This year was not without its challenges in the Caribbean.

But in the face of overwhelming adversity, the Caribbean showed its toughness and resilience.

It’s something that’s eminently clear, as hard-hit islands quickly recover, with most already welcoming back travelers, from the British Virgin Islands to the US Virgin Islands to St Barth.

And let this be a reminder: the vast, vast majority of the Caribbean is open for business, and if you haven’t already made your return, it’s time to start planning it.

It’s also important to note that, before this fall’s storms, Caribbean travel was having a banner year, and there was much to cheer across the region, from surging arrivals in a host of destinations to continued hotel development and creativity.

Caribbean Journal’s annual Caribbean Travel Awards celebrates the best in Caribbean travel, as chosen by the editorial team of the world’s leading Caribbean travel publication.

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners.

— Alexander Britell, Editor and Publisher, Caribbean Journal

Caribbean Destination of the Year: Grenada Always the most-competitive category in the Caribbean Travel Awards, the Caribbean Destination of the Year honors a destination that combines strong tourism statistics, creative marketing and, most importantly, the “x factor” that has the travel world buzzing. This year, it’s Grenada, thanks to one of the fastest growth rates in the Caribbean, a surge in hotel development (with properties like the Kimpton Kawana Bay and Silversands in the pipeline) and a new branding push to bring travelers to a place that has long been one of the Caribbean’s most underrated destinations.