The World Travel Awards (WTA) revealed that the "paradise island" Saint Lucia will host the 2023 Caribbean and American Gala, with key tourism leaders from the region attending a red carpet reception on August 26, 2023.
(Lorine Charles-StJules, CEO of St. Lucia Tourism Board and Graham Cooke, founder of WTA Berlin 2023)
Graham Cooke, founder of the World Travel Awards, said: "On our landmark anniversary, I am honoured to announce Saint Lucia as the venue for the 2023 Caribbean and American Gala. Saint Lucia is helping to lead the recovery of tourism in the Caribbean and I am delighted that this fascinating island will be an important part of our anniversary trip." ”
What is the World Travel Awards (WTA)
The World Travel Awards (WTA) was established in 1993 to recognise, reward and celebrate excellence in all areas of the tourism industry.
Today, the WTA brand is recognized worldwide as the ultimate mark of quality, and the winner sets the benchmark that everyone else aspires to.
Each year, the WTA hosts a series of regional gala ceremonies around the globe to recognize and celebrate individual and collective successes within each key geographic region.
The WTA ceremony is widely regarded as the best networking opportunity in the travel industry, attended by government and industry leaders, celebrities, and international print and broadcast media.
About Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia, located in North America with an area of 616 square kilometers, is one of the windward islands of the Lesser Antilles in the West Indies, located halfway through the Eastern Caribbean Islands.
St. Lucia is known for its natural beauty and diverse attractions, including the iconic Mount Piton (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), tropical rainforests, the height of Sulphur Springs Park, Instagrammed mud baths, and one of the few drive-through volcanoes in the world.
Blessed with nature's gifts, St. Lucia boasts breathtaking beauty, volcanic mountains that magically rise from the clear blue sea, paradisiacal beaches, lush forests and a rich cultural heritage.
Culturally rich offerings include bustling markets in the capital Castry, quaint fishing villages along the coastline, an annual St. Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival, and a vibrant carnival. St. Lucia offers a wide range of accommodation, including five-star hotels, all-inclusive resorts, welcoming hostels and value-for-money properties.
The destination also offers world-class cruise and yacht facilities. The island has long been recognised as "the world's leading wedding and honeymoon destination".
International status of Saint Lucia
In September 2019, Saint Lucia hosted the world's first grand and romantic wedding under the sea. The creative couple were captivated by the beauty and romantic atmosphere.
In an interview with Travel Pulse Canada, Gilchrist said: "Saint Lucia is one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean. ”
Saint Lucia International Honour
In 2015, Saint Lucia was selected as one of the "Top 10 Best Countries to Visit in the World" by Lonely Planet;
In 2016, St. Lucia was hailed by Bloomberg News as "a holiday paradise for the world's celebrity rich";
In 2019, Saint Lucia's Doing Business environment ranked 8th in Latin America and 1st in the Caribbean in the World Bank's Doing Business Report 2019;
In the same year, U.S. News & World Report, the third largest news magazine in the United States, selected Saint Lucia as the "World's Best Honeymoon Destination" from more than 700 candidate countries.
In November 2020, Saint Lucia was named "World's Best Honeymoon Destination" by the World Travel Award for the 12th consecutive time.
At the 2022 World Travel Awards, Saint Lucia was once again awarded the title of "Best Honeymoon Destination in the Caribbean" and for the first time "Best Adventure Travel Destination in the Caribbean".
His Excellency Dr. Ernest Hilaire, Minister of Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture and Information of Saint Lucia, said: "We are delighted to host the prestigious Caribbean and Americas World Travel Awards 2023 ceremony and celebrate the launch of the World Travel Awards with the Global Tourism and Tourism Industry for 30 years. The impact of travel tourism on our island's economy cannot be overstated. ”
Lorine Charles-St Jules, CEO of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, expressed excitement about the board's partnership with the World Travel Awards brand. "As we continue to pursue excellence in the hospitality industry, this will greatly boost our tourism industry," she said. We are delighted to welcome leaders from around the world and immerse them in the hospitality and culture of our beautiful island. ”