Jamaica Scores Big as Club Kingston Earns Top Airport Lounge Award

Jamaica has added another achievement to its tourism industry, with Club Kingston at the Norman Manley International Airport earning the title of Best Airport Lounge in Latin America and the Caribbean from Priority Pass.

The award places Club Kingston ahead of more than 350 airport lounges across the region and is based on ratings and reviews submitted by travellers who used the facilities. The recognition comes from the 2026 Priority Pass Excellence Awards, one of the largest traveller driven airport lounge award programmes in the world.

For Jamaica, the honour highlights the country’s continued focus on improving the visitor experience, not only at hotels and attractions but also at key points of arrival and departure.

A Major Win for Jamaica’s Tourism Industry

The Jamaica Tourist Board welcomed the recognition, describing it as another positive sign for the country’s tourism sector.

Priority Pass operates one of the world’s largest airport lounge membership programmes, offering travellers access to more than 1,800 lounges and airport experiences across hundreds of airports worldwide. Each year, the company collects more than 700,000 traveller reviews and surveys, making the awards a reflection of passenger experiences rather than a panel of judges.

The fact that Club Kingston secured the number one position in the Latin America and Caribbean region demonstrates strong satisfaction among international travellers who pass through Jamaica.

In a statement provided to Jamaicans.com, Nicholas Watson, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility, Media & Stakeholder Engagement at Club Kingston, said the award reflects the work of the entire team and the wider value of Jamaica’s tourism product.

“Receiving the award for Best Lounge in the Caribbean and Latin America is a proud moment for our entire team. This recognition reflects the passion, dedication, and service excellence demonstrated by our employees every day. It also reinforces Jamaica’s position as a world-class destination, beginning with the airport experience. We are grateful to our guests and partners for their continued support and remain committed to exceeding expectations with every visit.”

The recognition further strengthens Jamaica’s reputation for hospitality and highlights the role airport services play in shaping a visitor’s overall experience of the island.

This placement gives the quote prominence, establishes it as exclusive content from Jamaicans.com, and connects it directly to the broader tourism significance of the award.

What Makes Club Kingston Different

Located at Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport, Club Kingston serves a wide range of passengers including business travellers, members of the Jamaican diaspora, government officials, conference delegates and vacationers.

The lounge is operated by VIP Attractions Limited, the company behind both Club Kingston and Club Mobay.

Its offering focuses on comfort, customer service and a Jamaican atmosphere that introduces visitors to the island’s hospitality before they board their flights.

For many travellers, airport lounges have become an important part of the overall travel experience, especially during long layovers or before international departures. The award suggests that Club Kingston has succeeded in creating an environment that stands out among regional competitors.

Recognition Driven by Travellers

One of the most significant aspects of the award is that it is based on direct passenger feedback.

Unlike industry awards decided by committees or industry experts, the Priority Pass rankings rely heavily on reviews from the programme’s global membership base. Millions of travellers worldwide have access to the Priority Pass network, providing a broad pool of opinions and experiences.

This makes the recognition particularly valuable because it reflects the views of the people who actually use airport lounges on a regular basis.

The result indicates that travellers consistently rated Club Kingston highly for service, comfort and the overall guest experience.

Supporting Jamaica’s Tourism Growth

The award arrives at a time when Jamaica continues efforts to strengthen its tourism product and maintain its position as one of the Caribbean’s leading destinations.

Tourism officials have increasingly emphasized the importance of delivering quality experiences at every stage of a visitor’s journey. That approach extends beyond beaches and resorts to include airports, transportation services and customer care.

Industry stakeholders view the recognition as a positive signal for Jamaica’s brand in an increasingly competitive regional tourism market.

As destinations across the Caribbean and Latin America compete for visitors, awards based on customer satisfaction can help reinforce confidence among travellers considering where to visit next.

A Strong Statement for Jamaican Hospitality

The success of Club Kingston highlights how customer service remains one of Jamaica’s strongest assets.

While airport lounges may serve a limited number of travellers compared to hotels and attractions, they often leave a lasting impression because they represent a visitor’s final experience before leaving the island.

By securing the top ranking in the region, Club Kingston has given Jamaica another achievement to showcase on the international stage and reinforced the country’s reputation for hospitality.

For travellers passing through Kingston, the award serves as recognition of the quality service and hospitality that have helped make Club Kingston a preferred stop for many passengers.