Jamaica has been recognised as the Caribbean's Leading Destination by the World Travel Awards during a glittering event at Sandals Ochi Beach Resort.

Also among the winners at the Caribbean & North America Gala Ceremony 2016 was Turks & Caicos, recognised as the Caribbean's Leading Beach Destination, while the trophy for the Caribbean's Most Romantic Destination went to Antigua & Barbuda.

In the aviation sector, Delta Air Lines was honoured with two awards, walking away with prizes for North America's Leading Airline and United States' Leading Airline to the Caribbean.

The event, hosted by Jamaican television personalities Yendi Phillips and Adrian Atkinson, welcomed performances from Ana Strachan, Tami T, Phylia and Etana.

World Travel Awards President Graham Cooke said: “It has been an honour for World Travel Awards to return to Jamaica this evening and in particular to Sandals Ochi Beach Resort.

“This has been a true celebration of tourism here in the Caribbean and North America and it has been a pleasure to recognise some of the leading lights of the industry here tonight.”

Wrapped in the lush beauty of rolling mountains, meandering rivers, cascading waterfalls, and a picture-perfect coastline, Sandals Ochi Beach Resort was the perfect host for the event.

World Travel Awards voters also recognised Miami Beach Visitor & Convention Authority with the title of North America's Leading Tourist Board.

Hosts Sandals Resorts International were also honoured on the night, taking the title of Caribbean's Leading Hotel Brand.

"We are delighted to once again be honored by the prestigious World Travel Awards,” said Gordon “Butch” Stewart, Chairman of Sandals Resorts International.

“We continue to invest in our product so that each year we can be proud to say we are Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Brand. 

"Our number one priority remains to provide the best possible products and experiences for our customers, and we look forward to continuing to do so.”

Two special awards were also revealed.

The honourable Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, Jamaica, was presented with the title of Caribbean’s Leading Personality for Outstanding Services to Tourism.

At the same time, Sandals Foundation was honoured with a trophy for Outstanding Contribution to Corporate Social Responsibility Projects.

World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry.

Today, the World Travel Awards brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.

Each year World Travel Awards covers the globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to recognise and celebrate individual and collective successes within each key geographical region.

World Travel Awards Gala Ceremonies are widely regarded as the best networking opportunities in the travel industry, attended by government and industry leaders, luminaries, and international print and broadcast media.

A full list of winners can be seen here, while there is more information on the official World Travel Awards website.

Notes to Editors

About World Travel Awards

World Travel Awards celebrates its 23rd anniversary this year and is acknowledged across the globe as the ultimate travel accolade.

Attended by senior executives from major travel companies, operators, destinations, WTA events are universally respected as providing established, top level networking opportunities, regionally and globally.

The brand aims to celebrate those organisations who push the boundaries of industry excellence.

Download the World Travel Awards logo here or find out more here.