The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) celebrated the winners of the 2024 prestigious Caribbean Media Awards, presented at a luncheon event held during Caribbean Week in New York at the InterContinental New York Times Square last week.
Celebrating excellence in journalism, photography and digital content that highlights the diverse and vibrant cultures, landscapes and experiences available throughout the Caribbean region, the Caribbean Media Awards competition honours the journalists and media professionals whose work not only conveys and presents news and information relevant to the region’s tourism industry, but also captures the unique essence of the Caribbean story. Kenneth Bryan, CTO Chair and Minister of Tourism and Ports of the Cayman Islands, stated: “After a five-year hiatus, it is incredibly rewarding that the 2024 Caribbean Media Awards attracted submissions from some of the most talented and promising journalists and influencers covering the region.”
“The level of talent represented by the work submitted bodes extremely well for the future of media coverage for our most critical industry.” A panel of judges reviewed entries submitted by public relations agencies, CTO member countries, and the media community to determine the winners, using a range of criteria, including content, structure and form, title, quality of language, and originality.
To be considered, entries must have been published or broadcast in 2023. In announcing their decisions, the judging panel noted not only the impressive breadth and depth of the subjects covered but also the outstanding quality research and reporting demonstrated in the published works.
The full list of Caribbean Media Awards winners are:
Best Feature Article or Story - Brent Pinheiro for “This Week in Travel: Learning The Art of Batik (in St. Kitts)” on CNC3 Television in Trinidad
Diaspora Journalist of the Year - Melissa Noel from Essence Magazine for “Trinidad’s Carnival Finally Came Back. Here’s Everything You Missed”; “My Family’s New Holiday Tradition Is Travel. Here's How We Did It”; and “Exploring Grenada's Jab Jab Tradition: A Symbol Of Black Expression And Liberation”
Best News Reporting - Romardo Lyons for “Coffee Crisis” on TVJ
Best Personal Immersive Story - Kaitlyn McNab for “Grenada’s Spicemas Carnival Revolutionized the Way I Think About My Blackness and My Body” in Teen Vogue
Best Photojournalism - Joshua Macey from Guyana for “Ehin Erin” on Instagram
Best Podcast/Radio - Giovanni Dennis from Radio Jamaica for “Period Poverty and Climate Change in Jamaica”
Best Social Media Campaign - Jamaica Tourist Board for “Valentine’s Day in Jamaica: Bravo TV's Summer House, Lindsay Hubbard & Carl Radke”
Best Video Production - Brent Pinheiro for “This Week in Travel: Paragliding in Manzanilla” on CNC3 Television in Trinidad
Emerging Journalist of the Year - Brent Pinheiro from CNC3 Television/Trinidad Guardian
Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, said: “The CTO is proud to honour these exceptional professionals who have dedicated their talents to showcasing the Caribbean’s allure and beauty.
“On behalf of our member countries and the judging panel, I extend congratulations and gratitude to every storyteller whose work was reviewed.” She also thanked the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism for its sponsorship and invaluable support in reviving the media awards event.
The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), headquartered in Barbados, is the Caribbean’s tourism development agency, comprising membership of the region’s finest countries and territories, including Dutch-, English- and French-speaking, as well as a range of private sector allied members. The CTO’s vision is to position the Caribbean as the most desirable, year-round, warm-weather destination, and its purpose is Leading Sustainable Tourism - One Sea, One Voice, One Caribbean.
Among the benefits to its members, the organization provides specialized support and technical assistance in sustainable tourism development, marketing, communications, advocacy, human resource development, event planning & execution, and research & information technology.
