SANDALS has made two high-profile appointments to beef up its UK division after the departure of managing director international markets Chris May (Travel Weekly November 29).
Former Thomson Breakaway MD Steve Garley is joining a restructured division as MDUKandEurope, while former Superclubs vice-president Europe and Asia Martin Grass has been appointed as business development director, responsible for increasing global business to the Caribbean resorts.
Former Thomson retail development MD Nigel Cleevely, an associate of Sandals chairman Butch Stewart, will be used as a consultant from January.
“Around 16% of clients are British and we want to increase that to 25% within two years,” said Stewart.
“Garley knows Sandals well and has product and market knowledge. Grass will generate worldwide business.”
n Sandals is negotiating to buy or charter its own cruise ship to launch Sandals at Sea by spring 2001.
Stewart is looking for a ship with 400-700 cabins, cruising the Caribbean in the winter and Alaska in summer.