Caribbean Tourism Organization’s 2024 Media Awards: Celebrating Excellence in Journalism

Friday, April 19, 2024

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) is thrilled to unveil the revival of its esteemed Caribbean Media Awards, recognizing the exceptional efforts of journalists and influencers in advancing Caribbean tourism.

Scheduled during the dynamic Caribbean Week festivities in New York from June 16 to 21, 2024, the awards ceremony will shine a spotlight on remarkable media contributions from both the United States and the Caribbean.

Entries are warmly welcomed from public relations agencies, member countries, and the journalistic community alike.

“We’re thrilled to bring back the Caribbean Media Awards,” stated CTO Chairman Kenneth Bryan, who serves as Minister of Tourism and Ports for the Cayman Islands. “These awards are not just about recognizing excellence, they are a testament to the enduring spirit of the Caribbean and its vibrant culture. Our goal is to spotlight the stories that capture the heart of the Caribbean, stories that inspire, inform and engage audiences worldwide. It’s a celebration of the impactful narratives that contribute significantly to our tourism landscape.”

Entries are being solicited in the following award categories:

1. Best Feature Article or Story: Recognizing outstanding long-form storytelling (print or online) that delves deeply into Caribbean culture, history, and more, offering compelling narratives and unique perspectives.
2. Best News Reporting: Honoring exceptional reporting of breaking news, events, or significant issues affecting the Caribbean region, demonstrating accuracy and journalistic integrity.
3. Best Podcast/Radio: Celebrating excellence in podcasting/radio reporting, whether through storytelling, interviews, or discussions that provide engaging and informative Caribbean content.
4. Best Photojournalism: Recognizing impactful visual storytelling through photography, capturing the essence of Caribbean life, from daily experiences to cultural events, natural landscapes, or social issues.
5. Best Video Production: Honoring outstanding video production, including broadcast news segments, short films, or online content that showcases the richness and diversity of Caribbean culture, people, and landscapes.
6. Best Social Media Campaign: Recognizing innovative and effective social media campaigns by journalists or influencers that engage audiences, raise awareness, or promote positive change on Caribbean-relevant issues.
7. Best Personal Immersive Story: Highlighting a feature story that demonstrates time spent in the destination, integrating and deeply exploring off-the-beaten-path aspects of a Caribbean location.
8. Diaspora Journalist of the Year: Honoring members of the Diaspora community who impact Caribbean tourism through their storytelling.
9. Emerging Journalist of the Year: Spotlighting the achievements of up-and-coming journalists, reporters, or content creators who show exceptional talent, potential, and commitment to excellence in Caribbean media.

Eligibility is limited to entries submitted by CTO government members, their affiliated public relations agencies, or recognized media outlets. Newspapers or magazines must have a minimum circulation of 20,000 (1,000 for Caribbean media), and all submissions must have been published or broadcast during the 2023 calendar year. Each individual is allowed to submit only one entry per category.

Submissions should demonstrate creativity and a deep understanding of the Caribbean, with a provocative story angle. Entries will be judged based on:

• Content: Relevance, accuracy, cohesiveness, adherence to journalistic standards.
• Structure & Form: Relevance, clarity, pace, structure (introduction, development, conclusion), presentation of information and ideas.
• Title: Relevance, concision, clarity.
• Quality of Language: Use of language, syntax, sentence structure.
• Originality: Originality of ideas, ability to captivate audience curiosity, boldness, creativity.

Entries not meeting the selection criteria will be disqualified. Depending on the judges’ assessment of the entries’ standard, awards may be withheld in any category. “Special Mention” (without award) may be given to entries where warranted.

« Back to Page