Celebrating more than five decades of Jamaican hospitality, Island Car Rentals has been named Caribbean’s Leading Car Rental Company 2026 at the World Travel Awards, recognising a home-grown business that has helped visitors explore the island on their own terms.
There is a particular freedom to discovering Jamaica behind the wheel. Beyond the familiar images of palm-fringed beaches and turquoise seas lies an island of extraordinary variety: mist-covered mountains, historic plantation houses, roadside jerk shacks, lively fishing villages and winding coastal roads that reveal another breathtaking view around every bend.
From the rhythms of Kingston to the white sands of Negril, the waterfalls of Ocho Rios and the laid-back charm of Port Antonio, Jamaica rewards those willing to venture beyond their resort. And for travellers who want the flexibility to explore at their own pace, having the right car can make all the difference.
For Island Car Rentals, that connection between mobility and discovery has been at the heart of its business for more than half a century. The Jamaican company has now added another accolade to its impressive collection, being named Caribbean’s Leading Car Rental Company 2026 at the World Travel Awards Caribbean & The Americas Gala Ceremony, held at Princess Grand Jamaica on 11 October.
The award celebrates a business whose story is closely intertwined with Jamaica’s tourism development and whose services help visitors experience the island well beyond the hotel gates.
A Jamaican success story
Island Car Rentals was founded in April 1973 by Michael Campbell, beginning with a fleet of just 15 vehicles. Over the decades, the company grew into one of Jamaica’s largest car rental and ground transportation businesses, building a reputation that extended well beyond the island.
That evolution reflects the changing expectations of international travellers. What began as a straightforward vehicle rental operation developed into a broader transportation offering serving holidaymakers, business visitors, local residents and corporate clients.
Today, the company offers a substantial fleet of vehicles, with rental services available at Jamaica’s three international airports: Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay and Ian Fleming International Airport near Ocho Rios. Its wider services also include private transfers, group transportation, day trips and executive chauffeur services.
The ability to cater to different types of travellers has become an important part of its appeal. Some visitors want the independence of a hire car for an extended island adventure; others prefer the convenience of a private transfer or a chauffeur-driven journey. Bringing these options together allows the company to serve a broad spectrum of travel needs.
The pleasure of taking the scenic route
Jamaica is an island best experienced through its contrasts. In Kingston, visitors can immerse themselves in the country’s music, art and cultural heritage. Travelling north, the landscape changes as the road approaches the coast, where the waterfalls and lush surroundings of Ocho Rios provide a different perspective on the island.
Further east, Port Antonio offers a quieter atmosphere, with secluded coves, tropical vegetation and access to the Blue Mountains. On the western coast, Negril invites travellers to slow down, with its long sandy beaches and celebrated sunsets.
A rental car can make it easier to combine these experiences into a single itinerary, allowing visitors to stop at local restaurants, discover lesser-known viewpoints and spend longer in places that capture their imagination.
Of course, driving in Jamaica calls for preparation. Visitors should familiarise themselves with local road conditions, allow extra time for mountain routes and remember that traffic drives on the left. The reward is the opportunity to see a more varied side of the destination, moving beyond a single resort or town to appreciate the island’s distinctive character.
For many travellers, those unplanned moments along the way become some of the most memorable parts of a holiday.
Service at the heart of the journey
Behind any successful car rental operation is a service culture that understands the importance of getting the details right. For international visitors arriving after a long flight, collecting a vehicle efficiently, receiving clear information and knowing where to turn for assistance can shape the first impressions of a destination.
Island Car Rentals has built its reputation around customer service and long-standing relationships with travel partners and returning customers. The company’s repeated recognition at the World Travel Awards reflects its sustained presence in Jamaica’s competitive rental market.
Its 2026 achievement also brings attention to the wider role of ground transportation in tourism. Hotels, attractions and restaurants may shape the experiences visitors remember, but the ability to move comfortably between them is fundamental to how a destination is explored.
As travellers increasingly seek more independent, flexible holidays, that relationship between transportation and the visitor experience is becoming ever more important.
Recognition rooted in experience
The World Travel Awards are among the travel industry’s established international recognition programmes, celebrating achievement across destinations, hospitality, aviation and tourism services.
For Island Car Rentals, the Caribbean’s Leading Car Rental Company 2026 title adds another chapter to a long record of award-winning service. The company has previously received repeated World Travel Awards recognition, including Caribbean’s Leading Independent Car Rental Company and Jamaica’s Leading Car Rental Company.
Yet the significance of this latest accolade extends beyond the trophy itself. It shines a light on a Jamaican enterprise that has developed alongside the country’s tourism industry, adapting its services as visitor expectations and travel patterns have evolved.
It is also a reminder that the holiday experience is rarely confined to a hotel room or a beach. The freedom to explore, the ease of reaching an attraction and the chance to discover somewhere unexpected all contribute to the lasting impression a destination leaves.
Jamaica, on your own terms
For those planning a Jamaican escape, the island offers every reason to venture further. Spend a morning exploring Kingston’s cultural landmarks, pause for lunch at a roadside restaurant, follow the coastline towards a secluded beach or take the longer route through the mountains simply for the views.
With its latest World Travel Awards success, Island Car Rentals celebrates its place within that journey, helping visitors move between Jamaica’s celebrated attractions and the quieter corners that make the island so compelling.
More than 50 years after its modest beginnings, the company’s story remains closely connected to the destination it serves. Its newest award recognises that enduring contribution to Jamaican tourism — and the simple pleasure of discovering an island where the journey can be every bit as rewarding as the destination.
