Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves has hailed Sandals Resorts for the impact it has already had on St Vincent and the Grenadines, pointing out that the luxury all-inclusive chain provided hope for the country when it faced economic challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic and after the 2021 eruption of La Soufrière volcano.

“During COVID, unemployment went up, there was a decline in economic activity in the region. At the time we also had volcanic eruptions. Sandals came to us with a proposal to recruit Vincentians and send them to their resorts across the Caribbean to be trained. We had to evacuate 20,000 persons, with some in shelters for four to six months. Along came a friend in Sandals who said they could ease some of the pressure, providing opportunities for 500 people, and these little things talk to me about partnership,” Gonsalves told guests at the recent official opening of Sandals St Vincent.

“This might have been small for Sandals, but it was a huge thing for us in the condition in which we found ourselves, and I want to thank Sandals and Adam,” he said, referring to Sandals Resorts Executive Chairman Adam Stewart, son of the award-winning resort chain’s late founder Gordon “Butch” Stewart.

“It is an understatement really to call Sandals a brand. It has become an existential part of our Caribbean civilisation. This civilisation is tailor-made for tourism and Butch Stewart has helped to shape this aspect of the material to help sustain us. I think that when the history of the 20th into the 21st century is written, there would be a towering place for this legend,” Gonsalves said.

Pointing out that he enjoyed a great relationship with Butch Stewart, Prime Minister Gonsalves outlined his country’s plan to celebrate Stewart’s memory and contributions to tourism and economic development in the Caribbean.

“The Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines had indicated to Sandals that we will build the road coming to the entrance of the hotel. Having built it, we will call it the Gordon “Butch” Stewart Boulevard,” Gonsalves announced to sustained applause.

Sandals St Vincent and the Grenadines is the chain’s 18th resort in the Caribbean. It offers 301 rooms and suites across 50 lush-laden acres.

According to Stewart, the newest resort in the chain “is a multi-generational act in the making that began with my extraordinary father, Gordon “Butch” Stewart, and Prime Minister Gonsalves many years ago”.

Both men, he said, had flirted heavily with the idea of flying the St Vincent and the Grenadines flag, not only in that country but in all the other islands across the Caribbean that Sandals has its operations.

“Little did we know that 43 years later the Sandals brand would grow from one 99-room hotel in Montego Bay to a top 500 brand known on the world stage as a super brand. The only Caribbean-born commercial super brand known across the United States, Europe, and Canada, with over 84 per cent brand penetration and recognition,” he said.

Stewart spoke on what the opening of the new resort meant for Sandals, the island, and the Caribbean at large.

“First and foremost, we market the destination — both St Vincent and the Grenadines. The landscape that makes up this incredible archipelago will benefit. Directly and indirectly, for linkages, tour operators, taxi operators, restaurateurs, musicians, farmers, fishers, entrepreneurs, hardware store operators, the entire ecosystem and connectivity we plan to make sure that the entire world knows,” he said.

With Sandals’ expansion to the island, airlift has increased exponentially, with more availability on the horizon. According to Stewart, numerous airlines have adjusted their schedules in anticipation of the demand.

“American Airlines used to fly twice per week to and from the Argyle Airport. Since April the airline has increased [flights] to four times per week and is expected to have daily flights by the end of 2024,” he said.

“Air Canada and Virgin have increased their airlift, with JetBlue and United Airlines now flying to the island for the first time. Nationals and visitors will have the opportunity to fly more conveniently and we will continue to grow,” Stewart added.

Next month the resort is expected to host 300 top travel advisors from around the world, the largest contingent of international travel professionals to ever visit St Vincent and the Grenadines.