MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA—Sandals Resorts International has appointed Adam Stewart as the resort company’s executive chairman.
Stewart becomes just the second chairman in the company’s 40-year history. He is preceded by his late father and chairman, the Hon. Gordon “Butch” Stewart, who passed earlier this year at the age of 79.
The elder Stewart was a pioneer in Caribbean tourism who “broke the ceiling of all-inclusive luxury” after founding the organization in 1981 and played a pivotal role in bolstering the region’s popularity, the company reports.
Adam Stewart assumes the role after working alongside his father for more than two decades, serving as CEO and most recently deputy chairman. He has helped oversee the continued rapid expansion of Sandals Resorts International throughout the Caribbean, including the recent announcement of two new island resort destinations, the future Sandals Curaçao and Beaches Resorts in St. Vincent.
“Some people are dreamers, and some are doers; my dad was the magical combination of both,” said Adam Stewart, executive chairman, Sandals Resorts International. “He was fiercely passionate about offering a product that would exceed expectations, and we are incredibly honored to continue his pursuit of innovation, raising the bar, and creating landmark moments for our valued guests.”
Countless organizations have recognized Adam Stewart for his leadership in the travel industry and his substantial contributions to the destinations where Sandals Resorts International operates. As part of this commitment, in 2009, Adam Stewart launched the Sandals Foundation with a mission to lift communities through education, healthcare and environmental protection. The foundation and its activities have helped millions across the region through various impact-focused programs, where he will continue to serve as president. He is also a strong proponent of the direct investment and development of team members. His work through the Sandals Corporate University brings continued learning, mentorship and invaluable skills training to thousands of employees throughout the Caribbean. In 2016, Stewart was also bestowed the national honor of the Order of Distinction, Commander Class by the Government of Jamaica for outstanding contribution to tourism.
He added, “We could never have imagined the monumental impact that our resorts have had around the world. It has been a remarkable journey to have built brands that play a part in so many of our customers’ happiest moments. Our team is the best in the world, and I am incredibly proud of the work they do every day of life to put our customers first, as we carry forward.”
Stewart has also played an integral role in managing the company’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including launching Sandals Platinum Protocols of Cleanliness to ensure guests’ and team members’ safety, and consulting with industry groups, government entities, health organizations and international associations alike.
Earlier this month, Butch Stewart’s passing was marked by a global outpouring of support from Sandals team members, guests and industry partners around the world, sharing thousands of memories. As an industry pioneer, he helped to establish the tourism sector across the Caribbean through building first of its kind luxury resorts, chartering flights to bring international visitors when no major airline service was offered and a relentless commitment to backing the travel agent community.
“My father’s shoes are impossible to fill, but we will follow in his groundbreaking footsteps to continue the important work we all set out to do together,” Adam Stewart said. “As a company and as a team, we are poised for the future. We are already leading the industry in recovering from the greatest setback in the history of travel. We will continue to lead not just by saying, but by doing. And at the heart of it all, we are solely focused on what we do best: delighting our guests.”