Caribbean News
November’s Job Fair at BTC a Success
#PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: More than 30 prospective employees were added to the Beaches Turks and Caicos workforce recently, following the completion of a job fair at the resort.
With enthusiasm mixed with some display of nervousness at the opportunity to join the most attractive workforce in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ tourism industry, the applicants were welcomed with an overview of the day’s expected proceedings.
General Manager, James McAnally was the first to encourage the applicants and put them at ease as he shared the valued added components of being employed to Beaches Turks and Caicos. Said McAnally, “Being a part of this team is an opportunity that you and your family will benefit from tremendously. We are with you throughout your entire employment journey as we are committed to not only hire, but provide inspiration and allow you to grow and develop to your full potential. Not only do we provide competitive salaries and health benefits, we are committed to our team members’ training and development, and a beneficial work environment.”
Antoinette Thomas, recruitment and compliance specialist in sharing with the prospective applicants said, “For this month, we continue to search for the most ideal candidates with the right attitude to be a part of our Beaches Turks
and Caicos family. We continue to employ the right persons who will find the developmental process suitable for them. This job fair has given us the opportunity to engage with some outstanding candidates whom we anticipate will seek to add value to the industry even while they themselves grow professionally with our brand.”
One such candidate who applied for the post of counselor in the Kids Camp was Ennia Seymour who shared that she is ready to venture into a new career path with Beaches. Said Seymour, “My reason for applying is because I love children, and from my research, Beaches Turks and Caicos has the best opportunity for me to grow personally and go after my dream career of one day becoming a teacher. I know that this resort believes in building persons even though I don’t have the experience in this specific area, but people I have spoken to about taking on this challenge, have assured me of the training opportunities available.”
Another applicant, Luckenson Lorestil whose hope is to be employed in the Watersports department shared that he believes he is qualified and ready for a position with the resort’s watersports team. “I am a good swimmer, and I also know that I have the right attitude for this job. Since my high school years, my dream was to work for this company and to do something that I enjoy. Imagine me doing something that I enjoy each day, and then being paid to do it?
This is a dream opportunity for me.”
A relatively new worker who came through a similar recruitment drive himself, Concierge Agent Jemima Mesidor noted that, “the process of seeking to join the Beaches Turks and Caicos family can be a little daunting, as initially, you have to show that you are prepared to represent yourself. Each candidate just has to show that they know what they are about and ensure that they show that to the recruitment team. It can be a nervous process, but the recruiters will quickly put you at ease. Once you are confident in your abilities and have the courage to speak and present yourself in a mature way, this company will help in building you into becoming the professional that you want to be. I have grown tremendously with this company since joining less than a year ago. I’m happy that I made this move to be a member of this team; it was definitely the best career decision.”
BEACHES JOB FAIR CAPTIONS:
Job Fair:
Header: Marlon Henry (right) Assistant Housekeeping Manager at beaches Turks and Caicos, listens to a prospective employee during an interview session while Jennifer Lee, Housekeeping Manager shows interest
1st insert: Elizabeth Perard , Human Resources Coordinator at Beaches Turks and Caicos examines documents at the recently held job fair at the resort
2nd insert: Owenta Coleby ,Human Resources Manager at Beaches Turks and Caicos (left) shows interest in what the prospective employee shared at the recently held job fair at the resort
3rd insert: Sheldon Martin, Food and Beverage Director at Beaches Turks and Caicos was engaged in the conversation with the prospective employee at the recently held job fair and the resort
By Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
September 28, 2026 – Wall Street initially flinched at the $3-billion handshake. But in a matter of days, it was smoother sailing.
Perhaps the bigger Caribbean business story is not what Sandals Resorts International is getting from the deal. It is who is writing the
cheque — and what that says about what Gordon “Butch” Stewart built.
As reports of Royal Caribbean Group’s Sandals deal circulated Tuesday, RCL shares plunged 6.14 percent from Monday’s $250.25 close to $234.89, on sharply elevated trading.
When the agreement became official Wednesday — approximately $3 billion for a 50 percent equity interest in Sandals and Beaches Resorts — shares slipped another 1.95 percent to $230.30 and touched $222.22 intraday. Investors were digesting both the size of the investment and committed debt financing secured through Morgan Stanley.
But by Thursday, RCL rebounded 3.77 percent, with shares continuing their recovery Friday to finish the week around $243. Analysts were also looking ahead: JPMorgan reportedly raised its RCL price target from $345 to $394, while Citi placed the company on a 90-day positive catalyst watch.
And just who is RCL?
Royal Caribbean Group is a global vacation giant, publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange with a market value of roughly $65 billion. Its portfolio includes Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea, alongside private destinations and an
expanding vacation platform.
So when a company of that scale commits $3 billion for only half of Sandals and Beaches Resorts, the transaction puts a striking financial marker on one of the Caribbean’s greatest home-grown hospitality success stories.
The deal, expected to close in early 2027, creates a 50-50 partnership with the Stewart family and takes Royal Caribbean deeper into the all-inclusive resort business.
Butch Stewart started Sandals in Jamaica in 1981 believing a Caribbean company could compete with the world’s best.
Forty-five years later, one of the world’s biggest vacation companies is prepared to pay $3 billion just to own half of what he built.
Now that’s the handshake that does more than seal a deal — it cements a legacy.
