THE HON. GORDON “BUTCH” STEWART O.J. 1941-2021: LEGENDARY JAMAICAN ENTREPRENEUR REDEFINED ‘ALL-INCLUSIVE’ AND CHANGED THE WAY THE WORLD WENT ON VACATION
~Master Marketer Made Sandals a Household Name, Brought Opportunity to the Caribbean~
January 5, 2021 –
PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS – Legendary Jamaican entrepreneur Gordon “Butch” Stewart, one of the
hospitality industry’s most vibrant personalities and founder of Sandals
Resorts International, the world’s leading all-inclusive resort company, has
died at the age of 79. An unstoppable
force, who delighted in defying the odds by exceeding expectations, Stewart
single-handedly built the world’s most awarded vacation brand from one resort in
Jamaica to over two dozen distinct resorts and villas throughout the Caribbean.
A son of Jamaica, Butch Stewart was
born in Kingston on July 6, 1941 and grew up along the island country’s North
Coast, a tropical paradise that now boasts several of his Luxury Included®
Sandals and Beaches Resorts and where his love of the sea, dominoes and free
enterprise were sown. Certain from the
start that he wanted to run his own company, at the tender age of 12, Stewart
first stepped into the hospitality industry selling fresh-caught fish to local
hotels. His success got him ‘hooked’ and
his enthusiasm for entrepreneurship never waned.
After completing his
secondary education abroad, Stewart returned home to Jamaica where he
demonstrated his innate talent as master salesman at the renowned Dutch-owned
Curaçao Trading Company, quickly rising to the position of sales manager but
itching to start his own company. In
1968, Stewart took his chance. With no
collateral but recognizing the comfort that would make air conditioning an essential
service, Stewart convinced American manufacturer Fedders Corporation to allow
him to represent their brand in Jamaica.
With that, Stewart’s foundational business – Appliance Traders Limited
(ATL), was born and he was on his way.
At
ATL, Stewart developed a simple business philosophy he articulated many times: “Find
out what people want, give it to them and in doing so – exceed their expectations.” This
would become the standard for every Stewart enterprise and practiced by every
employee of the many companies Stewart would go on to found, including and
perhaps most importantly, Sandals Resorts International.
Stewart
Founds Sandals Resorts
In 1981,
with a gift for recognizing opportunity, Stewart found one in Bay Roc: a
rundown hotel on a magnificent beach in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Seven months and $4 million in renovations
later, Sandals Montego Bay would open as the flagship of what is today the most
popular award-winning, all-inclusiveresort chain in the world.
While
Stewart never laid claim to inventing the all-inclusive concept, he is
recognized worldwide for his tireless effort to elevate the experience,
delivering to his guests an unsurpassed level of luxury, and to share his certainty
that a Caribbean company could successfully compete with any organization in the
world. He accomplished both.
“I had heard of the concept, yet at the time, the
services and rooms were very basic. Contrary to that, I envisioned we could
bring forward a luxury resort to offer customers so much more. So, we perfected
it. Only the most comfortable king size four poster beds, fine manicured
gardens, cozy hammocks and the kind of warm, refined service the Caribbean has
become known for. Just as important was to be located on the absolute best
beach, because that’s what everyone dreams of.”
Where other
so-called “all-inclusives” offered meals and rooms at a set rate, Sandals
Resorts’ prices covered gourmet dining options, premium brand drinks,
gratuities, airport transfers, taxes and all land and watersport
activities. The competitors’ meals were
buffet-style, so Stewart created 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 have
included a signature spa concept – Red Lane® Spa, signature luxury suites
designed for privacy and ultimate pampering, complimentary WiFi, and signature partnerships
with iconic organizations such as Microsoft Xbox® Play Lounge, Sesame Workshop,
PADI, Mondavi® Wines, Greg Norman Signature Golf courses and the London-based
Guild of Professional English Butlers. And in 2017, Stewart introduced the
Caribbean’s first over-the-water
accommodations, which were quickly expanded to include Over-the-Water
bars and Over-the-Water wedding chapels.
