Jamaican tourism minister, Edmund Bartlett, and director of tourism, John Lynch, have come in for high praise from the hierarchy of the World Travel Awards for their exceptional guidance of the country’s tourism industry and for ensuring the destination remains on the forefront of world tourism.

Minister Bartlett, left, and John Lynch, receive their awards at the World Travel Awards Caribbean & the Americas Gala Ceremony

This as minister Bartlett and Mr Lynch were presented with the Caribbean Destination Achievement Award at the 2011 World Travel Awards Caribbean & the Americas Gala Ceremony for their outstanding work in spearheading the growth of the tourism sector during the global economic recession.

In a citation which was read prior to them receiving the prestigious award minister Bartlett and Mr Lynch were lauded for their innovative approach and astute leadership in ensuring growth in the tourism sector despite what has been described as the most challenging economic period in modern history.

The citation in part read “virtually every strata of every industry in the world has faced unprecedented challenges, with many high-profile names unable to survive in this brave new world of austerity”.

World Travel Awards added: “Inevitably, the travel and tourism industry has mirrored the effects taking place in the wider macro-economy. However, during these times Jamaica has seen great organizations, led by great leaders, come good in the face of adversity.”

The citation continued that “these two individuals possess an unparalleled thirst for reinvention, coupled with the ability to get things done, that they have played crucial roles in helping their nation’s tourism industry navigate the global downturn with its head held incredibly high”.

According to the World Travel Awards committee: “Jamaica has been successful in spearheading the recovery of travel and tourism right across the Caribbean.

Jamaica’s position as a leader in the global tourism arena has been further bolstered by the appointment of minister Bartlett to the executive council of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), representing the entire Americas region.

In responding to the accolades, minister Bartlett said: “I must admit that we are very humbled by this recognition and the fact that through our efforts Jamaica has been able to perform well in world tourism and in so doing fuel the growth of the industry in the Caribbean.”

Jamaica was also recognised at the Caribbean’s Leading Destination at the event.