Turks & Caicos Shines at 2012 World Travel Awards

Turks & Caicos News – September 2012

Turks & Caicos Shines at 2012 World Travel Awards

The world of travel gathered in the Turks and Caicos Islands on Sept. 14 and was honored with fashion, food and fantastic awards.  More than 350 guests from across the Caribbean and the world attended the 2012 World Travel Awards hosted Sept 14th at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa.  Among many other well deserved honors, Turks and Caicos’ very own Grace Bay Beach was named the Caribbean’s Leading Beach Destination.

Although mother-nature threatened to ruin the show, early evening sprinkles were blown away quickly as guests began to arrive for the red carpet welcome. It was a who’s who of the Caribbean travel industry that mixed and mingled during the opening cocktail hour. A packed delegation of VIPs, senior tourism figures and international media travelled from more than 30 nations to attend WTA’s Caribbean & The Americas Ceremony 2012, which was supported by Turks & Caicos Tourist Board and Scotiabank.  But then it was on to the show, hosted by the handsome and charismatic comedian Walt Willey together with rising Caribbean star and the reigning Miss Bahamas, Anastagia Pierre. It was an evening of travel triumph for nations across the Caribbean. St Lucia won the coveted title of “Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon Destination”, Coco Reef Resort (Tobago) picked up “Caribbean’s Leading Hotel”, whilst Sir Richard Branson’s Necker Island (British Virgin Islands) was voted “Caribbean Leading Private Island”.

“Our winners are also drawn from the breadth of the Caribbean and the Americas, reflecting the strength and depth of the travel and tourism sector in the regions,” said Graham E. Cooke, President & Founder, WTA, “I am sure these organizations will fare strongly in our Grand Final, which takes place in New Delhi, India on 12 December 2012.”

Guests were also treated to several star studded performances of some of the Caribbean’s finest vocalists, including Shawn Campbell and Elroy Simmons and Turks and Caicos’ very own Julian.

The ceremony also served as a glittering spotlight for Turks & Caicos, Cooke described as a paradise nation that has welcomed a record number of tourist visitors over the past year. “This is testament to its overwhelming natural attractions, its luxury hospitality facilities and its rich local heritage,” he said.

Turks and Caicos Governor H.E. ‘Ric’ Todd said the key behind a growing tourism industry is a successful partnership between the government and the private sector. “The TCI has grown every quarter for the last seven quarters,” he said.

A successful event from start to finish, ending with an after party at Beaches Liquid nightclub hosted by Sandals CEO Adam Stuart, who also was awarded the industries Rising Star honor.

Other WTA Grand Tour 2012 regional heats include Dubai (UAE), Algarve (Portugal), and Singapore. The winners of these legs will go head-to-head in WTA’s Grand Final, which takes place at The Oberoi, Gurgaon on 12th December 2012.
Winners

• Caribbean’s Leading Boutique Hotel -- Parrot Cay, Turks & Caicos
• Caribbean’s Leading Family All-Inclusive -- Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa, Turks & Caicos
• Caribbean’s Leading Hotel & Residences -- The Estate at Grace Bay Club, Turks & Caicos
• Caribbean’s Leading Luxury Villa -- Amanyara Villas, Turks & Caicos
• Caribbean’s Leading Spa Resort -- The Regent Palms, Turks & Caicos
• Caribbean’s Leading Suite -- Grace Bay Penthouse Suite, Grace Bay Club, Turks & Caicos
• Turks & Caicos’ Leading Hotel -- Grace Bay Club
• Turks & Caicos’ Leading Resort -- Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa
• Turks & Caicos’ Leading Spa Resort -- The Regent Palms

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Turks & Caicos Free Press Newspaper, September 18th, 2012