JAMAICAN Gary Sadler has been promoted to senior vice-president of sales in the North American market of Miami-based Unique Vacations, Inc, the worldwide representatives for Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart’s Sandals Resorts, Beaches Resorts, The Royal Plantation Collection and Grand Pineapple Beach Resorts.

Sadler will assume the functions previously handled by John Lynch who resigned recently to take up the job of director of tourism in Jamaica, and will move from his base in Toronto, Canada to Unique’s Miami office. He will be responsible for overseeing all sales operations throughout the USA and Canada, as well as the development of significant partnerships with airlines, tour operators and travel agents.

Stewart, founder and chairman of Sandals Resorts, congratulated Sadler, saying that he had promoted himself to one of Caribbean tourism’s most powerful positions through “his innate drive and determination that has steered him along the path of success year after year”.

“A long time ago when Gary went to represent the Sandals brand in North America, he did not even have a driver’s licence, but that did not stop him. He found a way to get the job done. In fact, it is not so much that Gary was promoted I really feel that he elevated himself into his new position at UVI,” said Stewart.

Sadler, who made a name for himself in Jamaica with his uncanny imitation of national personalities such as Michael Manley Manley, Edward Seaga and Douglas Vaz, served ten years as director of sales and marketing for Unique Vacations Canada, before being promoted last year to vice-president of sales.

Under his leadership, the resort company’s presence grew exponentially in the Canadian market, becoming the only Caribbean chain with sales representatives across the entire country. His efforts were rewarded when Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts were recognised as not only the ‘Favourite All-Inclusive’ for the ninth consecutive year, but also the ‘Favourite Hotel’ for the second year in a row, and for the first time, “Favourite Environmentally Friendly Company” in the 2008 Baxter Travel Media Agents’ Choice Awards.

Kevin Froemming, president of Unique Vacations, North America also hailed Sadler as “a valued member of the UVI family” in announcing the promotion.

“Having been with our company almost since its inception, Gary has seen first-hand the evolution of our product over the last two decades. He has been instrumental in growing our Canadian markets and now assumes one of the most important roles within our company, which is ensuring the continued partnership with our most valued sales allies – travel agents. We are honoured to have him continue his career at UVI as senior vice-president of sales for North America,” Froemming added.

A native of Kingston, Jamaica, Sadler started his association with the Sandals product in 1998 by working as a ‘Playmaker’ at Sandals Royal Caribbean in Montego Bay, he has quickly moved up the company’s, and subsequently its worldwide representative’s ranks and has not stopped since.