Priority Pass President Terry Evans flew into the island from Dallas last week to present the award for Global Lounge of the Year to David Hall, executive chairman of VIP Attractions, owners and operators of Club Kingston at the Norman Manley International Airport.

“This speaks volumes for Club Kingston,” said Evans at the event held at the travel lounge.

“Not only do we see the keen attention to detail but also the wonderful display of the culture of the Jamaican people. Priority Pass has millions of members all around the world so to receive this recognition is an amazing accomplishment,” added Evans.

Club Kingston copped the coveted award from a nomination field of more than 700 airport lounges across more than 500 airports throughout the world.

Not only was Club Kingston named the Global Lounge of the Year, but operators VIP Attractions was also recognised for their incredible high standard of customer service at Club MoBay with the ‘Best Staff’ Priority Pass Award.

Charmaine Franklin, general manager for Club Kingston, noted that this is a huge affirmation of the product as it follows close on yet another ‘number one’ award – this from the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association to Club Kingston’s Tricia Hagley as Tourism Employee of the Year for 2014.

“We are the Usain Bolt of airport lounges!” enthused Franklin.

VIP Attractions was born 37 months ago when former Digicel Jamaica CEO David Hall decided to invest his life savings in a Jamaican tourism venture. It now has a staff of 172 persons.

“The goal of VIP Attractions is to have 250 employees by the end of this year,” said Hall.

“In partnership with Digicel, we will be launching a Telecoms for Tourism Project. We also have been meeting with the Jamaica Business Development Corporation to look at Jamaican craft products as they are excellent and just need assistance with distribution.

“We hope to showcase these products particularly at Club MoBay, as well as those made by charitable organisations such as Genesis and Mustard Seed. Additionally, we are working on the development of a mobile application to promote Jamaica’s amazing attractions.”

“This Global Award for Club Kingston is a special and unexpected recognition. It speaks to the possibilities of what can happen with the entrepreneurial spirit, drive and vision that we have seen in the chairman of VIP Attractions, David Hall.

“They have transformed this lounge area, and special thanks to Charmaine Franklin and her team here, because I know the competition was very stiff,” said Earl Richards, CEO of the Norman Manley International Airport.