The Best in Travel Tourism celebrated at 2019 Caribbean Media Awards

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

“I love jerk chicken!” Mark Stevens (Winner, Best Feature in a Consumer Magazine)

Friday, August 23^rd, 2019 was a day of celebration, good food, laughter, and thoughts of travel at the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s 2019 Caribbean Media Awards. For years, the Caribbean has been an inspiration to: artists, designers, and vacationers with its vibrant culture, beautiful blue-green waters, delicious food, and unbelievably, incredible attractions. The Caribbean Tourism Organization took time to celebrate Canada’s best examples of travel journalism and social media entrepreneurship at a fabulous luncheon hosted at the upscale Boulevard Club.

A distinguished panel of media and industry judges reviewed the powerfully motivated entries submitted by journalists, photographers, and influencers, and admittedly had a difficult time choosing the award winners, “There was no shortage of quality journalism and social media aptitude displayed by all of the finalists in our awards programme. However, only one award can be bestowed per entry and these went to the highest calibre of writers and influencers whose work continues to have a daily impact on the demand for Caribbean holidays,” said Sylma Brown, director of CTO USA Inc.

For the first year ever, Toronto Caribbean Newspaper was not only invited, but was up for the Me Too! I Rediscovered Home! Best Feature by a Diasporan Journalist in Diaspora Media. Representing Toronto Caribbean Newspaper at the awards show was Account Executive, Trish Browning, and of course me! Trish arrived a little before I did but let me know that I was in for a treat. When I arrived at the event, I was instantly greeted with the sights and sounds of the islands. It was a beautiful thing to see; many of the islands were represented at the luncheon including: Jamaica, Martinique, Belize, Turks and Cacaos, Barbados, St. Lucia, St.Vincent and the Grenadines and many of the other beautiful islands which fascinate people from all over the world. After we were given some time to browse and parlay with the island representatives, we were ushered into the main room to begin the awards ceremony.

The room was filled with tourism officials and dignitaries representing destinations throughout the Caribbean. The programme began, and award-winning journalist Dwight Drummond was introduced as our host for the day. He kept the room light with laughter, and after a short introduction began the awards show. The following are the Caribbean Media Awards winners:

Been There, Wrote That: Best Feature in a Consumer Magazine
Mark Stevens: “Looking for Jerk in All the Right Places” – All At Sea

Inner Circle: Best Feature in a Trade Publication
Mark Stevens: “Saint Lucia: Inspiration Island” – Caribbean Business & Travel

I Couldn’t Have Written It Better Myself: Best Feature in a Consumer Newspaper
Erin MacLeod: “In Post-Carnival Trinidad, the Party Never Really Ends” – The New York Times

Virtual Visitor Award: Best Online Feature
Bianca Bujan: “How to Eat Like a Bajan” – BC Living

Oh Snap! Best Photograph Accompanying a Story
Ann Ruppenstein: “Discovering Another Side of Jamaica” – Travel Courier

Oh My Word, I Blogged!: Best Blog Posting
Tamara Elliott: “Belize’s ATM Cave Tour: Where Adventure Meets Mayan Sacrifices” – Globe Guide

Me Too! I Rediscovered Home! Best Feature by a Diasporan Journalist in Diaspora Media
Michael Van Cooten: “Soca Royalty”  –  Pride News

Look, I’ve Gone Social: Best Social Media Coverage of an Event or Activity
Kael Rebick: “Fam Trip to St. Vincent and the Grenadines”

I Have Influence: Best Executed Influencer Campaign That Delivered Results Based On Agreed Objectives
Monika Koehler: “#LoveBarbadosFood”

With two award-winning features in the Consumer Magazine and Trade Publication categories, Mark Stevens was among the big winners at the luncheon, along with Erin MacLeod, who received the award for Best Feature in a Consumer Newspaper as well as overall Best of the Best award. Trinidadian born, Canadian storyteller, and cultural icon Rita Cox was presented with the CTO’s Lifetime Achievement Award, but not before a riveting and dramatic introduction by Itah Sadu.

Although Toronto Caribbean Newspaper did not take home an award this year, we were honoured to be part of such an ostentatious event, and believe me when I say, “We will be back in 2020!”