Destination and Industry Partners Secure Impressive Haul of 36 Regional Awards
GREEN ISLAND, Jamaica; Monday, October 12, 2026: Jamaica has reinforced its position as the leading Caribbean tourist destination, with the destination and its industry partners securing an impressive haul of honours at the 33rd World Travel Awards for the Caribbean and the Americas last night (October 11), taking a total of 36 regional awards and 18 national prizes.
The prestigious gala unfolded inside the grand ballroom of the Princess Grand Jamaica Resort. Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett hailed the awards as “a vindication of the level of recovery that we have and the extent to which our product continues to present itself to the world as highly regarded, highly respected and highly desired.”
Jamaica was named the Caribbean’s Leading Destination for the 20th consecutive year with the Jamaica Tourist Board winning the Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board award for the 18th year in a row. The country was also again named the Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination 2026, with the Port of Ocho Rios being named the Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Port 2026 and the Port of Montego Bay being named the Caribbean’s Leading Home Port 2026. Jamaica was also named the Caribbean's Leading Family Travel Destination 2026, Caribbean's Leading Festival & Event Destination 2026, Caribbean's Leading Cultural Destination 2026 and Caribbean's Leading Meetings & Conference Destination 2026.
The achievement comes as the tourism sector rebounds strongly from the adverse impact of hurricane Melissa roughly a year ago, and Minister Bartlett sees it “as a commentary on the resilience of the Jamaican tourism industry, and the partners and players that have all worked so hard to make this industry the success that it has been.”
He has commended all stakeholders, expressing “great respect and regard for everything that has been done. Congratulations to the entire tourism team!” Minister Bartlett is also confident that “our full recovery, which will loom in the middle, or so, of 2027, will see growth that will supersede pre-Melissa.”
The World Travel Awards (WTA) is globally recognized for celebrating excellence across the international travel and tourism industry. Preceding last night’s announcement of winners, Founder and President of the WTA, Graham Cooke said the prestigious event “both champion and amplify the island’s vibrant industry and its hospitality.”
Citing tourism as Jamaica’s foundation and economic pillar, Mr. Cooke said “Jamaica’s positioning as 2026 World Travel Awards host destination partner, cements its stature as one of the world’s most exciting and inspiration tourism destinations.”
He informed that the award recipients were selected “after a year-long search, extensive voting campaign attracting several millions of votes from both professionals within the industry and consumers.” The awards reveal “the very best travel products, the best brands, the best nations and is also an opportunity for us to thank the unsung stars of this hospitality world; the dedicated staff members, exceptional hoteliers – the managers, the frontline team- whose passion creates unforgettable guest experiences,” said Mr. Cooke.
He also disclosed that despite geographical and global trade tensions at the moment, “this year has seen a robust and sustained travel demand” with UN Tourism reporting that global arrivals are up o.4 percent even as instability in the Midde East, elevated oil prices and inflationary pressures have tested the sector’s resilience.”
He lauded the awardees for their hard work, commitment and dedication, stating that as leading lights of tourism, their tireless endeavours have resulted in the industry tackling the challenges before it, and guiding the sector into a new dawn of prosperity and innovation.
Sangster International Airport was voted the Caribbean’s Leading Airport 2026 while Club Mobay @ Sangster International Airport was named the Caribbean's Leading Airport Lounge 2026, with Rose Hall Great House Tour taking honours as the Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Attraction. The Montego Bay Convention Centre retained the title of the Caribbean's Leading Meetings & Conference Centre.
The two-year-old Princess Grand Jamaica and Princess Senses The Mangrove made a major haul of eight awards, including the Caribbean’s Leading Resort and the Caribbean’s Leading Adult-only All-inclusive Resort respectively.
One of the night’s other top winners was GO! Jamaica Travel, taking home four awards, including the Caribbean's Leading Destination Management Company 2026, Caribbean's Leading Tour Operator 2026 and Caribbean's Leading Travel Agency 2026.
Among the other Caribbean awardees are Jamaica Pegasus, named Caribbean's Leading Business Hotel 2026; Sandals Resorts International, named Caribbean's Leading Hotel Brand 2026; Margaritaville Caribbean, Jamaica named Caribbean's Leading Entertainment Venue 2026; and Half Moon was named Caribbean's Leading Hotel 2026. Similarly, Round Hill Hotel and Villas, was named Caribbean's Leading Villa Resort 2026; The Tryall Club, named Caribbean's Leading Hotel Residences 2026; GoldenEye named Caribbean's Leading Boutique Resort 2026; Jamaica Inn named Caribbean's Leading Luxury All-Suite Resort 2026; and Island Car Rentals named Caribbean's Leading Independent Car Rental Company 2026.
