[dropcap]L[/dropcap]ast Friday evening, the annual Sandals Overdrive Caribbean Tour touched down in Saint Lucia, after previous stops in Jamaica, Barbados, and Grenada. Present at the event was this island’s prime minister, Mr. Allen Chastanet, as well as government ministers, regional and local managers, business partners and employees from Unique Vacations and the three Sandals properties on-island. The venue was the lavishly decorated Sandals Grande conference room.
After soaking up the sounds of Ronald ‘Boo’ Hinkson’s guitar, and giving much attention to the mouth-watering buffet and a variety of drinks, the fun-filled night was well on its way. Master of ceremonies and Senior Vice President of Global Sales, Gary Sandler set off by bringing out the evening’s first speaker: Winston Anderson, Managing Director of Sandals Grande. “We came here 25 years ago,” he reminded attendees, “and have literally transformed the island’s tourism and the economic landscape. With three magnificent resorts, and the recent groundbreaking of our fourth, we have demonstrated our commitment to continue the development and prosperity of this beautiful island.”
Prime Minister Allen Chastanet offered high praise for Butch Stewart. He recalled their first meeting when he asked Stewart to consider Saint Lucia for a future hotel. Not long afterwards, the future prime minister received word that a Sandals representative was in Saint Lucia and wished to meet him. A few weeks later it was announced that Sandals would set up shop here.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Sarah Flood-Beaubrun, and Senator Ubaldus Raymond.
Said an obviously excited Chastanet on Friday: “I really believe Saint Lucia is the best in the chain of hotels.This government remains committed to the Sandals brand. The profits that Sandals make, stay in the Caribbean; the money remains here. I think we all owe the company a great debt of gratitude. The same level of loyalty you’ve given to us, we’ll give to you.”
Mr. Jeremy Jones, the company’s Director of Corporate Services, gave insight into the work of the nine-year old Sandals Foundation: “One of the things we were able to do in Saint Lucia was to establish in 2014, at Victoria Hospital, a telemedicine centre.”
The centre gathers information from children born with blood disorders and sends samples to Canada for diagnosis, this not being possible locally.
“We also learn from our team members what’s taking place in their communities.We have been raising an average of a million US dollars a year in cash donations, thanks to our team members and valued guests. What we raise greatly impacts the live of our Caribbean nationals!”
Last to speak was CEO and Deputy Chairman of Sandals Resorts International, Mr. Adam Stewart. “Since 1981,” he said, “Sandals Resorts has wed over 250,000 couples. There is no other company on planet Earth that has married 250,000 people!”
Oohs and aahs erupted from the audience as Stewart unveiled renderings of the soon to be fourth resort in Saint Lucia—Sandals La Source. It is anticipated that the project will take 24 months to complete.
Then it was the turn of Teddyson John to cap off the night with a special performance that had many singing and dancing in their seats.