Caribbean News
Royal Caribbean Group and Sandals Resorts Announce Landmark Partnership to Accelerate Their Leading Vacation Experiences
Royal Caribbean Group Investment to Advance Sandals and Beaches’ Growth and Broaden the Group’s Vacation Portfolio
Montego Bay, Jamaica and Miami, September 24, 2026 – Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) and Sandals Resorts today announced the signing of an agreement to form a partnership in the all-inclusive resort space with a 50% investment from Royal Caribbean Group. Building on Sandals and Beaches Resorts’ more than four decades of leadership in Caribbean hospitality, the joint venture will create new opportunities for continued resort growth while broadening the experiences across Royal Caribbean Group’s vacation platform.
The partnership brings together two of the travel industry’s most celebrated vacation companies, pairing Sandals and Beaches’ all-inclusive resort expertise with Royal Caribbean Group’s vacation platform, including industry-leading brands – Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea – a portfolio of private destinations, new river cruising offering, and an industry-first loyalty program. United in a shared history in the Caribbean and connected by a love for their communities, the companies will offer travelers an unparalleled collection of cruise, private destination and resort experiences, serving guests across more vacation occasions and establishing their undisputed leadership in Caribbean vacations.
The joint venture expands Royal Caribbean Group into an adjacent vacation category, growing its participation in the approximately $2 trillion global vacation market, and meets the growing global demand for Sandals and Beaches Resorts by accelerating their expansion. The partnership will include Sandals and Beaches’ collection of premier all-inclusive properties across the Caribbean, and the companies will explore opportunities to broaden distribution, deepen guest engagement, and make it easier for travelers to discover vacation experiences offered across both portfolios.
“For nearly 60 years, we’ve reimagined what a vacation can be, constantly expanding the ways we inspire our guests to explore, connect and create lifelong memories,” said Jason Liberty, Chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “We have been building a vacation platform that brings joy to millions of people around the world and creates meaningful relationships that last with our guests. Our partnership with
Sandals and Beaches Resorts is an important next step on that journey – bringing together two iconic leading vacation companies to further strengthen and grow one of the most admired resort portfolios in the world. The Stewart family has created powerful and beloved brands, and we are honored to build on that legacy. Together, we see tremendous opportunity to expand the reach of Sandals and Beaches Resorts and continue turning the vacation of a lifetime into a lifetime of vacations.”
“My father, Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, founded Sandals Resorts with the belief that a company built in the Caribbean could stand on the world stage alongside the most respected names in hospitality. Today is proof of how far that vision can go,” said Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts. “This partnership is the natural next step in building on that conviction. It gives us the ability to grow faster with a partner that shares our values of exceptional hospitality, long-term investment, and the power of enduring brands. Together, we will introduce more guests to Sandals and Beaches Resorts while creating even more extraordinary experiences for those who have made our resorts part of their lives for decades.” Stewart added, “As we continue to grow, we will remain true to what has always defined us: delivering authentic vacations that exceed expectations while creating opportunities for our team members, travel advisor partners and the communities we call home. The future has never been brighter, and I know this moment would make my father incredibly proud.”
The joint venture will be governed by a board under the shared leadership of Stewart and Liberty. Stewart will maintain a leadership role in
guiding the company’s long-term strategic growth as Executive Chairman of Sandals and Beaches Resorts. Existing reservations, loyalty programs, resort operations and cruise operations will continue as usual, with the partnership bringing additional resources to support future opportunities.
Under the terms of the agreement, Royal Caribbean Group will acquire a 50% equity interest in Sandals and Beaches Resorts for approximately $3 billion, representing a forward EBITDA multiple of approximately 10x. Royal Caribbean Group has secured committed debt financing from Morgan Stanley to fund the investment. The transaction is expected to close in early 2027, subject to customary approvals and closing conditions, and is expected to be accretive to earnings next year.
BofA Securities and PJT Partners acted as financial advisors, and Latham & Watkins and Jones Day acted as legal advisors to the Sandals Group. Perella Weinberg Partners and Morgan Stanley acted as financial advisors and Kirkland & Ellis LLP acted as legal advisor to Royal Caribbean Group.
PHOTO CAPTION: Jason Liberty, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, and Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts, mark the signing of an agreement to form a landmark partnership that expands Royal Caribbean Group into the all-inclusive resort space and supports the future growth of Sandals and Beaches Resorts. The signing took place at Royal Caribbean Group’s new headquarters in Miami, with the city’s skyline in the background.
The Caribbean tourism deal first reported as a possibility on Tuesday is now a signed agreement. Royal Caribbean Group plans to pay
approximately US$3 billion for a 50% stake in Sandals and Beaches Resorts, putting the value of the business at about US$6 billion. The purchase is expected to close in early 2027, subject to approvals.
Founded in Jamaica by the late Gordon “Butch” Stewart in 1981, the resort business has a presence across nine Caribbean destinations, including Jamaica, The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos. Sandals has described its workforce as nearly 20,000 people, most of them Caribbean nationals.
“My father, Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, founded Sandals Resorts with the belief that a company built in the Caribbean could stand on the world stage alongside the most respected names in hospitality,” said Adam Stewart in the announcement carried by PR Newswire. He will remain executive chairman, while the Stewart family retains a stake. The companies say existing reservations and resort operations will continue as usual.
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