By steadfastly adhering to the “we can do it better”
principle of pleasing his guests, Stewart fostered a company free to imagine
and free to consistently raise the bar.
This ethos earned him the title of “King of All-Inclusives,” changing
the face of the all-inclusive format and establishing Sandals Resorts as the
most successful brand in the category – boasting year-round occupancy levels of
more than 85 percent, an unequaled returning guest factor of 40 percent and
demand that has led to unprecedented expansion including the creation of
additional concepts such as Beaches Resorts, now the industry standard for
excellence in family beach vacations.
Butch Stewart loved Sandals. At the time of his passing, he was hard at
work on plans for the recently announced expansions to the Dutch island of Curaçao
and St. Vincent.
Stewart As Statesman
Stewart’s leadership
helped resurrect Jamaica’s travel industry and earned him the respect of his
peers and the admiration of his countrymen.
He was elected President of the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica
in 1989 and was inducted into its “Hall of Fame” in 1995. He served
as a Director of the Jamaica Tourist Board for a decade and as President of the
Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association in the mid-80s, ably balancing government
and private sector priorities, reconciling the concerns of large and small
Jamaican hotels, and raising public understanding of the tourism industry. In 1994, Stewart led a group of investors to take
leadership of Air Jamaica, the Caribbean’s largest regionally based
carrier. 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. Just as with ATL
and Sandals Resorts, Stewart’s formula proved successful and in late 2004,
Stewart gave the airline back to the government with an increase in revenue of
over US$250 million.
It was not the first time Stewart would come to the aid of
his country. In 1992, he galvanized the
admiration of Jamaicans with the “Butch
Stewart Initiative,” pumping US$1 million a week into the official
foreign exchange market at below prevailing rates to help halt the slide of the
Jamaican dollar. Dr Henry Lowe, at the
time president and CEO of Blue Cross, wrote to Stewart saying: “I write to
offer sincere congratulations to you for the tremendous initiative which has
done so much, not only for the strengthening of our currency, but more so, for
the new feeling of hope and positive outlook which is now being experienced by
all of us as Jamaicans.”
Less well-known may be the extent of Stewart’s considerable
philanthropy, where for more than 40 years he has helped improve and shape the
lives of Caribbean people. His work,
formalized with the creation in 2009 of The Sandals Foundation, offers support
ranging from the building of schools and paying of teachers to bringing
healthcare to the doorsteps of those who cannot afford it. This in addition to
his tireless support of a wide range of environmental initiatives. Beyond the
work of the Foundation, Stewart has given millions to charitable causes such as
celebrating the bravery of veterans and first responders and helping those in
the wake of devastating hurricanes.
In
2012, Stewart founded the Sandals Corporate University, aimed at providing professional
development for employees through reputable education and training programs.
With access to more than 230 courses and external partnerships with 13
top-ranking local and international universities, every staff member can apply,
broaden their knowledge, and advance their career.
Stewart’s successes
in business and in life have earned him more than 50 well-deserved local, regional,
and international accolades and awards including Jamaica’s highest national distinctions:
The Order of Jamaica (O.J.), and Commander of the Order of Distinction (C.D.). In 2017, Stewart was honored with the
inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual Caribbean Hotel & Resort
Investment Summit (CHRIS), hosted by the Burba Hotel Network, marking his
significant contribution to the hospitality industry. “The success of Sandals has helped to power
the growth of the tourism industry and economies not only in Jamaica but
throughout the Caribbean,” said BHN president Jim Burba. “The word ‘icon’ certainly applies to Butch
Stewart.”
It delighted Stewart
whenever he was dining anywhere in the world and an excited staff member would
share with him, “Thank you. I got my
start at Sandals.”
Butch Stewart,
The Man
With his easy pace,
infectious warmth and trademark striped shirt, Stewart exuded an
approachability that belied the complexity of his character. While he was an acute businessperson, who at
the time of his death was responsible for a Jamaican-based empire that includes
two dozen diverse companies collectively representing Jamaica’s largest private
sector group, the country’s biggest foreign exchange earner and its largest
non-government employer, he was an extremely private man whose deepest devotion
was to his family.
