Jamaica shines at World Travel Awards as Sandals bags 17, Princess eight
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Taking home 18 awards at the 33rd World Travel Awards Caribbean and the Americas, the Sandals team was out in their numbers at the Princess Grand in Hanover on Sunday. Photo - Ashley Anguin/Photographer
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Taking home 18 awards at the 33rd World Travel Awards Caribbean and the Americas, the Sandals team was out in their numbers at the Princess Grand in Hanover on Sunday. Photo - Ashley Anguin/Photographer
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Princess Hotels and Resorts Jamaica’s managing director, Enrico Pezzoli (centre), accepting one of eight awards that the new resort received. Photo - Ashley Anguin/Photographer
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Jamaica's Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett (centre), and the country's Director of Tourism, Donovan White (left), pose with the founder of the World Travel Awards, Graham Cooke, during the 33rd Annual event at the Princess Grand Hotel in Hanover on Sunday night in Hanover. Photo - Ashley Anguin
Jamaica emerged among the major winners at Sunday night's World Travel Awards Caribbean and The Americas Gala Ceremony, capturing seven honours, while Jamaica-founded Sandals Resorts International and its Beaches brand collected 17 awards and host Princess Hotels & Resorts secured eight.
The 33rd edition of the World Travel Awards brought some of the tourism industry's leading figures to Princess Grand Jamaica in Green Island, Hanover, on Sunday night, marking the return of the prestigious Caribbean and Americas ceremony to Jamaican soil after more than a decade.
Jamaica secured six destination awards: Caribbean's Leading Destination, Cruise Destination, Cultural Destination, Family Travel Destination, Festival and Event Destination, and Meetings and Conference Destination.
The Jamaica Tourist Board was also named Caribbean's Leading Tourist Board.
Sandals Resorts International was named Caribbean's Leading Hotel Brand, while Sandals Dunn's River captured Caribbean's Leading Luxury All-Inclusive Resort award.
Its other winning properties included Sandals Negril, Sandals Ochi and Beaches Negril, alongside resorts across the wider Caribbean.
Spanish-owned Princess Hotels & Resorts celebrated eight awards across its two Hanover properties.
Princess Grand Jamaica was named Caribbean's Leading Resort and Caribbean's Leading Conference Hotel, while Princess Senses The Mangrove won honours in the adults-only all-inclusive, water villa and wedding resort categories.
Other Jamaican tourism businesses also collected honours.
Sangster International Airport was again named Caribbean's Leading Airport, while Club Mobay, operated by VIP Attractions, secured Caribbean's Leading Airport Lounge.
S Hotel Montego Bay was named Jamaica's Leading Hotel, while sister property S Hotel Kingston captured Jamaica's Leading Business Hotel award. Half Moon, Round Hill, GoldenEye, Jamaica Inn, Rose Hall Great House, The Jamaica Pegasus, Chukka Caribbean Adventures and GO! Jamaica Travel were also among the winners.
Welcoming guests, Princess representative Marc Pelfort said the Spanish family-owned company was proud to host the ceremony at its Green Island development, representing an investment exceeding US$400 million.
Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett congratulated the winners, expressing confidence in Jamaica's tourism recovery and projecting that 88 per cent of the country's hotel room stock would be operational for the upcoming winter tourist season
Janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com
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