Who owns sandals resorts international

This impressive start lit a torch and unleashed a burgeoning entrepreneurial zeal in young Stewart. The company grew meteorically but by , Stewart was ready to conquer new horizons and thus began the story of Sandals Resorts. Stewart has never laid claim to starting the all-inclusive concept, couples-only format but he is recognized worldwide for the consistent innovation and unsurpassed level of luxury he has brought to the all-inclusive experience.

The competition meals were buffet-style, so Stewart created the 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 include the addition of Over-the-Water Villas and Bungalows concept, Over-the-Water bars in Jamaica, and Over-the-Water wedding chapels to a number of its properties in Jamaica and St. In this capacity, he ably balanced government and private sector priorities, reconciling the concerns of large and small Jamaican hotels and raising public understanding of the tourism industry.

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. Perhaps less well-known is the extent of his considerable philanthropy. Sandals Resorts International currently gives active support to almost major projects in its host communities through its philanthropic arm, The Sandals Foundation.

This support ranges from the building of schools and the paying of teachers, to providing hospitals with linens and bringing healthcare to the doorsteps of those who cannot afford it. In , Stewart founded the Sandals Corporate University, aimed at providing professional development for employees through reputable education and training programs.

With access to more than courses and external partnerships with 13 top-ranking local and international universities, every staff member has the opportunity to apply, broaden their knowledge and advance their career.

Humanitarian Award in recognition of his tireless efforts to advance humanity. In , The Caribbean American Foundation presented Stewart with the Golden Eagle Humanitarian Award in recognition of his philanthropic contributions to education and entrepreneurship in the Caribbean. 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. From helping to provide new computer labs and building additional classrooms to giving scholarships for academically bright but needy students and hosting career days - our resort teams continually provide mentorship and share their knowledge and resources with our Caribbean neighbors.

The Sandals Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Sandals and Beaches Resorts, and was created as a natural extension of the nearly three decades of the company's lasting commitment to the Caribbean. As an independent non-profit organization, the Sandals Foundation has assumed the existing activities of Sandals and Beaches Resorts with the aim of expanding their reach to create a positive and sustainable impact on people's lives and the environment.

Working with their neighbors, civic leaders, employees and partners, they have identified programs in the areas of education, environment and community to achieve their promise. 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. Lucia opened in April and the other St. Lucia property, Sandals Inn St. Lucia later renamed Sandals Halcyon , opened the following year. In addition to its buying spree Sandals adopted a new marketing concept as the only "Ultra All-Inclusive" resorts in the Caribbean.

The new campaign was partially in response to SuperClubs calling itself "Super All-Inclusive" and for Sandals to differentiate itself from the all-inclusive imitators who were not all-inclusive and charged guests for airport transfers, baggage handling, taxes, premium alcoholic drinks, water activities, and other items.

With many resorts calling themselves "all-inclusive" without actually embracing the concept, Sandals feared vacationers would think all resorts were the same. While Club Med had created the concept and SuperClubs had introduced it to Jamaica, Sandals believed it had perfected the art of all-inclusives--and set out to prove it one guest at a time.

In and Sandals launched a new advertising campaign "Sandals is for Lovers" , updated and rebuilt Sandals Antigua damaged by a hurricane , refurbished three of its Jamaican resorts, and worked on the renovation of a recently acquired Barbados property.

Sandals Barbados was slated to open in April but was put on hold after the Barbadian government balked at granting the company incentives similar to those granted to visiting cruise ships. Located on Cable Beach on the island of Nassau, the newest Sandals was part of the company's new "Royal" scheme, denoting even more luxurious appointments than other properties.

By this time the company had a 40 percent "return" guest rate repeat customers with about two-thirds of its overall guests from the United States and the remainder from other countries. As Sandals awaited results from its "Royal" branding, SuperClubs had launched its "Lido" upgrades in Ocho Rios and Negril, featuring better food, rooms, and spa services. Club Med, the more mature of the three leaders, had started the trend with its "Finest" brand a few years earlier and made plans to renovate several of its less upscale resorts to Finest specifications.

Regardless of how a Sandals, Club Med, or SuperClubs resort was titled, they all offered the concept of "worry-free" vacations to travelers willing to spend a little more to receive a lot more in amenities and services.

For Butch Stewart, with no experience in the hospitality industry whatsoever, business acumen had paid off in spades. He was not only one of Jamaica's most famous entrepreneurs but by his holding company, ATL Group, was the country's largest private corporation.

Stewart had parlayed his Sandals success in several directions, such as buying into Air Jamaica, the country's primary airline, and turning it around. Stewart was behind the addition of Montego Bay as an Air Jamaica hub, which of course helped bring vacationers to his Sandals resorts.

Beaches Sandy Bay in Negril opened the following year. Sandals and sister company Beaches were the hottest properties in the Caribbean marketplace. In came a new marketing campaign to attract more European vacationers to the company's Caribbean resorts. The company also began offering its clients a new travel pledge or "Blue Chip Hurricane Guarantee," to reschedule guests free of charge when hurricanes interrupted travel or forced the closure of any Sandals or Beaches property.

Near the end of , Sandals bought another Ocho Rios property called the Plantation Inn, slated to become the new Beaches Royal Plantation--a hybrid of Sandals and Beaches--for adults and kids 16 years and older. In the new century, Sandals and its rivals experienced a bit of a slowdown as travelers tightened their belts. With the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, , travel declined dramatically, impacted by fears of further terrorist activity.

Airlines, travel agencies, and the entire hospitality industry suffered significant losses; but amazingly, business picked up at most Sandals resorts within several weeks. As came to a close, travelers were already returning to the Caribbean. Beaches Boscobel became the third family-themed resort in Jamaica, with the other two, Beaches Negril and Beaches Sandy Bay, located several hours away in Negril.

Beaches Boscobel was the first Beaches to offer families free golf in addition to its other amenities. Sandals inked a deal with Weddings. Major changes were also on the drawing table for Beaches Negril, with the addition of a huge spa facility for adults and a water park for kids. Renovations and the addition of a new "Mediterranean Village" also were put in the works for Sandals Antigua, along with the opening of two additional Sandals resorts in Jamaica: Sandals Whitehouse Westmoreland, opened in late and Sandals Dragon Bay Port Antonio, opening in late