November/December 2024
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Sandals Showcases the Best of Jamaica and Its Family-Operated Brand
By Deserae del Campo
“There is only one Jamaica, and Jamaica is having a moment. It’s an extraordinary moment,†declared
Sandals Resorts International
Executive Chairman Adam Stewart to a captivated audience of over 700 travel advisors from the U.S. and Canada, along with government officials, airline partners and Sandals executives, during the “Jamaica Love Showcase†in Montego Bay last month. And indeed, what a moment it was.
The first-of-its-kind “Sandals Jamaica Love Tour 2024†was a week-long experience that immersed travel advisors in the island’s rich culture. From excursions with the tour company,
Island Routes
, to community service initiatives with the
Sandals Foundation
and networking events, advisors were given a red-carpet welcome by
Sandals
and
Beaches Resorts
.
But the highlight of the week was the grand gathering at the
Montego Bay Convention Center
. The event itself was a vibrant celebration of all things Jamaican. Upon arrival, travel advisors were gifted $25 in “Sandals Bucks†to spend at a bustling outdoor market where local vendors sold handcrafted goods, food, art and jewelry.
The energy was heightened with live entertainment by the vibrant Silver Birds steel drum band, photo-ops with iconic Sesame Street characters from Beaches and culinary stations showcasing signature dishes from across the Sandals portfolio.
The event’s overarching theme was loud and clear: It’s all about the love—love for Jamaica, love for the Sandals brands, love for its people and love for the travel advisors who play a key role in promoting the destination. With Sandals celebrating its 18,000-strong employees, the event emphasized the importance of selling Jamaica as a premier destination while highlighting the signature hospitality that sets both Sandals and the island apart.
“Jamaica’s tourism is everybody’s business, an intertwined ecosystem that brings farmers and taxi drivers, travel advisors and prime ministers, fishermen and pilots together as one,†added Stewart, who also serves as an Ambassador/Special Investment Envoy for Tourism in Jamaica. “The story of Sandals is the story of Jamaica…to always, together, work toward better. That’s at the heart of our super brand and forged in our homegrown values of hard work, exceeding expectations and trusting in those who lift you up, who believe in you.â€
Stewart emphasized the lasting legacy of his father, the late Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, noting the importance of nurturing relationships with those who share a passion for excellence, a common vision for success and complementary talents that elevate the overall mission of the Sandals brand.
Cultivating Strong Bonds with Travel Advisors
“Travel advisors are the single most effective tool in changing hearts and minds and, most importantly, moving the needle,†said Gary C. Sadler, OD, Executive VP of Sales & Industry Relations at
Unique Vacations, Inc.,
an affiliate of the worldwide representative of Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts. “We know that informed advisors, prepared with first-hand knowledge and experience, are the ambassadors for this moment. They have the trust of their clients, and this event was designed to empower them further, giving them the tools they need
to promote Sandals Resorts and
Beaches Resorts in Jamaica confidently and passionately.â€
Reflecting on the brand’s journey, Sadler noted, “When this all started in 1981 with only 99 hotel rooms at Montego Bay, we firmly believed in the idea that love is all you need because everything else was included. That idea of love has carried the Sandals brand for over four decades, making it the Caribbean’s most recognized and awarded all-inclusive chain.â€
Sadler’s opening message resonated throughout the event: Sandals’ commitment to travel advisors is not just lip service. “Every Sandals commercial broadcast on major networks around the world simply says: Call your travel advisor,†he noted.
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Embracing the Future: The Sandals 2.0 Experience
Sandals is more than just a brand evolving—it’s a bold reimagining of what luxury all-inclusive travel in the Caribbean can be, and the
Sandals 2.0
initiative is at the heart of this transformation.
As expressed at the “Jamaica Love Showcase,â€
Sandals 2.0
isn’t just a concept; it’s a commitment brought to life through innovative projects and property enhancements that are redefining the all-inclusive space. This vision isn’t only about the future of the brand, but also about empowering travel advisors with the tools, first-hand experiences and the confidence they need to sell these elevated experiences.
