Kenya’s Global Tourism Resilience Satellite Centre has been officially launched by founder and Co-Chair of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre and Jamaica Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett. This follows initial discussions to establish this Satellite Centre at the Kenyatta University two years ago.

“The establishment of this Satellite Centre at the Kenyatta University will expand the global reach of the Global Resilience Centre. I am particularly excited as it will be a critical asset in enhancing tourism resilience and sustainability among East African destinations.

Additionally, the Kenya Satellite Centre will be a focal point for developing, coordinating and supporting resilience-building and response efforts,” said Hon Edmund Bartlett.

Minister Bartlett also highlighted that “Tourism in East Africa is now in a better position to bounce back quickly after disruptive events. The need for tourism resilience has become more critical as threats become more common and the GTRCMC Eastern Office presence will further enhance the capacity of the tourism sector across 16 African countries.”

According to Prof. Lloyd Waller, the Executive Director of the GTRCMC, “The Eastern Africa Satellite Centre itself forms part of a wider global network of Centres around the world that collectively function as a global think tank to tackle global and regional challenges to the tourism sector through the sharing of information. Already, our joint efforts regarding tourism recovery have demonstrated the utility of such an approach to tourism resilience.”

“Ultimately, this Centre will become a key catalyst for sustainable tourism development and ensure that global tourism can adapt and respond to the uncertainties of its internal and external environment,” Hon Edmund Bartlett added.

Established in 2017 and housed at The University of the West Indies, the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre’s mission includes assisting global tourism destinations with destination preparedness, management and recovery from disruptions and/or crises that affect tourism and threaten economies and livelihoods globally. The GTRCMC has offices in the Caribbean, Africa, and the Mediterranean and affiliates in over 42 countries.

Minister Bartlett’s remarks are shared here:

Three years ago, I conceptualized the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) at the UNWTO’s Global Conference on Sustainable Development held in Montego Bay, Jamaica, in November 2017. The proposed establishment of the Resilience Center reflected a call to action for global tourism stakeholders to collaboratively, centrally, and institutionally respond to the wide range of traditional and non-traditional threats that have been increasingly destabilizing global tourism. The mandate of the Centre was to create policies, toolkits, and guidelines designed to enhance the capacity of vulnerable tourist destinations across the globe to mitigate disaster risks as well as to manage recovery efforts in the aftermath of crises.

To expand the global reach of the Resilience Centre, the decision was taken by the Centre’s Board to establish four Satellite Centres to serve different regions and sub-regions of the world. Two of those Satellite Centres have already been opened in Kenya at the Kenyatta University and Nepal with plans afoot to establish others in Hong Kong, Japan, and Seychelles. I am particularly excited about the establishment of this Satellite Centre at Kenyatta University. It will be a critical asset in enhancing tourism resilience and sustainability among East African destinations. Owing to the establishment of this focal point for developing, coordinating, and supporting resilience-building and response efforts, tourism in East Africa is now in a better position to bounce back quickly after disruptive events.

As the world currently grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to note that this crisis is unlikely to be the last of its kind in both scope and impact. For many years, I have been warning that threats such as pandemics and epidemics, climate change impacts, and cyber-security issues will become the new normal in a rapidly-evolving and increasingly interconnected world. As these threats become more common, tourism resilience will take on greater prominence to ensure that global tourism can adapt and respond to the uncertainties of its internal and external environment. Ultimately, this Centre will become a key catalyst for sustainable tourism development.

As we look to the future, the GTRCMC will continue to strengthen collaboration with its network of local, regional, and international partners to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on destinations as well as to identify effective strategies for their recovery and to enhance their preparedness and responsiveness to future shocks. In the immediate and foreseeable period, the Centre will be required to play a pivotal role in supporting global crisis management, mitigation, and recovery efforts in the tourism sector. It is a responsibility that the Centre takes very seriously, and we intend to strengthen existing partnerships and build new ones with the ultimate goal of ensuring a more agile, adaptive, and resilient tourism industry in the post-COVID period. Our immediate plans include rolling out various innovations, toolkits, and information resources to assist destinations globally to navigate this difficult period.

