Four new categories for HJ 2017 Awards

Several of the island's top tourism players are now sharpening their service delivery as official nominations for this year's Hospitality Jamaica (HJ) Awards opened on Tuesday.

A total of 16 awards will be up for grabs at the 2017 staging, which is slated for Saturday, November 11 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St James.

Four new categories have been introduced to the awards - Best Family Resort, Best Street Food, Best Nightclub Experience, as well as Best Small Hotel/Bed & Breakfast.

With the exception of the HJ Personality of the Year Award, won by veteran hotelier Kevin Hendrickson last year, the public will nominate and cast votes in each category. However, the final decision will be made by a panel of experienced judges.

"HJ Awards has become a calendar event," declared coordinator, Janet Silvera, adding that the upcoming staging is primed to eclipse previous years'.

"Long before we started, even before we placed our first advertisement, we were getting enquiries. Persons were sending us emails to enquire about the exact date of the event so we know that already, the industry players are getting their people ready to start the voting process."

While noting that Jamaicans form the majority of the voting pool, Silvera stated that the recipients are usually selected in good faith and the recognition places them in a category above their competitors.

Partnership with Television Jamaica will also see the event broadcasted for the first time.

Nominations will close on September 22, while voting will start on September 27 and end on Friday, October 20.

The public can submit nominations for organisations that meet the criteria to hospitalityjamaica@gleanerjm.com.

Entries must include the nominee's name, address, contact number, reasons for nominating, category, as well as the name, address and contact number for the person nominating the organisation.

 

HOSPITALITY JAMAICA AWARDS CATEGORIES

Best Family Resort

Best Street Food

Best Destination Management Company

Best All-inclusive Under 300 Rooms

Best All-inclusive Over 300 Rooms

Best Small Hotel/Bed & Breakfast

Best Eco-Sustainable Resort

Best Business Hotel

Best European Plan Resort

Best Boutique Resort

Best in Cuisine

Best in Entertainment

Most Authentic Jamaican Attraction Best Purveyor 

Best Nightlife Experience