#PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands (January 22, 2020) – The 27th Annual World Travel Awards Caribbean Gala was held on January 20, 2020 at Sandals Royal Bahamian in Nassau, Bahamas. The Turks & Caicos Islands once again captured the prestigious awards for Caribbean’s Leading Beach Destination 2020 and Caribbean’s Most Romantic Destination 2020.
In addition to the above awards won by the destination, several Turks & Caicos Islands resorts were awarded as follows:
Ø Turks & Caicos’ Leading Boutique Hotel 2020 – Beach House
Ø Turks & Caicos’ Leading Car Rental Company 2020 – Hertz
Ø Turks & Caicos’ Leading Destination Management Company 2020 – Olympia Destination Management Company
Ø Turks & Caicos’ Leading Hotel 2020 – The Palms
Ø Turks & Caicos’ Leading Hotel Suite 2020 – Three Bedroom Executive Penthouse at The Shore Club
Ø Turks & Caicos’ Leading Resort 2020 – Amanyara Villas
Ø Caribbean’s Leading All Suite Hotel 2020 – The Palms
Ø Caribbean’s Leading All-Inclusive Family Resort 2020 – Beaches Turks & Caicos
Ø Caribbean’s Leading Boutique Hotel 2020 – Point Grace
Ø Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Suite 2020 – Grace Bay Penthouse Suite at Grace Bay Club
Ø Caribbean’s Leading Luxury Island Resort 2020 – Sailrock Resort
The ceremony, which celebrates excellence in the travel and tourism industry, was attended by Caribbean Ministers and Directors of Tourism, industry leaders and international media. The Turks & Caicos Islands delegation was led by Minister of Tourism Hon. Ralph Higgs and included Chairman of the Tourist Board Adelphine Higgs-Pitter, Board Member Kendra Parker and USA Regional Marketing Manager Pamela Ewing.
L-R: Pamela Ewing, USA Regional Marketing Manager; Leandrea Missick, Ministry of Tourism Executive Administrator; Hon. Ralph Higgs, Minister of Tourism; Graham Cooke, Founder of the World Travel Awards; Adelphine Higgs-Pitter, Chairman of the Tourist Board; and Kendra Parker, Board Member of Tourist Board.
Graham Cooke, Founder, WTA, said, “What an incredible evening it has been here at the magnificent Sandals Royal Bahamian to mark the opening of our 27th annual Grand Tour. We have had the privilege of recognizing the Caribbean’s leading destinations, hotels, resorts, airlines and travel providers and my congratulations to each of our winners.”
Minister of Tourism Hon. Ralph Higgs stated, “It was my pleasure to have accepted the World Travel Awards on behalf of the Turks and Caicos Islands we are extremely honored. Being recognized as the Caribbean’s most romantic destination in particular, is an excellent attainment as we have taken steps to position the destination as a preferred wedding and honeymoon destination. These achievements are testament to the commitment and hard work of our amazing team and partners, who continue to work diligently in promoting brand TCI”.
Chairman of the TCI Tourist Board Adelphine Higgs-Pitter said, “I wish to express my sincere thanks to the general public for voting for the Turks and Caicos Islands in all eight categories that the destination received nominations in. We are thrilled that Turks and Caicos won and maintained the awards for Caribbean’s Leading Beach Destination and Caribbean’s Most Romantic Destination which demonstrates the service consistency and product quality of brand Turks and Caicos”.
The Turks & Caicos Islands, as a destination, has won the World Travel Award for Caribbean’s Leading Beach Destination every year since 2015. From 2012 to 2014 the award for Caribbean’s Leading Beach Destination was won by Grace Bay Beach specifically which seized the title from Negril, Jamaica. The 2020 nominees for Caribbean’s Leading Beach Destination were Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Jamaica, Martinique, The Bahamas, Trinidad & Tobago and U.S. Virgin Islands.
This year marks the second win for the destination as the Caribbean’s Most Romantic Destination. Turks and Caicos Islands won the award in 2019 for the first time, capturing the title from Antigua and Barbuda who held the coveted title every year since 2015. The nominees for Caribbean’s Most Romantic Destination 2020 were Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, St Barth, St Martin, The Bahamas and U.S. Virgin Islands.
Graham Cooke, Founder of the World Travel Awards and Gordon Butch Stewart, Chairman, Sandals Resorts International
The World Travel Awards Grand Final Gala Ceremony 2020 will take place in Moscow, Russia on Friday, 27 November 2020 and the Turks and Caicos Islands expects to receive nominations in several world categories.
