Associate editor of Caribbean Life, Kevin Williams was awarded Best Feature by a Diasporan Journalist in US or Caribbean Media in the Me Too! I Rediscovered Home! category during the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) Caribbean Tourism Industry 2019 Awards Dinner held at the Wyndham New Yorker Hotel on June 6.
Williams was awarded for his article “Rum making with Appleton Estate’s master blender.” In accepting the award he reflected on his latemother being an avid reader and a great storyteller.
“Some of her story telling abilities seemed to have rubbed off on me as this award indicates for my article on rum making in Jamaica. This award will have a special place in my heart, as it would help me reflect on the brighter side of life and the impact of my work in keeping the Caribbean Diaspora informed and entertained,” he said.
He thanked the Jamaica Tourist Board and Finn Partners for providing the opportunities to visit Jamaica, and the CTO for recognising his work.
The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) served as the co-sponsor for the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) Caribbean Tourism Industry Awards Dinner. Part of CTO’s annual Caribbean Week in New York City, the awards program recognizes excellence in the promotion of Caribbean Tourism and honors individuals across the industry whose dedicated work has contributed to the development of tourism to the region.
The destination was the recipient of four Caribbean Media Awards, presented to individuals, organizations and destinations for stellar journalistic work published in the U.S.:
· Up the Social Ladder Award for Best Social Media Marketing Campaign by a CTO Member Country: Presented to the Jamaica Tourist Board for its Join Me in Jamaica digital campaign
· Golden Mic Award for Best Feature Broadcast: Presented to Donna Perkins for the Negril, Jamaica episode of Andiamo! Uptown
· I Have Influence Award for Best Executed Travel Influencer Campaign: Presented to Francesca Murray for coverage of the Jamaica Food & Drink Festival
· Me Too! I Rediscovered Home! Award for Best Feature by a Diasporan Journalist in US or Caribbean Media: Presented to Kevin Williams of Caribbean Life for his article “Rum making with Appleton Estate’s master blender.”
Jamaica’s Director of Tourism, Donovan White presented the JTB-sponsored Memorial Awards named for Marcia Vickery-Wallace and Marcella Martinez, recognizing industry stalwarts for their commitment to covering and marketing the Caribbean as a premier travel destination. The Marcia Vickery-Wallace award for excellence in travel journalism was presented to veteran journalist Ed Wetschler, while the Marcella Martinez award was presented to Cheryl Andrews for her contribution as an outstanding public relations practitioner.