I anticipate that this forum will provide a useful exchange of knowledge on matters such as best practices in building tourism resilience; frameworks for the standardization, harmonization, and collaboration of tourism resilience strategies across the region; the viability of new tourism models that are less tied to external markets; the use of innovation and technology in mitigation and response efforts; the importance of research, training, and funding initiatives; and the role of deepened public-private partnerships among other relevant matters. As the co-chair of GTRCMC, I am excited to share in this experience and I am optimistic about the journey ahead.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, Corporate Communications Division, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: 920-4924, Fax: 906-1729

The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) appointed BRANDit as its official representative in India. Nominated to be the face of the beautiful 115-island destination in the Indian subcontinent, the BRANDit team will be handling marketing, sales and Public Relations under the guidance of the STB Headquarters.  

 Sherin Francis, STB Chief Executive stated that a presence on the market is of great importance, as India remains one a key source market for Seychelles. She further mentioned that the new collaboration as a great start to 2021 for the STB.    

“There has been much work done on the Indian market, we are satisfied with how the destination has established itself as one of the best in the world and we aim to keep the momentum. We look forward to working with the BRANDit team to lead our marketing and communication efforts in India. India is a promising market and its ever-evolving dynamic nature has always made it an exciting playing field for our outbound marketing efforts. Seychelles will serve as a haven and an exotic getaway for the pent-up travel demand among Indian travelers. Despite a challenging 2020, we are positive to emerge through this phase stronger and better,” said Mrs. Francis.  

There has been a significant growth on visitor arrivals from India with 502% increase noted on the market over the past six years, with 1, 248 visitors in 2019 and despite the pandemic in 2020, the destination recorded 914 visitors from the market.

On her part, Lubaina Sheerazi, CEO & Co-founder, BRANDit added, “We are delighted to win the mandate and serve as India representatives for the Seychelles Tourism Board. In the post COVID scenario, the aim is to reach the pre-COVID visitor arrivals while substantially increasing the number of intimate celebrations to boost tourism in one of the most exquisite countries in the African continent”.

Talking about the marketing plans for the Indian market, STB Marketing Director for Asia, India and Australia, Mrs. Amia Jovanovic- Desir, stated that STB has received a very warm welcome from Indian partners.

“With the support and strong collaboration of our trade partners, we have managed to position our unique destination on the Indian market successfully. We have tapped into the market with diverse and selective promotional activities during the past years and we believe that we can generate more return from this market. Our ultimate aim is to earmark and add new cities where we have not yet penetrated or reach to sensitize more Indian visitors who are looking for a unique place like Seychelles for peaceful and relaxing holidays after the pandemic is over. This will be done through more focused and targeted and selected consumer campaigns e.g., online promotions, on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram which will also help to maximize results,” commented the Director for India.

BRANDit offices are located in Mumbai and New Delhi and the team can be contacted for more information about Seychelles on info@branditindia.com

For more information about Seychelles visit https://www.seychelles.travel/en

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MEDIA CONTACT: STB News Bureau, Tel: +248 4 671 354 / +248 4 671 313, stbnews@seychelles.travel 

Sandals Resorts International has announced Adam Stewart’s appointment as the resort company’s Executive Chairman. Stewart becomes just the second Chairman in the company’s 40-year history. He is preceded by his late Father and Chairman, the Hon. Gordon “Butch” Stewart, a pioneer in Caribbean tourism who broke the ceiling of all-inclusive luxury after founding the organization in 1981 and played a pivotal role in bolstering the region’s popularity.

Executive Chairman Adam Stewart assumes the role after working alongside his father for more than two decades, serving as Chief Executive Officer and most recently Deputy Chairman. He has helped oversee the continued rapid expansion of Sandals Resorts International throughout the Caribbean, including the recent announcement of two new island resort destinations, the future Sandals Curaçao and Beaches® Resorts in St. Vincent.

“Some people are dreamers, and some are doers; my dad was the magical combination of both. He was fiercely passionate about offering a product that would exceed expectations, and we are incredibly honored to continue his pursuit of innovation, raising the bar, and creating landmark moments for our valued guests,” stated Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International.

Countless organizations have recognized Adam Stewart for his leadership in the travel industry and his substantial contributions to the destinations where Sandals Resorts International operates. As part of this commitment, in 2009, Adam Stewart launched the Sandals Foundation with a mission to lift communities through education, healthcare, and environmental protection. The foundation and its activities have helped millions across the region through various impact-focused programs, where he will continue to serve as President. Stewart is also a strong proponent of the direct investment and development of team members. His work through the Sandals Corporate University brings continued learning, mentorship and invaluable skills training to thousands of employees throughout the Caribbean. In 2016, Stewart was also bestowed the national honor of the Order of Distinction, Commander Class by the Government of Jamaica for outstanding contribution to tourism.

