Port Authority of Jamaica triumphs at World Travel Awards

The historic Port of Falmouth was recognised as the Caribbean's Leading Tourism Development Project at the World Travel Awards (WTA) in Montego Bay, Jamaica, last Wednesday.

The Falmouth Port, which is the only themed port in the region, is a state-of-the art facility undertaken by the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines as a joint initiative, which began operations in February this year.

This is the second award received by the Historic Port of Falmouth in 2011, as it was recognised as the Port of the Year at the Seatrade Insider Cruise Awards last month.

More gold

The PAJ struck more gold at the event as they also emerged winners in the Caribbean Leading Cruise Destination and Caribbean Leading Cruise Port categories, the latter which was won by Ocho Rios. The awards programme, hailed as the 'Oscars of the travel industry' by The Wall Street Journal, awards destinations, hotels and organisations that have made the largest contribution to the travel and tourism industry over the past year.

The ceremony was held at Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort & Private Island and attracted the top decision-makers and thought-leaders from across the Americas and Caribbean, as they competed for the most influential accolades in travel.

Graham E. Cooke, president and founder, World Travel Awards, underlined the importance of travel and tourism in steering the Caribbean through the global uncertainty. He stated, "Our nominees represent those organisations that have made the greatest contribution to the perfor-mance of the Caribbean". He further noted, "The PAJ is one such entity that has re-engineered processes during a difficult period, and utilised its creativity and ingenuity to develop a superb world-class port in Falmouth.

In recognising the achievements of the Port Authority of Jamaica, Mike Henry, minister of transport and works, has congratulated the Hon Noel Hylton, president and CEO of the PAJ, and his team, on their unwavering commitment to excellence.

Minister Henry stated, "The marketing efforts of the PAJ, under its Cruise Jamaica brand, has continuously delivered outstanding results and has helped to position Jamaica's extraordinary profile in the global cruise industry, while leading the charge in shaping Jamaica's image as a cruise destination".

The WTA was established 17 years ago and is committed to raising the standards of the customer experience and business performance and operations throughout the international industry.

Caption: HISTORIC FALMOUTH WINS: Mike Henry (second right), minister of transport and works, receives the World Travel Award for the Caribbean's Leading Tourism Development Project - Historic Falmouth, at the World Travel Awards event from Graham E. Cooke, president and founder, World Travel Awards. The event was held on October 19 at the Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort & Private Island, Montego Bay, Jamaica. Sharing in the occasion are (from left) Miss World Travel Awards' Carl Hendriks, general manager, Falmouth Jamaica Land Company (Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Jamaica Branch); Rosalie Donaldson, senior vice-president, international marketing and client services, Port Authority of Jamaica; and William Tatham, vice-president, cruise shipping and marina operations, Port Authority of Jamaica. - CONTRIBUTED