Sandals Resorts International executive chairman Adam Stewart has thanked UK travel agents for the support given to him and the company since his father’s death three years ago.
During an event celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Sandals Foundation, Stewart (pictured) said he was “extremely grateful” to the UK trade.
“I would like to thank them for their seamless support since my dad passed, and I will continue to support them,” he added.
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Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, who founded Sandals in 1981, died in January 2021. He was presented with the Travel Weekly Globe Travel Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Industry in 2012.
Dozens of guests attended the Sandals Foundation event on Wednesday (May 29) at the brand’s luxury travel store on Fulham Road, London.
The audience was told the Sandals Foundation had contributed $100m worth of support to Caribbean islands since the charity was formed on March 18, 2009, with the funding going towards environmental and community projects, as well as education and health initiatives.
Following the success of last year’s 100km fundraising run in Antigua, which generated £100,000, plans are under way to hold another challenge in St Vincent to support paediatric healthcare.
Sandals Foundation executive director Heidi Clarke said: “Last year the participants exceeded their target and we would like to see that again if possible.”
Karl Thompson, managing director of Unique Vacations, Sandals’ sales and marketing arm in the UK, described the company’s support for travel agents as “unwavering”.
“Their support of us is matched by our support of them,” he said, pointing to commission levels, incentives and online training.
Last year, he said, holidays were arranged for 600 agents through the ‘Sell & Go’ programme, while up to 200 agents can go on fam trips in any given year.
Trade sales represent half of Sandals’ business, Thompson said, and the support is “not taken for granted”.
He said business has been strong so far in 2024, adding: “We’re on par with last year, and last year was a phenomenal year, and that takes us ahead of 2019 which was our pre-Covid best.
“We’re delighted that the post-pandemic boom has not tapered off and we’ve managed to keep that business coming through.”
Around £15,000 was raised for the Sandals Foundation during the anniversary event through a raffle and auction.