Adam Stewart delivers keynote speech at CTO Sustainability Conference in Grenada
Sandals Resorts International Executive Chairman Adam Stewart says regional stakeholders need to come together and work together to ensure the success of the Caribbean’s tourism sector.
Stewart, who delivered the keynote address at the 2024 Sustainable Tourism Conference in Grenada on April 22, said the region’s tourism industry will only grow if there is strong partnership between all sectors, public and private. He said true sustainability can be achieved.
The conference, organized by the Caribbean Tourism Board, focused on five key elements for sustainability: People, Planet, Prosperity, Purpose and Partnerships. Stewart argues that it’s the last element that’s important, partnership: “Perhaps the most powerful part of the five P’s is partnership, public-private partnership. There’s a role for the public sector and a role for the private sector. The extent to which these two are combined will determine the profits and future of the company. So, from the perspective of the short time I speak, our job is unity, and we all come together and unite. , to tackle the challenges we face head-on and find ways to involve everyone.”
Sandals called on conference participants to return their minds to the coronavirus pandemic, noting that regional stakeholders have already demonstrated that this is possible. At this time, all sectors worked together to make the Caribbean region the region experiencing the fastest recovery in tourism anywhere on the planet. “We are united, we are united. We are the first in the Caribbean to realize that we are only stronger together. We are farmers, the transport sector, tour operators, fishermen, entertainers, I also worked with priests and pastors. I saw the most beautiful harmonies emerge, and I saw cruise ships working with operators on the ground in ways they never had before. , that connection has become one.”
Mr Stewart argued that this lesson should never be forgotten and should serve as a template for a bright future for tourism in the region. As business leaders and government policy makers, we need to dig deeper. We have to stop relying on and pointing out that this is government business and that is private sector business. The sooner we come together as a collective, understanding that this is our Caribbean business, the sooner we will progress. ”
Mr Stewart warned that today’s travelers have a wide range of choices, inspired by what they see on social media platforms, and the region is more competitive than ever and ready to attract and welcome tourists. He said that close cooperation between the public and private sectors is necessary to achieve this goal. “Customers don’t owe us anything. They’re explorers. They can use the internet and YouTube to guide us without leaving their living rooms. So when we talk about sustainability… You have to do a lot of things in harmony. You win when there is no friction. Tourism is the path of least resistance, so it’s easy for me to go there.”
Mr Stewart went on to say that Caribbean islands should not see each other as competitors, but recognize that they are a product of one. , Grenada does not compete with Jamaica.” They say the world is the Caribbean, they unite us, we are in the pot whether we like it or not. We’re competing with France, Italy, Germany, London, Paris, Singapore, Dubai…that’s who we’re really competing against. And we promise they can’t do anything we can do differently. Their beaches aren’t as beautiful, their people aren’t as warm and friendly as ours, and our stories are more charming. ”
However, Mr Stewart said the region could only truly realize its potential if stakeholders came together to seek mature solutions in a non-adversarial and inclusive manner. “The extent to which we can successfully make them work together. Agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and all services where the private and public sectors work in harmony will define our future.”
He said Sandals Resorts is a perfect example of leveraging the unique yet common values that unite the people of the Caribbean, adding, “And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the secret.” In my eyes, Sandals is no longer an organization, it’s a platform for opportunities. It’s an example of what a Caribbean dream can be. It’s a super brand. It has grown into a top 500 brand in the world, which should not only make us all proud as Caribbean people, but also show that it is possible.”
