AS the Sandals Corporate University (SCU) continues to make significant strides in capacity-building across the hospitality and tourism industry, the premier learning institution was recently recognised at the Tourism Enhancement Fund’s inaugural Excellence in Health and Wellness Tourism Awards. The SCU earned top honours for its ‘outstanding contribution to education and training in wellness tourism’.

The Excellence in Health and Wellness Tourism Awards seek to celebrate and acknowledge individuals and organisations playing a pivotal role in promoting Jamaica’s health and wellness offerings. The event also aims to strengthen connections between the industry and other sectors, while promoting and presenting Jamaica’s distinctive health and wellness tourism products.

Senior corporate director, SCU, Dr Luz Longsworth and the entire team were excited when they received the news of the nomination.

“It was earlier this year that we received a bronze medal for the Best Corporate University in Jamaica in the business impact category from the world-renowned Global Council of Corporate Universities. To now be the winner of this award is an immense pleasure for us. Our focus on impacting the lives of hospitality professionals is something we take seriously and strive to find innovations daily to ensure learning is accessible to all team members at all levels,” Dr Longsworth said.

“We also extend ourselves to the community and offer training to students at the tertiary and secondary levels, through partnerships. So our overall contribution to the health and wellness of this great industry, through our course offerings and partnerships with leading educational bodies, is a testament of our strength as an institution. Our team is encouraged to continue to work diligently as we move from strength to strength.”

Stakeholders were recognised across seven categories, including Outstanding Wellness Resort, Outstanding Spa/Wellness Facility, Innovation in Health and Wellness Tourism, Outstanding Contribution to Education and Training in Wellness Tourism, Wellness Travel Blogger/Social Media influencer, Outstanding Wellness Retreat/Event, and Wellness Tourism Industry Pioneer. The Sandals signature Red Lane Spa also copped the award for Outstanding Spa/Wellness Facility, bringing the tally to two top awards for the Sandals brand.