He added, “We could never have imagined the monumental impact that our resorts have had around the world. It has been a remarkable journey to have built brands that play a part in so many of our customers’ happiest moments. Our team is the best in the world, and I am incredibly proud of the work they do every day of life to put our customers first, as we carry forward.”

Stewart has also played an integral role in managing the company’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including launching its creation of the respected Sandals Platinum Protocols of Cleanliness to ensure guests’ and team members’ safety, and consulting with industry groups, government entities, health organizations and international associations alike. His work guaranteed Sandals® Resorts and Beaches® Resorts are at the forefront of providing a safe and enjoyable destination for international travelers during this time and is keeping thousands of team members across all its Caribbean destinations employed.

Earlier this month, the Hon. Gordon “Butch” Stewart’s passing was marked by a global outpouring of support from Sandals team members, guests and industry partners around the world, sharing thousands of memories. As an industry pioneer, he helped to establish the tourism sector across the Caribbean through building first of its kind luxury resorts, chartering flights to bring international visitors when no major airline service was offered and a relentless commitment to backing the Travel Agent community. Over the years, the brands have become respected for its Luxury Included® model that changed the face of the all-inclusive segment and built a loyal following, affording it the highest return guest rate of any hospitality brand in the western hemisphere.  

“My Father’s shoes are impossible to fill, but we will follow in his ground-breaking footsteps to continue the important work we all set out to do together. As a company and as a team, we are poised for the future. We are already leading the industry in recovering from the greatest setback in the history of travel. We will continue to lead not just by saying, but by doing. And at the heart of it all, we are solely focused on what we do best: delighting our guests,” Stewart concluded.

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Jamaica Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has extended heartfelt congratulations to renowned hotelier, Adam Stewart, on his appointment as Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International (SRI), following the recent passing of his father, business mogul, Gordon “Butch” Stewart.

“I am heartened to learn that Adam Stewart has been named the Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International. Over the years, Adam has made a name for himself as a brilliant businessman, leader and innovator.  I can say without hesitation that the mantle of leadership of SRI could not have been passed to a more competent and deserving individual,” said Minister Bartlett. 

Stewart is the second person to ever serve as the company’s Chairman, and previously served as its Chief Executive Officer and Deputy Chairman.

“Adam, much like his father, is a global industry leader with a wealth of knowledge about the Sandals brand and the international tourism industry. I offer you my heartiest congratulations Adam, I am certain you will do exceptionally well, and that you will continue to build on the rich legacy left by your father, who has groomed you very well for this position,” said Bartlett.

Sandals Resorts International is the parent company of Sandals Resorts, Beaches Resorts and Grand Pineapple Beach Resorts. SRI was founded by Butch Stewart in 1981 and is based in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Sandals Resorts International has since developed into one of the most popular award-winning, all-inclusive resort chains in the world.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, Corporate Communications Division, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: 920-4924, Fax: 906-1729

Sandals Resorts International has announced it is offering complimentary COVID-19 testing beginning January 26 to all registered guests across its Sandals and Beaches Resorts on-resort prior to their departure. This announcement comes on the heels of the new Centers for Disease Control (CDC) policy requiring international travelers to present a negative COVID-19 test prior to their return to the United States. Tests will be conducted by certified medical professionals with guests’ convenience top of mind with appointments being offered with minimal distraction to the overall vacation experience. Tests will be done at least 72 hours before guests’ departure, and test results will be available within 24 hours.

For nearly 40 years, Sandals has continuously implemented and strengthened health and safety protocols to ensure guests are able to travel with confidence and enjoy their Caribbean vacation worry-free. This new on-resort testing is an expansion of the Sandals Platinum Protocols of Cleanliness, which already builds on Sandals existing industry-leading practices to guarantee cleanliness standards and heightened health and safety measures that address changing consumer expectations amidst COVID-19.

