Priority Pass, the world’s largest independent airport lounge access programme, has once again selected VIP Attractions’ Club Kingston airport lounge at the Norman Manley International Airport, as the Global Lounge of the Year.

The award, selected from more than 1000 airport lounges in over 500 cities worldwide was handed to the Kingston airport lounge on Tuesday. Awardees are rated on their business centres, overall facilities, seating areas, food and beverage offerings, lounge spaciousness, work ethics, service quality and staff.

VIP Attractions, a concept created in 2011, provides world-class departure and arrival services to guests at Jamaica’s two international airports, providing culturally rich displays, food and music.

Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett expressed his congratulations to the team and staff of VIP Attractions Club Kingston and remarked that the timeliness of their win only serves to reaffirm the strength of brand Jamaica.

“It is a true testament to the visitor satisfaction of Jamaica’s tourism product that in the same week we celebrate the four-millionth visitor to the island that we would also celebrate Club Kingston winning Global Lounge of the Year out of such a prestigious group of nominees.”

This is the second year the company has won this prize, having first taken it in 2014. They have also won other prizes such as the Priority Pass Best Staff for Club MoBay in 2014, the Certificate of Excellence by Trip Advisor in 2015, the Caribbean’s Leading Travel Award four years in a row by the World Travel Awards and Best Loved Lounge by Virgin Atlantic in 2015.

“This is one of our proudest moments where we look at how we have grown over the seven years since we first came up with the concept. Today we are playing a pivotal role in the industry that is most important to Jamaica – namely tourism where we have added a product that the discerning visitor seeks out,” said David Hall, executive chairman and co-founder of VIP Attractions when talking about the company’s accomplishments.

“In addition, not only do we now have over 400 employees, but we have a management team that is 100 per cent Jamaican.”

He also acknowledged the role of his ‘incredible partners’ like the Government, Customs, Immigration, Jamaica Tourist Board, Airports Authority and the airport operator. “The team has exceeded all my expectations and I feel so proud of each and every team member.”

The Priority Pass Awards, now in its 13th year, recognises excellence among their network of partner-operated lounges in countries worldwide. The winner is chosen via ratings made by travellers who vote on the Priortiy Pass app or on the www.prioritypass.com website. Winning the award places the particular lounge at the top of the Priority Pass Programme.