SANDALS Resorts International (SRI), parent company of Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts, took home 13 prestigious awards at the 30th Annual World Travel Awards Caribbean & The Americas Gala Ceremony, which took place in St Lucia recently.

The World Travel Awards recognises and celebrates the top players in travel and tourism each year, bringing together government officials and leaders in the hospitality industry.

Amid the glimmer of the gala held at Sandals Grande St Lucian, SRI was named the Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Brand for the 30th year in a row. In addition to this top honour, the all-new Sandals Dunn’s River, which opened its doors in May, celebrated its first wins as the Leading Luxury All-Inclusive Resort and Caribbean’s Leading New Resort.

Ushering in a new era of Jamaican hospitality, the all-inclusive resort boasts entirely new ways to experience the natural treasures of the island, with cascading waters throughout the resort and unique room concepts completely new to the brand such as the Coyaba Sky Villa Swim-Up Rondoval Suites and Tufa Terrace Skypool Suites.

Marking another milestone, Sandals Royal Curaçao was voted Curaçao’s Leading All-Inclusive Resort for the second year in a row, highlighting the resort as the best place to explore the island of Curaçao, with its luxury suites and sprawling bungalows, MINI Cooper convertible access, and cutting-edge island inclusive dining programme.

“To be named the Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Brand for the 30th-consecutive year is such an honour and a testament to the incredible team members and valued guests that make up the Sandals family,” said Sandals Resorts International CEO Gebhard Rainer.

“Authentic and exceptional Caribbean hospitality are at the centre of all that we do, and we’re beyond proud to be hosting and recognising the travel industry’s best trailblazers at our very own Sandals Grande St Lucian,” added Rainer.

The World Travel Awards, which celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2023, is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence — voted on by qualified executives working within travel and tourism and the consumer travel buyer worldwide. This year there was a record-breaking surge in votes, causing an extension for the voting period.

Jamaica made a huge sweep of the awards with the destination and its tourism partners copping approximately 33 prizes.

Chief among the accolades for Jamaica was being voted the Caribbean’s Leading Destination.

“It is truly gratifying to see our efforts as a destination recognised and saluted. Through the hard work of our workers and tourism partners we have been able to keep Jamaica top of mind and attractive for visitors across the globe,” said Director of Tourism Donovan White.

Jamaica was also voted the Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination, Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Port, Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board, and was voted as having the Caribbean’s Leading Airport.

The 13 awards won under Sandals Resorts International’s portfolio are:

• Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Brand 2023: Sandals Resorts International

• Caribbean’s Leading Luxury All-Inclusive Resort 2023: Sandals Dunn’s River, Jamaica

• Caribbean’s Leading New Resort 2023: Sandals Dunn’s River, Jamaica

• Caribbean’s Most Romantic Resort 2023: Sandals Grande Antigua

• Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon Resort 2023: Sandals Grande St Lucian, St Lucia

• St Lucia’s Leading All-Inclusive Resort 2023: Sandals Grande St Lucian

• Grenada’s Leading Resort 2023: Sandals Grenada

• Jamaica’s Leading Resort 2023: Sandals Montego Bay

• Bahamas’ Leading All-Inclusive Resort 2023: Sandals Royal Bahamian

• Caribbean’s Leading Resort 2023: Sandals Royal Barbados

• Curaçao’s Leading All-Inclusive Resort 2023: Sandals Royal Curaçao

• Jamaica’s Leading All-Inclusive Family Resort 2023: Beaches Negril

• Caribbean’s Leading All-Inclusive Family Resort 2023: Beaches Turks & Caicos