Jamaica Named World’s Leading Family And Cruise Destination

By Michael Van Cooten
Publisher/Editor

KINGSTON, Jamaica December 5, 2019 — Jamaica copped several awards at the World Travel Awards’ Grand Final Gala Ceremony, held in Muscat, Oman, recently, including World’s Leading Family Destination and World’s Leading Cruise Destination.

Facing tough competition — from Australia, Italy, Mexico, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, and the United States — Jamaica captured, for its first-time-ever, the prestigious World’s Leading Family Destination prize.

The World Travel Awards™ — acknowledged across the globe as the ultimate travel accolade — was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence, across all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries.

“We are honoured to once again be recognized as the World’s Leading Cruise Destination, as well as the World’s Leading Family Destination,” said Donovan White, Jamaica’s Director of Tourism.

“These awards are a testament to our hard work and commitment to growing Jamaica’s tourism. As a destination, we are continuously striving to enhance the visitor experience, by diversifying our offering and attracting world-class brands, such as Hard Rock; Margaritaville and Nickelodeon by Karisma Hotels and Resorts; and Panama Jack by Playa Hotels and Resorts.”

The tourist-friendly country — home to some of the world’s best accommodations, attractions and service providers; and birthplace of reggae, Bob Marley and Usain Bolt, among others — has been awarded the World’s Leading Cruise Destination, every year, since 2006.

Earlier this year, the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB)was honoured as the Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board, Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination and Caribbean’s Leading Destination at the Caribbean and North America Gala Ceremony for the World Travel Awards.

TripAdvisor® has also ranked Jamaica as the #1 Caribbean Destination and #14 Best Destination in the World in 2019. Also this year, the International Council of the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) named Jamaica the Destination of the Year and TravAlliance Media named JTB Best Tourism Board, and Jamaica as Best Culinary Destination, Best Wedding Destination and Best Honeymoon Destination.

Additionally, the JTB has been declared the Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board by the World Travel Awards (WTA) for 13 consecutive years, between 2006 and 2019.

Jamaica’s tourism partners, representing the elite in international tourism, has also been honoured as: World’s Leading Luxury Hotel Villa (Fleming Villa at GoldenEye); World’s Leading Villa Resort (Round Hill Hotel & Villas); World’s Leading All-Inclusive Company (Sandals Resorts International); World’s Leading All-Inclusive Family Resort Brand (Beaches Resorts); and World’s Leading Caribbean Attraction Company (Islands Routes Caribbean).

Founded in 1955, the JTB, which is based in Jamaica’s capital city of Kingston, also has offices located in Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto and London, with representative offices in Berlin, Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam and Mumbai.