Five Properties on List of Top 25 Hotels, Caribbean, Bermuda and the Bahamas

KINGSTON – August 5, 2008 - Jamaica is the Caribbean island with the most resorts on Travel + Leisure magazine’s 13th annual World’s Best Awards readers’ survey, with five hotels named to the list of Top 25 Hotels, Caribbean, Bermuda and the Bahamas.

The top-ranked Jamaican hotel is Couples Swept Away. The resort, located in Negril, appears on the World’s Best Awards list for the first time this year and is ranked number five in its category. There are three other Negril properties also on the World’s Best Awards list of Top 25 Hotels, Caribbean, Bermuda, and the Bahamas this year.
The Jamaican properties on the list of Top 25 Hotels, Caribbean, Bermuda and Bahamas category include: Couples Swept Away (5); Couples Negril (8); Half Moon (13); Sandals Whitehouse European Village & Spa (23); and Grand Lido Negril Resort & Spa (24).

Survey results for the 2008 World’s Best Awards appear in the magazine’s August 2008 edition, on newsstands now and online at www.tra

velandleisure.com/worldsbest. A complete methodology of the awards also appears on the Web site.
“Jamaica is thrilled to have the most properties voted as favorites in the Caribbean by Travel + Leisure readers - some of the world’s most selective travelers,” said Jamaica’s Director of Tourism Basil Smith.
“Jamaica offers travelers a bespoke travel experience with a variety of unique accommodations across the island,” continued Director Smith. “With six resort areas, and two international airports, Jamaica caters to the desires of all, and is easily accessible from the U.S.”

Jamaica has been the most recognized Caribbean island in the hotels category in Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards readers’ survey for the past several years.  In 2007, the island-nation held six spots in Top 25 Hotels, Caribbean, Bermuda & the Bahamas category.

About the Jamaica Tourist Board
The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica’s national tourism agency based in the capital city of Kingston.  The JTB was declared the Caribbean’s Leading Tourist and Convention Bureau by the World Travel Awards (WTA) for 2006, while Jamaica earned the WTA’s vote as the World’s Leading Cruise Destination, the Caribbean’s Leading Destination and the Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination.
JTB offices are located in Kingston, Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto and London.  Representative offices are located in Düsseldorf, Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam and Tokyo.  
Details of upcoming special events, attractions and accommodations in Jamaica are posted on the Jamaica Tourist Board’s Web site at www.visitjamaica.com.