Jamaica named top Caribbean tourism destination; gets seat on WTTC executive

Jamaica has been named the Caribbean’s Top Tourist Destination, beating out Aruba, The Dominican Republic, St Lucia, St Martin and the US Virgin Islands for the 8th annual Travel Weekly Readers’ Choice Awards.
 
Commenting on the award for excellence in product and service during the past year, Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett said the honour gives credence to the view long held by reputable tourism officials that Jamaica is indeed one of the world’s top destinations.

“We have had a very upbeat start to the 2010/2011 Winter Tourist Season and this award represents the icing on the cake,” he said. 

“Tourism stakeholders in Jamaica will proudly share in this award, as they continue the job of solidifying the country’s position, not only as the top destination in the Caribbean, but as a leading destination in the world.”

Bartlett said the award brings added responsibility for Jamaica as a destination.

“Jamaica will now be forced to put new creative thinking into action as we strive to maintain our position against strong competition from rival Caribbean destinations,” he said.

Jamaica's winter tourism season started out with 12,000 cruise ship passengers arriving on the island on December 15th, the first day of the season.

The country has also been recognised by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), which has invited Bartlett to sit on its executive, beginning in January. It's the first timer ever that Jamaica has had such an honour.

Bartlett will be the representative of the Americas, which comprises North Central and South America, and the Caribbean.

The London-based WTTC is a private sector group comprising a cross-section of tourism and travel industry interest. These include airlines, hoteliers, distributors, and tour operators.

The group meets to deliberate on issues impacting travel and tourism globally, to develop strategy and offer guidance on these matters.

It examines trends by conducting research through its involvement with the Oxford Economics Group, which is a major independent provider of global economic, industry and business analysis.

“We will also be able to put our position, our destination, in line with all the great destinations of the world," Bartlett said in response to the appointment.

He added, "It gives us a voice so that we can also influence policy and influence the thinking of tourism globally. We get a chance to meet people, who have relationships that we want, and because we connect with them we are able to benefit from that.”