For Immediate Release | Official News Wire for the Travel Industry

Where press releases are breaking news

Jamaica Wins Big at World Travel Awards’ Caribbean Gala

by

Jamaica has been named the Caribbean’s Leading Destination at the World Travel Award’s Caribbean Gala ceremony, for the fifteenth consecutive season.

At the same event, the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) was declared the Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board for the thirteenth consecutive year.

In expressing his delight, Tourism Minister, Hon Edmund Bartlett said, “Jamaica is very honoured to once again be named the Caribbean’ Leading Destination with the Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board. This certainly could not have happened without the hard work that my team and all our stakeholders have done to ensure that our visitors always have a memorable experience. This recognition further justifies why we are indeed the Heartbeat of the World.”

These awards come on the heels of Jamaica being named as one of the Best Places to Go in 2020, according to CNN, Bloomberg and Forbes. Additionally, the recent crowning of Toni-Ann Singh as Miss World 2019, the fourth time a Jamaican has won this title, has secured extraordinary international recognition for Jamaica on the world stage.

“In Jamaica, we work hard to ensure our tourism product stands out on the global stage. We have undertaken wide-reaching efforts such as attracting renowned international hospitality brands; implementing environmental initiatives to preserve Jamaica’s natural beauty; and highlighting our Larger than Life experiences on and off-island,” said Donovan White, Jamaica’s Director of Tourism. 

A complete list of awards won by Jamaica and its tourism partners, representing the elite in international tourism for each of these categories, is as follows:

  • Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board (Jamaica Tourist Board)
  • Caribbean’s Leading Destination (Jamaica)
  • Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination (Jamaica)
  • Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Port (Port of Falmouth)
  • Caribbean’s Leading Home Port (Port of Montego Bay)
  • Caribbean’s Leading Adventure Tour Operator (Island Routes Caribbean Adventures)
  • Caribbean’s Leading Adventure Tourist Attraction (Dunn’s River Falls)
  • Caribbean’s Leading Airport (Sangster International Airport)
  • Caribbean’s Leading Airport Lounge (Club Mobay @ Sangster International Airport)
  • Caribbean’s Leading Boutique Resort (GoldenEye)
  • Caribbean’s Leading Tour Operator (GO! Jamaica Travel)
  • Caribbean’s Leading Destination Management Company (GO! Jamaica Travel)
  • Caribbean’s Leading Entertainment Venue (Margaritaville Caribbean)
  • Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Brand (Sandals Resorts International)
  • Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Residences (The Tryall Club)
  • Caribbean’s Leading Independent Car Rental Company (Island Car Rentals)
  • Caribbean’s Leading Luxury All Suite Resort (Jamaica Inn)
  • Caribbean’s Leading Luxury Hotel Villa (Fleming Villa @ GoldenEye)
  • Caribbean’s Leading Luxury Resort (Meliá Braco Village)
  • Caribbean’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre (Montego Bay Convention Centre)
  • Caribbean’s Leading New Hotel (AC Hotel Kingston)
  • Caribbean’s Leading Travel Agency (Trafalgar Travel)
  • Caribbean’s Leading Villa Resort (Round Hill Hotel & Villas)

World Travel Awards™ was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, Corporate Communications, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: 920-4926-30, Fax: 920-4944

Minister Bartlett applauds winners of Jamaica Tourist Board’s Annual Awards at Jamaica Travel Market

by

Jamaica’s Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has applauded the eight tour operators who won big at the Jamaica Tourist Board’s annual awards at the Jamaica Travel Market gala dinner yesterday.

The awards recognise the UK and Nordic tour operators and agencies that have achieved the largest growth in room night production to Jamaica during 2018 and were presented by Minister Bartlett.

“These tour operators are the faces and voices that help to sell destination Jamaica in this our third largest source market. Their consistent work through marketing the island has ensured that Jamaica remains top of mind as a potential vacation spot,” said Minister Bartlett.

Winners for the largest business growth during 2018 were:

UK Tour Operator – British Airways Holidays
UK Travel Agency/Tour Operator – Lotus / Dial A Flight
UK Online Tour Operator – Love Holidays
UK Charter Tour Operator – TUI UK
Nordic Tour Operator – Ving
UK Long Haul Specialist Tour Operator – Kenwood Travel
UK Caribbean Specialist Travel Company – Sackville Travel
‘Your Choice Award’ – Favourite UK Tour Operator – Virgin Holidays (Scott Edwards)

Minister Bartlett added that, “We gladly acknowledge our dedicated industry partners who have been increasing business to Jamaica and this year we have seen a record number of UK visitors travelling to Jamaica.”

