When was sandals resort established

Butch Stewart was not only a respected hotelier, he was businessman, a marketer, innovator, philanthropist, family man and mentor. He left a lasting impression on anyone who crossed his path and left a legacy of love and passion within the travel industry.

In honor of his legacy, Sandals Resorts International has established two new programs to further his passion. Furthermore, the Sandals Foundation has developed a dedicated Marine Conservation effort in his name to protect the Caribbean Sea he loved. A devoted father and grandfather, Gordon Butch Stewart made his life in the Caribbean and his legacy will last far beyond his own imagination. Adam Stewart is Executive Chairman of Sandals and Beaches Resorts, the company founded by his father, Gordon "Butch" Stewart which includes the world's most recognized brands of luxury all-inclusive resorts including adult, couples-only Sandals Resorts and family-friendly Beaches Resorts.

His efforts have been recognized by numerous hospitality industry awards including being named the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association Hotelier of the Year. In addition to his responsibilities as Executive Chairman, Adam Stewart continues his leadership role in the family's extensive hospitality, media, automotive and appliance business holdings, including his position as Deputy Chairman and CEO, The ATL Group, comprising the Jamaica Observer, the country's leading daily newspaper and ATL Appliance Traders, a chain of domestic and commercial appliance outlets combining exclusive distributorship of the world's top electronic brands and 'unbeatable' customer service throughout Jamaica.

Adam Stewart, one of the most successful and admired entrepreneurs of our time is the dynamic Executive Chairman of Sandals and Beaches Resorts, the world's most recognized brands of luxury all-inclusive resorts including adult, couples-only Sandals Resorts and family-friendly Beaches Resorts. Stewart also serves as President of the philanthropic Sandals Foundation, a c 3 nonprofit organisation aimed at improving the lives of people in communities 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 region. After graduation, Stewart underwent a fast track immersion course through the company's Caribbean-wide resort operations which today comprises 25 resorts across three brands and seven islands, including the company's most recent acquisition for Beaches Resorts in St.

An avid adventurer and lover of the sea, Stewart was inspired to share his passion for the Caribbean and launched the region's premier tour company, Island Routes Caribbean Adventures, offering countless unique and exciting tour and adventure experiences throughout the region.

Island Routes has since transformed from a small island outpost to a multiple World Travel-Award-winning company employing people and offering hundreds of adventures in 12 countries. Modernized under the younger Stewart's leadership, the re-energized company now encompasses a broad spectrum of new sectors with international aspirations while still remaining faithful to the philosophy of service that the senior Stewart created many years ago.

In the company celebrated its 50th anniversary as one of the largest private sector organizations in Jamaica, boasting over employees nationwide. In , driven by his love for cars, Stewart changed the face of the automotive industry in Jamaica with the rapid expansion of ATL Automotive. With multi-million-dollar distributorships and state-of-the-art service centers located in Kingston and Montego Bay, ATL Automotive has boasted unrivalled sales and service of the Audi, Volkswagen and Honda brands.

The Honda brand, part of the ATL Group since , has scored big and now boasts the second largest market share in the world. In , the iconic brand Porsche was launched under ATL Motorsports as the automotive industry was again raised to another level.

In August , ATL Automotive announced a game changing tri-brand franchise partnership with the world's largest car rental company, Enterprise Holdings Inc. Despite being one of the most prominent young businessmen in the region, Adam Stewart remains a proud Jamaican and citizen of the Caribbean dedicating much of his time to elevating the region he calls home. In , he founded the Sandals Foundation with the aim of uniting the region under one common goal: to uplift its people through education and protect its delicate ecosystems.

The Sandals Foundation harnesses the resources, talents, partnerships, and awareness behind the Sandal brand to tackle a myriad of issues affecting the Caribbean.

The not-for-profit collaboration between Canada's renowned Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto and various institutions across six Caribbean islands, works to provide the best possible management for paediatric cancer and to improve outcomes for children affected by cancers and serious blood disorders in the region.

Stewart also founded and sits as Chairman of We Care for Cornwall Regional Hospital, a local non-profit organisation that brings together Montego Bay-based individuals to raise funds and improve the facilities of the city's Cornwall Regional Hospital.

Launched in early , the Sandals Corporate University SCU pushes the boundaries of distance learning in the Caribbean with over 5, team members enrolling in the University to date, and the resorts and companies themselves reaching new levels of excellence.

In , Stewart received the Order of Distinction Commander Class for outstanding contribution to tourism and the hotel industry. The Order of Distinction is a national honor conferred by the Government of Jamaica upon citizens who render outstanding and important services to the country. In June , the Caribbean Tourism Organisation CTO honored Stewart with the Jerry Award for his demonstrated passion in the development of the Caribbean region through time, energy, financial and other personal and professional resources.

