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Sandals Royal Bahamian expands renovation project, revises opening date

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Sandals Resorts International (SRI) announced today an expansion of the existing multi-million-dollar renovation of Sandals Royal Bahamian, the brand’s award-winning hotel, spa and private island located in Nassau, Bahamas, with plans to reopen January 27, 2022.

In addition to the already-announced iconic river suites and refurbishment of over 200 rooms and suites, Sandals Royal Bahamian will unveil an innovative new concept, Coconut Grove, an expansive lounge area that extends the beach vibes to the center of the resort. Shaded by coconut palms, the new setting will feature an immediate connection to the resort’s Caribbean setting with gourmet food trucks, chic, relaxing seating, and unparalleled views of the sea.  A reimagination of its famed private island, Sandals Cay, with updated lounge settings and a new gastronomic experience, will complement the resort’s latest innovations.  So as not to intrude upon the guest experience, the resort will remain closed while construction is underway and will reopen for the 2022 season.

“Moving the opening date from November 4th was a very difficult decision,” said SRI Executive Chairman Adam Stewart.  “While we could reopen much of the resort, worldwide demand for commodities and supply chain disruptions are delaying our ability to complete the project’s full scope.  Keeping this hotel under wraps until it is absolutely ready is the right thing to do. We’re in an environment of great expectation and when our guests arrive, it will be a place of Caribbean calm and cool that will definitely have been worth the wait.”

Guests with reservations at Sandals Royal Bahamian during its closure will be accommodated at the available Sandals Resorts location of their choice including Sandals Emerald Bay in Great Exuma for guests wishing to keep their reservation in the Bahamas.  Sandals Resorts will assume all airline change fees. 

Sandals® Resorts

Sandals® Resorts offers two people in love the most romantic, Luxury Included® vacation experience in the Caribbean. With 15 stunning beachfront settings in Jamaica, Antigua, Saint Lucia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, and a 16th location coming to Curacao Spring 2022, Sandals Resorts offers more quality inclusions than any other resort company on the planet. Signature Love Nest Butler Suites® for the ultimate in privacy and service; butlers trained by the Guild of Professional English Butlers; the Red Lane Spa®; 5-Star Global Gourmet™ dining, ensuring top-shelf liquor, premium wines, and gourmet specialty restaurants; Aqua Centers with expert PADI® certification and training; fast Wi-Fi from beach to bedroom and Sandals Customizable Weddings are all Sandals Resorts exclusives. Sandals Resorts guarantees guests peace of mind from arrival to departure with the Sandals Platinum Protocols of Cleanliness, the company’s enhanced health and safety measures designed to give guests the utmost confidence when vacationing in the Caribbean. Sandals Resorts is part of family-owned Sandals Resorts International (SRI), founded by the late Gordon “Butch” Stewart, which includes Beaches Resorts and is the Caribbean’s leading all-inclusive resort company. For more information about the Sandals Resorts Luxury Included® difference, visit www.sandals.com.

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

Anita Johnson-Patty, General Manager, Global Communications, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation, ajohnson@bahamas.com , Weber Shandwick, Public Relations, Bahamas@webershandwick.com

Sandals Resorts launches 30 days of honeymoon do overs

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To celebrate newlyweds that didn’t get their dream honeymoon during the pandemic, the experts in love and romance at Sandals® Resorts is giving couples a second chance with 30 days of Honeymoon Do Overs.

“This past year was difficult for all, and there’s nothing that makes us happier than welcoming couples back onto our Caribbean beaches and celebrating their love stories and long-awaited milestones,” said Marsha-Ann Donaldson-Brown, Director of Romance at Sandals Resorts International. “When honeymoons and wedding plans came to a halt last year, our team worked with our couples to provide real-time solutions, including rescheduling their special days to whenever they were ready. Love and romance is what we’re all about at Sandals Resorts, and we’re thrilled to give couples the honeymoons they deserve so they can celebrate their love the right way, in paradise.”

Every day from June 15 through July 14, 2021, Sandals Resorts will randomly surprise one deserving couple and award them with a complimentary 7-day/6-night Luxury Included® honeymoon to any of their resorts in Jamaica, Antigua, Grenada, St. Lucia, the Bahamas and Barbados, for a grand total of 30 giveaways. Winners will be announced weekly with four grand prize winners receiving a honeymoon for two in a Love Nest Butler Suite® and 26 first prize winners receiving a honeymoon in a deluxe accommodation. To enter the sweepstakes, newlyweds can either nominate themselves or another couple with up to a 400-character summary of why they are deserving of a dream honeymoon do over.

As the resorts made for two people in love, Sandals incorporates romance at every turn with everything from Love Nest Butler Suites® and romantic candlelight dinners to over-the-water hammocks made for two and private plunge pools designed for the ultimate seclusion. When vacationing at any of Sandals Resorts’ 15 beachfront locations across the Caribbean, couples can indulge in as many as 16 unique restaurants per resort, as well as the most innovative bars, such as Latitudes Overwater Bar – Sandals’ first overwater bar concept featuring 360° ocean views and an array of cocktails. Additionally, guests have access to endless land and water sports, such as snorkeling and paddle boarding, along with day and night entertainment, making for a one-of-a-kind, all-inclusive rendezvous for two where “love is all you need.”

