CTO expand Black Tie Awards to honour influencers along with Journalists during Caribbean Week NY

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has announced the finalists for the Caribbean Travel Media Awards, which will be held at the Wyndham New Yorker on 7 June during Caribbean Week New York (#CWNY2019).

It is the second incarnation of the expanded media awards programme which the CTO has staged for the past two decades to honour travel journalists and other professionals whose exceptional work has raised the profile of the Caribbean brand and helped the region achieve its tourism goals.

New in 2019, the CTO has added the ‘I Have Influence’ award to the contest in recognition of the growing number of influencers who contribute to telling the Caribbean’s story.

A distinguished panel of media and industry judges led by veteran travel journalist Mark Orwoll, were enthusiastic about the quality of work represented, indicating that the prestigious competition attracts a higher calibre of submissions each year.

“The Caribbean has long inspired artists, designers, and vacationers of all sorts with its vibrant culture and laid-back atmosphere. The media entries our committee reviewed make it abundantly clear that the region is also a powerful muse for the journalists, photographers and influencers who motivate travel decisions and contribute to the Caribbean’s status as the world’s leading warm weather destination,” said Orwoll.

A contest in which readers can select the winner for the Oh My Word, I Blogged! Best Caribbean Travel Blog Posting will continue to allow voting through 18 May, 2019.

For the remaining categories, the following finalists have been selected:

I Couldn’t Have Written It Better Myself: Best Feature Article in a US-based Consumer Newspaper

Kristin Emery: ‘Paradise Found: Unspoiled and Undeveloped in St. Kitts.’ – Observer-Reporter (Southwestern PA)Lawrence Millman: ‘Mayaguana, a World Away and Worth the Trip.’ – Boston GlobeChristopher Muther: ‘How Martinique’s Rum Became Certifiably the Best in the Caribbean’ – Boston Globe

Been There, Wrote That: Best Feature Article in a US-based Consumer Magazine

Emma Glassman Hughes: ‘Artists in Barbados Reveal the Beauty of Negative Space’ – Here MagazineLarry Olmstead: ‘Catch It If You Can’ – Celebrated LivingTony Perrotett: ‘The Martinique Mystique: Why Americans Are Suddenly Flocking to This Gorgeous Caribbean Island?’ – Travel + Leisure

Inner Circle King/Queen: Best Feature Article in a US-based Trade Publication

Gay Nagle Myers: ‘Romantic Escape at Sandals Royal Barbados’ – Travel WeeklyDavid Swanson: ‘Visiting a Sandals Resort as an LGBT Couple’ – TravelAge WestEd Wetschler: ‘Jamaica: News for Travel Agents’ – Recommend

Oh Snap! Best Photograph in Conjunction with a Feature Article

Raymesh Cintron: photo accompanying ‘We Want to Show the Islands as They Have Never Been Seen Before’ – Cacique Brian Finke: photo accompanying Marta Cerdà’s ‘Razing Cane: To Taste Haiti’s Small Batch Rum is to Cut to the Heart of What Makes the Island Worth Exploring’ – AFARJeff Mayers: photo accompanying Marshelle Haseley’s ‘Trinidad Carnival…More Than Meets The Eye’ – Panache

Golden Mic: Best Feature Broadcast

Jason Kidd: ‘Live from Sandals Grenada with Ria Murray’ – WRQX Mix 107.3Donna Perkins: Episode on Negril, Jamaica – Andiamo UptownRyan Seacrest: Segment on The Bahamas – Live with Kelly and Ryan

Virtual Visitor Award: Best Feature in an Online Publication (not including blogs)

Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon: ‘This All-Inclusive Resort in Jamaica Offers Unlimited Spa Treatments’ – Islands.com David Molyneaux: ‘Barbados Offers Beaches, Cricket Matches, Local Rums and a Glimpse of Jewish History’ –MiamiHerald.com Tik Root: ‘How One Country Is Restoring Its Damaged Ocean’ – NationalGeographic.com

I Have Influence: Best Executed Influencer Campaign That Delivered Results Based On Agreed Objectives

Silvia Lawrence: GuyanaFrancesca Murray: Jamaica Food and DrinkEnocha Tellus: Pure Grenada

Up the Social Ladder: Best Social Media Marketing Campaign by a CTO Member Country

Bahamas: #NoFilter infuencer campaign by Bahamas Ministry of TourismJamaica: #JoinMeInJamaica digital marketing campaign by Jamaica Tourist BoardMartinique: #MakeItMartinique campaign in conjunction with Uncommon Caribbean

Look, I’ve Gone Social: Most Outstanding Social Media Coverage of an Event or Activity (by a journalist or influencer)

Chelsea Davis: Barbados Crop Over FestivalLebawit Girma: Barbados Food & Rum FestivalFrancesca Murray: Grenada Chocolate FestivalMe Too! I Rediscovered Home! Best Feature by a Diasporan Journalist in US or Caribbean MediaKevin Williams: ‘Rum Making with Appleton Estate’s Master Blender’ – Caribbean Life

No Anansi Story! Best Feature by a Caribbean-based Journalist (that appeared in Caribbean-based media)

Catherine Morris: ‘Soufriere Models Community Tourism’ – St Lucia StarRicqcolia Phillip: ‘UberSoca Cruise: The CARICOM of the Soca Experience’ – Loop Leisha Wong & Janeen Johnson: ‘Island Inspired’ – Cayman Airways Skies

Winners will be announced at the Caribbean Tourism Industry Awards Gala during Caribbean Week NewYork, an elegant awards ceremony and dinner on Thursday, 6 June, 2019.