His greatest test
came in 1989 when his beloved 24-year-old son Jonathan was killed in a car
accident in Miami. Stewart recalled the
incident in a 2008 interview, “For two months after he died, I was absolutely
useless, and after that I was sort of running on remote control. Things were a
blur. It’s every parent’s nightmare.
After a year or so, I started to see things in vivid detail. You have to
get busy, be close with your family. It did a lot in terms of me getting
closer. There’s a lot more satisfaction.”
Stewart was able to return
to his relentless pace, and the consensus among those who knew him best is that
he did it by leading by example. “If you are going to lead, you have to
participate,” Stewart was fond of saying.
He believed that if everyone in the organization recognized that the man
in charge was working as hard as they were, they’d have an infinite amount of
respect and motivation. “It’s about instilling a spirit of teamwork, defining a
purpose and then rolling up your sleeves to get the job done better than
anybody else,” Stewart said.
The
company Butch Stewart built remains wholly owned by the Stewart family, who, in honor of Mr.
Stewart’s long-term succession plans, has named Adam Stewart Chairman of Sandals
Resorts International, extending his formidable leadership of the brands he has
shepherded since he was appointed CEO in 2007.
Speaking on behalf
of his family, Adam Stewart said, “our father was a singular
personality; an unstoppable force who delighted in defying the odds by
exceeding expectations and whose passion for his family was matched only by the
people and possibility of the Caribbean, for whom he was a fierce champion. Nothing, except maybe a great fishing day,
could come before family to my dad.
And while the world understood him to be a phenomenal businessman –
which he was, his first and most important devotion was always to us. We will miss him terribly forever.”
Gordon “Butch”
Stewart is survived by his wife, Cheryl, children Brian, Bobby, Adam, Jaime,
Sabrina, Gordon, and Kelly; grandchildren Aston, Sloane, Camden, Penelope-Sky,
Isla, Finley, Max, Ben, Zak, Sophie, Annie and Emma; and great grandchildren
Jackson, Riley, Emmy and Willow.
A private funeral
service will be held. Those wishing to share memories, condolences or personal
stories may do so at AllThatsGood@sandals.com
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For many years, members of the visually impaired community have faced significant challenges in accessing printed information, often having to rely on others for assistance.
This lack of autonomy has hindered their ability to fully participate in various aspects of society.
However, with the recent implementation of Braille birth certificates, this long-standing barrier is being removed, paving the way for a more inclusive landscape where individuals with visual impairments can navigate their own journeys with greater independence and confidence.
On May 1, 2024, Executive Director at the Jamaica Society for the Blind (JSB), Conrad Harris, was the first person to receive a copy of the freshly printed Braille document.
He expresses his elation to JIS News, describing it as a “great experience” to have a document in a format that he can easily read.
“One of the issues we have from time to time is that when we have information that is in print, we may ask somebody to read it, but the person who reads it might only read the information that they think is important and not necessarily everything in the document,” Mr. Harris explains.
This, of course, is no longer the case, as “having a Braille certificate means that I am able to go through it myself. I can easily check the spellings of names and places, which I might not be easily able to do with something that is in print,” he said.
The Braille certificate also provides an opportunity for the document to be easily identified and separated from others.
“If you need it for a particular reason, you can easily separate it from the other documents that you have versus probably having to ask somebody to look through or using some kind of technology to scan the information, which would take a little bit longer,” the Executive Director says.
Additionally, this initiative will provide an added sense of security as there are those people who generally want to keep their personal information private.
Designed in collaboration with several key stakeholders, including the Registrar General’s Department (RGD), these Braille certificates are meticulously crafted to ensure that every detail is conveyed with precision and elegance.
Each certificate, according to the Department’s former Chief Executive Officer and Deputy Keeper of Records, Charlton McFarlane, features embossed Braille text, allowing recipients to tangibly experience the pride that comes with being able to read the information for themselves.
