Jamaica’s cruise industry sweeps world travel awards
(Jamaica Observer): For the fourth consecutive year, Jamaica has been named the World’s Leading Cruise Destination in the World Travel Awards. Jamaica also copped its fifth win as the Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination and Ocho Rios was named the Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Port. The awards, described by the Wall Street Journal as the ‘Oscars’ of the global travel and tourism industry, are decided by votes cast by travel professionals from 183,000 companies and tourism organisations in over 160 countries. According to the organisers, research has shown that winning a World Travel Award increases international brand recognition, building consumer loyalty.
Category: Business
I have been visiting GC for the past 10 years, but I went to JA last Feb. and I am returning to JA over the X-mas holidays. Why? The airfare to Cayman is outrageous. I can go to JA for 7 days (air, hotel, food) for $598 dollars less than my 5 day holiday in Cayman would have been. I don’t know about you, but $598 will just about buy me another airfare when I want to escape the Northeast US in February. Now, remember…..my holiday would have only been 5 days in Cayman and I would have had to put more money toward my food. I am getting all my food and 2 more days in JA.
Lower your airfare Cayman and I will back on your sunny shores. I love Cayman, but really now….JA is saving me money and in this economy….
Just FYI, I am in no way suggesting that Cayman should have won, rather I am relating the comments I hear over and over from visitors. I would have fallen over dead if Cayman won, so the suggestion that my comments are ‘sour grapes’ is just plain silly.
I agree that Cayman needs a berthing facility, and that our tourism product is in great need of help if we intend be a player in the ever increasing competitive cruise industry.
Yes, Well done Jamaica! I have travelled there numerous times and each time it’s like i’m in a new place. I love vacationing in Jamaica. The shopping is much "cheaper" than here or Miami!
I am not from the Cayman Islands neither am I from Jamaica but I will choose JAMAICA any day…They derserve the best…
Not only is the Cayman Island so poorly developed, some of the people are so bias and unfriendly here. They are very far away from recieving such an awesome award!!
There I’ve said it, chant me like you always do others especially "EXPATS" see what you will gain by being obnoxious!!
Wake up Cayman . Business in Jamaica is booming right now . God said he would move the Prosperity from these Islands and he did just that. Get on your knees people the hardest times is still ahead of ous. GOOD BY PROSPERITY!!!!!!!!!!
God said he would move the Prosperity from these Islands and he did just that.
Just leafing through my pocket bible here and can’t seem to find where God said that.
Didn’t you know? In Cayman the preachers have convinced the sheep that THEY are the voice of God. One of the preachers probably said it and the local sheep therefor conclude that God said it. Funny to see so many brainwashed people.
Stop using the Lords name. Its really so for sure that your Bibles are different from the rest of the worlds.
Too bad the ships detour from Jamaica / Mexico to Cayman to disembark their sick crew or passengers. Guess bush medicine not so popular anymore.
Maybe they’ll be no 3 or 4 next year if they start tours downtown Kgn and Halfway Tree.
Cayman, one day we too could receive these very same awards. And get the much needed mileage from it. Lets build a first class port.
Yes build a first class port…then rip the tourists off once they get here! to help pay for it because not matter what anyone promises this will ot be free.
Time to put up the Green Gold and Black flags! Play more reggae, mess with their radar and tell them they’re off course!!! Yeah mon if only we could convince the hedge fund folks to wear dredlocks!!
those are not cigars…they’re spliffs.
that isn’t a Mercedes…it’s a taxi.
No mon. That is not the Ritz Carlton.. it’s a Rasta temple.
This is gonna take some work.
I luv Jamaica man! Just wish that I was there now! They deserve to win the award again and again because Jamaican people surely know how to party and make you have a great time! One Luv!
PS: My Caymanian people pls stop hating and start appreciating!
YES Ocho Rios has a berthing facility. Jamaica for all of its problems still has a PRODUCT to sell. The sea, sand, sun, friendly people and a culture that is not imported from somewhere else. Go Jamaica Go Jamaica Go.
CatMan when was the last time you went to Jamaica? you probably have’nt even been there before.Despite the problems that Jamaica faces tourists will find the island to be a very beautiful and intresting place,just visit Ocho Rios and you will see what i am talking about.WSJ is no play play newspaper,thank God it wasn’t the Caymanian Compass giving out this award,you probably would have burned the main CC office down.!!!
That is exactly why it is perfect port! If the passengers do not get off the ship the cruise line gets to keep the $20 they might have spent while ashore! Let’s face it, if the cruise lines had their way they would do a slow cruise by each island, just far enough offshore to keep the bars and casinos open!
That’s not true at all. Have you seen the visitors coming from Jamaica in their Jamaican T-shirts, caps and shorts? I have not seen a visitor in a Cayman shirt before. The facilities in Jamaica are much better that Cayman; you can actually walk to the ship in Ocho Rios. Jamaica has its issues however, Jamaica is a large place and there are parts of this beautiful Island that’s worth visiting. It’s a once in a life time experience.
You might have spoken to one or two visitors who have been to Jamaica but if you do a large survey,the result would be totally different
I wonder how the WSJ came to that conclusion? It is a quite surprising result considering the overwhelming response I hear from cruise tourists is that next time they won’t even get off the boat in Jamaica because their experience was so unpleasant.
Well — if that is the reaction to the winner, imagine the comments loosing destinations receive.
You can complain and offer ancedotal references to the contrary but this is the 4th time in a row Jamaica has won — must tell you something!
BTW — does Ocho Rios have a berthing facility?
My thoughts exactly does it have a berthing facility?
Also talk about sour grapes…on the post from the poster "they won’t even get off the boat next time" note they said "the next time" so they will be taking the same cruise?? Does not add up does it? like I said sour grapes.
Ocho Rios does have berthing facilities.
I was there lately. Too much harrasment for me.
The last time that I went there on leaving at the Airport the lady over the counter could not find my ticket that I passed on arriving the Airport. She was so busy talking on her cellular phone that she placed my ticket in another passengers ticket holder. She was so rude to me and had me open my luggage on the floor to see if it was in there. I was most embarassed . The last boarding cll was then being announced and I at that time panicked. I then remembered that Mr Arch was yhe Manager in Grand Cayman for Air Jamaica so I telephoned him who spoke to her and she made me then go through security. A few days after my arrival to Cayman a very prominant Doctors wife who livrd in Cayman called me and told me that her mother who was on the same flight as me had my ticket in her folder. I KNOW THAT PEOPLE CAN MAKE MISTAKES ESPECIALLY WHEN ON THEIR CURSED PHONES BUT HER ATTITUDE STINKED . tHATS MANY ,MANY, YEARS AGO AND I PROMISED THAT I WOULD NEVER RETURN AND TO THIS VERY DAY I HAVE NOT.
I WOULD LIKE TO ENDORSE THAT STATEMENT. I have worked in the Tourist Industry fo most of my time and I am tired of hearing that statement.