KINGSTON; Jamaica; Thursday April 9, 2026: The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) has been named Agents’ Favourite National Tourist Board at the Travel Gossip Awards 2026, an accolade voted for by the travel agents who sell the destination day in, day out. The recognition reflects the JTB’s sustained investment in the UK travel trade and its commitment to equipping agents with the tools, training and support they need to sell Jamaica with confidence.

“Our travel agents are our most trusted ambassadors who continue to sell Jamaica in a positive light even in times of uncertainty and disruptions. We are therefore grateful that they have recognized the JTB as their tourism board of choice. This speaks to our continued partnership and confidence,” said Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett.

The award was announced at the Travel Celebration 2026 ceremony and follows a groundswell of agent enthusiasm for Jamaica in the wake of the island’s remarkable recovery from Hurricane Melissa in late 2025, a recovery supported by the UK travel trade.

Donovan White, Director of Tourism said, “This award belongs to every travel agent in the UK who has championed Jamaica and recommended our island to their clients through the highs and the challenges. The love and confidence agents have shown for Jamaica, particularly in recent months, has been inspirational.”

The JTB’s UK team has been at the forefront of agent engagement over the past 12 months. Activity has included the Jamaica Travel Market 2025, a destination showcase that brought together agents and operators for an immersive Jamaica experience, alongside ongoing training, fam trip programmes and co-operative marketing initiatives.

The Travel Gossip Award adds to a landmark season of industry recognition for the JTB. Earlier this year, Jamaica was crowned Best Tourist Board at the Travel Weekly Globe Travel Awards 2026, one of the UK travel industry’s most prestigious ceremonies, voted for by thousands of travel agent readers.

Elizabeth Fox, Regional Director for the UK and Northern Europe said, “We have committed ourselves to our travel agent partners in the last 12 months, dedicated staff, expanded the team, more faces, more smiles. And the trade has responded in kind. Seeing agents actively selling Jamaica through every challenge is the greatest recognition of all.”

Together, the two UK trade accolades reinforce Jamaica’s standing as the leading Caribbean destination for British travellers and the JTB’s reputation as the trade’s most supportive and responsive tourist board partner. With 80% of pre-hurricane arrivals restored within eight weeks of Hurricane Melissa and approximately 80% of hotel accommodation now operational, Jamaica is open, thriving and welcoming visitors.

The travel trade remains integral to achieving that ambition. The JTB will continue to expand its agent support infrastructure, develop new training opportunities and deepen the collaborative partnerships that have earned it these consecutive recognitions from the UK trade.

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About Jamaica Tourist Board

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica’s national tourism agency based in the capital city of Kingston. JTB offices are also located in Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto and London. Representative offices are located in Berlin, Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam, Mumbai, Tokyo and Paris.

In 2023, the JTB was declared ‘World’s Leading Cruise Destination’ and ‘World’s Leading Family Destination’ for the fourth consecutive year by the World Travel Awards, which also named it named “Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board” for the 15th consecutive year, “Caribbean’s Leading Destination” for the 17th consecutive year, and the “Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination” in the World Travel Awards – Caribbean.’ In addition, Jamaica was awarded six gold 2023 Travvy Awards, including ‘Best Honeymoon Destination’ ‘Best Tourism Board – Caribbean,’ ‘Best Destination – Caribbean,’ ‘Best Wedding Destination – Caribbean,’ ‘Best Culinary Destination – Caribbean,’ and ‘Best Cruise Destination – Caribbean’ as well as two silver Travvy Awards for ‘Best Travel Agent Academy Program’ and ‘Best Wedding Destination – Overall.’’ It also received a TravelAge West WAVE award for ‘International Tourism Board Providing the Best Travel Advisor Support’ for a record-setting 12th time. TripAdvisor® ranked Jamaica the #7 Best Honeymoon Destination in the World and the #19 Best Culinary Destination in the World for 2024. Jamaica is home to some of the world’s best accommodations, attractions and service providers that continue to receive prominent global recognition and the destination is routinely ranked among the best to visit globally by prestigious international publications.

For details on upcoming special events, attractions and accommodations in Jamaica go to the JTB’s Website at www.visitjamaica.com or call the Jamaica Tourist Board at +44 (0)20 7225 9090. Follow the JTB on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube. View the JTB blog at www.islandbuzzjamaica.com.