Winners from across the Americas region are celebrating their victories at the World Travel Awards Gala Ceremony at the Sandals White House resort in Jamaica.

Following a night of high drama, winners of the coveted trophies celebrated in style with the legendary Boney M headlining the event.

Pictured: Winners at the Americas World Travel Awards 2010 Americas Gala Ceremony

VIPs in attendance included Jamaica minister of tourism Edmund Bartlett and colleague minister of transport and works Mike Henry.

The Americas elite – including chief executives and directors of leading travel companies, government ministers and tourist board chiefs – all gathered to see who would be crowned the best of the best during the most important evening of the year.

Leading destinations within The Americas were Jamaica (Caribbean’s Leading Destination), Cancun (Mexico & Central America’s Leading Destination), New York (North America’s Leading Destination) and Rio de Janeiro (South America’s Leading Destination).

The Americas’ leading airline awards were presented to Caribbean Airlines (Caribbean’s Leading Airline), Copa Airlines (Mexico & Central America’s Leading Airline), American Airlines (North America’s Leading Airline) and TAM Airlines (South America’s Leading Airline).

World Travel Awards founder Graham Cooke with Jamaica’s minister of tourism Ed Bartlett

The awards for The Americas leading resorts went to Grace Bay Club (Caribbean’s Leading Resort), ME by Melia Cabo (Mexico & Central America’s Leading Resort), Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin (North America’s Leading Resort) and Villarrica Park Lake Hotel (South America’s Leading Resort).

The trophies for The Americas leading hotels went to Coco Reef Resort (Caribbean’s Leading Hotel), W Mexico City (Mexico & Central America’s Leading Hotel), The Mansion on Turtle Creek, A Rosewood Hotel (North America’s Leading Hotel) and Copacabana Palace (South America’s Leading Hotel).

The Americas leading hotel brands were awarded to Sandals Resorts International (Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Brand), InterContinental Hotels & Resorts (Mexico & Central America’s Leading Hotel Brand), Hilton Hotels (North America’s Leading Hotel Brand) and Marriott Resorts, Hotels & Suites (South America’s Leading Hotel Brand). 

All the winners partied in style to Boney M.

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, Rivers of Babylon, Brown Girl in the Ring, Rasputin and Mary’s Boy Child.

Thousands Voted

The winners were selected by thousands of industry professionals and consumers worldwide who have been voting online.

WTA founder and president Graham Cooke said: “Form the multifaceted charm of the United States, through to the sun drenched Caribbean and historic charm of the South American communities, the Americas have emerged stronger than ever from the global recession.

“Brazil has been recognised as the rising star of the region, following recent endorsement from FIFA and the International Olympics Committee – but success stories are too numerous to name.

“Tonight we celebrate this success and look forward to a resurgent tourism sector across the Americas in the coming years.”

Boney M entertained the crowds

Caribbean Winners

In the Caribbean, Jamaica was triumphant, taking away several awards including “Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination”, “Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board” as well as the highly-coveted title of “Caribbean’s Leading Destination”.

Other big winners included Caribbean Airlines who took away “Caribbean’s Leading Airline”, Grace Bay Club who won the title of “Caribbean’s Leading Resort”, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line was awarded “Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Line” and Beaches Negril Resort & Spa, Jamaica which won the award for “Caribbean’s Leading Family All-Inclusive”.

Sandals Resorts were also victorious, taking away no less than nine awards. Trophies included “Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon Resort” for Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa, “Bahama’s Leading Spa Resort” for Sandals Emerald Bay Great Exuma, Bahamas as well as the “Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Brand” for Sandals Resorts International.

In addition to overall Caribbean winners, there were awards too for individual countries including Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Domican Republic, Grenada and Jamaica. 

Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino won the award for “Aruba’s Leading Resort”, Hilton Barbados Hotel took away the trophy for “Barbados’ Leading Hotel”, Hyatt Regency Grand Cayman Beach Suites won “Grand Cayman’s Leading Resort” and Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino was awarded “Puerto Rico’s Leading Hotel”.

Established 17 years ago, World Travel Awards is committed to raising the standards of customer service and overall business performance throughout the international industry.

Winners of the regional ceremony will now go on to compete in World Travel Awards 2010 Grand Final in London, immediately before World Travel Market on Sunday November 7th.