Sandals Wins top Business Awards in Saint Lucia

RODNEY BAY, Saint Lucia (January 25, 2016) – The Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce has recognized Sandals Resorts in Saint Lucia as the island’s Business of the Year – the most exclusive honour in business on the island. The resort chain was also awarded for its Excellence in Human Resource Development for the third time in four years. The two coveted accolades were bestowed on the company at the Chamber’s annual black tie gala awards ceremony held on Saturday January 23, 2016 at the Johnson’s Center in Rodney Bay.

Regional Director for Sandals Resorts international – Eastern Caribbean, Andre Dhanpaul, accepted both awards on behalf of the company.
He said, “We are thrilled to be recognized at this level by our associates in the local business community. We have been operating in Saint Lucia for more than 24 years and we have invested and grown considerably over these past two decades.”

“This is a testament of our business philosophy and capacity of our employees. So today is a tribute to our Chairman for his vision and our team members for their commitment to it,” Dhanpaul continued. On the part of Regional Group Manager for Human Resources and Training at Sandals Resorts International Eastern Caribbean, Ryan Matthew, Sandals Resorts has committed considerably to its employee development with the implementation of several outstanding programs that have since become standard practices.

“Our values are as such that we believe in investing in people and that has been the approach to our training and Human Resource Development,” he said. He went on to note that the continued growth of Sandals in Saint Lucia is equally as important as the growth of its team members.
“We are a strong company and our strength weighs on strength of our team. Everything that is invested in the professional and personal development of our team connects to the overall growth of not only Sandals but the industry as a whole,” Matthew said.

Sandals Foundation, the company’s philanthropic arm was also a finalist at the business awards for its invaluable contribution to social corporate responsibility.