Bahamas News
Sandals Chief Calls Tourism ‘the greatest industry in the world,’ promises evolution and innovation to the all-inclusive model
Adam Stewart Unveils Sandals 2.0 at ASTA Conference
#TheBahamas, September 14, 2022 – Calling tourism “the greatest industry in the world,” the executive chairman of Sandals today outlined a future highlighted by evolution and innovation to keep the Caribbean’s best-known hotel chain cutting edge and remain the regional hospitality leader.
Adam Stewart, Sandals Executive Chairman, unveiled a new vision called Sandals 2.0 as he addressed nearly 500 travel agents and advisors from the US, Canada and the Caribbean during a meeting of ASTA, their professional association, at Sandals Royal Bahamian in Nassau, Bahamas.
Recalling the exact moment in March 2020 when he got the call that COVID was shutting down worldwide travel, Stewart said “it felt like the sky was falling.”
“I was sitting in my home on the beach in Jamaica and I looked outside to my left,” he said, describing the magic that makes the Caribbean so desirable. “The sky had never been so blue, the water had never been so clear, the sand had never been so white, the view had never been so beautiful and the word resilience popped into my mind.” Never for a moment, he continued, did he buy into “the false narrative” that travel would not rebound. “We had a team of 15,000 people looking at us and saying, ‘What now?’ We went into high gear to keep the eco-system of Caribbean tourism at large and that of Sandals Resorts International, going. Not only would we be ready, we’d be first.”
Stewart told a rapt audience that the Sandals team spent the down time further enhancing plans.
What they could not have planned for was the sudden, untimely death of Sandals’ founder, Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart in January 2021. The younger Stewart, who had spent his youth and career working for the company and learning from his father assumed the lead, and he used today’s occasion to express what others in the room felt – immeasurable respect and admiration for the man who envisioned Sandals and grew it from a single hotel to the best-known brand in the region.
“For the 29th consecutive year, Sandals won the World Travel Awards,” he announced, crediting his late father with creating “the only superbrand to come out of the Caribbean.”
“There is a re-set taking place in Caribbean travel,” he said. “There is more natural beauty in this region than anywhere else in the world and we want to share it all with our guests.
“We don’t want what travel once was,” he said. “We want to take it where it can go. We want it to blow your mind.”
Under the umbrella of Sandals 2.0, plans include going through every hotel and seeing how it can be enhanced, upgraded, what new elements can be included.
“Over the coming couple of years with the opening of new properties in St Vincent and Dunn’s River in Jamaica not only will we be enhancing our offerings but also adding about 3,000 staff members across the board,” he said.
In Nassau, Sandals Royal Bahamian Phase 1 is complete with further enhancements to the property on target. Sandals Royal Curacao will be the first in the brand to take the all-inclusive concept to the next frontier with guests at certain levels being offered a Mini convertible and certificates for on-island dining at outside restaurants, an experience that will be offered at Sandals Royal Bahamian in Nassau next.
This next frontier for the all-inclusive tradition is part of Stewart’s cultural immersion plan, understanding that guests want sun, sea, sand but they also want to know the people and the islands they visit.
In Jamaica Sandals Dunn’s River and Beaches (family brand) Runaway Bay will be enhanced with 3- and 4-bedroom suites, along with a property in St Vincent. Also, to be added is a Greg Norman golf course for Beaches Runaway Bay. Additionally, some properties will feature overwater bungalows.
Stewart expressed deep gratitude and respect for the travel advisors’ love affair with the Caribbean and told them Sandals would not be where it is today had it not been for their support and that he, like his late father who knew and depended on their trust for over four decades, pledged his commitment to share the four corners of the Caribbean with the world.
Photo Caption: Sandals Executive Chairman Adam Stewart announced Caribbean and Bahamas expansion plans during the ASTA 2022 Showcase at Sandals Royal Bahamian this week. Nearly 500 industry partners gave Stewart a spontaneous, rousing standing ovation following his remarks.
NASSAU, Bahamas — More Bahamians are accessing HIV and sexually transmitted infection-related healthcare through National Health Insurance, a trend the NHI Authority says should be viewed positively.
NHIA stressed in an August 6 statement that its 2025 figures measure healthcare utilisation, not newly diagnosed infections. They include beneficiaries screened, treated, monitored or receiving follow-up care, including people diagnosed previously.
“Increased utilisation of these services should be viewed as a positive development,” NHIA said.
The Authority pointed to “greater enrolment and use of NHI, improved access to screening and testing, continued treatment and monitoring of existing conditions, and increased willingness to seek medical care.”
