ROSE HALL, St James — Sandals Resorts International (SRI) was among six awardees at this year’s Global Tourism Resilience Awards Gala for the Americas, where appreciation was shown to individuals and companies that went beyond the call of duty during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other awardees were the Fluxà family of Iberostar Group; Bahia Principe Hotels and Resorts; director of sales for Latin America and the Caribbean at United Airlines, Christine Valls; Carnival Cruise Line; and UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili

The gala brought the curtains down on Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference 2024, which was held at Montego Convention Centre in St James last Friday and Saturday.

According to Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett, the selection process was carefully thought through to identify winners across the tourism spectrum. He said Sandals’ contribution was unique.

“They were not only a part of the recovery task force, a part of the crisis management task force, but they offered their properties to be the home of sick persons — and that meant something to us,” stated Bartlett. He also noted that if it should boil down to selecting an individual for recognition at SRI, it would be its Executive Chairman Adam Stewart.

Following the event, SRI’s Corporate Director for Resort Operations, Jamaica Jeremy Jones told the Jamaica Observer that while he would not want to see another pandemic, the company would be willing to assist again should the need arise. He views the award as recognition of the hard work done by many who often go unrecognised.

“Getting an award is always something that is very wonderful, especially when it shows the commitment and awards the dedication of the 18,000 employees that represent Sandals Resorts. This award speaks about tourism resilience, and it specifically recognises the work that Sandals did during the pandemic. When we put together the Platinum Protocols of Cleanliness it allowed Sandals Resorts to be one of the first resorts in the Caribbean to give hope after the pandemic. When travel was allowed and international air travel was allowed, Sandals was among the first hotels that were ready to take guests and welcome business back to our hotels and back to the shores of the Caribbean,” stated Jones.

“Getting an award tonight from ‘Global Resilience in Tourism’ is a heart-warming experience. Our environmental health team that works so closely to put the protocols together deserves a lot of the credit. It’s through their efforts, and through their hard work and commitment and dedication, [why] we are where we are. Sandals is rebounding with phenomenal occupancy and great projections going forward,” he added.

The Fluxà family of Iberostar Group was among others that stood out for Bartlett. He spoke of their role “in assisting us with the resilient corridor which was established here in Montego Bay and, of course, the northern side of the country”.

Bartlett also pointed out that Bahia Principe was the first hotel in the Caribbean to offer their entire hotel to house those infected by the virus.

“They wanted us to know that they cared enough to offer the one property they have in Jamaica for that purpose, and we salute Bahia Principe,” the minister said.

He also had high praises for another of the night’s awardees.

“At the time she was responsible for the Caribbean for American Airlines, and we really agonised as to whether it should be American Airlines or Christine Valls. We concluded in the end that, yes, American Airlines was there and provided the institutional support but it was the commitment, loyalty, duty, and real sense of purpose that drove her to ensure that that airline flew continuously for the benefit of Jamaica during those difficult months of COVID,” explained Bartlett.

He also expounded on why Carnival Cruise Line was selected, saying it “stood with” Jamaica in difficult times.

Bartlett’s good friend, UNWTO Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili under whose watch the industry recovered from the pandemic, also came in for commendation from the minister.

“Through it all, tourism recovered. [It] recovered well, and today we can boast that we have recovered 90 per cent across the globe and, in the case of Jamaica, more than 100 per cent recovery — and we thank Pololikashvili and his leadership,” stated Bartlett.