KINGSTON; Jamaica; Thursday March 5, 2026 – Jamaica has secured six major honours at the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) International Travel Awards, including the coveted Destination of the Year title, with S Hotel Jamaica and the Montego Bay Convention Centre also earning top accolades, further reinforcing the island’s standing as a global leader in tourism excellence.

The prestigious honour was presented yesterday at the 26th PATWA World Tourism Leaders’ Summit & PATWA International Travel Awards, which recognizes excellence, innovation and leadership across the global travel and tourism industry.

Jamaica’s designation underscores the island’s strong tourism performance, strategic global marketing, resilient recovery efforts and continued investment in sustainable development. The award reflects the destination’s ability to deliver authentic cultural experiences, world-class accommodations and warm hospitality, while maintaining its standing as one of the Caribbean’s leading tourism economies.

Jamaica’s sweep at the awards extended beyond the national destination honour. S Hotel Jamaica, the stylish boutique property in Montego Bay, was recognised as one of PATWA’s top accommodation recipients. The Montego Bay Convention Centre (MBCC) also received a prestigious PATWA accolade, affirming its status as a world-class meetings and events venue. Together, these recognitions underscore the breadth and depth of Jamaica’s tourism offerings.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, welcomed the recognition, noting that it is a testament to the collective efforts of Jamaica’s tourism stakeholders. “This award belongs to the people of Jamaica, to our workers, our partners and every stakeholder who contributes to making our island a world-class destination.

Being named Destination of the Year reinforces that our focus on resilience, innovation and sustainability continues to resonate globally. We remain committed to strengthening our tourism product and ensuring that the benefits of the industry are shared widely across our nation,” said Minister Bartlett.

Director of Tourism, Donovan White, while congratulating S Hotel and MBCC, also underscored the significance of the recognition for Brand Jamaica. “Being named Destination of the Year by PATWA is a significant milestone for Brand Jamaica. It highlights the confidence the international community has in our product and our people. We will continue to innovate and deliver exceptional experiences that inspire travellers from around the world,” said White.

The accolades add to Jamaica’s growing list of international recognitions and reinforce the island’s upward trajectory as a premier global travel destination known for resilience, creativity and authentic experiences — celebrated at every level, from its iconic venues to the destination itself.

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ABOUT THE 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 in Berlin, Madrid, Milan, Amsterdam, Mumbai, Tokyo and Paris.

Jamaica is home to some of the world’s best accommodations, attractions and service providers that continue to receive prominent global recognition. In 2025, TripAdvisor® ranked Jamaica as the #13 Best Honeymoon Destination, #11 Best Culinary Destination, and #24 Best Cultural Destination in the World. In 2024, Jamaica was declared ‘World’s Leading Cruise Destination’ and ‘World’s Leading Family Destination’ for the fifth consecutive year by the World Travel Awards, which also named the JTB the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board’ for the 17th consecutive year.

Jamaica earned six Travvy Awards, including a gold for ‘Best Travel Agent Academy Program’ and silver for ‘Best Culinary Destination – Caribbean’ and ‘Best Tourism Board – Caribbean’. The destination also received bronze recognition for ‘Best Destination – Caribbean’, ‘Best Wedding Destination – Caribbean’, and ‘Best Honeymoon Destination – Caribbean’. Additionally, Jamaica received a TravelAge West WAVE award for ‘International Tourism Board Providing the Best Travel Advisor Support’ for a record-setting 12th time.

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 1-800-JAMAICA (1-800-526-2422). Follow the JTB on Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube. View the JTB blog at www.visitjamaica.com/blog/.