“Through the expansion of our Platinum Protocols of Cleanliness, we are continuing to ensure our guests’ health and safety are our number one priority. We are dedicated to providing peace of mind for all our guests as we follow the latest developments in real-time, to safeguard their experience, so that they can always travel to our resorts with confidence,” stated Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International.

In the unfortunate event that a guest should test positive for COVID-19 prior to departure, all resorts are equipped with medical stations staffed daily with a registered nurse and 24/7 on-call medical personnel. In line with all CDC and World Health Organization (WHO) best practices, Sandals ensures strict adherence and seamless implementation of a sophisticated approach to prevent the spread of all illnesses. Through the Travel Protection Insurance that Sandals offers, guests are covered for an extension of their stay to quarantine and to receive any necessary medical treatment for up to 14 nights at no extra cost. Additional benefits of the plan include coverage of medical expenses and maximum benefits of up to $100,000 per guest.  For more information on the Sandals “Travel with Confidence” program, please visit https://www.sandals.com/travel-insurance-offer/

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MEDIA CONTACT: 1-888-SANDALS, info@sandals.com

Beginning on a grand note, Seychelles Islands shows off its wonders in Switzerland, as the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) launches a two-week advertising campaign in the European nation- a second phase to the publicity campaign, which started in October 2020 on the market.  

Beautiful Seychelles sceneries are being displayed on billboards and posters across several Swiss cities as a constant reminder to potential visitors that Seychelles remains one of the best sanctuaries perfect to beat the winter blues. 

The campaign, which takes its inspiration from the STB 2020 digital campaign “Experience Seychelles, Our Home Your Sanctuary”, started on January 11, 2021, and is an excellent opportunity for the destination to bring closer to the Swiss people a plethora of breath-taking images of beautiful Seychelles.  

Through the images placed in railway stations across Zurich, Bellinzone, Lugano and Lausanne including some hundred more posters in the buses and tramways in Geneva, the campaign is aimed to reach around 4,336,000 persons per week.  

Speaking of the campaign, the STB Director for Switzerland Judeline Edmond mentioned that analysis of trends on the Swiss market shows that the desire for travels has not been affected by the pandemic.  

She further stated STB’s endeavour to reinforce the destination’s visibility on the market and strengthening its efforts to keep the destination in the visitors’ mind.  

With the start of vaccination campaigns in Switzerland and Seychelles, the campaign comes at an opportune time as travel confidence start to builds up and visitors are looking forward to a perfect getaway destination after the long wait in their homes. 

“Starting the project in October last year, we thought it would be perfect for us to extend it in January as well to maximise its impact. The Holiday seasons are over in Switzerland and everyone is back to their normal activities, so this is the ideal time to reach out to the potential visitors and get them to dream by showing  them what they are missing while they are trying keep warm in the cold,” said Judeline Edmond, STB Director for Switzerland.   

Switzerland has been one of Seychelles’ top four markets since the reopening of the Seychelles International Airport on August 1, 2020 with 1,929 passengers from the re-opening until the end of December 2020.   

Seychelles is also currently running its one-year tram campaign in Zurich with Manta Reisen, which started at the beginning of September 2020. 

These publicity activities support the other promotional initiatives, which STB has been undertaking in this market to promote the destination.

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Legendary Jamaican entrepreneur Gordon “Butch” Stewart, one of the hospitality industry’s most vibrant personalities and founder of Sandals Resorts International, the world’s leading all-inclusive resort company, died at the age of 79 on January 4, 2021. An unstoppable force, who delighted in defying the odds by exceeding expectations, Stewart single-handedly built the world’s most awarded vacation brand from one resort in Jamaica to over two dozen distinct resorts and villas throughout the Caribbean.

A son of Jamaica, Butch Stewart was born in Kingston on July 6, 1941, and grew up along the island country’s North Coast, a tropical paradise that now boasts several of his Luxury Included® Sandals and Beaches Resorts and where his love of the sea, dominoes, and free enterprise were sown. Certain from the start that he wanted to run his own company, at the tender age of 12, Stewart first stepped into the hospitality industry selling fresh-caught fish to local hotels. His success got him “hooked” and his enthusiasm for entrepreneurship never waned.

