It was perfect timing to gear up for yet another annual ‘All That’s Good Fun Day’ in Jamaica, as folks around the globe celebrated this year’s World Cup phenomenon. Nearly 4,500 team members from Sandals, Beaches, Royal Plantation and Grand Pineapple, along with sister companies, Island Routes, Appliance Traders Limited Group and the Jamaica Observer, showed their team spirit for a day of games, camaraderie, great Jamaican food, and, of course, a bit of healthy competition.

It really thrills me to be able to honor every member of our team in Jamaica in such a unique way.  We work hard all year long for you and your clients to deliver the very best experience, and it’s nice to see that everyone is able to come together on this occasion to play hard as well.  There was a healthy mix of adrenaline as teams from each hotel showed up to compete against each other in games like tug-o-war, sprint relay races, volleyball, football, scrabble, darts, a bun eating contest, and of course, the traditional dominoes game.  Special guests included Courtney Walsh, an International Cricket Legend and cultural ambassador for Jamaica; Hiiroki Kaji, President of Panasonic Latin America; Comedian and Actor, Oliver Samuels; and former Miss Jamaica Universe, April Jackson, along with Miss Jamaica World, Regina Beavers.

All in all, it was a great day for every member of our Jamaican team and we can’t wait to do this again next year!

Teams marched on the field to big tunes as part of the kick-off parade for this year’s Fun Day festivities.

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As I mentioned, it was quite an exciting week across the brands – after literally “flying” in to Sandals Royal Caribbean’s Private Offshore Island at JAPEX, I “flew out” to NYC that very same night to celebrate another great victory with Beaches Resorts. After a long-term relationship with Sesame Workshop, it was so thrilling to be a part of the process once again of welcoming a new addition to Beaches’ exclusive Caribbean Adventure with Sesame Street: the legendary, yellow-feathered character, Big Bird. We joined forces with some of our very best partners in the Big Apple this week for an action-packed line-up to share the news of Big Bird’s arrival this Fall to Beaches Resorts, as well as the launch of the Martha Stewart Crafts Studio exclusively at Beaches.

It’s pretty cool that after a long run with Sesame Workshop (since 2004) we’ve all been so pleased with the partnership and the exclusive, second-to-none experience that it brings to your clients’ vacation, that we’re thrilled to extend the relationship until 2015.  This fall, your clients can experience this migration at Beaches Negril and Beaches Turks & Caicos, as Big Bird flies south to team up with Elmo, Zoe, Grover, Cookie Monster, Abby Cadabby, The Count, and Bert & Ernie.

I made a stop at The Martha Stewart Show while in NY to talk about the introduction of the Martha Stewart Crafts Studio™, the exclusive program created with families in mind, and geared toward teens and tweens, with a series of creative, hands-on classes that incorporate glitter, stencil, paint and more.  It’s just one more reason that family fun is paramount at Beaches!

With great partnerships like these to talk about and the entire Beaches team who’s always looking for the next best thing to bring to you and your clients, it’s no wonder that our Beaches brand just keeps getting better and better!

There I am making an appearance on Fox Business during my NYC visit – it’s always great to share with the world all the exciting things taking place at Beaches.

On the set of Martha Stewart Live!  It’s always great to be in the company of two of our greatest partners – Martha Stewart, and of course, our newest addition, Big Bird.

It’s been a busy and exciting past few days for me and the entire Sandals team! The Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX), a travel industry tradeshow held every year in Jamaica, was in full swing this year with all its high-energy activities and schedule of events. Sponsored by the Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association and the Jamaica Tourist Board, we were thrilled to represent all of the Sandals brands at the event, and even Island Routes, our Six Star Diamond Award recipient, a first-time honor for any tour company! Also, we got the chance to share new and exciting information about our renovations of Grand Pineapple; our newest gem, Sandals Emerald Bay in Great Exuma Bahamas; and also big news on the Beaches front with the launch of our Martha Stewart Crafts Studio and the arrival of our newest furry friend!

Before heading off to New York to meet Big Bird, the JAPEX official opening wouldn’t have been complete without the welcome reception hosted on Sandals Island, the private offshore escape a boat ride away from Sandals Royal Caribbean. To kick-things off at the highly-anticipated island party, I ziplined in by canopy, just one of the many thrilling adventures offered by Island Routes Caribbean Adventure Tours, before heading off to the ‘big apple.’ Water-bonfires lined the route to the bash and Soul Rebel (the newest addition to the Island Routes’ catamaran fleet) decorated the docks. The drinks were flowing, there was good food from all around the world, and the delegates in attendance danced the night away. We were at this year’s JAPEX in full force and we can’t wait to do it again next year!!! 