Under his guidance, Sandals Resorts International implemented the respected Platinum Protocols of Cleanliness at Sandals and Beaches Resorts to ensure guests' and team members' safety. Additionally, Stewart consulted with industry groups, government entities, health organizations and international associations alike for the betterment of the travel industry.

His work guaranteed Sandals and Beaches Resorts was at the forefront of providing a safe and enjoyable destination for international travelers. When his father, Gordon "Butch" Stewart, passed away on January 4, , Adam was appointed as the resort company's Executive Chairman. Stewart is now the only other in the company's year history to retain this position preceding his late father, who founded the organization in Gebhard F. He is also a Member of the Board of Directors for Oasis Center International that advocates for arts education, minority rights and civic engagement.

When Gordon "Butch" Stewart opened his first resort, he had one very important mandate; the resort would be required to adopt a school in the community. Team members were to care for it and ensure that the facilities and students had what was needed to be successful. That was more than thirty years ago, and the beginning of a corporate commitment to community and a tradition of service that SRI has nurtured. Today, every resort under the SRI banner is required to adopt schools and in some cases, entire communities to ensure that the messages of health, safety, environmental concern, community and opportunity are shared as much as possible.

In , Gordon "Butch" Stewart, a young entrepreneur with no hotel experience, saw the potential in a piece of waterfront land in Jamaica. He bought the property, Bay Roc, renovated and expanded it. The rooms got dramatic facelifts, and Stewart decided to rent them to couples only. Sandals Montego Bay opened for business. Sandals unveiled its first swim-up pool bar in , which allowed guests to order drinks without leaving the water. The resort also unveiled amenities like fine dining, a choice of indoor or outdoor meals, whirlpools, fitness ceners, piano bars, water skiing and scuba diving.

Sandals Negril opened in on one of most popular beaches in the Caribbean--Negril, Jamaica. Guests stay in loft suites that are beachfront. Early all-inclusive packages included airfare, accommodations, and meals; as the notion caught on, other items were added such as premium alcoholic beverages, transportation to and from the airport, tips, and as part of Stewart's package, even water sports and activities. Later, some excursions, free transportation to other resorts, massages, and spa treatments were added.

It was old and in desperate need of renovation yet situated directly on one of Montego Bay's loveliest beaches. Stewart believed the coastline alone was worth the price of the hotel and bought the property in He then turned it into a beautiful all-inclusive resort for couples. Although he had no direct experience in the travel or hospitality industry, Stewart followed a simple philosophy of not only giving clients in this case, travelers what they desired but to offer them more than they even expected or thought they might need.

Sandals Montego Bay was more than just all-inclusive, offering its guests water sports and a host of other extras all for the same price.

The resort's rooms were a notch above competitors with upscale furnishings and service, and Sandals was the first Caribbean destination to place Jacuzzis, satellite television, gourmet dining, and swim-up bars at its resorts.

By the end of the s Sandals had become a favored destination for weddings and honeymoons. In actuality, there were five different Sandals hotels--if the smaller, more intimate Carlyle on the Bay was included in the count. The Carlyle was not considered a "resort" because it was not only small 52 rooms but also because the inn was not a full-service facility like its siblings with several restaurants, bars, pools, and expansive beaches.

The hotel, however, was renamed Sandals Inn and renovated over the next few years and included as one of the company's Montego Bay "Stay at One, Play at All" properties. By Sandals had married its 1,th couple and maintained an occupancy rate of more than 90 percent at its four full-service resorts.

Funds from this phenomenal occupancy rate fueled expansion and Sandals bought another property to refurbish. The ad campaign featuring three separate commercials filmed in Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, and Negril in late was not only a first for Sandals, but for Jamaica as well, since no other resort in the country's young tourist trade had ever advertised on international television. With the launch of the Dunn's River resort in April , Sandals not only celebrated ten years in business but reached two impressive milestones: First, of having 1, well-appointed rooms available at its resorts; and second, of becoming the Caribbean's largest operator of all-inclusive resorts its number one rival, SuperClubs, had five.

Sandals ventured off its home turf to open its sixth all-inclusive resort on the Caribbean island of Antigua. The former Divi Anchorage Beach Resort, located on By mid Stewart had departed from his couples-only caveat by announcing construction of a property for families, to be called "Beaches. Beaches, like sibling Sandals resorts, would also be all-inclusive for a no-worry vacation.

Another new approach was to build environmentally friendly resorts, working around a property's natural beauty as much as possible. This became particularly important at the Beaches construction site, after several native artifacts were found. According to Travel Weekly, the National Trust, the Institute of Jamaica, and Caribbean Environmental Consulting Services were all involved in the resort's construction to preserve as much of the natural environment as possible.

By Sandals had bought four new properties one in Barbados, three in St. Lucia to renovate and expand as future resorts. Two of the St. Lucia properties were combined to create Sandals St. Lucia, a luxuriously designed resort appealing to honeymooners and couples seeking top-notch, upscale accommodations.

Sandals St.