After completing his secondary education abroad, Stewart returned home to Jamaica where he demonstrated his innate talent as master salesman at the renowned Dutch-owned Curaçao Trading Company, quickly rising to the position of sales manager but itching to start his own company. In 1968, Stewart took his chance. With no collateral but recognizing the comfort that would make air conditioning an essential service, Stewart convinced American manufacturer Fedders Corporation to allow him to represent their brand in Jamaica. With that, Stewart’s foundational business – Appliance Traders Limited (ATL), was born, and he was on his way.

At ATL, Stewart developed a simple business philosophy he articulated many times: “Find out what people want, give it to them, and in doing so – exceed their expectations.” This would become the standard for every Stewart enterprise and practiced by every employee of the many companies Stewart would go on to found, including and perhaps most importantly, Sandals Resorts International.

Stewart Founds Sandals Resorts

In 1981, with a gift for recognizing opportunity, Stewart found one in Bay Roc: a rundown hotel on a magnificent beach in Montego Bay, Jamaica.  Seven months and $4 million in renovations later, Sandals Montego Bay would open as the flagship of what is today the most popular award-winning, all-inclusive resort chain in the world.

While Stewart never laid claim to inventing the all-inclusive concept, he is recognized worldwide for his tireless effort to elevate the experience, delivering to his guests an unsurpassed level of luxury, and to share his certainty that a Caribbean company could successfully compete with any organization in the world.  He accomplished both.

“I had heard of the concept, yet at the time, the services and rooms were very basic. Contrary to that, I envisioned we could bring forward a luxury resort to offer customers so much more. So, we perfected it. Only the most comfortable king size four poster beds, fine manicured gardens, cozy hammocks and the kind of warm, refined service the Caribbean has become known for. Just as important was to be located on the absolute best beach, because that’s what everyone dreams of.”

Where other so-called “all-inclusives” offered meals and rooms at a set rate, Sandals Resorts’ prices covered gourmet dining options, premium brand drinks, gratuities, airport transfers, taxes and all land and watersport activities.  The competitors’ meals were buffet-style, so Stewart created on-property specialty restaurants with high culinary standards and white-glove service.  Sandals Resorts also was the first Caribbean hotel company to offer whirlpools and satellite television service, the first with swim-up pool bars and the first to guarantee that every room is fitted with a king-size bed and a hair dryer.  More recent innovations have included a signature spa concept – Red Lane® Spa, signature luxury suites designed for privacy and ultimate pampering, complimentary WiFi, and signature partnerships with iconic organizations such as Microsoft Xbox® Play Lounge, Sesame Workshop, PADI, Mondavi® Wines, Greg Norman Signature Golf courses and the London-based Guild of Professional English Butlers. And in 2017, Stewart introduced the Caribbean’s first over-the-water accommodations, which were quickly expanded to include Over-the-Water bars and Over-the-Water wedding chapels.

By steadfastly adhering to the “we can do it better” principle of pleasing his guests, Stewart fostered a company free to imagine and free to consistently raise the bar.  This ethos earned him the title of “King of All-Inclusives,” changing the face of the all-inclusive format and establishing Sandals Resorts as the most successful brand in the category – boasting year-round occupancy levels of more than 85 percent, an unequaled returning guest factor of 40 percent and demand that has led to unprecedented expansion including the creation of additional concepts such as Beaches Resorts, now the industry standard for excellence in family beach vacations.

Butch Stewart loved Sandals.  At the time of his passing, he was hard at work on plans for the recently announced expansions to the Dutch island of Curaçao and St. Vincent. 

Stewart As Statesman

Stewart’s leadership helped resurrect Jamaica’s travel industry and earned him the respect of his peers and the admiration of his countrymen.  He was elected President of the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica in 1989 and was inducted into its “Hall of Fame” in 1995. He served as a Director of the Jamaica Tourist Board for a decade and as President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association in the mid-80s, ably balancing government and private sector priorities, reconciling the concerns of large and small Jamaican hotels, and raising public understanding of the tourism industry. In 1994, Stewart led a group of investors to take leadership of Air Jamaica, the Caribbean’s largest regionally based carrier.  It was a daunting task – planes were dirty, service was indifferent and on-time schedules were rarely met, causing market share to plummet along with revenues. 

When Stewart stepped in, he insisted on a passenger-friendly approach: on-time service, reduced waiting lines, increased training for all personnel, and signature free champagne on flights to accompany an emphasis on better food.  He also opened new routes in the Caribbean, brought on new Airbus jets and established a Montego Bay hub for flights coming from and returning to the United States. Just as with ATL and Sandals Resorts, Stewart’s formula proved successful and in late 2004, Stewart gave the airline back to the government with an increase in revenue of over US$250 million.