To enter Sandals Resorts’ Honeymoon Do Over Sweepstakes, visit https://www.sandals.com/honeymoon-do-over-sweepstakes/. To learn more about Sandals’ Luxury Included® honeymoon experience and to book a “Honeymoon Do Over” of your own, visit www.sandals.com/honeymoons.

Sandals® Resorts

Sandals® Resorts offers two people in love the most romantic, Luxury Included® vacation experience in the Caribbean. With 15 stunning beachfront settings in Jamaica, Antigua, Saint Lucia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, and a 16th location coming to Curacao Spring 2022, Sandals Resorts offers more quality inclusions than any other resort company on the planet. Signature Love Nest Butler Suites® for the ultimate in privacy and service; butlers trained by the Guild of Professional English Butlers; the Red Lane Spa®; 5-Star Global Gourmet™ dining, ensuring top-shelf liquor, premium wines, and gourmet specialty restaurants; Aqua Centers with expert PADI® certification and training; fast Wi-Fi from beach to bedroom and Sandals Customizable Weddings are all Sandals Resorts exclusives. Sandals Resorts guarantees guests peace of mind from arrival to departure with the Sandals Platinum Protocols of Cleanliness, the company’s enhanced health and safety measures designed to give guests the utmost confidence when vacationing in the Caribbean. Sandals Resorts is part of family-owned Sandals Resorts International (SRI), founded by the late Gordon “Butch” Stewart, which includes Beaches Resorts and is the Caribbean’s leading all-inclusive resort company. For more information about the Sandals Resorts Luxury Included® difference, visit www.sandals.com.

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

Greg Norman named Global Golf Ambassador for Sandals® Resorts International

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Greg Norman and Sandals Resorts International announced today that the renowned golf pro will serve as the Global Golf Ambassador for all of Sandals Resorts’ premier golf destinations spanning three islands including Sandals Emerald Bay in Exuma, Bahamas, Sandals Golf Club at Sandals Regency La Toc, Sandals St. Lucia Golf and Country Club at Cap Estate in St. Lucia and Sandals Golf and Country Club in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.  

In his new and expanded role, Norman will appear in strategic marketing campaigns for Sandals Resorts across print, digital and social media, as well as through personal appearances and special events for the Luxury Included® resort company and its golf destinations. He will also serve in an advisory role and provide tactical direction for the niche golf and travel market to bring world-class golfing experiences to Sandals Resorts for players at every skill level.

“It is almost unheard of for one hotelier to have so many premier and exotic pieces of Caribbean real estate, prime for world-class golf courses, catering to guests from all over the world. My good friends at Sandals have done just that, and it is an honor to be asked by the Stewart family to officially represent all of these properties,” said Norman. “Already renowned as the name behind the world’s only five-star luxury included resorts, I am confident that our expanded partnership will amplify the Sandals Resorts golf experience and further set them apart. “

To celebrate the expanded partnership between Sandals Resorts International and Greg Norman, the resort company is launching a “Play Like ‘The Shark’ Golf Sweepstakes,” giving one lucky couple the chance to win a 4-day/3-night stay to any one of their six Luxury Included® Caribbean golf resorts now through July 9th, 2021, including: Sandals Emerald Bay in the Bahamas, Sandals Ochi and Sandals Royal Plantation in Jamaica, and Sandals Regency La Toc, Sandals Grande St. Lucian, and Sandals Halcyon Beach in Saint Lucia.

Additionally, guests can elevate their stay by booking a limited-time “Play Like ‘The Shark’ Offer,” valued at $1,250, at any of Sandals’ golf destinations. Reservations of four nights or more made now through July 9, 2021, for travel between July 1, 2021, and December 26, 2022, are eligible to receive:

  • Complimentary Green Fees and Transfers
  • The use of Golf Carts, Clubs and Shoes for multiple rounds of golf
  • $150 Spa Credit to utilize at the Resort’s Signature Red Lane® Spa to unwind after a day of play
  • Custom Tips and Tricks from Sandals’ Global Golf Ambassador, Greg Norman
  • 20% Discount on all Greg Norman Collection merchandise from the Sandals Golf Course Pro Shops

To enter the “Play Like ‘The Shark’ Golf Sweepstakes” or take advantage of the “Play Like ‘The Shark’ Golf Offer,” visit www.sandals.com/playliketheshark/.

“Greg Norman is an incredible partner who understands and shares our philosophy of consistently delivering more than the customer expects,” said Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International. “For many travelers, golf is the reason for the vacation, but even for those new to the game, our partnership with Greg and his team ensures that guests of Sandals’ golf resorts across the Caribbean enjoy an incredible, world-class experience.”

Most recently, Greg Norman Golf Course Design (GNGCD) has collaborated with Sandals Resorts to completely redesign Sandals St. Lucia Golf & Country Club at Cap Estate in Gros Islet, St. Lucia. The remastered 18-hole, par 71 championship caliber layout boasts 7,000+ yards of dramatic elevation changes with undulating greens backdropped by the lush Caribbean vegetation of St. Lucia and the island’s remarkable natural beauty.

