Jamaica Awarded Global Destination of the Year

Jamaica has been named Global Destination of the Year at the renowned travel trade show, ITB in Berlin. The award was presented yesterday by the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA). The PATWA is a nonprofit international media organization of travel writers founded in 1999 and the awards seek to recognize organizations, destinations/brands and individuals achieving the highest standards in their field.

In accepting the award on behalf of the destination, Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett said, “Jamaica is known for its food, music and indeed love so we are humbled to be recognized for these experiential offerings to our visitors that provide meaningful memories.”

The PATWA awards are held during ITB and are among the most coveted recognitions where nominees are evaluated on various standards with an extensive internal evaluation for each category.

The Minister of Tourism is participating in the 2024 staging of ITB Berlin, the world’s largest travel tradeshow. With over 20 thousand participants expected for this year, ITB Berlin is viewed as a critical platform for the international tourism industry, fostering networking and facilitating knowledge exchange.

“PATWA remains one of the highest honors you can receive in tourism and travel and Jamaica continues to punch above its weight to excel in its products and services. It is truly the perfect backdrop for all things romance – engagements, weddings, honeymoons – you name it,” added Minister Bartlett.

Jamaica has received several awards based on its authentic and unique tourism offerings.

Last year, the island was named ‘Caribbean’s Best Culinary Destination’ at the World Culinary Awards. In the same year, Jamaica won 33 World Travel Awards, chief among them was being named the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Destination.’

This award also comes on the heels of phenomenal arrivals and earnings for the island last year. The destination welcomed over 4 million international visitors and earned US4.2 billion.

About the Jamaica Tourist Board

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica’s national tourism agency based in the capital city of Kingston. JTB offices are also located in Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto and Germany and London. Representative offices are located in Berlin, Spain, Italy, Mumbai and Tokyo.

In 2022, the JTB was declared ‘World’s Leading Cruise Destination,’ ‘World’s Leading Family Destination’ and ‘World’s Leading Wedding Destination’ by the World Travel Awards, which also named it the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board’ for the 15th consecutive year; and the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Destination’ for the 17th consecutive year; as well as the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Nature Destination’ and the ‘Caribbean’s Best Adventure Tourism Destination.’ In addition, Jamaica earned seven awards in the prestigious gold and silver categories at the 2022 Travvy Awards, including ‘‘Best Wedding Destination – Overall’, ‘Best Destination – Caribbean,’ ‘Best Culinary Destination – Caribbean,’ ‘Best Tourism Board – Caribbean,’ ‘Best Travel Agent Academy Program,’ ‘Best Cruise Destination – Caribbean’ and ‘Best Wedding Destination – Caribbean.’ Jamaica is home to some of the world’s best accommodations, attractions and service providers that continue to receive prominent global recognition.

For details on upcoming special events, attractions and accommodations in Jamaica, go to the JTB’s website at www.visitjamaica.com or call the Jamaica Tourist Board at 1-800-JAMAICA (1-800-526-2422).  Follow the JTB on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube. View the JTB blog at visitjamaica.com/blog.

SEEN IN IMAGE:  Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett receives the Global Destination of the Year award from Yatan Ahluwalia, Secretary General, PATWA. Sharing in the moment are (l-r) Delano Seiveright, Senior Strategist and Advisor, Ministry of Tourism and Chevannes Barragan De Luz, Business Development Manager, Continental Europe. – image courtesy of Jamaica Tourist Board