It was not the first time Stewart would come to the aid of his country.  In 1992, he galvanized the admiration of Jamaicans  with the “Butch Stewart Initiative,” pumping US$1 million a week into the official foreign exchange market at below prevailing rates to help halt the slide of the Jamaican dollar.  Dr Henry Lowe, at the time president and CEO of Blue Cross, wrote to Stewart saying: “I write to offer sincere congratulations to you for the tremendous initiative which has done so much, not only for the strengthening of our currency, but more so, for the new feeling of hope and positive outlook which is now being experienced by all of us as Jamaicans.”

Less well-known may be the extent of Stewart’s considerable philanthropy, where for more than 40 years he has helped improve and shape the lives of Caribbean people.  His work, formalized with the creation in 2009 of The Sandals Foundation, offers support ranging from the building of schools and paying of teachers to bringing healthcare to the doorsteps of those who cannot afford it. This in addition to his tireless support of a wide range of environmental initiatives. Beyond the work of the Foundation, Stewart has given millions to charitable causes such as celebrating the bravery of veterans and first responders and helping those in the wake of devastating hurricanes.

In 2012, Stewart founded the Sandals Corporate University, aimed at providing professional development for employees through reputable education and training programs. With access to more than 230 courses and external partnerships with 13 top-ranking local and international universities, every staff member can apply, broaden their knowledge, and advance their career.

Stewart’s successes in business and in life have earned him more than 50 well-deserved local, regional, and international accolades and awards including Jamaica’s highest national distinctions: The Order of Jamaica (O.J.), and Commander of the Order of Distinction (C.D.).  In 2017, Stewart was honored with the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS), hosted by the Burba Hotel Network, marking his significant contribution to the hospitality industry.  “The success of Sandals has helped to power the growth of the tourism industry and economies not only in Jamaica but throughout the Caribbean,” said BHN president Jim Burba.  “The word ‘icon’ certainly applies to Butch Stewart.”

It delighted Stewart whenever he was dining anywhere in the world and an excited staff member would share with him, “Thank you.  I got my start at Sandals.”

Butch Stewart, The Man

With his easy pace, infectious warmth and trademark striped shirt, Stewart exuded an approachability that belied the complexity of his character.  While he was an acute businessperson, who at the time of his death was responsible for a Jamaican-based empire that includes two dozen diverse companies collectively representing Jamaica’s largest private sector group, the country’s biggest foreign exchange earner and its largest non-government employer, he was an extremely private man whose deepest devotion was to his family.

His greatest test came in 1989 when his beloved 24-year-old son Jonathan was killed in a car accident in Miami.  Stewart recalled the incident in a 2008 interview, “For two months after he died, I was absolutely useless, and after that I was sort of running on remote control. Things were a blur. It’s every parent’s nightmare.  After a year or so, I started to see things in vivid detail. You have to get busy, be close with your family. It did a lot in terms of me getting closer. There’s a lot more satisfaction.”

Stewart was able to return to his relentless pace, and the consensus among those who knew him best is that he did it by leading by example. “If you are going to lead, you have to participate,” Stewart was fond of saying.  He believed that if everyone in the organization recognized that the man in charge was working as hard as they were, they’d have an infinite amount of respect and motivation. “It’s about instilling a spirit of teamwork, defining a purpose and then rolling up your sleeves to get the job done better than anybody else,” Stewart said.

The company Butch Stewart built remains wholly owned by the Stewart family, who, in honor of Mr. Stewart’s long-term succession plans, has named Adam Stewart Chairman of Sandals Resorts International, extending his formidable leadership of the brands he has shepherded since he was appointed CEO in 2007.

Speaking on behalf of his family, Adam Stewart said, “our father was a singular personality; an unstoppable force who delighted in defying the odds by exceeding expectations and whose passion for his family was matched only by the people and possibility of the Caribbean, for whom he was a fierce champion.  Nothing, except maybe a great fishing day, could come before family to my dad.  And while the world understood him to be a phenomenal businessman – which he was, his first and most important devotion was always to us.  We will miss him terribly forever.”