“We can hardly wait to unveil the extraordinary transformation that has taken place at Sandals St. Lucia Golf and Country Club at Cap Estate. Our plans include an official ribbon cutting in late Summer to commemorate this remarkable design project,” Stewart continued. 

Sandals is home to four courses across three islands within the Caribbean, including two Greg Norman-designed championship courses:

Bahamas:

Sandals Emerald Bay Golf Course (Great Exuma, Bahamas)

Located directly on property at Sandals Emerald Bay Golf, Tennis & Spa Resort and designed by World Golf Hall of Famer Greg Norman, this award-winning golf course preserves the landscape’s pristine beauty and natural barriers and is recognized as one of the most scenic ocean-side golf courses in the Caribbean. From 2017-2020, the resort’s championship golf course proudly served as host of “The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic at Sandals Emerald Bay,” a PGA-sanctioned Korn Ferry Tour event.

St. Lucia:

Sandals St. Lucia Golf & Country Club at Cap Estate (Gros Islet, Saint Lucia)

The all-new Sandals St. Lucia Golf & Country Club at Cap Estate features a complete tee-to-green redesign with remarkable backdrops, dramatic elevation changes and lush tropical vegetation that can only be found in St. Lucia. The 18-hole par 71 design is rich in shot-making variety offering a course that’s both fun and challenging for Sandals guests and the club members alike. The Sandals St. Lucia Golf & Country Club at Cap Estate marks the second course designed by GNGCD in the Sandals portfolio.

Sandals Golf Club at Sandals Regency La Toc (Castries, Saint Lucia)

This sporty 9-hole golf course is nestled in a picturesque valley surrounded by lush, villa-studded hills. Measuring only 3,141 yards, this course challenges you to sharpen your club-selection skills and several holes demand laser-like accuracy to chart their tunnel-tight layout.

Jamaica:

Sandals Golf & Country Club (Ocho Rios, Jamaica)

Consistently ranked amongst the best in Jamaica, the course rises over 700 feet above sea level and meanders through a rolling landscape offering sweeping views of the Caribbean Sea and majestic mountain range. Complimentary 15-minute transfers are available for Sandals Ochi and Sandals Royal Plantation guests.

For more information on the Sandals golf resorts and courses available to guests staying in The Bahamas, St. Lucia and Jamaica, please visit: www.sandals.com/golf/resorts/.

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

Sandals Resorts Barbados: Opened and welcoming guests

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It was what Sandals Resorts International Executive Chairman Adam Stewart called a landmark day when 2 of their Barbados hotels reopened last month, the last to do so since the pandemic arrived over a year ago.

“Today is a landmark day for Sandals Resorts International, marking the first time since the start of the pandemic, that we are operational in every Caribbean destination we serve,” said Stewart. “This is a testament to our incredible team, our loyal guests and travel advisors who trust our brands to deliver on our promises of putting the health and safety of their customers first.”

All Sandals Resorts, except for Sandals Royal Bahamian, which is undergoing an extensive transformation and will reopen November 4, are fully open and operational. All 3 Beaches Resorts, with locations in Jamaica and Turks and Caicos, are also open.

“We are thrilled to get back to work in every destination where we operate in the Caribbean. And while it is a joy to welcome guests and satisfy the pent-up demand for our style of luxury included vacationing, it is also extremely gratifying to know that we are part of a tourism engine that will bring real and meaningful opportunity to our team members and the greater Caribbean community. We are proud to have led the reopening efforts throughout the Caribbean and set a standard for how to safely and successfully welcome back travelers. It’s really a great day and just the beginning,” said Stewart.

Barbados is home to exotic locales, a rich history, and an extensive variety of sports and activities. With a spectacular landscape that changes dramatically from one town to the next, each locale possesses an equally sundry pace, offering activities and entertainment for nature lovers, club-goers, and adventurers alike. This exotic gem reveals deep caverns and monkey-populated forests against a setting of rocky cliffs, white-sand beaches, and sparkling seas. Barbados offers 2 Luxury Included® adults-only resorts, featuring Sandals first ever rooftop pool, first craft beer garden, and gourmet dining at 18 unique restaurants.

In addition to the 2 resorts in Barbados, guests are welcome in the Bahamas at Emerald Bay; Jamaica at Montego Bay, Royal Caribbean, Negril, South Coast, Ochi, and Royal Plantation; Antigua at Grande Antigua; Saint Lucia at Regency La Toc, Grande St. Lucia, and Halcyon Beach; and Grenada at St. George’s, Grenada.

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

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At Sandals Resorts a guest review is worth a thousand words

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In a world of search engines and websites that review everything from food to hotel stays and more, the guest or customer has become king. What they say is now available to the masses for consumption, and what they say matters.

Sandals Resorts has been named the World’s Leading All-inclusive Company for 25 years in a row, and there are so many good reasons for that. The best source is guests who have already had the good fortune to experience a Sandals vacation. Read on – or listen to – what recent guests had to say about their stays at a Sandals luxury all-inclusive beach resort.

Sandals Regency La Toc

Castries – Saint Lucia

sna555 – 1 month ago on TripAdvisor

AMAZING WEEK

Stayed in the Seaview bluffs with a private Butler. 5 star service. Anything and everything you needed was immediately taken care of. Dinner reservations made, beach and all pool service. All excursions. Gem, Donovan and Owen ” the A team” were the best. the resort was top notch and food, fun and relaxing. Definitely will return.

