ST JAMES, Jamaica — Marsha Wiles of Mystic Mountain and the Joy Spence Appleton Estate Rum Experience emerged as the big winners at the 2019 National Tourism Excellence Awards, with Wiles taking the National Individual Champion title and the attraction securing the National Organisational Champion Award.

The awards, which had been selected in 2019, were presented at a ceremony at the Montego Bay Convention Centre on Saturday evening, following a delay caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The awards recognised outstanding contributions to Jamaica’s tourism industry, with both recipients expressing pride and gratitude for the national recognition.

Janine Hanson Taylor, visitor centre manager at the Joy Spence Appleton Estate Rum Experience, described the attraction’s award as an unexpected but gratifying achievement, crediting the recognition to her team’s commitment to delivering world-class service.

She said the honour was particularly meaningful following the impact of Hurricane Melissa, which forced the attraction to close for almost six months.

Now fully operational, the attraction opens Tuesdays to Saturdays from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. However, Hanson Taylor acknowledged that business continues to be affected by the closure of several hotels in Montego Bay.

Despite the challenges, she said her team remained resilient and committed to maintaining high service standards, while encouraging visitors to explore the south coast and experience the attraction.

Meanwhile, Wiles said she was surprised and overwhelmed by her selection as National Individual Champion, describing the award as both humbling and motivating.

Although she had anticipated possibly receiving a regional award, Wiles said the national honour was completely unexpected and left her lost for words. She added that her passion for tourism and commitment to Jamaica’s tourism product would inspire her to continue giving her best.

The ceremony also recognised the contributions of Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett and permanent secretary in the ministry, Jennifer Griffith, through special citations.

Bartlett was recognised for advancing tourism as a driver of national development and for his role in establishing the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre.

Griffith’s citation highlighted her contribution to coordinating the Sustainable Tourism Master Plan and the establishment of the Tourism Enhancement Fund and the Tourism Workers’ Pension Scheme. Her leadership in guiding the sector through the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly through strong public-private sector collaboration, was also acknowledged.

— Horace Hines

An elated Marsha Wiles of Mystic Mountain celebrates after receiving the 2019 National Individual Champion Award, flanked by Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett (left) and Ian Dear, chairman of the Tourism Product Development Company, during the Tourism Excellence Awards at the Montego Bay Convention Centre on Saturday evening. (Photo: Horace Hines)