London, UK — 6 December 2023. Destination Jamaica triumphed at the prestigious World Travel Awards 2023, solidifying its position as a premier global tourist destination. The island nation has once again demonstrated its commitment to tourism excellence in the travel industry, securing several top accolades in both worldwide, and Caribbean-specific categories, along with global and Caribbean-wide recognition for a selection of its standout accommodations. Two of the most prestigious categories were “World’s Best Family Destination” and “World’s Best Cruise Destination”, which the island won.
The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) was awarded the “Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board 2023,” a testament to the exceptional efforts of the Board in promoting the island’s diverse attractions, rich culture, and warm hospitality.
“The JTB’s innovative initiatives, strategic post-pandemic campaigns and ambitious growth strategy have undoubtedly played a pivotal role in achieving the esteemed award, while aiding to increasing visitors and record-breaking earnings. In the first half of 2023, Jamaica witnessed a significant increase in arrivals from the UK, with a remarkable 69.2% surge in overall tourist arrivals compared to 2021.” said Hon Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism.
Among Jamaica’s many award wins include recognition for the island’s ever-improving entry points, such as Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport, which has been crowned as the “Caribbean’s Leading Airport”, with its lounge, Club Mobay, receiving “Leading Airport Lounge” in the region. Following its recent renovations, the airport has been recognised for its world-class facilities, efficiency, and commitment to passenger satisfaction, with its success paying tribute to the island’s increasing ease of access for international travellers. The airport is now home to the brand-new flight path from London Gatwick to Montego Bay, which launched this December, further expanding its range of arrival options for the UK market.
One of Jamaica’s iconic natural wonders, the must-visit Dunn’s River Falls was awarded Caribbean’s Leading Adventure Tourist Attraction. Recognition for the island’s breath-taking waterfall is testament to the allure of one of Jamaica’s proudest assets, its captivating natural beauty, making the destination ideal for both adventure seekers and nature lovers.
Donovan White, Jamaica’s Director of Tourism, expressed his elation at the remarkable achievements, stating, “These prestigious awards are a testament to our unwavering commitment to providing an unparalleled travel experience. We are grateful for the recognition bestowed upon us by the World Travel Awards and are dedicated to continuing our efforts to showcase Jamaica’s unique charm to the world.”
Following yet another multi-category success for the UK’s number one Caribbean tourist destination, the Jamaica Tourist Board is working to achieve its 2025 target of 250,000 UK and Ireland visitors set by the Minister of Tourism. Jamaica remains steadfast in its mission to offer visitors an unforgettable blend of cultural richness, natural beauty, and world-renowned hospitality.
“We are incredibly grateful to be recognised as the Caribbean’s top tourist board along with many other World Travel Award accolades for this year. We are proud to be the number one in the Caribbean for British travellers and these awards are testament to the hard work and dedication of the team. As we look to our new targets for 2025 and beyond, we will strive to push further and retain the covetable number one spot.” said Elizabeth Fox, Regional Director, United Kingdom and Nordics.
For more information on Jamaica’s World Travel Awards 2023 wins and to explore the full list of winners, please visit the World Travel Awards Winners Page.