Sandals Grande Antigua

St. Johns – Antigua and Barbuda

JodyLMas – 1 month ago on TripAdvisor

Soya Sushi!!!

The best part of Sandals Antigua was the sushi restaurant called Soy!!! Jessica and George were amazing sushi chefs! They put so much love and care into making a beautiful tasty meal for their guests! We ate at Soy three nights in a row!!! Thank you for an amazing trip and so many memorable meals!!!

Sandals Emerald Bay

Great Exuma – Bahamas

Prizzis – 1 month ago on TripAdvisor

A PARADISE GARDEN

What a beautiful setting! The garden would qualify for a botanical garden, it’s a art work. Add to this super friendly staff, great restaurants (beat pizza ever for example), two gorgeous pool areas and an endless private beach and you are close to paradise. It has its price but it’s worth it.

Sandals Royal Bahamian

Nassau – Bahamas

Paul B – 5 months ago on Google

Wife and I went here for our honeymoon. We loved every second of it. Friendly staff beautiful rooms, gorgeous pools. Will definitely be going back some day!

Sandals Barbados

St. Lawrence Gap – Barbados

Stev256 – 4 months ago on TripAdvisor

Barbados Honeymoon

Amazing trip to Barbados. Sandals handled all COVID protections very well while still making our trip wonderful. All the food was delicious, our room was exactly what we wanted on the honeymoon, and the beaches and pools were very relaxing.

Sandals Royal Barbados

St. Lawrence Gap – Barbados

medozier92 – 4 months ago on TripAdvisor

Amazing Butlers!!

Aileen, Princess and Shontelle made our honeymoon the most amazing time! They are so accommodating and truly want you to have the best experience. Covid made things a little different at the resort, but we still had a great time in paradise! Our favorite restaurants were the French restaurant and Butch’s steak and seafood. Also, Brian the photographer with Epix takes amazing pictures and is so much fun to talk to! We plan on visiting another Sandals location in the near future!

Sandals Grenada

St. George’s – Grenada

Keith M – 5 months ago on Google

Gorgeous hotel! Love the area also. Friendly staff and clean rooms! Will be going back!

Sandals Montego Bay

Montego Bay – Jamaica

SOCAWARRIOR4U – 1 month ago on TripAdvisor

Birthday getaway

The resort was excellent, the room was outstanding the beach was very clean, very organize and the water was very calm. The butlers Andre and Orion were very attentive to our needs they were charming, professional and went above and beyond their duty to make our stay as pleasant as possible.

Sandals Negril

Negril – Jamaica

dannykH3336GF – 1 month ago on TripAdvisor

Chris at the Piano Bar

We had a great visit to Sandals Negril! Chris at the piano bar makes the best drinks!! Try a Chris Mojito, he knows how to make it right. Also, Myron our butler was wonderful!! Tovia, a waitress, is a doll. She is so sweet and will do whatever she can to make you feel like a friend and has amazing fresh mango. If you have any food allergies, AnnMarie will make sure you are taken care of and Dayna will follow you from restaurant to restaurant catering all your needs. All of the people are incredible. It’s what makes it great!!

Sandals Ochi

Ocho Rios – Jamaica

cindykX3486OA – 1 month ago on TripAdvisor

Stacy and Omhar were amazing. This resort was so clean. Sanitizer everywhere. Best customer service I have ever had. Being in the hospitality business, that is the highest compliment. We will be back. Thank you!

Sandals Royal Caribbean

Montego Bay – Jamaica

Road589815 – 1 month ago on TripAdvisor

1st time will be returning!!

1st time with Sandals and to Jamaica. It was an amazing experience. Great food – one of the waitresses at the Royal Thai Natasha G brought in a bread fruit and had one of the cooks prepare it for us, fun things to do even with an island weekend curfew. Water sports are our thing and Patrick the Captain at Montego Bay wakeboarding and took us snorkeling and just hung out while we were in the water for over an hour. The butler service is well worth it GayAnn and Kemar took great care of us and all the little extras they did to make our 20 yr Anniversary special were amazing. Would for sure recommend the Royal Caribean and we will be returning.

Sandals Royal Plantation

Ocho Rios – Jamaica

P5546BXcarlh – 1 month ago on TripAdvisor

28th Wedding Anniversary

The care and hospitality we received was first class. The dinning was outstanding and well proportioned. The beach and was fabulous and well kept. The Beach attendances were attentive and engaging. The overall courtesy from the complete staff was above reproach.

Sandals Halcyon Beach

Castries – Saint Lucia

GoPlaces595250 – 1 month ago on TripAdvisor

Best bartender ever

Yannil at the main pool bar is awesome. She is personable and fun. She is also “Johnny on the spot” and all around the best. She also has a great team of co workers, Simeon, Shara and everyone else that works at Halcyon. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Thanks Yannil and the Halcyon team…good vibes til we meet again.

Sandals South Coast

Whitehouse – Jamaica

H9866PLjillr – 1 month ago on TripAdvisor

The Best Vacation Ever!

