Search Travel Market Report

mainlogo
www.travelmarketreport.com
  • News
  • Tours & Packages
  • Cruise
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Destinations
  • Retail Strategies
  • Niche & Luxury
  • Well-Being Travel
  • Training & Events
  • Who We Are
    • Anne Marie Moebes
    • Brian Israel
    • Dan McCarthy
    • Denise Caiazzo
    • Dori Saltzman
    • Kelly Fontenelle

Sandals Executive Chairman Adam Stewart Lays Out Bold Expansion for Future

by Cynthia J. Drake / June 28, 2022
Sandals New Hotel Resort Royal Curaçao

The new Sandals Royal Curaçao. Photo: Sandals


Last week, Sandals Executive Chairman Adam Stewart stood before a crowd of media and travel professionals gathered at his company’s newest property, Sandals Royal Curaçao, and reflected on the legacy of his father, the late Butch Stewart, as well as the future ahead for the all-inclusive brand.

“We’re asking you all to put your seatbelts on because the next 5 to 10 years is going to be insane,” he said, teasing several new properties on the horizon.

The elder Stewart started Sandals in 1981 with a humble 99-room hotel in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The company now boasts 16 all-inclusive resorts across the Caribbean under the Sandals and Beaches brands.

Under Butch Stewart’s leadership, the company invested heavily in real estate throughout the Caribbean over the past four decades with an eye to future expansion. His son has carried on that mission, most recently buying resorts that were financially suffering during COVID-19 and fully renovating them as Sandals or Beaches properties (the former Santa Barbara Resort Curaçao, now Sandals Royal Curaçao, is one example). 

In addition to Sandals Royal Curaçao (which represents the first Dutch Caribbean resort in the Sandals portfolio) Adam Stewart mentioned a new resort currently under construction in Jamaica with brand new suite categories, a new Beaches resort in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and renovations and upgrades to existing properties, to elevate the brand to what Stewart calls “Sandals 2.0.” Official details on these resorts are forthcoming. 

The company anticipates expanding its number of employees, which Stewart underscored are fundamental to the brand’s mission, from 15,000 to 18,000 in the next year.

“We’re going to take this brand to the moon,” he said. “Every single element of hospitality, starting with the locations, the designs, the services … we’re [going to do] things that have never quite been done in hospitality before.”

Some previews of some of what those new Sandals ventures might include are Island Inclusive, a program debuting at Sandals Royal Curaçao which invites guests with top-tier loyalty status or certain suites to utilize a free credit to dine at restaurants outside the resort. 

Another program invites guests to enjoy complimentary use of a MINI Cooper convertible to explore the island. 

There is also a concerted effort to infuse this newest resort with elements of the local culture, whether incorporating local language into the names or featuring local cuisine on the menus. At Sandals Royal Curaçao, guests are greeted by a larger-than-life sculpture created by a local artist of a voluptuous woman known locally as Chichi, a symbol of a caring older sister known throughout the island. She’s painted with designs representing the unique Dutch-Caribbean culture here. Upon exiting the bus, guests receive lemongrass-scented cool towels and a blue Curaçao cocktail.

These programs seem to address the need among younger generations of travelers specifically to explore authentic local experiences while still enjoying the comforts and amenities of an all-inclusive resort. The future of all-inclusive resorts isn’t about walling off the local community; it’s about inviting it in and making it easier for guests to get out to explore.

Stewart, a sixth-generation Jamaican, mentioned the high rate of return clientele as confirmation of the brand’s direction. “Our purpose is to share the four corners of the Caribbean with the world,” he said.

