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Turks and Caicos, September 21, 2006

William Tatham, Vice President, Cruise and Marina Operations and Rosie Donaldson, Senior Vice President International Marketing, both of the Port Authority of Jamaica, are congratulated by Graham Cooke, organiser of the World Travel Awards.

Jamaica was honoured as both the ‘World’s Leading Cruise Destination’ and the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination’ at the 13th Annual World Travel Awards - the premier global event for the travel industry. It is the first time Jamaica has won this prestigious World award, and the second consecutive year it has won the Caribbean award. Notably, Jamaica was the only Caribbean destination to be nominated in both categories.

Jamaica was honoured as both the ‘World’s Leading Cruise Destination’ and the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination’ at the 13th Annual World Travel Awards - the premier global event for the travel industry. It is the first time Jamaica has won this prestigious World award, and the second consecutive year it has won the Caribbean award. Notably, Jamaica was the only Caribbean destination to be nominated in both categories.

As part of the World Travel Awards selection process, thousands of travel professionals from over 200 countries vote online in several categories. In the World category Jamaica won out against: Miami, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Barcelona and Genoa. Jamaica was selected as Caribbean winner out of a pool of nominees that included: Barbados, Aruba, the Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago.

"Jamaica's reputation as an outstanding cruise destination is not only evident in our high visitor arrivals and increased cruise calls, but also from the endorsements of travel professionals who play a pivotal role in travel decision making. Our wins at the World Travel Awards serve as an important signal that we’re on the right track in shaping the island’s identity as a superior cruise destination,” said William Tatham, Vice President, Cruise Shipping at The Port Authority of Jamaica.

The Port Authority of Jamaica, through its Cruise Jamaica brand, develops the island’s cruise offering and drives its cruise marketing activities. Increased demand for Jamaica’s cruise ports, year on year, has led to comprehensive planning for the expansion of the Port of Montego Bay; preliminary studies are also being undertaken to identify areas for improvement to the Ocho Rios facilities.

"Working with our partners in the private sector and a number of Government agencies including, the Jamaica Tourist Board, the Tourism Product Development Company and the Ministry of Tourism, Entertainment and Culture, has begun to pay dividends," said Mr. Tatham. "Our combined efforts have led to Jamaica's new found position as one of the world's premier cruise destinations."

At the end of August, cruise arrivals were up 15% over last year with, 871,627 cruise passengers visiting Ocho Rios, Montego Bay and Port Antonio on 370 calls. Jamaica is on track to break its previous record of 1.12 Million cruise passengers set in 2003.