Walking into our room I thought that was going to be the best part of our trip. We stayed in the brand new rondovals which was absolutely amazing! Our own little oasis from home! HOWEVER, our butlers took the prize! Venace & Romeo put the icing on the cake! They made our honeymoon even more spectacular. They went above and beyond doing things for us on a daily basis. Setting us up at the beach or pool, bringing us room service 24/7, decorating our room every day, constantly checking in on us, making sure we had the most perfect seat at dinner are just a few of the many things they did for us this week! If you travel to Sandals at South Coast we not only recommend requesting Venace & Romeo to be your butlers but DEFINITELY get a butler for your stay!

Sandals Grande St. Lucian

Gros-Islet – Saint Lucia

BoBrunk – 1 month ago on TripAdvisor

Grande Stay

We really enjoyed this resort. The Rondoval rooms were great. The Butlers were on point. We had a a blast on property. We loved JJ’s Boat excursion. We got open water certified and it was so quick and easy. Thanks Natalia.

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

Sandals Resorts and ASTA reveal key travel trends ahead of summer rush

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In celebration of National Travel Advisor Day, Sandals® Resorts partnered on a research study with the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) to examine travelers’ attitudes and behaviors ahead of the expected rush on summer travel.

The study, the first joint research project between Sandals Resorts and ASTA, provides key insights on travel advisor usage and explores destinations, trends, and travel preferences.

“Travelers are eager to make up for missed moments and get back to the fun of dreaming about and finally, taking their vacations. This research highlights the importance of trusted advice going hand in hand with trusted brands as part of their travel planning journey,” said Sandals Resorts Executive Vice President Global Sales & Industry Relationships Gary Sadler. “Expertise matters. We have long celebrated these pros whose guidance makes travel and traveling simply better, especially today.”

“Thanks to our partners at Sandals Resorts, this year we have good news to celebrate on National Travel Advisor Day,” said Zane Kerby, President & CEO of ASTA. “This research focuses on the changing landscape for travel with an eye towards helping advisors understand the importance of their role as advocates for their clients. The good news for travel advisors is that we’re seeing a strong increase in overall demand for travel and as a result – travelers are turning to the experts for advice.”

KEY FINDINGS

Use of Travel Advisors

•             More than one-fourth of travelers (27%) always or often used a travel advisor prior to the pandemic. 

  • The more trips a traveler took in the past three years, the more likely he/she used a travel advisor. Among those who took six or more trips in the past three years, 39% always/often used a travel advisor compared to 12% who took one or two trips.

•             After the pandemic is over, nearly half of travelers (44%) are more likely to use a travel advisor.

  • Not surprisingly, nearly all travelers (94%) who always/often used a travel advisor before the pandemic are likely to use one after the pandemic. Among those who sometimes or rarely used a travel advisor pre-pandemic, 44% are likely to use one after the pandemic.

•             People who always or often used a travel advisor are more ready to travel within the next three months (72%) compared to non-travel advisor users (47%).

•             People who use a travel advisor are more likely to: 

– Stay at an all-inclusive resort, 33% vs. 16%

– Go abroad as soon as they can, 35% vs 18% of non-travel advisor users. 

– Take a cruise, 36% vs 10%

Travel Preferences

•             45% of people who always use a travel advisor rank quality time without kids as a top priority compared to 13% of non-travel advisor users. 

•             70% of people who use a travel advisor rank ‘having a leisurely dinner’ as an important aspect of their next vacation compared to 51% of non-travel advisor users. When it comes to traveling with a significant other, travelers who use a travel advisor seem more inclined to focus on aspects of their trip that augment quality time and worry-free planning.

•             53% percent of travelers desire quiet time on the beach or by the pool. 

•             More than half of travelers are ready to travel now (29%) or within the next three months (25%). By the end of 2021, all but 19% of travelers will be ready to travel again.

– Among those who always/often used a travel advisor pre-pandemic, 72% will be ready to travel within three months.

– Among those who took six or more trips in the past three years, two-thirds (66%) will be ready to travel within 3 months.

Moving the needle with non-travel advisor users

•             Complimentary room upgrade. 55% of people who never use a travel advisor rank a complimentary room upgrade as important. This is a potential area of opportunity for travel advisors who are marketing to new clients. 

•             Free breakfast anyone? 72% of people who never use a travel advisor rank ‘free breakfast’ as an important amenity on their next trip. This is another area of opportunity for travel advisors’ marketing efforts. 

•             Large percentages of travelers also desire for gratuities be included (48%), to enjoy personalized experiences (44%) or to receive complimentary fine dining (44%).

•             Relationships and Trust: 55% of travelers who have never used a travel advisor are more likely to use one if it means they have access to the travel advisor’s special relationships and insider access. 51% of travelers who have never used a travel advisor are more likely to use one because the travel advisor puts the client’s interest above their own. 

Travel Destinations

•             The desirability of travel destinations has changed during the pandemic. Although nearly two-thirds of travelers (62%) desire going on vacation in the USA, nearly half (45%) would like to go to Europe, followed by 44% wishing to travel to the Caribbean. 

– This is in stark contrast to a survey of travelers conducted by ASTA in January 2020 where 75% of travelers planned to take a trip within the USA and 17% had Europe on their itinerary. 

– The 44% of travelers who want to take a trip to the Caribbean this year represent a 33% increase from January 2020.