Standout properties and enhancements in this new Sandals era include the recently refreshed
Sandals Dunn’s River
with its Stargazing Concierge service that features open-air rooftops complete with a telescope; the new Sandals resort in St. Vincent and the Grenadines; and features like the overwater villas and the
SkyPool
suites at
Sandals Grenada
,
Sandals Royal Barbados
,
Sandals Negril
and
Sandals Dunn’s River
.
In addition to these new developments, Sandals is deeply invested in reimagining its existing resorts. Multimillion-dollar renovations at three Jamaica properties,
Sandals Montego Bay
,
Sandals Royal Caribbean
and
Sandals South Coast
, have revitalized these properties, ensuring that guests enjoy the most modern amenities while offering travel advisors a compelling reason to confidently promote the brand.
To further support advisors, Sandals is rolling out updated branding assets that reflect the ethos of
Sandals 2.0
. With new collateral, brochures and a refreshed design, the brand’s new tagline, “Born in Jamaica. Made of Caribbean,†captures the essence of this evolution.
More to Come
Dr. The Most Honorable Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica, gave the keynote speech, during which he announced the investment the destination is making in the island’s infrastructure, most notably with a new international airport in Negril, a new terminal at
Sangster International Airport
in Montego Bay, improvements to Kingston’s
Norman Manley International Airport
and building new roads on the southeastern coast to better connect the island.
“There are so many things that are happening in Jamaica that have not yet made it into the consciousness of the world so that Jamaica is properly placed and positioned in the minds of our tourists, visitors and people who would want to do business with us,†said Holness. “It’s important that when advisors bring visitors to Jamaica, it’s clear they’re not just helping the hotels. The dollar of that visitor is making its way into the pocket of a family that will benefit, grow and develop.â€
Jamaica Minister of Tourism the Hon. Edmund Bartlett expressed excitement about the presence of hundreds of travel advisors and emphasized the importance of regenerating, reimagining and repositioning Jamaica and Sandals for a post-COVID renaissance that will propel both to new heights. “This is perhaps the single most immersive tourism, thought leadership summit that Jamaica’s ever had. And it is important that it happens now; and it’s important that it is happening to the number one indigenous product of the Caribbean, Sandals Resorts International,†said Bartlett.
Contact Information
Sandals Resorts International:
taportal.sandals.com
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Table of Contents
Editor's Notes
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SANDALS SPREAD
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AMA WATERWAYS SC
AMA WATERWAYS
AVANTI DESTINATIONS SC
AVANTI DESTINATIONS
AZAMARA CRUISES SC
AZAMARA CRUISES
DELTA VACATIONS SC
DELTA VACATIONS
DISNEY CRUISE LINE
GLOBUS FAMILY OF BRANDS SC
GLOBUS FAMILY OF BRANDS
MGM RESORTS
MGM RESORTS SC
PALLADIUM HOTEL GROUP SPREAD
REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISING SC
REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISING
ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL SC
RCI
THE TRAVEL CORPORATION SC
THE TRAVEL CORPORATION
SANDALS SC
SANDALS
VIKING SC
VIKING
VIRGIN VOYAGES SC
Global: Tour Operators Talk Trends for 2025
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ACADEMY TRAVEL SC
ACADEMY TRAVEL
Cruise: Cruise Landscape—What’s New, What’s Trending for 2025
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Onboard Review: Atlas Ocean Voyages’ World Voyager—Convivial Vibes, Intimate Luxury
Onboard Review: Sun Princess Sets Her Sights on the Caribbean
Mexico/Caribbean/Bermuda: The Next Wave—What’s New and Trending in Mexico, Bermuda & the Caribbean
Onsite Review: Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton Resort & Spa—Chilling in Jamaica
Onsite Reveiw: Sandals Showcases the Best of Jamaica and Its Family-Operated Brand
North America: Onsite Review—Adventure Awaits in Whistler
Onsite Review: Urban Chic Meets Natural Beauty in Vancouver
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