  91
  0
Related Articles
A Massive Sargassum 'Blob' Could Heavily Impact Florida Beaches this Summer
Latest Caribbean Tourism Numbers Show Major Recovery from COVID-19
St. Lucia Changes Entry Requirements with Digital Embarkation Form
interCaribbean Airways Adds new Service from St. Kitts to Barbados
Mexico Forecasting Low Sargassum Levels through February
USVI Tourism Poised for a Huge Year
Next Caribbean Marketplace to be Held in Barbados This May
Sandals Adds New Suites, Villas to Beaches Negril and Halcyon Beach
Travel Advisors Sound off on What Destination Is Trending for 2023
Good News for Advisors: Warm-Weather Vacation Prices Are Up

MOST VIEWED

  1. Why Travel Advisors Need to Learn to Say No to New Business
  2. Two of Germany’s Busiest Airports Will Be Closed on Monday
  3. U.S. Passport Renewal Waiting Time Could Soon Get Even Worse
  4. Government of Canada Updates Its Mexico Travel Advisory
  5. Royal Caribbean Eliminates Sky Pad Experience
  6. A Massive Sargassum 'Blob' Could Heavily Impact Florida Beaches this Summer

MOST EMAILED

  1. U.S. State Department Warns of 4-Month Delays for Passport Renewal
  2. U.S. Passport Renewal Waiting Time Could Soon Get Even Worse
  3. Why Travel Advisors Need to Learn to Say No to New Business
  4. U.S. Passport Renewal Processing Time Now 8 to 11 Weeks
  5. European Union Delays Launch of ETIAS Until At Least 2024
  6. Travelers Believe That Working With Advisors Is Only Way to Get a True Luxury Experience
TMR THIS WEEK
Sponsored by ALG Vacations®
//services.travelsavers.com/AMGService.svc/REST/GetImage?ImageID=dbb24e9c-8fcc-ed11-b00b-005056a8720b&Width=350&Height&250

9 Tips for Making Spring Break More Memorable

Spring Break has sprung and Americans are traveling in record-high numbers again

Read More...
TMR Subscription

Subscribe today to receive daily in-depth coverage, analysis of industry news, trends and issues that affect how you do business. Subscribe now for free.

Subscribe to TMR

Top Stories
Rental Escapes Launches Travel Advisor Rewards Program
Rental Escapes Launches Travel Advisor Rewards Program

Advisors earn 1 reward point for each $1 booked, which can be used towards personal travel. 

Read...
ALG Vacations Promotes Allison Giunta to Sr. Manager of Integrated Marketing
ALG Vacations Promotes Allison Giunta to Sr. Manager of Integrated Marketing

ALG Vacations also announced promotions for Lindsey Jones and Monica Bachmann.

Read...
New Opening: JW Marriott Hotel Madrid
New Opening: JW Marriott Hotel Madrid

The hotel is the first JW Marriott in Spain. 

Read...
Marriott International Joins $300 Million Ozarks Project Called ‘Oasis at Lakeport’
Marriott International Joins $300 Million Ozarks Project Called ‘Oasis at Lakeport’

Oasis at Lakeport is planning to welcome guests as soon as next year. 

Read...
5 Toronto Hotels Travel Advisors Should Know About
5 Toronto Hotels Travel Advisors Should Know About

Toronto is Canada’s largest city and, with a population of 6.6 million, one of the most multi-culturally diverse cities on the planet.

Read...
New Opening: Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne
New Opening: Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne

The hotel is located on the west side of the city’s central business district, a few blocks north of the Yarra River. 

Read...
TMR OUTLOOKS & WHITE PAPERS
river cruise 2022
group outlook 2022
lux cruise outlook
CP White Paper
Multi-Gen Outlook
River Cruise Outlook 2019
View All
Advertiser's Voice
https://img.youtube.com/vi/eeYJNcTKI9Q/0.jpg
Check-In Episode 32: We Are in Boom Time for Travel. How Long Will It Last?
About Travel Market Report Mission Staff Advisory Board Advertise
TMR Resources Webinars Calendar of Events Outlook/Whitepapers Previous Sponsored Articles Previous This Week Articles
Subscribe to TMR
Select Language
Do You Have an Idea Email
editor@travelmarketreport.com
Give Us a Call
1-(516) 730-3097
Drop Us a Note
Travel Market Report
71 Audrey Ave, Oyster Bay, NY 11771
News |Tours & Packages |Cruise |Hotels & Resorts |Destinations |Retail Strategies |Niche & Luxury |Well-Being Travel |Training & Events |Who We Are
© 2005 - 2023 Travel Market Report, an American Marketing Group Inc. Company All Rights Reserved | 243 South Street, Oyster Bay, NY, 11771 USA | Telephone (516) 730-3097| Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy