Caribbean360: Jamaica tourism officials credited for industry guidance

Jamaica tourism officials credited for industry guidance
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Chris Hoyos on 24/10/2011 11:50:00
 
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Monday October 24, 2011 – Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett
and Director of Tourism John Lynch have been praised by the hierarchy of the
World Travel Awards for their guidance of Jamaica's tourism industry and for
ensuring that the destination remains at the forefront of world tourism.
The two were presented with the prestigious Caribbean Destination Achievement
Award at the 2011 World Travel Awards Caribbean & The Americas Gala for their
work in spearheading the growth of the tourism sector during the global economic
recession.
The WTA stated in its citation that the officials have played crucial roles in
helping their nation's tourism industry navigate the global downturn by
achieving a 12.9 percent rise in their international tourism arrivals over the
past two years.
According to the World Travel Awards committee "Jamaica has been successful in
spearheading the recovery of travel and tourism right across the Caribbean.”
“The future looks exceptionally bright. In preparation for continuing success,
over the past year Jamaica has welcomed new hotel openings, new airlift, a new
international airport, plus a state-of-the-art conferencing centre that
demonstrates its appetite for exploring new markets," it stated.
In responding to the accolades, Minister Bartlett said they were very humbled by
the recognition.
The director of tourism added, "we have only been doing what we have been
elected or appointed to do and if by doing so we, and by extension Jamaica gets
recognition, it makes us extremely proud."
Jamaica dominated the Caribbean category, walking off with the titles of the
Caribbean Leading Destination award, the Caribbean’s Leading Cruise
Destination, the Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Port, the Caribbean’s Leading
Beach Destination, the Caribbean’s Leading Airport and the Caribbean Leading
Meetings and Conference Centre among other awards. Click here to receive free
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