Headline winners included Jamaica, which was voted as the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Destination’, as well as the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination’ and ‘Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board’. Turks & Caicos overcame strong competition to win the title of ‘Caribbean’s Leading Beach Destination’, while The Bahamas took the title of ‘Caribbean’s Leading Luxury Island Destination’. St. Vincent & The Grenadines was named the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Nature Destination’.
Las Vegas was voted as “North America’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination,” while Santa Monica was recognized as “North America’s Leading Beach Destination,” and SUMMIT One Vanderbilt was awarded as “North America’s Leading Tourist Attraction”. Miami Beach won the esteemed honor of “North America’s Leading City Destination”.
Tulum has been named ‘Mexico & Central America’s Leading Beach Destination’ due to its world-class beaches, lush jungles, and Mayan ruins. Cozumel has been awarded the title of ‘Mexico & Central America’s Leading Island Destination’, while Costa Rica has claimed the title of ‘Mexico & Central America’s Leading Destination’.
Peru has been voted as ‘South America’s Leading Destination’, with its innovative gastronomy also being recognized as ‘South America’s Leading Culinary Destination’. Additionally, Machu Picchu has been awarded as ‘South America’s Leading Tourist Attraction’. Chile also received multiple honors, including being named ‘South America’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination’, and ‘South America’s Leading Green Destination’.
The Colombian coastal city of Cartagena de Indias has been honored as ‘South America’s Leading Honeymoon Destination’, while ProColombia was named ‘South America’s Leading Tourist Board’.
The hospitality winners included St. Lucia’s Fond Doux Eco Resort, which was hailed as the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Green Resort’. Sandals Resorts International won the title of ‘Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Brand’ and Sandals Saint Vincent & The Grenadines was recognized as the ‘Caribbean’s Leading New Resort’.
Gaia Hotel & Reserve in Costa Rica won the prestigious title of ‘Mexico & Central America’s Leading Boutique Hotel’, while La Selva Ecolodge & Retreat was awarded the title of ‘South America’s Leading Eco-Lodge’.
Other winners in the hospitality category included Half Moon in Jamaica for ‘Caribbean’s Leading Hotel’, Round Hill Hotel & Villas for ‘Caribbean’s Leading Villa Resort’, and Beaches Turks & Caicos for ‘Caribbean’s Leading All-Inclusive Family Resort’.
“Graham Cooke, the Founder of the World Travel Awards, has stated, “Our winners represent the very best in travel and tourism from across the Caribbean and Americas. My congratulations to each and every one of them. They are all playing starring roles in driving the regions to even greater heights.”
In the aviation sector, Bahamasair was named the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Airline’, while Sangster International Airport in Jamaica took the title of ‘Caribbean’s Leading Airport’. Delta Air Lines was named ‘North America’s Leading Airline’.
Other winners included GO! Jamaica Travel as the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Tour Operator’, Enchanting Travels as ‘North America’s Leading Tour Operator’, and Costamar Travel as ‘South America’s Leading Travel Agency’.
The announcement is part of WTA’s Grand Tour 2024, a global search for the finest travel and tourism organisations, covering six continents. Gala Ceremonies are upcoming in Manila, Philippines, and Diani Beach, Kenya. The winners of all of WTA’s regional programmes will then progress to the Grand Final in Madeira, Portugal, at the end of the year, when the winners of the prestigious “World’s Leading” categories will be unveiled.
For more information and a full list of winners, please visit the official WTA website.
