Minister of Tourism Receives Prestigious ‘Tourism Minister of the Year’ Award

By Admin. Updated 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 5, 2025, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority has announced that the Minister of Tourism of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Carlos James has been honoured with the Award “Tourism Minister of the Year for Sustainable Tourism from the PATWA International Travel Awards 2025 held in Berlin, Germany.

The announcement of the award was made to attendees at the ITB (Internationale Tourismus Börse) Berlin, one of the world’s largest tourism trade fairs on Wednesday.

The Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA), an affiliate member of UN Tourism, is a professional international media organization dedicated to supporting the sustainable growth of global travel, tourism, and hospitality industries since 1999.

The PATWA International Travel Awards are among the most coveted in the industry, celebrating destinations, governments, brands, and individuals that have demonstrated excellence in tourism development. Nominees undergo rigorous evaluation based on pre-set parameters to ensure only the highest standards of excellence are acknowledged.

The Tourism Minister said: “It is truly an honour to be recognized by PATWA for our commitment to sustainable tourism. This award is a testament to our dedication to preserving our nation’s natural beauty while fostering economic growth through responsible tourism. St. Vincent and the Grenadines remains committed to setting high standards for sustainability, ensuring that our tourism industry benefits both our people and our environment.”

St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) was also recognized as “Destination of the Year – Eco Adventures” by the PATWA International Awards Council, further solidifying its position as a leading destination for sustainable and nature-based tourism experiences. These recognitions highlight the nation’s unwavering commitment to sustainable tourism development and governance.

In addition to this latest recognition, SVG received multiple accolades in 2024, including World Travel Awards’ Best Nature Destination and CNN Travel’s “Best Places to Travel in 2025”, specifically highlighting Bequia as a must-visit location.

This momentum aligns with SVG’s 2025 tourism goals of expanding its reach in sustainable travel markets, increasing eco-tourism infrastructure, and enhancing collaborations with international stakeholders.