Caribbean
Jamaica emerged as a multiple winner, picking up trophies for ‘Caribbean’s Leading Destination’, ‘Caribbean's Leading Cruise Destination’ and ‘Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board’. The relentless quest to innovate helped Sandals lift the title for ‘Caribbean's Leading Hotel Brand’, with the winners among its portfolio including Sandals Royal Barbados: ‘Caribbean’s Leading Resort’, Sandals Grande Antigua: ‘Caribbean’s Most Romantic Resort’ and Sandals Grenada: ‘Caribbean’s Leading Luxury All-Inclusive Resort’.
Beaches Turks & Caicos was named ‘Caribbean's Leading All-Inclusive Family Resort’
With Caribbean tourism resurgent in 2021, Montego Bay’s latest arrival, Eclipse at Half Moon, picked up ‘Caribbean’s Leading New Hotel’ and The Ritz-Carlton, Turks & Caicos won ‘Caribbean’s Leading New Resort’.
Dominican Republic’s JW Marriott Hotel Santo Domingo (‘Caribbean’s Leading Hotel’); Jamaica’s Round Hill Hotel & Villas (‘Caribbean’s Leading Villa Resort’); Beaches Turks & Caicos (‘Caribbean’s Leading All-Inclusive Family Resort’); and GoldenEye (‘Caribbean’s Leading Boutique Resort’).
North America
In the continent’s hotly-contested newcomer categories, The Newbury Boston was voted ‘North America’s Leading New Hotel’, whilst JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa collected ‘North America’s Leading New Resort’.
The results follow a year-long search for the world’s top travel, tourism and hospitality brands. Votes were cast by travel industry professionals and the public, with the nominee gaining the most votes in a category named as the winner.
Our winners represent the very best of the Caribbean and North America’s travel and hospitality sectors and my congratulations to each of them.
They are all playing starring roles in spearheading the global travel and tourism recovery.
In the aviation sector, Delta Air Lines demonstrated that class and strength shines in adversity to collect ‘North America’s Leading Airline’, whilst John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York took ‘North America’s Leading Airport’. Bahamasair was named ‘Caribbean’s Leading Airline’, and Sangster International Airport, Jamaica as ‘Caribbean's Leading Airport’.
Despite the ongoing global challenges, the appetite for travel has reached unprecedented levels. Evidence is reflected in the World Travel Awards™ annual voting figures. In 2019, we reported a record 1,945,965 votes cast, a 17% increase on the previous record. In 2020, a record 2,033,494 votes were cast, with more people taking part than in any other year of WTA's 28-year history, representing a huge vote of confidence for the travel and tourism industry.
Photos and information from World Travel Awards™ copyright