MONTEGO BAY, St James —Sandals Resorts International Executive Chairman Adam Stewart says the devastation caused by last October’s Hurricane Melissa has given the resort chain an opportunity to transform several of its Jamaican properties and once again “change the game” in the hospitality industry.

“It is almost serendipitous on multitude levels,” he said of the rebuilding programme which has seen major work undertaken at Sandals South Coast, Sandals Montego Bay, and the former Sandals Royal Caribbean, now Sandals Caribbean Cay.

Addressing the Unique Vacations Limited (UVL) 2025 MVP Awards at Montego Bay Convention Centre on Tuesday night, Stewart said Sandals had compressed what would normally have been years of redevelopment into less than a year.

“We have done three years of work in what will be about nine and a half months,” Stewart said, contrasting Sandals’ approach with competitors which, he noted, were largely focused on restoring their properties to their pre-hurricane state.

Sandals South Coast is scheduled to reopen on November 18, followed by the transformed Sandals Montego Bay and Sandals Caribbean Cay.

Stewart said the redevelopment of Sandals Montego Bay was particularly significant, as the property was the first in the Sandals chain, opening in 1981 with 99 rooms.

Stewart said the upgraded property will be “unbelievable”.

He made a similar promise for Sandals Caribbean Cay, saying guests would barely recognise the property when it reopens.

Stewart, who said the scale of investment would help create products capable of strengthening Jamaica’s position in the global tourism market, expressed confidence in the future.

From left: Unique Vacations Limited Senior Director of Call Centre Operations Leezo Wallace; Richard Somerville, Unique Vacations Limited travel agent development manager and recipient of the 2025 Diamond Talent Award; and Adam Stewart, executive chairman of Sandals Resorts International, share a light moment at the Unique Vacations 2025 MVP Awards, held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre Tuesday night. (Photo: Philp Lemonte)

“Demand for Jamaica is back; 2027 is going to be incredibly strong. Jamaica is a gift to the world,” said the hotel chain tycoon.

He also highlighted Sandals’ response to the hurricane beyond the physical reconstruction of its properties, saying the company provided each team member with $30,000 in cash, retained approximately 2,000 employees on its payroll while they were unable to work, and channelled about US$6 million in assistance to affected communities through Sandals Foundation.

Stewart stressed that the recovery was not merely about rebuilding resorts.

“It is the people. It is you,” he told the UVL team, pointing out that the warmth and hospitality of Caribbean people remain one of the region’s greatest competitive advantages.

That message of resilience was echoed by UVL Senior Director of Call Centre Operations Leezo Wallace, who told the awards gathering that the company’s team had faced uncertainty and major disruptions but continued to deliver. UVL Montego Bay was devastated by the Category 5 hurricane.

“Resilience is not simply about getting through difficult times; it is about how you respond when things get difficult,” Wallace said.

He praised the team for maintaining a strong performance despite the challenges of the year and singled out the company’s top revenue earners, Peter-Gay Rhodes and Tia Matthews, who generated approximately US$5.9 million and US$5.8 million, respectively, in 2025.

Wallace also celebrated Marva Nelson who, after years of telling him that she would become an MVP before leaving the company, finally received the award Tuesday night.

He said the achievements being celebrated extended beyond revenue figures, noting that every booking, guest interaction, difficult call, and effort to support colleagues contributed to the company’s performance.

Wallace also acknowledged the management team for supporting employees through the difficult period.

Recipients of the Unique Vacations 2025 MVP Awards display their awards during a ceremony at the Montego Bay Convention Centre Tuesday night. (Photo: Philp Lemonte)

Among the top awardees on Tuesday night were: Richard Somerville, who walked away with the Senior Director Award; Manager of the Year went to Sharieka Vassel; while Kaydeen White copped the Supervisor of the Year Award.

UVL Chief Executive Officer Jeff Clarke, who was unable to attend because of a scheduling conflict, delivered a video message in which he praised the team for maintaining service levels despite the hurricane’s impact on their personal lives and the business.

Clarke noted that the company had lost its office in the disaster but said the team quickly secured a new location and resumed operations.

“The team stepped up, found a new location, got up and running in a very short period of time, and continued delivering excellent service,” he said.

He said the MVP Awards recognised employees who had consistently delivered strong business results, exceptional service and leadership, while noting that the 2025 awards recognised 26 team members across sales, customer service, administration and leadership.

Clarke also highlighted the performance of the company’s highest revenue contributors.

For Stewart, the resilience demonstrated by the UVL team and the wider Jamaican population underscored the importance of continuing to invest in people and the destination.

He urged Jamaicans to “hold each other up” and encourage one another, rather than simply go through the motions of everyday life.

“I believe by being born in this country we won the lottery from day one,” Stewart said.