The most successful travel organisations in Latin America are set to be acknowledged at a red-carpet ceremony hosted by World Travel Awards  (WTA) at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa on Friday 14th September 2012.

Key categories to watch for at WTA’s Caribbean & The Americas Ceremony include “South America’s Leading Destination”, with Bahia (Brazil), Easter Island (Chile), Galapagos Islands (Ecuador), Machu Picchu (Peru) and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) among the hot contenders.

Meanwhile Bay Islands (Honduras), San Jose (Costa Rica), Los Cabos (Mexico) and Granada (Nicaragua) and Cancun (Mexico) will go head-to-head for the title of “Mexico & Central America’s Leading Destination”.

Senior travel decision-makers from across the Caribbean and Americas will attend the gala evening, which will include a gourmet dinner, top entertainment, as well as the presentation of the coveted awards.

The evening will serve as a glittering spotlight for Turks & Caicos. The paradise nation is entering an exciting new chapter in its history, with tourism is poised to play an even greater role in its economic evolution.

The stunning islands of Turks & Caicos will host the World Travel Awards Caribbean & The Americas Ceremony for the third time in September

The WTA awards programme, hailed as the ‘Oscars of the travel industry’ by the global media, highlights and rewards those travel brands that have made the greatest contribution to the industry over the past year.

After a fierce round of voting featuring more than 2,000 organisations, the nominees have been whittled down to the elite few.

Graham E. Cooke, President & Founder, WTA, underlines the strength and depth of the travel and tourism offerings across the Americas.

He says: “Latin America continues to be a hotbed of innovation within travel and tourism, and it is so encouraging to see the improvements in the levels of service. The sector is also proving a vital engine for growth in both South and Central America, with the ability to generate jobs and growth despite this being one of the most challenging periods in global financial history.”

He adds: “Our nominees represent those organisations that have made the greatest contribution to the performance in Central America and South America, and I look forward to finding out which ones will make it on to the winner’s podium on 14th September.”

Gordon “Butch” Stewart, Chairman of Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts, is pleased to host this year’s World Travel Awards Caribbean and Americas Gala ceremony at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa

Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa

“Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts strive to offer the best product and experience for our customers, and we are delighted to be in the company of those in the travel industry who share these values,” Stewart said. “We are thrilled to be in the Turks & Caicos Islands showcasing our first-class services and amenities, which are key in creating luxury vacations.”

Ralph Higgs, Director of Tourism, Turks & Caicos Tourist Board, says: “The Turks and Caicos Islands is an economy driven by tourism and as the host country of these prestigious awards, we are delighted that our country, our people and our culture will be on display for the world to see and enjoy. Our tourism product is one that is constantly evolving and we are cognizant of our place in the market which only makes us capable to soar to higher success. World Travel Awards honours excellence in the tourism industry around the world but what it also highlights is new, emerging markets for investment opportunities and the Turks and Caicos with its growing economy welcomes all of the nominees from around the world.”

The Caribbean & The Americas Ceremony 2012 marks the second leg of WTA’s Grand Tour, a global search for the world’s leading travel brands, which also includes regional heats in Dubai, Singapore and The Algarve. The winners of these legs will then go head-to-head at WTA’s Grand Final, which takes place at The Oberoi, Gurgaon, New Delhi, India on 12 December 2012.