He further shared details on why the initiative was undertaken in the first place, during an interview with JIS News.
Mr. McFarlane said that while participating in the first post-COVID Civil Registration Conference for Latin America and Caribbean countries, held in the Dominican Republic in 2022, using civil registration as the basis for inclusivity was key among the topics discussed.
“We looked at some case studies and the one that stood out to me was for a State in Mexico that offered birth certificates and other vital documents in Braille,” he said.
He even went as far back as 2008 when he was serving as a Director within the Ministry of Health.
During that time “we collaborated with members from the disabled community to produce health education material in Braille. So, with that experience, knowing what it had done and then with what I saw happening in Mexico, I got the idea that we could really produce all vital documents in Braille”.
Before embarking on the initiative, he acknowledged that he did, in fact, reach out to members of the JSB, the Combined Disabilities Association and the Jamaica Counsel for Persons with Disabilities.
“I don’t like to waste time and resources, so I reached out to them first,” Mr. McFarlane said, adding that “once I received a resounding yes, details on how to produce the certificates were shared.
“One of the things we [had to take into consideration] was having two separate documents (one with the standard print and the other in Braille), because the Braille is bulky when printed,” he noted.
This posed another challenge as not many business entities would accept the braille copy due to their inability to read the Braille text.
However, as the consultations went on, a decision was made to have the two documents intertwined into one.
“Right now, how it’s done, is the material is printed and then the Braille is embossed over it,” the former CEO said.
The introduction of Braille certificates is not just a symbolic gesture, it represents a tangible commitment that “the Government is absolutely very, very serious about inclusion for every single citizen, regardless of the level of vulnerability that may exist,” Mr. McFarlane added.
This certificate, he added, is not only for members of the visually impaired community but for all persons who would like to have their birth certificates in both print and Braille formats on one document.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – In an historic showing, the Turks and Caicos Islands Golf Association (TCIGA) dominated the 28th annual Caribbean Classic Golf Tournament, held in Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic, from April 25th to 27th, 2024. The victory marks a turning point for TCI golf, and much of the credit goes to the exceptional team of players assembled by Sean Wilson the Head Professional at the Royal Turks and Caicos Golf Course.
56 golfers, playing under the banner of the TCIGA were rewarded for their enthusiastic participation across both the Men’s and Women’s divisions.
“This back-to-back win is an indication of the growing interest and increased participation in the sport of golf in TCI,” stated TCIGA President Fraser Dods.
“We’ve been competing at this tournament since its inception almost 30 years ago, and finally bringing home the George Noon Cup two years in a row is a truly proud moment for Turks and Caicos golf.”
Clean Sweep for Team TCI
The team’s success was based on strong and determined performances in every flight and category.
The Turks and Caicos men’s team secured the Robert Grell Trophy, while the ladies claimed the Jodi Munn Barrow Trophy.
This clean sweep across all team divisions highlights the growing depth and talent within the TCI Golf Association membership.
The “Classic”organized by the Caribbean Golf Association, brings together golfers from the twelve membercountries of the CGA. The Caribbean Classic is an individual and team event, competed for by teams of unlimited number of players from each participating member country, playing eighteen holes of golf each , over 3 days.
Team Turks and Caicos amassed the most points overall and won the George Noon Cup last year, for the first time in 27 years of competing at this event. To repeat as champs is a proud moment for TCI sports in general and for TCI Golf specifically.
Individual Accolades Abound
Beyond the team triumphs, individual golfers from TCI shone brightly. Female players, namely Wendy Ayer, Christine Dickenson, Tazmaraa Gowans, and Andrea Todd, all secured podium finishes in their respective divisions
The men’s side also saw impressive performances from Justin Simons, Mark Fulford, Arthur Lightbourne, Mervin Cox, and Simon Dobbs. Their individual excellence contributed significantly to the overall team victory.
Looking Ahead: Building on Success
TCI Director of Sports Jarrett Forbes is optimistic about the future. “This win exemplifies the immense potential of golf in the Turks and Caicos,” he stated. “We encourage young islanders to take up this fantastic sport.”