•             Desired traveler activities have also changed during the pandemic. The most desirable activities involve visiting historical places (53%), pristine beaches and sunsets (49%) or unique dining experiences (47%). Only 29% say they would like to visit a big city. 

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

Sandals Resorts embarks on 10,000-tree sustainability mission

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Sandals Resorts International through its Sandals Foundation celebrated on Earth Day the work to bring guests together with efforts for environmental sustainability.

On Earth Day, Sandals Resorts International honored its longstanding commitment to environmental and marine conservation by celebrating the work of its philanthropic arm, the not-for-profit Sandals Foundation that highlights the intractable relationship between the visitor and the visited.

This year, the Sandals Foundation is embarking on an intensified mission of planting 10,000 fruit, timber, and mangrove trees to protect terrestrial and coastal zones across the Caribbean.         

According to SRI Executive Chairman Adam Stewart, an expert on the connections between tourism and its impact on local economies, the success of tourism and the livelihoods of Caribbean people are inextricably linked to the health of the environment. “As small island nations, our ability to preserve and protect the beauty as well as the productivity of our lands is crucial. This is why we work with local farmers and fishers on methods to responsibly meet demand; recruit, train and offer educational advancement to Caribbean people who are uniquely invested in its future; and why on Earth Day, we celebrate the work of the Foundation that has made it easy for those who visit our part of the world, to take part in its ongoing achievement,” said Stewart.

The Foundation’s effort forms part of a larger Caribbean Tree Planting Project that is being coordinated by the Caribbean Philanthropic Alliance in collaboration with Trees That Feed Foundation, the Clinton Global Initiative, and other partners. Together, they aim to help achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals by planting one million trees across 14 Caribbean countries by June 2022.

Professor Rosalea Hamilton, Chairperson for the Caribbean Philanthropic Alliance, said tree planting was identified as a practical activity to help mitigate the threat of climate change. “The environmental, economic and related social benefits of planting trees are essential for Caribbean development. Planting trees not only improves soil and water conservation, provides shade, stores carbon, regulates temperature extremes, and improves the land’s capacity to adapt to climate change, but it also provides sustainable livelihoods for many in need,” Hamilton said.

The commitment from the Sandals Foundation, Prof. Hamilton said, “is a great example of corporate partnership and social responsibility in accelerating the achievement of SDGs in the Caribbean.”

Over the last 12 years, the Sandals Foundation has engaged local schools, community groups, partners, team members, travel agents, and guests to plant more than 17,000 trees across the Caribbean. Heidi Clarke, Executive Director of the Sandals Foundation, said this year’s intensified tree planting mission reaffirms the foundation’s commitment to the region.

“This year has profoundly demonstrated how interconnected we are as a global community,” said Clarke. “Our Caribbean ecosystem is an essential part of the fabric which makes this region the place of choice for millions of visitors annually. We will continue to explore opportunities that connect guests to our home through their contribution to and participation in programs that improve the health of our beautiful natural resources for generations to come.”

Those wishing to support the tree planting efforts underway can visit the Sandals Foundation website and donate to the “Caribbean Tree Planting Project.” One hundred percent of all funds donated will be directed towards purchasing seedlings and maintaining the plant sites to ensure tree survival.

In addition to its current tree planting efforts, the Sandals Foundation has an extensive record of environmental conservation initiatives including the creation and management of two marine sanctuaries, providing operational support for 14 marine and forested areas in the region, training local residents as environmental wardens and coral gardeners to plant more than 8,000 coral fragments, collecting close to 60,000 pounds of solid waste from coastal communities, and assisting in the safe release of over 100,000 sea turtles into the Caribbean Sea.

Environmental education is a major component of the foundation’s conservation efforts with more than 40,000 people engaged in environmental awareness activities. The philanthropic organization is also working closely with Ministry of Education in The Bahamas and the Bahamas National Trust to develop the island’s first-ever environmentally focused segment of its National Primary Science Curriculum to improve environmental literacy in that country.

Sandals Resorts partners with Oceanic Global, a non-profit focused on providing solutions to issues impacting our oceans – to eliminate single-use plastic across its resorts. Sandals has garnered sustainability-driven accolades such as the CHA/AMEX Caribbean Environmental Award for Green Hotel of the Year, the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences Green Six Star Diamond Award, and the PADI Green Star Award. Each resort has a dedicated Environment, Health and Safety Manager charged with implementing and managing sustainable programs, including but not limited to the installation of solar water heaters, the retrofitting of lighting and equipment for better energy performance and efficiency, and the composting of food waste.

For more information about Sandals Resorts, please visit www.sandals.com and follow along on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

About Sandals Resorts International

Sandals Resorts International (SRI) is the parent company of some of travel’s most visible brands including Sandals Resorts, Beaches Resorts and Grand Pineapple Beach Resorts. Founded by the late Gordon “Butch” Stewart in 1981, SRI is based in Montego Bay, Jamaica and is responsible for resort development, service standards, training, and day-to-day operations.