The development comes amid a mixed three-year HIV picture. New diagnoses rose from 130 in 2023 to 156 in 2024, before declining to 142 in 2025.
NHIA said increased utilisation demonstrates that more beneficiaries are accessing needed healthcare and actively managing their health, reinforcing the importance of screening, early diagnosis and continued treatment.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor is proud to announce the launch of Monument Beverage Co., its newest 100% locally produced ready-to-drink alcoholic cocktail.
Monument, “Made to Celebrate”, perfectly encapsulates everything the brand represents. Created and distributed by CWS, Monument is
inspired by culture, crafted with excellence and bursting with innovation.
This unique beverage celebrates island living with three bold flavors, Ginger Lime, Peach Passion and Melon Fizz. All of which can be enjoyed at an ABV of five-point-two percent.
The brand’s creativity really shines through each can’s packaging. Bold colored stripes, cherished native flora and fauna and of course, national monuments can all be found on each can.
The beverage’s two year plus development is a testament to CWS’ dedication to quality and innovation. Countless hours of tastings, reformulations, focus groups and package design reviews all paid off with the creation of Monument.
Karla Wells-Lisgaris, Chief Commercial Officer of Caribbean Wines & Spirits and Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, shared what this authentically Bahamian made product launch means for the company.
“When we were conceptualizing Monument, we wanted to create a product that not only tasted like The Bahamas but would be an ode to the
nation as well. With those two thoughts in mind, I, along with a team of experts, created three incredible flavors we believe really connect with and celebrate the essence of island living,” she said.
“Additionally, being that Monument is the first product to be 100% manufactured by Caribbean Wines & Spirits, we really wanted to ensure that both the flavors and packaging honored our rich heritage. On each of the cans, you can find various monuments such as the Nassau Public Library in New Providence, the Garden of the Grove in Grand Bahama and the Hatchet Bay Silos in Eleuthera; all of which pay homage to our diverse Bahamian heritage.” Wells-Lisgaris concluded.”
The historic monuments found throughout our islands are more than places we pass every day; they are reminders of who we are, where we’ve come from and the stories that connect us as Bahamians.
Monument is perfectly formulated with quality ingredients, and each can celebrates a collection of these cultural icons from across The Bahamas.
Whether chilling solo beachside, gathered around a family table or backyard a grill with friends, make Monument your sip of choice. Monument is made to celebrate, visit www.cwsbahamas.com today for more details.
NASSAU, Bahamas —– Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to crown Lady
Kayla of Exuma as this year’s annual Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup winner.
CBC created the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup to further the advancement of sailing and Bahamian culture through monetary and social support. The competition judges the skipper’s performance across three regattas, The Best of the Best, the National Family Island and Long Island Regattas.
The winning sloop led by Kianno Hutchinson and Joss Knowles showcased their skillmanship in the E-Class category across each round of competition. In addition to winning the trophy, the skippers were awarded a $5,000 donation, an $8,000 stipend to the junior sailing club of their island and a limited-edition Lady Kayla Bahamas Goombay Punch commemorative can, which will be released soon.
Jonathan Thronebury, Marketing Director of CBC shared the significance behind The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup.
“The Bahamas Goombay Punch is more than a beloved local brand; it’s a vibrant part of our cultural fabric. Just like sailing, our national sport, it carries a rich legacy that spans generations. Recognizing this shared history, we’re proud to support initiatives that celebrate and advance Bahamian culture,” he said.
Hutchinson and Knowles shared what this win meant for them.
“I felt super proud when I realized we won. I am grateful and thankful to God, for good coaches and Joss. It was really an honor winning the
Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup,” Hutchinson expressed.
“I am very honored to have been able to compete in the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup, I think it is a great concept and idea for a competition and really adds a new motive throughout the regattas. The whole championship was super competitive, and every single race was a fight. Alvington McKenzie was extremely competitive and had us until the Long Island regatta, which made it a very fun and tough competition. Very excited to have been the winner of a super close championship,” Knowles revealed.
Lady Kayla’s owner, Dallas Knowles, shared the team’s winning strategy.
“In sailing consistency is key and our guys in Lady Kayla are some of the best in the business at staying near the top. In the end, that was enough to secure their first Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup win. We are so proud of Joss and Kianno for what they have done in Lady Kayla. Thank you to Caribbean Bottling Company for such an amazing and forward-thinking initiative,” Knowles shared.
The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup is proud to continue its impact on sailing and community building through clean and fair competition.
For more updates on the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup and Caribbean Bottling Company visit the website www.cbcbahamas.com today.
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