CHOC BAY, CASTRIES – The Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association (SLHTA) has extended congratulation to Chief Executive Officer and Deputy Chairman of Sandals Resorts International Mr. Adam Stewart who was recently named Hotelier of the Year by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA).

President of the SLHTA, who is also incoming president of the CHTA, Mrs. Karolin Troubetzkoy lauded the young CEO for his outstanding leadership of the formidable Sandals Resorts chain which operates three stupendous properties in Saint Lucia.

Troubetzkoy says Stewart’s revolutionary leadership style coupled with his commitment to sustainable tourism and corporate social responsibility has not gone unrecognized by his counterparts in the Caribbean.

“On behalf of the SLHTA, we commend Adam for this outstanding achievement. His youth and remarkable outlook on business and tourism has undoubtedly echoed well with the vision and growth of not only Sandals, but the entire tourism arena in the Caribbean,” Troubetzkoy said.

Under the leadership of Adam Stewart Sandals Resorts International has grown considerably, earning the coveted title of World’s Leading All Inclusive Company at the annual World Travel Awards repeatedly.

In addition, the company has experienced what has been seen as ‘game changing’ developments with the establishment of resorts in Barbados and Grenada, the expansion of Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa and the launch of Sandals Emerald Bay in the Bahamas in 2010.

Motivated by his passion for sharing the Caribbean with others, Stewart also launched the Caribbean’s premier luxury tour company, Island Routes Adventure Tours, which offers countless unique island experiences in 11 countries throughout the region.

His commitment to human resource development has also been evident through the launch and continuous growth of the Sandals Corporate University, the return of the Management Trainee Programme and the introduction of several other training and development initiatives including the Management Exposure Programme (MEXP).

The formation of the Sandals Foundation has also been credited to the younger Stewart whose commitment to philanthropy and the growth of the islands’ human resource resonates well through this non profit organisation that fulfills the promise of the Caribbean community through investment in sustainable projects in education, community and environment.

Commendation for Stewart’s latest accolade has also been extended from the Chairman of Sandals Resorts International himself Mr. Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart as well as the management and staff of Sandals Resorts International and the ATL Group.