Thursday, May 13, 2010 12:15 am
TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice 2010 votes for Negril
Negril Jamaica is on the list.
By Sheena Gayle, Hospitality Jamaica Writer
The unique charm of Negril in Westmoreland has secured a place in the hearts of travellers who placed the tourism destination in several categories of the TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice 2010 Best Destinations.
Widely touted as one of the world's largest and renowned travel sites, the TripAdvisor Traveler's Choice 2010 Best Destinations gave travellers the opportunity to rate their favourite destination in different categories.
For the Top 10 Romance Destinations in the Caribbean & Mexico and Top 10 Relaxation & Spa Destinations in the Caribbean & Mexico, Negril was at number four. In the category of Beach & Sun Destinations in the World, Negril was placed seventh out of 10 other destinations in the world. For Top 25 Destinations in the Caribbean and Mexico they were number 21 and in the Top 10 Nightlife Destinations in the Caribbean & Mexico, Negril was eighth.
TripAdvisor's website quoted Negril as "sure, you can leave the sunny sands in favour of a crocodile watch or horseback ride, but when the main strand is called Seven Mile Beach, it's clear what draws most visitors to Negril. Depending on how much sun you want, you're welcome to go topless or even sunbathe in the buff in some places".
According to Evelyn Smith, chairperson for the Negril Chapter of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), Negril's variety of small, medium and large properties coupled with its unique product offering contributed to their success.
"We try to engage a variety of travel options. For Negril 85 per cent of the properties are small entities (fewer than 100 rooms) and, therefore, this offers a very intimate environment that is heavily driven on guest services," she explained.
In addition, Smith quipped that the annual Appleton Dream Weekend held during the Independence weekend is one of the factors why Negril has secured a spot on the TripAdvisor's Top 10 Nightlife Destinations in the Caribbean and Mexico.
She noted that their niche market of boutique options for spa has also played a role in Negril copping an award in the Top 10 Relaxation and Spa Destinations in the Caribbean and Mexico.
Nonetheless, the JHTA chairperson stressed the importance of continuing this momentum through "our small properties becoming more e-savvy by using blogs and social sites to keep the buzz out there about Negril".
Among the other Jamaican tourist destinations that were awarded are:
Ocho Rios - Top 25 Destinations in the Caribbean and Mexico: Ranked at 10
Top 10 Relaxation and Spa Destinations in the Caribbean and Mexico: Ranked at 10
Montego Bay - Top 10 Family Destinations in the Caribbean and Mexico: Ranked at 9