “Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon Resort”.

In addition to overall Caribbean categories, some Jamaican companies will also be going head to head for several prestigious titles within the country including “Jamaica’s Leading Boutique Hotel”, “Jamaica’s Leading Business Hotel” and “Jamaica’s Leading Golf Resort”.

Competition for the title of “Jamaica’s Leading Hotel” is particularly fierce this year with contenders including Couples Swept Away; FDR Pebbles Resort; Half Moon, Montego Bay; Jamaica Inn; Riu Ocho Rios Hotel St Ann; Rockhouse Hotel; Royal Plantation Ocho Rios;  Sandals Dunn’s River Villaggio Golf Resort & Spa; Strawberry Hill; The Ritz-Carlton Golf & Spa Resort, Rose Hall and Wyndham Kingston Jamaica.

The battle to be crowned “Jamaica’s Leading Resort” is between Beaches Boscobel Resort & Golf Club; Couples Negril; Couples Ocho Rios; Grand Lido Negril Resort & Spa; Half Moon, Montego Bay; Royal Plantation Ocho Rios; Sandals Grand Ocho Rios Beach &Villa Resort; Sandals Whitehouse European Village & Spa; Solis The Palmyra Resort & Spa and The Ritz-Carlton Golf & Spa Resort, Rose Hall.

As well as Jamaican nominees, more than 5,000 companies spanning more than 1,000 categories, including airlines, cruise companies, destinations, hotels and resorts in 162 countries have all been battling throughout the year for the World Travel Awards trophies.

Travel industry professionals throughout the world have been voting online for their preferred companies and organisations over the past four months. Voting has now closed and votes counted ready for the big night.

Consumers are increasingly using the list of winners as a reliable guide and means of reassurance when choosing their holiday. Companies and destinations that make it on to the winners’ podium receive extensive commercial benefits and global coverage.

Sandals Whitehouse European Village & Spa is located within a 500-acre wilderness preserve, the paradise resort perfectly blends the exotic allure of old Jamaica with the refined elegance of Europe and all overlooking a two-mile long beach. Major event partners include Jamaica Tourist Board, Caribbean Airlines and World Mobi. 
For a full list of nominees for the Caribbean log on to http://www.worldtravelawards.com/nominees.

Winners of the Americas Ceremony go through to the final of the World Travel Awards in London on Sunday 7th November, immediately prior to World Travel Market.