About the Sandals Foundation

The Sandals Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts International (SRI), the Caribbean’s leading family-owned resort company. The 501(c)(3) non-profit organization was created to continue and expand upon the charitable work that Sandals Resorts International has undertaken since its founding in 1981 to play a meaningful role in the lives of the communities where SRI operates throughout the Caribbean. The Sandals Foundation funds projects in three core areas: education, community and the environment. One hundred percent of the monies contributed by the general public to the Sandals Foundation go directly to programs benefiting the Caribbean community. To learn more about the Sandals Foundation, visit online at www.sandalsfoundation.org or on social media @sandalsfdn.

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

Sandals Resorts Jamaica adds exciting new resorts

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Sandals Resorts International has announced the acquisition of 2 iconic properties and the purchase of prime beachfront land in Jamaica.

Signaling the brand’s ongoing confidence in the destination, Sandals Resorts International (SRI), the Caribbean’s leading luxury all-inclusive resort company, is making it clear that it is confident in destination Jamaica with the addition of 3 new hotels.

Sandals Resorts International Chairman Adam Stewart said they will be transforming 2 all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica that they acquired last year – the former Jewel Dunn’s River Beach Resort & Spa in Ocho Rios and Jewel Runaway Bay Beach Resort & Waterpark – along with a prime parcel of beachfront land adjacent to the Ocho Rios resort. These new properties will offer 3 distinct experiences under the Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts brands.

The expansion plans return one of Jamaica’s most storied resorts, the Dunn’s River property in Ocho Rios, back to the Sandals family as Sandals Dunn’s River, the same moniker as when it was originally added to the portfolio in 1990. 

“Sandals Dunn’s River holds special meaning to our family because its history is the story of Jamaica’s evolution as a travel powerhouse.  My father grew up on the beach in Ocho Rios and this hotel, the first of its kind when it was built in the 1950s, captured the era’s glamour and sparked his imagination.  When it became available, we jumped at the chance to bring the hotel back into the Sandals fold,” said Stewart.

Stewart said the new Sandals Dunn’s River will receive a top-to-bottom renovation with the adjacent ocean-front land transformed into an additional brand-new resort: Sandals Royal Dunn’s River, a modern luxurious escape featuring approximately 250 lavish rooms and suites.  The sister hotels will operate very much like the concept SRI developed between Sandals Barbados and Sandals Royal Barbados, offering generous exchange privileges between the two all-inclusive resorts in Barbados, giving guests tremendous and convenient dining and amenity options.

The Runaway Bay resort, a renowned Jamaican property hotel located midway between Ocho Rios and Montego Bay, will also undergo extensive redevelopment to become Beaches Runaway Bay Resort, the third family-friendly Beaches Resort in Jamaica.  At its completion, the hotel will feature an estimated 400 expansive one, two, three and four-bedroom suites, designed with extended families in mind.  Guests of Beaches Runaway Bay also have access to Runaway Bay Golf Club and its par-72, 18-hole championship golf course.

“Jamaica will always play a critical part in our plans to grow and innovate Caribbean hospitality. There is tremendous opportunity here and a ripe moment, as leisure travelers are choosing to return to the places and brands that they know and trust,” said Stewart.

Sandals Resorts International

Sandals Resorts International (SRI) is the parent company of some of travel’s most visible brands including Sandals® Resorts, Beaches® Resorts, Grand Pineapple Beach Resort, Fowl Cay Resort and Your Jamaican Villas. Founded in 1981 by the late Gordon “Butch” Stewart, SRI is based in Montego Bay, Jamaica and is responsible for resort development, service standards, skills training and day-to-day operations. For more information, visit Sandals Resorts International.

Sandals® Resorts

Sandals® Resorts offers two people in love the most romantic, Luxury Included® vacation experience in the Caribbean. With 15 stunning beachfront settings in Jamaica, Antigua, Saint Lucia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, and a 16th location coming to Curacao Spring 2022, Sandals Resorts offers more quality inclusions than any other resort company on the planet. Signature Love Nest Butler Suites® for the ultimate in privacy and service; butlers trained by the Guild of Professional English Butlers; the Red Lane Spa®; 5-Star Global Gourmet™ dining, ensuring top-shelf liquor, premium wines, and gourmet specialty restaurants; Aqua Centers with expert PADI® certification and training; fast Wi-Fi from beach to bedroom and Sandals Customizable Weddings are all Sandals Resorts exclusives. Sandals Resorts guarantees guests peace of mind from arrival to departure with the Sandals Platinum Protocols of Cleanliness, the company’s enhanced health and safety measures designed to give guests the utmost confidence when vacationing in the Caribbean. Sandals Resorts is part of family-owned Sandals Resorts International (SRI), founded by the late Gordon “Butch” Stewart, which includes Beaches Resorts and is the Caribbean’s leading all-inclusive resort company. For more information about the Sandals Resorts Luxury Included® difference, visit www.sandals.com.