Head Golf Professional at Royal Turks and Caicos Golf Club, Sean Wilson, echoed the sentiment. “This is a monumental achievement for TCI golf,” he said. “Bringing home trophies in all three divisions is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the TCIGA and its players.”
The Caribbean Classic second victory creates a new legacy for golf in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The TCIGA is administrated by a golf-loving volunteer executive comprised of Fraser Dods, Mark Fulford (VP), Denise Douglas (Secretary), Paul Murray (Treasurer), Andrea Todd and Roberto Stipa.Through their collective efforts, and the growing participation of TCI golfers, the future looks bright for this sport in the region.
The Caribbean Classic is one of the highlights of the Caribbean Golf calendar. Organized by the Caribbean Golf Association, it allows participation of amateurs from 12 countries, including the Turks and Caicos, Puerto Rico, Guadalupe, the Bahamas, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Dominican Republic, Barbados, the Cayman Islands, Martinique, St Lucia, and USVI.”
PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS (May 3rd, 2024) The Turks and Caicos Islands’ Grace Bay Beach has once again been recognised among the top beaches in the world.
The World’s 50 Best Beaches has listed Grace Bay Beach among the top beaches in the world.
Grace Bay Beach, located on the island of Providenciales was listed at number 17 on the annual list.
The World’s 50 Best Beaches list, sponsored by Banana Boat, is a collaboration with over 1,000 of the world’s leading travel influencers and professionals.
The World’s 50 Best Beaches 2024 is a reflection of the opinions and experiences of top travel influencers and professionals around the world. The beaches were ranked according to eight important criteria: unique characteristics, wildlife, untouched, soundtrack of nature, easy to enter the water, often calm water, not too crowded and frequency of idyllic conditions.
Grace Bay Beach also featured among the top 20 in the 2023 World’s 50 Best Beaches list.
This is the latest accolade for Grace Bay Beach this year. Known for its powdery white sand and breathtakingly turquoise blue water, the famous beach was adjudged the number one Caribbean beach in February in Tripadvisor’s® Travelers’ Choice® Awards and Best of the Best for 2024, ranking number five among the Top 25 Best of the Best Beaches in the world.
In January 2024, Grace Bay was recognised as the #9 Best Beach in the Caribbean in the 10Best Reader’s Choice with Bambarra Beach in Middle Caicos ranked at #2.
Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Josephine Connolly said she is proud of the continued recognition of the leading beach in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
“As a destination that prioritises sustainable development and environmental preservation, the fact that Grace Bay Beach features consistently as one of the top beaches in the world stands as a testament to our commitment to stay “Beautiful by Nature”. I urge visitors to come to the Turks and Caicos Islands to experience this and many other of our beautiful beaches across the Turks and Caicos Islands,” said the Minister.
Tine Holst, Co-Founder of The World’s 50 Best Beaches, said the list is meant to inspire travellers.
She said: “Our 2024 list is a reflection of the countless days spent by our judges, Beach Ambassadors and World’s 50 Best team discovering beaches around the world. The list will help inspire travelers to leave the beaten path behind and enjoy the most stunning and relaxing beaches on earth”.
Read World’s 50 Best Beaches description of Grace Bay Beach here.
About the Turks and Caicos Islands
The Turks and Caicos Islands is made up of two groups of islands in the Lucayan Archipelago: The larger Caicos Islands and the smaller Turks Islands, thus the name. It is home to the best beaches in the world with majestic white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters. Each island and cay are a destination of its own. Providenciales is home to world-renowned Grace Bay Beach, luxury hotels, resorts, villas, spas and restaurants. Grand Turk is ‘home away from home’ for our cruise passengers, and our sister islands are the gateway to nature, exploration, and culture. Considered the world’s best-kept secret, TCI is an effortless escape – with an ease of connectivity through direct flights from major cities in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
CONTACT: Laura Dowrich Email: ldowrich@myexperiencetci.com