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RJRGLEANER Hospitality Jamaica Awards sparkles

Published:Saturday | November 16, 2019 | 12:00 AM
Hospitality Jamaica Coordinator Janet Silvera presents the personality of the year award to Chris Issa at the Hospitality Jamaica Awards in Montego Bay, St James.
Janet Silvera, coordinator of The Gleaner's Hospitality Jamaica magazine, talks with Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett (left) and hotelier Chris Issa at the Hospitality Jamaica Awards at the Montego Bay Convention Centre on Friday night. Issa was named RJRGLEANER Communications Group's Hospitality Personality of the Year, while Bartlett won the Pioneer Award.
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Damion Mitchell, Integration Editor

In a glitzy gala at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St James last night, hotelier Christopher Issa and Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett sparkled the brightest.

Issa was named the RJRGLEANER Communications Group’s Hospitality Personality of the Year, while Bartlett copped the 2019 Pioneer Award.

It was the fifth staging of the awards show, featuring the who’s who of the local tourism and hospitality industry, and prominent civic and business leaders.

"No single honour has meant more to me than this particular honour said Bartlett," in front of hundreds of guests in local tourism's biggest event.

He said it is a "wonderful" feeling when his own people show just how much they appreciate him.

Bartlett, who, in 2018 was named Tourism Minister of the Year Worldwide, said, however, that his success was the result of hard work by his committed ministry staff and industry workers.

At the same time, he said the people of Jamaica were to be credited for making the country a sought-after destination for yearly record-breaking visits by millions of tourists, almost half of whom are repeat visitors.

"Jamaica's most iconic attraction are the people," said Bartlett.

Earlier, a humbled Issa also praised the people of Jamaica and urged them to continue to recognise tourism as a most vital industry.

"Jamaica deserves your best, give Jamaica your best and you will be surprised how much Jamaica gives to you," he said.

The RJRGLEANER Hospitality Awards showcase the triumphs of the players, including individuals, hotels, attractions, entertainment events, resort towns, tour operators and purveyors that have made an exemplary contribution to the development and success of the sector.

Full list of 2019 awardees below:

Best Tour Operator – Go! Jamaica Travel

Purveyor of the Year – Caribbean Producers Jamaica

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Best All-Inclusive over 300 rooms – Sandals South Coast

 

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Best All-Inclusive under 300 rooms – Royalton Blue Waters

 

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Best EP Hotel – Half Moon

 

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Best Business Hotel – Courtleigh Hotel and Suites

 

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Best Small Hotel – Sandy Haven

 

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Best Boutique Hotel – Round Hill Hotel and Villas

 

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Best Eco/Sustainable Hotel – Jamaica Inn

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Best Hotel Launch of the Year 2019 – S Hotel

 

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Best Attraction – Jamwest Motorsports and Adventure Park

 

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Best Cultural Experience/Tour – Joy Spence Appleton Estate Rum Experience

 

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Best Kept Secret – The Blue House Bed and Breakfast

 

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Best Resort Town – Ocho Rios

 

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Best Cuisine – Couples Swept Away

 

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Best in Nightlife – Hedonism II

 

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Best Event of the Year – Reggae Sumfest

 

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Special Award for Investment in Tourism – RIU Ocho Rios

 

Get your copy of The Sunday Gleaner for more.