In addition, to the JTB’s annual awards, Jamaican hoteliers and tourism companies voted for their favourite UK tour operator in the Jamaica Tourism Partners ‘Your Choice’ award category. On the night, to raise money for Jamaica Tourist Board’s chosen charity partner, the Sandals Foundation, one lucky winner walked away with holiday to Jamaica courtesy of Sandals and British Airways.

Minister Bartlett is accompanied by Mr. Donovan White, Director of Tourism and will return to the island on September 30, 2019.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, Corporate Communications, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: 920-4926-30, Fax: 920-4944

Bartlett Meets with Jamaica Tallawah’s Owner

by

Jamaica Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (seen right in the photo) pauses for a photograph with Krishna “Kris” Persaud, owner of the Jamaica Tallawah cricket franchise. 

The occasion was a courtesy call at the New Kingston offices of the Ministry of Tourism on September 19, 2019. 

During the discussion, Bartlett emphasized the impact sports has on the country’s tourism product and possible ways this niche-tourism industry can be further strengthened.

Persaud also used the opportunity to give an update on the cricket franchise.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Corporate Communications Division

Ministry of Tourism,

64 Knutsford Boulevard,

Kingston 5

Jamaica Tourism Minister Meets with Jamaica’s 2019 Taste of the Caribbean Team

by

Jamaica Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett (seen center in the photo) pauses for a photo-op with members of the Culinary Federation of Jamaica who recently participated in the 2019 Taste of the Caribbean culinary competition in Miami.

Sharing in the moment is the Chairman of the Tourism Enhancement Fund’s Gastronomy Network, Nicola Madden-Greig (7th from the left).

The occasion was a courtesy call at the Jamaica Tourist Board’s Kingston office on July 31, 2019.

Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett (left) engages in conversation with Executive Chef, Mark Cole (right) and Chairman of the Tourism Enhancement Fund’s Gastronomy Network, Nicola Madden-Greig, during a courtesy call at the Jamaica Tourist Board’s Kingston office on July 31, 2019. During the meeting, the Minister offered his support and congratulations to the members of the Culinary Federation of Jamaica who recently participated in the 2019 Taste of the Caribbean culinary competition in Miami.

To date, the Gastronomy Network has supported the Culinary Federation of Jamaica on the execution of its annual Taste of Jamaica competition and expo as well as the Team Jamaica delegation to the Taste of the Caribbean competition in Miami, Florida.

During this year’s competition the team successfully earned 5 bronze medals, 2 silver medals and 1 gold medal.

Taste of the Caribbean is the region’s premier culinary competition, food & beverage educational exchange and Caribbean cultural showcase.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Corporate Communications

Ministry of Tourism

64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5

Tel: 920-4926-30,

Fax: 920-4944

Bartlett eyeing St. Mary for Sustainable Tourism Development 

by

The parish of St. Mary has been earmarked by Jamaica Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, as another potential area for sustainable tourism development under the reimaging exercise. Rich in cultural history ranging from Jamaica’s Taino and maroon heritage, St. Mary also offers several elements that can be used to develop the area into a mini destination.

Speaking during a tour of the parish on the weekend, Minister Bartlett said, “As part of our commitment to reimagine destination Jamaica, we are committed to building out new experiences east of Oracabessa towards Port Antonio.

“The purpose of the tour has been to take a good hard look at Robin’s Bay, Golden Eye, beaches and rivers and all the public assets in St. Mary, to determine the potential of the area to become a lifestyle tourism destination.”

The technical team from the Ministry and various agencies, led by Permanent Secretary Mrs. Jennifer Griffiths, took part in the tour as part of the initial assessment of the area.

Minister of Tourism (C) in discussion with Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Jennifer Griffith (L) and General Manager of Robin’s Bay Village and Beach Resort, Janet Lee during a tour of the resort on the weekend. Minister Bartlett announced that St. Mary would become part of the reimaging exercise to build out new tourism experiences.

“What we envisage for this side of the island is of course low density and low carbon footprints to ensure minimal impact on the environment. This means using more environmental-friendly approaches to creating a more boutique type tourism experience.

“We think that Port Antonio would be the big center for that lifestyle tourism with strong eco-tourism values and then this lifestyle tourism can go all the way to Oracabessa,” said Minister Bartlett.

The reimaging exercise began earlier this year under the instructions of Minister Bartlett. Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Jennifer Griffith, who leads the team, began carving out a destination development plan for Negril. Other areas that will be included are St. Thomas, Clarendon, Port Antonio and most recently St. Mary.

“The area has huge geophysical assets in terms of its beaches, waterfalls and rivers that can definitely be converted into tremendous experiences for tourism and the time is now for us to capitalize on this potential,” concluded Minister Bartlett.

MEDIA CONTACT:                                                                                                      

Corporate Communications Division

Ministry of Tourism

64 Knutsford Boulevard       

Kingston 5

Tel: (876) 920-4926-30

Fax: (876) 906 1729