In China, The American Academy presented an award to the Jingmin Central Hotel for exhibiting the highest standards of excellence, as well as awarding Ms. Jianmin Wu, General Manager of Jingmin Central Hotel, and her chefs. Additionally, we awarded Madam Huang Ling, vice mayor of Xiamen City.

In Russia, I had the great honor of awarding the Star Diamond Award to the Corinthia Hotel. Governor Valentina Matvienko was personally recognized for her dedication and worldwide­ efforts to promote the culture and tourism of St. Petersburg, the first European city to receive a Six Star Diamond Award from the American Academy.

The Arizona Biltmore was recently awarded the Academy’s Five Star Diamond Award. And in Mexico, The Royal Cancun and The Royal Playa del Carmen were recognized (Fernando Garcia, president and owner/proprietor of the property, accepted the award), as well as Roman Quian Alcocer, the Mayor of Playa del Carmen.

Sandals Resorts chairman and founder, Gordon “Butch” Stewart’s Emerald Bay in the Bahamas is a must see, and was awarded the Six Star Diamond Award. Adam Stewart, CEO of  Island Routes Caribbean Adventure Tours was the first adventure company ever honored with a Six Star Diamond Award.

Enjoy!