by Jim Byers
Last updated: 2:15 PM ET, Sat March 10, 2018
One of the Caribbean's best-known tourism ministers has picked up an exclusive honour. And so has his country.
Jamaican Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has been bestowed with the Worldwide Tourism Minister of the Year Award by the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA).
"Jamaica's Minister of Tourism has been working tirelessly to position Jamaica as a leading destination for business and leisure travel," said Donovan White, Jamaica's Director of Tourism. "This award underscores Jamaica's impact on the global tourism market,
"On behalf of the people of Jamaica, I congratulate him on this prestigious award bestowed by the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association," White said.
I had the pleasure of sitting down with the minister in Toronto earlier this year and found him very well spoken, thoughtful and engaging.
Jamaica also received the PATWA International Travel Award 2017 for the Best Destination for Adventure Tourism. The Jamaica Tourist Board has worked diligently with its tourism partners to provide adventure attractions unlike any other destination.
Jamaica has become widely known for river-rafting trips, as well as zip lining, sailing, hiking and many other adventure activities.
The awards were given before an audience of international travel and tourism leaders from around the world at the ITB global tourism tradeshow in Berlin. ITB is the largest show of its kind in the world and attracts some 109,000 visitors and 10,000 exhibitors.
PATWA is a professional organization of travel writers, which was founded in 1998 and works with both the public and private sectors to support sustainable growth and improve the quality of travel and tourism. PATWA is an affiliate member of UNWTO.
PATWA also gave out other awards in Berlin. Chicago won for best destination (travel Infrastructure), while Philadelphia won the heritage city of the year award. Palm Springs, California won for best luxury travel destination, while the Napa Valley picked up an award for best wine tourism destination. Peru was given the honour for best ancient history destination, while Boston was named the best spot for history and culture.
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