Caribbean Beat, the inflight magazine of Caribbean Airlines, has been named the Caribbean’s Leading Inflight Magazine for 2026 at the World Travel Awards, earning regional recognition for its coverage of Caribbean culture, people and destinations.
The award was announced at a gala ceremony for the Caribbean and the Americas held at Princess Grand Jamaica earlier this month, at the conclusion of World Travel Week.
The recognition also places Caribbean Beat among the nominees for the World’s Leading Inflight Magazine 2026, where it will compete against publications produced for major international airlines, including United Airlines, Air Canada and Qantas.
Voting for the global award remains open until November 9, with the winners scheduled to be announced at the World Travel Awards Grand Final Gala Ceremony in Tanzania in December.
World Travel Awards founder Graham E. Cooke congratulated the magazine’s international business development manager, Evelyn Chung, writing:
“You’ve been voted the best in your field.”
Chung said the award reinforces the magazine’s role as a platform for showcasing the Caribbean to travellers from around the world.
“This award reinforces the value of Caribbean Beat as a platform to showcase our region to travellers from around the world. It’s a wonderful opportunity to bring more attention to the Caribbean’s diversity, creativity, and unique stories,” she said.
Managing Editor Caroline Taylor said the magazine had consistently sought to present an authentic portrayal of the region, highlighting its people, places and cultural identity.
“We’ve always taken our mission — given to us first by BWIA then Caribbean Airlines — to showcase what’s special about the Caribbean in a grounded, authentic way. It’s about celebrating the beauty of our people and places, both within the region and across the diaspora. So it was a lovely surprise for that work to be recognised by readers and industry colleagues.”
Caribbean Airlines also secured a major regional honour, being named the Caribbean’s Leading Airline Brand for 2026. The award marks the airline’s 10th consecutive win in the category.
In the November edition of Caribbean Beat, airline Chairman Reyna Kowlessar expressed pride in the airline’s continued recognition and welcomed the magazine’s first regional award after being nominated in 2024 and 2025.
“We were equally proud to see Caribbean Beat earn its first award as the Caribbean’s Leading Inflight Magazine 2026, following nomination in 2024 and 2025, affirming the magazine as a platform for sharing the stories, culture and experiences that define our region, while extending the Caribbean Airlines brand beyond the journey itself.”
Founded in 1993, the World Travel Awards recognises excellence across the global travel, tourism and hospitality industries. Its awards are determined by travel professionals, media representatives and tourism experts internationally.
In the World’s Leading Inflight Magazine 2026 category, Caribbean Beat faces competition from publications associated with some of the world’s major airlines. Cooke described the global categories as the programme’s highest level of recognition.
Caribbean Beat is published six times annually for Caribbean Airlines and produced by MEP Caribbean Publishers in Port of Spain. The magazine is edited by Taylor and designed by Kevon Webster, with Shelly-Ann Inniss serving as Editorial and Design Assistant, Jacqueline Smith as Production Manager, and Chung and Tracy Farrag leading sales and marketing.
The magazine’s regional success now puts it in contention for a global title, with the final results expected in December.