Beaches® Resorts

With three spectacular locations in Turks & Caicos and Jamaica, and a fourth location coming to St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Beaches® Resorts is the ultimate getaway for every member of the family. Beaches Resorts provides more quality inclusions than any other resort company on the planet with outrageous waterparks, XBOX® Play Lounges, exclusive Kids Camps, teen nightclubs, Certified Nannies, Butler service, Red Lane® Spas, Aqua Centers with expert PADI® certification and training; and free Wi-Fi. As a proud sponsor of Sesame Street, Beaches Resorts also offers the Caribbean Adventures with Sesame Street®, where kids can spend their vacation with their favorite friends from the Sesame Street gang with daily activities and weekly stage shows. Beaches Resorts are the perfect place for family gatherings from reunions and special birthdays to the signature destination wedding program, Beaches Customizable Weddings. Beaches Resorts guarantees guests peace of mind from arrival to departure with the Beaches Platinum Protocols of Cleanliness, the company’s enhanced health and safety measures designed to give guests the utmost confidence when vacationing in the Caribbean. Beaches Resorts is part of family-owned Sandals Resorts International (SRI), founded by the late Gordon “Butch” Stewart, that includes Luxury Included® Sandals Resorts, and is the Caribbean’s leading all-inclusive resort company.  For more information about the Beaches Resorts, visit www.beaches.com.

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

Sandals gives complimentary vacations to 300 Caribbean health care workers

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Sandals Resorts International announced this month its decision to provide 300 health care workers across the Caribbean islands in which it operates with complimentary 2-night stays at its award-winning all-inclusive resorts.

The gesture, according to Sandals Executive Chairman, Adam Stewart, is in recognition of the selfless efforts of local health care workers across the region, who continue to exhibit admirable bravery and make tremendous sacrifices in the face of what has now become a year-long fight.

“Our health care workers have been our heroes throughout this pandemic,” Stewart said. “This has been an extremely difficult year for everyone but our heroes on the front lines and our healthcare workers in particular have demonstrated a level of perseverance and commitment that is awe-inspiring. This is our way of saying thank you and showing our appreciation for what we know has been a very difficult time. These vacations are well-deserved and we can’t wait to roll out the red carpet and pamper our heroes at our Luxury-Included resorts.”

The resort company will work closely with Ministries of Health in the seven islands where it operates to identify the beneficiaries of the latest act, starting in Jamaica where the company is working with the Ministry of Health’s Staff Welfare Programs Department to gift a number of the island’s healthcare workers with much-deserved vacations.

Health care workers in Antigua, Barbados, The Bahamas, Grenada, Saint Lucia and The Turks and Caicos Islands are also set to receive complimentary vacations.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, the Sandals Group has consistently lent its support to the fight, supporting regional governments in their efforts to combat the disease and sharing its robust Platinum Protocols of Cleanliness document with regional travel and tourism associations and other resorts to assist in the safe reopening of the region’s tourism industry at large.

Speaking on the company’s consistent efforts, Stewart said, “This fight is not just for the Government. This is everyone’s fight. The private sector must join hands with the public sector so we can fight this pandemic together. We have all been affected by this pandemic and we continue to be affected one year later. This is everyone’s challenge and finding solutions should be everyone’s business. Sandals Resorts International remains committed to playing our part and we are thrilled to be able to extend this latest offer to our very deserving health care workers.”

To learn more about Sandals Resorts International, visit: https://www.sandals.com/about/

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

Jamaica’s Tourism Minister mourns the passing of tourism icon Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart

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Tourism Minister, Hon Edmund Bartlett has expressed deep sadness at the passing of tourism stalwart Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart.

“Butch was truly an icon and innovator, philanthropist and perhaps the greatest marketer tourism has ever seen. Sandals is indeed the largest and most enduring brand created by a Caribbean entrepreneur in tourism and arguably the world today and the standard by which luxury All Inclusive is judged. I hail him as a father, leader, benefactor, and the greatest tourism entrepreneur of our time. His passing is truly devastating,” said the Minister.

Stewart was the founder of Sandals Resorts, the leading hotel chain in the Caribbean, Beaches Resorts, and their parent company Sandals Resorts International. He was also the founder and chairman of the ATL Group of Companies and the Jamaica Observer.

“Gordon Butch Stewart has made an indelible mark. He has established himself as not just the standard by which entrepreneurship can be judged, but he has established a brand that has become global and is also the strongest statement that small island states such as Jamaica can make on global scenes, irrespective of their areas of involvement,” said Bartlett.

“I think that we can look back on his life and times and draw inspiration from the success that he has had. But I think, most importantly, we can be inspired by his resilience and the fact that he has started from nowhere, and has ended up as being one of the most celebrated human beings that Jamaica has produced in the last century,” He added.

Stewart ventured into the hospitality business in 1981 with the acquisition of properties in Montego Bay, St James, one of which was upgraded and later launched as the precursor to what is now Sandals Montego Bay.

Stewart has been bestowed with a number of honours over the years, including the Order of Jamaica (OJ), Commander of the Order of Distinction (OD) and Global Iconic legend of tourism at a UNWTO gala dinner held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in 2017.

“I, on behalf of the entire Ministry of Tourism, want to pay our very deep respect and regards to him and say to his family, your gift to us is going to be what will inspire us, particularly through this difficult period of COVID-19.  It is a hard moment to say good bye but it is a great moment for us to draw inspiration and to be guided to the future,” said the Minister.

“He was a fierce champion, and I thank God that a Butch Stewart was among us. We thank God for the legacy that he has left behind and we have to draw on that great inspiration and to build a stronger and better place for ourselves and posterity,” he added.

The Honorable Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart OJ. CD. Hon. LLD. was 79 years old.

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