KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — Newly appointed Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Dr Wykeham McNeill, has described Jamaica’s resounding success at the 2011 World Travel Awards Grand Final Gala Ceremony, held on January 11 in Doha, Qatar, as a ‘monumental achievement’.
Jamaica won the coveted award for World’s Leading Honeymoon Destination, and was recognized for the sixth consecutive year as the World’s Leading Cruise Destination.
Several of Jamaica’s resorts and travel partners were also big winners, being recognized as the: World’s Leading All-Inclusive Company (Sandals Resorts International), World’s Leading Tourism Development Project (Port Authority of Jamaica – Port of Falmouth), World’s Leading Hotel Villas (Round Hill Hotel and Villas), World’s Leading Boutique Hotel Group (Island Outpost), World’s Leading Family All-Inclusive (Beaches Resorts) and World’s Leading Caribbean Attraction Company (Island Routes).
McNeill said, “I am extremely pleased that despite intense competition Jamaica has won these prestigious and much sought after awards. Scoring these victories at the Grand Final of the World Travel Awards is a monumental achievement, and is proof that despite our size Jamaica remains a ‘world-beater’ in the global travel industry. This achievement is testament to the tireless efforts to effectively market destination Jamaica, while at the same time developing the critical infrastructure needed to ensure that visitors are offered the experience of a lifetime, one which will encourage them to return again and again.”
McNeill continued, “I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to all our resorts, travel partners and all the other stakeholders who have contributed to this accomplishment. These awards reaffirm that Jamaica remains a very attractive destination, and at the forefront of global tourism. I am confident that they will aid significantly in building brand Jamaica and in the marketing of our magnificent destination.”
Director of Tourism John Lynch added, “As a destination, we’re honoured to be recognized as the world’s top honeymoon and cruise destination. I also want to congratulate our on-island partners which have also had world recognition in their various areas, demonstrating the strength of the destination. These awards serve as an endorsement of our combined and vigorous efforts to promote the destination worldwide. They reflect our commitment to providing top-notch offerings for visitors from around the world.”
Source: Caribbean News Now!
