The paradise islands of Turks & Caicos will become the focus of the travel and tourism industry when they host World Travel Awards (WTA), the “Oscars of the travel industry”, on 14th September 2012.

WTA’s Caribbean & The Americas Ceremony 2012 will take place at the family-favourite all-inclusive resort, Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa.

Decision-makers from leading travel organisations across the Caribbean and Americas are scheduled to attend the gala evening. The red-carpet ceremony will include a gourmet dinner, top entertainment, as well as the presentation of the coveted awards.

WTA was launched in 1993 to acknowledge and recognise excellence in the global travel and tourism industry, and is now regarded as the very highest achievement that a product could hope to receive.

Graham E Cooke, President & Founder, WTA, says: 2We are delighted to be hosting our Caribbean & The Americas Ceremony 2012 in Turks & Caicos, a paradise destination currently enjoying a surge in tourism arrivals.

The nation is entering an exciting new chapter in its history, and tourism will play an even greater role in its economic evolution.”

He adds: “As the country’s largest private sector employer, Beaches exemplifies the importance of travel and tourism in Turks & Caicos in generating jobs and tourism revenue. The resort has also taken the family vacation concept to a whole new level in the Caribbean.”

Gordon “Butch” Stewart, Chairman of Sandals & Beaches Resorts, is thrilled to once again host the awards. “There is no better event that epitomises the incredible products of the travel and tourism industry than World Travel Awards,” Stewart said. “Beaches Resorts is honoured to host this year’s Caribbean & The Americas Gala in the beautiful Turks & Caicos.”

Ralph Higgs, Director of Tourism, Turks & Caicos Tourist Board, says: “The Turks & Caicos Islands are indeed very proud to once again be the host country for WTA. These awards recognize the best in the travel industry while also celebrating the rich diversity of the nominees: their culture, heritage and people. Turks & Caicos Tourist Board welcomes WTA back to our beautiful shores where memories will be made for a lifetime, the hospitality and spirit of the people will forever be etched in the history of such an esteemed group of nominees.”

He adds: “Our destination is poised for success as the global economic recovery begins to take shape and with WTA taking place here, it signifies to the world that the Turks & Caicos Islands is open for business, ready to provide a unique travel experience for all. Best of luck to all the nominees and a warm welcome to all.”

The Caribbean & The Americas Ceremony 2012 marks the second leg of WTA’s Grand Tour, a global search for the world’s leading travel brands, which also includes regional heats in Dubai, Nairobi, Singapore and The Algarve. The winners of these legs will then go head-to-head at WTA’s Grand Final, which takes place at The Oberoi, Gurgaon, New Delhi, India on 12 December 2012.

The Cayman Islands are in line for several Caribbean gongs at the tourism industry’s largest annual awards:

Leading Caribbean Destination and Leading Honeymoon Destination; Grand Cayman nominated as Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination; the Reef for Caribbean’s Leading Hotel and Residences; The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman for Caribbean’s Luxury Hotel, The Ritz-Carlton Suite for Caribbean’s Leading Suite, and Stingray City as Caribbean’s Leading Tourism Development Project. 

WTA was launched in 1993 to acknowledge and recognise excellence in the global travel and tourism industry. Now celebrating its 19th anniversary, it is regarded as the very highest achievement that a travel product could hope to receive.

WTA’s global media partner network includes International Herald Tribune, CNBC Arabiya, Newsweek, ASTA Network, National Geographic Traveller, Access New York, Travel & Leisure China, Khaleej Times, Trade Arabia, TTN, Trav Talk India, Publituris, ABTA Magazine, Outlook Traveller, Breaking Travel News, eTurboNews and Travel Daily News International.

This global media partner network has a monthly readership of 1.7 million and a TV audience reach of 90 million.