RJRGLEANER Hospitality Jamaica Awards sparkles
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.
They call themselves PAKAGE - Gem Myers, Patricia Edwards and Karen Smith - and they did deliver at the HJawards19. The singers delivered hit after hit across genres in an encore performance inside the Montego Bay Convention Centre #HJawards pic.twitter.com/4WJ7wHSzNf
— Jamaica Gleaner (@JamaicaGleaner) November 16, 2019
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
Best All-Inclusive over 300 rooms – Sandals South Coast
Best All-Inclusive under 300 rooms – Royalton Blue Waters
Best EP Hotel – Half Moon
Best Business Hotel – Courtleigh Hotel and Suites
Best Small Hotel – Sandy Haven
Best Boutique Hotel – Round Hill Hotel and Villas
Best Eco/Sustainable Hotel – Jamaica Inn
Best Hotel Launch of the Year 2019 – S Hotel
Best Attraction – Jamwest Motorsports and Adventure Park
Best Cultural Experience/Tour – Joy Spence Appleton Estate Rum Experience
Best Kept Secret – The Blue House Bed and Breakfast
Best Resort Town – Ocho Rios
Best Cuisine – Couples Swept Away
Best in Nightlife – Hedonism II
Best Event of the Year – Reggae Sumfest
Special Award for Investment in Tourism – RIU Ocho Rios
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