The finest travel brands from across the Caribbean and the Americas were formally recognized at the World Travel Awards Caribbean & The Americas Gala Ceremony 2026. Industry leaders gathered at Princess Grand Jamaica for the flagship event of World Travel Week Jamaica to celebrate premier tourism and hospitality organizations from across North, Central, and South America, as well as the Caribbean.
Host nation Jamaica secured top regional honors, earning recognition as Caribbean’s Leading Destination and Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination. Official releases from the Jamaica Tourist Board also confirmed its title as Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board.
Official statements from international tourism leadership emphasized the role of these awards in driving destination standards and operational excellence across regional markets. Jamaica’s Ministry of Tourism noted that hosting the international gala provides an opportunity to showcase national hospitality infrastructure and sustainable tourism experiences to regional decision-makers.
Regional Destination Highlights across the Americas
Island destinations across the Caribbean earned top distinctions across specialized travel categories:
Turks & Caicos Islands: Recognized as Caribbean’s Leading Beach Destination.
Anguilla: Secured double honors as Caribbean’s Leading Culinary Destination and Caribbean’s Leading Luxury Island Destination.
Saint Lucia: Named Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon Destination and Caribbean’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination.
Across North America, Miami Beach was voted North America’s Leading Beach Destination, while SUMMIT One Vanderbilt earned the title of North America’s Leading Tourist Attraction. In Mexico and Central America, CancĂșn achieved a triple victory, winning leading destination honors for beaches, city tourism, and meetings and conference infrastructure.
In South America, Quito, Ecuador, claimed South America’s Leading City Destination, while Chile was named South America’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination. The National Tourism Board of Chile (SERNATUR) earned South America’s Leading Tourist Board, and Colombia’s Greater MedellĂn Convention & Visitors Bureau was recognized as South America’s Leading City Tourist Board.
Excellence in Hospitality and Emerging Luxury Properties
In the hospitality sector, host venue Princess Grand Jamaica collected dual awards for Caribbean’s Leading Resort and Caribbean’s Leading Conference Hotel, while Princess Senses The Mangrove was named Caribbean’s Leading Adult-Only All-Inclusive Resort.
New property developments were also celebrated in official newcomer categories:
North America: Waldorf Astoria New York was named North America’s Leading New Hotel, and One&Only Moonlight Basin earned North America’s Leading New Resort.
Caribbean: Hotel 1829 in the US Virgin Islands claimed Caribbean’s Leading New Hotel, alongside Secrets St. Lucia Resort & Spa as Caribbean’s Leading New Resort.
Central & South America: Santa Lucia Jungle Hacienda in Costa Rica and Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Cartagena in Colombia earned leading new property titles.
Sustainable tourism properties were also highlighted, with Chile’s Hotel Las Torres Patagonia recognized as South America’s Leading Green Hotel and Peru’s Treehouse Lodge named South America’s Leading Eco-Lodge.
Grand Tour Continuation and Upcoming Events
The gala in Jamaica marked the fourth leg of the global World Travel Awards Grand Tour 2026, following international ceremonies in Zanzibar, Dubai, and the Maldives. The tour proceeds next to Montenegro for the Europe Gala Ceremony before concluding at the Grand Final in Tanzania.
Official programming in Jamaica continues with specialized industry recognitions, including the World MICE Awards, World Travel Tech Awards, World Cruise Awards, and World Culinary Awards.
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