Gordon “Butch” Stewart is survived by his wife, Cheryl, children Brian, Bobby, Adam, Jaime, Sabrina, Gordon, and Kelly; grandchildren Aston, Sloane, Camden, Penelope-Sky, Isla, Finley, Max, Ben, Zak, Sophie, Annie and Emma; and great grandchildren Jackson, Riley, Emmy and Willow.

A private funeral service will be held. Those wishing to share memories, condolences or personal stories may do so at AllThatsGood@sandals.com, and a tribute video can be found on www.sandals.com.

Continuing the Gordon “Butch” Stewart Legacy of Love

The Sandals family has received an incredible outpouring of love and support, underscoring the tremendous mark Gordon “Butch” Stewart left in all corners of the world. Beyond his indelible impact on the tourism industry, Stewart was a true beacon of hope for the Caribbean, its communities and those who define it. With travel agents, customers and partners inquiring how they can honor Stewart’s legacy, Sandals Resorts has established two programs centered around some of the things he loved most: mentoring and the sea.

In the spirit of honoring Stewart’s passion for service to the people who call the Caribbean home, The Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart Tourism & Hospitality Scholarship through the maverick’s esteemed Sandals Corporate University will carry on his legacy of furthering the development of today’s young professionals through reputable education and training programs. Additionally, to continue celebrating Stewart’s love for the beautiful Caribbean Sea and passion for preserving it, donations can be made to Marine Conservation through the Sandals Foundation at www.sandalsfoundation.org . 100% of all funds donated will go directly to benefiting these programs.

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MEDIA CONTACT: 1-888-SANDALS, info@sandals.com

The Nevis Tourism Authority hit the ground running to kickstart its marketing efforts for 2021 by being featured on Wheel of Fortune for December 30, 2020. A marvelous trip to Golden Rock Inn on the picturesque island was the grand vacation prize on the fourth game of the day.  Lawrence Forbes, who works for the San Francisco United School District and is an alum of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, secured the prized vacation trip to Nevis with the clue “Places” when he solved the appropriately worded SUN DRENCHED BEACHES, which perfectly describes this island getaway. Although he did not make it to the final round, Mr. Forbes walked away with cash and prize wins valued at $14K.

Golden Rock Inn, an exquisite gem with eleven intimate guest rooms in a lush garden setting, graciously provided the 6-night stay for two, including breakfast, free WIFI and laundry services.  The Nevis Tourism Authority provided two roundtrip airfares for Forbes and his guest to complete the grand prize giveaway. The total value of the trip is $7,000.

Wheel of Fortune, now in its 38^th season, is the longest running syndicated American television game show.  An average of 8 million viewers tune in for each show to watch the legendary host Pat Sajak and co-host Vanna White present the popular competition, where participants solve word puzzles and win cash and prizes by spinning a giant carnival wheel. Wheel of Fortune is seen in 208 markets covering 99.8% of the U.S.A.

For travel and tourism information on Nevis please visit the Nevis Tourism Authority website at  www.nevisisland.com; and follow us on Instagram (@nevisnaturally), Facebook (@nevisnaturally), YouTube (nevisnaturally) and Twitter (@Nevisnaturally).

About Nevis

Nevis is part of the Federation of St. Kitts & Nevis and is located in the Leeward Islands of the West Indies. Conical in shape with a volcanic peak at its center known as Nevis Peak, the island is the birthplace of the founding father of the United States, Alexander Hamilton. The weather is typical of most of the year with temperatures in the low to mid-80s°F / mid 20-30s°C, cool breezes and low chances of precipitation. Air transportation is easily available with connections from Puerto Rico, and St. Kitts. For more information about Nevis, travel packages and accommodations, please contact the Nevis Tourism Authority, USA Tel 1.407.287.5204, Canada 1.403.770.6697 or our website www.nevisisland.com and on Facebook – Nevis Naturally.

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Media Contact: Nana Delatour, Portfolio Marketing Group, E: nana.d@pmgroup.bz

Yesterday, the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that all air passengers flying to the U.S. from a foreign country will be required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 viral test (PCR or Antigen test), taken no more than 3 days prior to the flight. This new regulation will apply to all travellers ages 2 and older, including U.S. citizens and international travellers. The order will go into effect on January 26, 2021.

