TORONTO, Canada — Sandals and Beaches resorts were named by Canadian agents as their "favourites" in three prominent categories in the 11th annual Agents' Choice Awards, which saw more travel agents voting than in previous years.

Sandals was voted 'Favourite All-Inclusive' for 11 years in a row; 'Favourite Hotel Chain' for the fourth consecutive year; and 'Favourite Environmentally Friendly Company' for the third year running.

"Our efforts in Canada span many years, and we are familiar with the country from east to west. Canadian travel agents know our organisation and a large number of them know our product in the various Caribbean islands first-hand," said Gordon 'Butch' Stewart, founder and chairman of Sandals Resorts International.

"They have seen not only the changes we have made, but also our modernisation programmes, elevation of standards and the reliability and consistency of the Sandals and Beaches product. They know that we have the highest returning guest ratio in the industry and they also find our brands to be the most reliable to sell; clients keep coming back to them to return to Sandals," added Stewart who is also chairman of the Observer.

"We are over the moon, not only for winning the Favourite All-Inclusive award but also for opening Sandals up to so many other brands and winning. This is eclipsed only by winning the Favourite Environmentally Friendly Company award. Thank you, Canada and thank you, to the people who know hotels best," he added.

This year, nearly 4,000 Canadian travel agents voted in 23 industry categories in the Agents' Choice Awards, the largest sampling of Canadian travel agent opinions ever. The awards were launched in 2000 by leading travel trade publishers Toronto-based Baxter Travel Media and its flagship publications Canadian Travel Press and Travel Courier. The annual Agents' Choice Awards asks travel agents to select their top three favourite travel suppliers in various categories with their votes weighted accordingly -- three points for a first place vote, two for second and one for third.

Edith Baxter, editor-in-chief of Baxter Travel Media, said: "In a world in which travel agents have been pushed down the priority list of some suppliers, Sandals Resorts has been unwavering in its support of the travel agency community, both in Canada and around the world. So it should come as no surprise that when agents are given a chance to pick their favourites in the all-inclusive, hotel chain and environmentally friendly company categories, Sandals & Beaches Resorts come out on top."

Sandals Resorts won the 'Favourite All-inclusive' category with an overwhelming 7,563 points, 5,226 points ahead of its closest runners.

Canadian agents confirmed that Sandals is viewed not only as an all-inclusive company, but as one of the world's leading hotel brands by choosing Sandals as their 'Favourite Hotel Chain', with 5,721 points with nearest competitor Fairmont Hotels scoring 1,770 points. Other contenders in the category for 'Favourite Hotel Chain' included the Four Seasons, Marriott and Hilton.

Agents also recognised Sandals for its environmental, educational and community outreach throughout the Caribbean region by choosing Sandals as 'Favourite Environmentally Friendly Company' for three years running with a total of 5,013 points.

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