By Jessica Lucia Roiz From Latin Times

The World Travel Awards is preparing for a fantastic awards ceremony expected to take place later this year at a Grand Final Gala Ceremony in Maldives. As tradition holds since 1993, the awards ceremony will honor countries around the world in a wide range of categories, such as best destinations, hotels, resorts, airline, travel agency, tourism boards and more. 

The nominations are decided by an international jury of hospitality experts. Winners are then chosen based on votes by the people. The Wall Street Journal has even called the popular awards ceremony the “Oscars” of the travel industry. 

This year, the 23rd annual World Travel Awards recognized many of the hottest travel destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean, including Best Beaches of 2016 and Best Resorts. Check out some of the highlights below and don’t forget to vote for your favorite nominee. Voting ends May 6. 

Caribbean’s Leading Beach Destination 2016

Anguilla

Antigua & Barbuda

Aruba

Bermuda

British Virgin Islands

Cayman Islands

Dominican Republic

Grenada

Jamaica

Martinique

The Bahamas

Trinidad & Tobago

Turks & Caicos Islands

U.S. Virgin Islands

Caribbean’s Leading Casino Resort 2016

Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, Aruba

Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas

Barceló Bávaro Beach, Dominican Republic

El San Juan Resort & Casino, A Hilton Hotel, Puerto Rico

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana

Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino, St Maarten

St. Kitts Marriott Resort & The Royal Beach Casino, Saint Kitts and Nevis

The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba

Mexico & Central America’s Leading Beach Destination 2016

Ambergris Caye, Belize

Bastimentos Island National Marine Park, Panama

Cancun, Mexico

Jacó, Costa Rica

Placencia Belize, Belize

Tulum, Mexico

Mexico & Central America’s Leading Destination 2016

Acapulco, Mexico

Ambergris Caye, Belize

Bay Islands, Honduras

Cancun, Mexico

Granada, Nicaragua

Los Cabos, Mexico

Panama City, Panama

San Jose, Costa Rica

Tulum, Mexico

Mexico & Central America’s Leading Nature Reserve 2016

Barro Colorado Nature Monument, Panama

Hacienda Tres Rios Resort, Spa & Nature Park, Mexico

Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, Costa Rica

Punta Laguna Spider Monkey Reserve, Mexico

Rio Secreto, Mexico

South America’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination 2016

Argentina

Brazil

Chile

Colombia

Ecuador

Peru

Uruguay

South America’s Leading Beach Destination 2016

Easter Island, Chile

Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Máncora, Piura, Peru

Mar del Plata, Argentina

Margarita Island, Venezuela

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

San Andrés, Colombia

South America’s Leading Culinary Destination 2016

Argentina

Bolivia

Brazil

Chile

Colombia

Ecuador

Paraguay

Peru

Uruguay

Venezuela

IMAGE: Aerial view of the Urca beach in Rio de Janeiro taken on April 30, 2009. The IOC Committee is in a four-day visit to analyze Rio de Janeiro’s 2016 Olympic games candidature. VANDERLEI ALMEIDA/AFP/Getty Images

For more on this story go to: http://www.latintimes.com/world-travel-awards-2016-latin-american-caribbean-countries-nab-nods-oscars-tourism-382078