Furthermore, any person who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last three months must be prepared to show documentation of recovery, which consists of proof of their positive viral test, coupled with a letter from a healthcare provider or a public health official, providing clearance to travel. Airlines will be responsible for confirming the negative test result or documentation of recovery for all passengers before they board, and will deny boarding to any person who does not provide documentation of a negative test or recovery, or chooses not to take a test.

The Government of The Bahamas has successfully implemented stringent measures to protect its citizens, residents and visitors, and is well positioned to adhere to this new order, seamlessly integrating the CDC’s testing requirements into The Bahamas’ existing COVID-19 protocols. Currently, visitors to The Bahamas who stay longer than four nights and five days are required to take a rapid antigen test on the fifth day of their stay, with a number of testing sites throughout The Bahamas approved to administer tests. This means travellers and residents alike, readily have access to the viral tests, now required to enter the U.S. 

“The Bahamas Government will continue to work in accordance with the CDC to curb the spread of COVID-19, which has been our top priority since the onset of this global pandemic,” said Dionisio D’Aguilar, The Bahamas Minister of Tourism & Aviation.  “Our journey has not been without bumps in the road, but we have made great strides in combatting this virus as evidenced by the very low case numbers we have now achieved. Visitors to our shores should have peace of mind knowing that we are making every effort to keep The Bahamas safe, and can now offer a turnkey, affordable and reliable testing process that meets U.S. requirements.”

All U.S. travellers to The Bahamas as well as Bahamian citizens and residents are required to abide by the CDC’s protocols to enter the U.S. An overview of these requirements, as well as FAQs, can be found on the CDC website.

For a list of approved COVD-19 testing sites in The Bahamas, as well as a full overview of The Bahamas’ travel and entry protocols, please visit Bahamas.com/travelupdates.

Due to the fluidity of COVID-19, the Government of The Bahamas will continue to monitor cases across the islands and loosen or tighten restrictions as needed. The Bahamas is an archipelago with more than 700 islands and cays, spread over 100,000 square miles, which means conditions and instances of the virus can be different on each of the 16 islands available to welcome visitors. Travellers should check the status of their island destination before travelling, by visiting Bahamas.com/travelupdates.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Anita Johnson-Patty, General Manager, Global Communications

Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation

ajohnson@bahamas.com

Weber Shandwick, Public Relations

Bahamas@webershandwick.com

Jamaica Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett has named a special task force to spearhead efforts to boost Jamaica’s COVID-19 testing capacity, in light of the growing demand for such tests, fueled by new travel requirements in key tourism source markets.

The task force is led by Minister Bartlett and includes President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), Clifton Reader; First Vice President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) and former President of the JHTA, Nicola Madden-Greig; Chairman of the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), Ian Dear; Deputy Chairman of the Sandals Group and Chairman of the Tourism Linkages Network Council, Adam Stewart; Executive Director of Chukka Caribbean Adventures and Chairman of the COVID-19 resilient corridor management team, John Byles; and Senior Advisor and Strategist in the Ministry of Tourism, Delano Seiveright.

The announcement comes as Minister Bartlett revealed that urgent steps are being taken to ramp up Jamaica’s COVID-19 testing capacity, in light of changes in testing requirements by the United States, which is the country’s largest tourism source markets. 

“This task force will work along with the Ministry of Health and Wellness and tourism stakeholders, both within the public and private sectors, to boost Jamaica’s capacity to facilitate wide scale COVID-19 testing for visitors to the island. We will also undertake extensive consultation with our local and international tourism partners to develop and introduce innovative solutions to effectively address this challenge,” said Minister Bartlett.

Mr. Bartlett also expressed confidence in this collaborative approach. “This unified approach has proven to be very effective in managing the pandemic to date, and has been crucial to our success in introducing our COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols that have been endorsed by the World Travel and Tourism Council, as well as our COVID-Resilient Corridors. I am therefore confident that working in collaboration with our stakeholders, we will be successful,” he said. 

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued an order requiring all airline passengers from international destinations to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test before boarding flights to the US. The new order is slated to take effect on January 26, 2021.

This follows the introduction of a similar COVID-19 test requirement by Canada and the UK, which requires all passengers flying to these countries to present negative test results in order to facilitate entry or avoid self-quarantine.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, Corporate Communications Division, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: 920-4924, Fax: 906-1729