News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Weds. April 22, 2015: A Caribbean island that is home to just 23,769 people and is a common migration route for the humpback whale has been named this year’s ‘Top Travelers’ Choice Islands’ in the world.
TripAdvisor members choose the Caribbean destination of Providenciales, Turks and Caicos or the “jewel in the Caribbean,” as this year’s top island.
Award winners were determined using an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of reviews and ratings for hotels, restaurants and attractions on islands worldwide, gathered over a 12-month period.
TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards are based on “the millions of valuable reviews and opinions from TripAdvisor travelers across the globe.”
Award winners were determined using an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of reviews and ratings for hotels, restaurants and attractions on islands worldwide, gathered over a 12-month period.
Providenciales or “Provo” as it’s called, beat out Maui, Hawaii as well as Roatan, Honduras.
The others on the top 10 list were:
4. Santorini, Greece
5. Ko Tao, Thailand
6. Madeira, Portugal
7. Bali, Indonesia
8. Mauritius, Africa
9. Bora Bora, French Polynesia
10. Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
Provo is located in the northwest of the Caicos Islands and is a British Overseas Territory. The island has an area of 98 km2 (38 sq mi).
Providenciales is the center for sport fishing found in the Turks and Caicos. Every year, several tournaments take place here, from the international Caicos Classic deep-sea billfishing event held in Turtle Cove Marina to many smaller reef and bottom fishing contests. Amazing bone fishing is also found on the Caicos flats surrounding Providenciales.
The accommodation, dining and shopping options on Providenciales are far greater than on the other islands in the Turks and Caicos. The island is also home to all of the large marinas and most of the essential businesses and services. Several major international banks have branches here, and the country’s largest hospital is located in the Downtown area.
Providenciales offers some of the most spectacular beaches and ocean water in the world. From the unparalleled and internationally acclaimed Grace Bay Beach to the sheltered and secluded Taylor Bay and Sapodilla Bay beaches, you’ll realize you’ve found paradise.
With direct flights from Miami, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, London and Toronto, it’s easy to get here. Travelers will need a valid passport and return/onward ticket to enter the Turks and Caicos Islands.
All scheduled international flights into the Turks and Caicos arrive at the Providenciales International Airport (PLS). Domestic flights are offered by two local airlines to the other main islands in the country.
