In The News

It was a gold-studded event for Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts at the 9th Annual Travvy Awards Gala, as the Caribbean’s leading luxury all-inclusive company earned top honors across five coveted categories – emboldened by a sixth and special honor for Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International (SRI), who was presented with the prestigious Executive of the Year Award.

Held at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, The Travvy Awards, produced by TravelPulse and AGENTatHOME, recognize the top travel industry suppliers in categories such as destinations, hotels, cruise lines, airlines, tour operators, and more, with Sandals Resorts International earning the top award in the following categories:

• Best Hotel Chain - Overall: Sandals Resorts (Gold)
• Best Hotel Chain - All-Inclusive: Sandals Resorts (Gold)
• Best All-Inclusive Adults/Couples Resort - Caribbean: Sandals Grande St. Lucian (Gold)
• Best All-Inclusive Resort - Honeymoons: Sandals Emerald Bay (Gold)
• Best All-Inclusive Family Resort - Caribbean: Beaches Turks & Caicos (Gold)
• Executive of the Year - Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman, Sandals Resorts International

Touting his unwavering commitment in advancing destinations throughout the Caribbean and his organization’s unmatched support of the travel advisor community, Mary Pat Sullivan, EVP of Marketing and Partnerships for Northstar Travel Group, presented Stewart with the Executive of the Year Award.

“Adam is carrying on an incredible legacy, leading with integrity, professionalism, a commitment to the Caribbean – a place he loves dearly – to sustainability, to the travel advisor community, and to the travel industry. He grew up in this business. And I think we should all be really grateful for the next generation that is making leadership happen for our industry,” said Sullivan. “It’s been a monumental year for Sandals and Beaches and we’re all sure more is on the horizon.”

At the helm during a pivotal moment in the brands’ evolution and enduring impact across the Caribbean, Stewart continues to champion all-new trends reimagining the all-inclusive experience with never-before-seen programs like Island Inclusive dining – which invites guests to immerse themselves in local island flavors at off-site restaurants as part of their all-inclusive stay – as well as complimentary MINI Coopers for exploring the brands’ island homes. These programs, together with cutting-edge suites, amenities and other Sandals ‘Firsts’, are a testament to Stewart’s commitment to guests as much as to Travel Advisors curating the most unique Caribbean experiences for their clients.

“We are a company profoundly committed to sharing our beautiful part of the planet with guests from around the world,” said Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts. “Tourism fuels the economies of the Caribbean and travel advisors are critical to the region’s success. In 2015, this team came to New York to celebrate another executive, my dad. That year, he took home the Travvy Award for ‘The Most Innovative All-Inclusive Resorts Executive.’ He was very proud of that award, a recognition of decades of pioneering work to enhance and improve a vacation concept that guests absolutely loved, and travel advisors absolutely loved to sell. So being awarded here tonight is very humbling for me and a complete full circle moment. And to my team, there is no accolade I receive that you are not part of. I thank you for your dedication and incredibly hard work that has allowed us to pursue and expand upon the dreams we know are possible for the people and the places we love.”

For more information about the award-winning resorts under the Sandals Resorts International umbrella, please visit www.sandals.com and www.beaches.com.

More About Adam Stewart

Beyond his duties as Executive Chairman, Stewart founded and serves as President of the Sandals Foundation, the 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization aimed at making a difference in the Caribbean communities where SRI properties operate. One hundred percent of the monies contributed by the public to the Sandals Foundation go directly to programs benefiting the Caribbean. He is an active member of the Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association, where he recently served as 1^st Vice President, and is chair of the country’s Tourism Linkages Council, which seeks to enhance the capacity and competitiveness of local suppliers, making the strength of tourism work for all.  He serves as a member of the Executive Committee of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and was most recently appointed as a special investment envoy for tourism by Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness to drive innovation, investment, and economic growth.

A fierce advocate of opportunity through education, Stewart has strengthened SRI’s signature Sandals Corporate University (SCU), the first program of its kind to offer on-the-job skills training with certification and pathways for SRI employees to advance their education through partnerships with recognized universities, professional organizations, and local institutions. The SCU has earned praise from Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, calling Sandals Resorts a “pioneer in hospitality education.”