Jamaica leads World Travel Awards Caribbean 2016

If the dip in temperatures and the approach of fall already has you hankering after your tropical winter getaway, consider consulting the results of the World Travel Awards, which named Jamaica the Caribbean’s leading destination for 2016.

At a gala ceremony held over the weekend, industry leaders toasted the best of Caribbean travel as voted by major players in the industry.

Snowbirds who may already be conducting early research for their winter escape may want to consider destinations like Jamaica, Turks Caicos and Antigua Barbuda, which took home some of the major awards of the night.

Turks Caicos was voted the Caribbean’s leading beach destination, while Antigua Barbuda was named the most romantic.

Jamaica-bound travelers may be interested in the tourism office’s “Meet the People” program, which pairs visitors with local ambassadors who share a common profession, hobby or interest.

Ambassadors include musicians, doctors, chefs, dancers, farmers, teachers, beauticians, photographers, and artists.

Another innovative program includes volunteering opportunities that include educational, faith-based and farming programs throughout the island.

Jamaica’s Dolphin Cove was also named the region’s leading tourist attraction and the island itself named leading cruise destination.

Here are some of the big winners from the Caribbean edition of the World Travel Awards 2016:

Caribbean’s Leading Luxury Island Destination: The Bahamas
Leading beach destination:  Turks Caicos
Leading beach resort: Four Seasons Resort Nevis
Leading cruise destination: Jamaica
Leading hotel: Coco Reef Resort Spa, Tobago
Leading destination: Jamaica
Leading honeymoon destination: Saint Lucia
Leading honeymoon resort: Sandals Ochi Beach Resort, Jamaica
Leading luxury destination: The Bahamas
Leading luxury resort: Amanyara Villas, Turks Caicos
Leading dive destination: Cayman Islands