Jamaica continues to receive recognition as a leading tourist destination, after recently selected as “Best Caribbean Destination” by readers of leading U.S. travel industry magazine Travel Weekly in the seventh annual Readers’ Choice Awards. Awards announced on Thursday, December 18th at a gala dinner in New York City’s Plaza Hotel.

“The Travel Weekly Readers’ Choice Award comes at an exciting time for Jamaica’s tourism industry, with new construction continuing around the island and the year that has seen, and continues to see substantial growth in the transportation by air, make a goal that can be accessed by U.S. visitors, “said the Jamaica Tourism Director John Lynch. “We hope to continue to grow and enhance our tourism product to meet the ever-changing needs and interests of tourists.”

Jamaica’s range of accommodation, from luxury to the countryside, and all-inclusive resort hotels and small private villa, plus more than 150 attractions – more than any other Caribbean destination – further extend the appeal purposes. Plus, with the airlift added new nonstop this year from JetBlue and U.S. Airways, and new nonstop service is scheduled to begin in February of this AirTran, Jamaica can be easily accessed from major cities across the U.S. with no more than one stop .

Travel Weekly’s Readers’ Choice Awards
“These awards represent the views of people in the travel industry,” said Arnie Weissmann, Travel Weekly’s Vice President and Editor in Chief. “Travel Weekly’s readers to understand what it takes to impress even the most intelligent traveler. To choose a winner in each category is confirmation that the American travel agents and their customers see your travel product as one of the best in the industry.”

Travel Weekly readers, the leading U.S. business-to-business travel industry publication reaches 150,000 readers a week in each industry, were invited to nominate the most outstanding travel products and services in the last 12 months. Votes cast during the summer in 58 categories through a process of open voting. Voice-leading receiver, identified as finalists, and voting on finalists took place this fall.