Nothing like a grand entrance to ring in this year’s JAPEX celebration.

Always there to lend a helping hand, the Chairman joins in on the fun. 

There’s the Chairman and Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Bruce Golding, flanked by larger-than-life entertainers.

In true Sandals fashion, we played host yet again to another star-studded weekend at the brand new, and totally spectacular, Sandals Emerald Bay, to benefit The Sandals Foundation.

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A Sandals Dinner for Canadian Travel Agents and Air Canada Vacations Adds a Non-Stop Flight to Great Exuma...

Recently, the Chairman and I, as well as a team of top management, headed up to Toronto to show our support for Sandals’ fastest growing market—Canada—with an incredible Travel Agent Appreciation Dinner.

Even though there was a snowstorm on the night of the event, that didn’t stop 500 travel agents and industry partners from coming out and attending the function. Some people even came from as far away as Calgary, Alberta and Halifax, Nova Scotia. Now that’s dedication! And we didn’t disappoint. We shared the very latest and always exciting Sandals news and caught everyone up on the great things that lie ahead.

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Exciting times at Island Routes Caribbean Adventure Tours! I am really thrilled to tell you about the newest addition to our fleet of sleek and exclusive catamarans. Soul Rebel—a 54’, state-of-the-art, custom-fitted catamaran that sports the very latest in technology, a new design and absolutely every feature possible to create the ideal cruising and partying experience—will be arriving in Jamaica within a month’s time!

I don’t want to reveal too much about the ultimate destination for this incredible katt—the 6^th catamaran in our Island Routes stable. Where do you think Soul Rebel will end up? Well, why not book a catamaran tour for you and your clients on this amazing new boat and be amongst the very first to find out where Soul Rebel will call home. With its space age hull construction and soaring mast, the ride on this katt will be unbelievably smooth. And, with all the built-in amenities like a fully stocked bar serving up premium brand drinks, a thrilling waterslide, its very own DJ spinning the latest tunes, and lots of other carefully designed details that only Island Routes could think up for your pleasure—Soul Rebel will provide the ultimate way for you and your clients to cruise the Caribbean in style and comfort, partying all the way!

Check out the lines on this catamaran! Soul Rebel is definitely built for speed, comfort and good times on the high seas.

When I first told you last year about the formation of our new company, Island Routes Caribbean Adventure Tours, I think it was kind of obvious that I was pretty excited about this venture. And things have worked out even better than I imagined! So far, Island Routes has debuted in Jamaica, St. Lucia and Antigua to rave reviews. Because it’s run by people who are born and bred in the Caribbean, each and every one of Island Routes’ tours offers the real deal—a truly authentic and over-the-top experience of the islands that’s been tried and tested by people who really know this place like the back of their hand.

Now, I’m happy to announce that Island Routes has arrived in the Bahamas, in the chain of over 300 islands, known as the Exumas. Our Island Routes team, true to form, has scoured every inch of this incredible destination to find the absolutely most thrilling and unique adventures possible—and they’ve come up with some pretty amazing stuff! Visitors can head out on an Eco Kayak Tour to explore the spectacular Bahamian ecosystem, or dive under the surface of the sea to have a face-to-face encounter with some sharks, or hop aboard a bus to discover all there is to know about the local culture—Island Routes has got the very best of the Exumas covered.

I can’t tell you how great it is to be able to show off and share some of the best-kept secrets and hidden spots of the Exumas now that Island Routes has arrived in the Bahamas. And, in the months and years to come, we’ll be adding even more tours and more thrills in islands all across the Caribbean. And you’ll hear about all of it right here!

Paddling through the Moriah Marine Park with a local guide, you’re clients can learn all about nature in the Exumas, as part of the Eco Kayak Tour.

There’s nothing quite like being out on the open ocean on board Island Routes’ custom-fitted 40’ Hatteras, as you try your hand at some deep sea sport fishing.

It literally doesn’t get any more exciting than observing sharks in their natural habitat!

Exciting times in the Bahamas! Recently I was down at our spectacular newest resort, Sandals Emerald Bay, Great Exuma, Bahamas, to greet the very first guests to stay at the all-new, all-butler Sandals gem. These first arrivals, who flew in just after we hosted many of our best travel agents for a first-hand look at our newest addition, really enjoyed the beach, the all-butler service, the endless amenities and the magnificent crystal blue waters that occupy these out islands of the Bahamas.

So did our newest partner—Greg Norman, the world-famous PGA golfer, who originally designed Sandal Emerald Bay’s unbelievable 7,001-yard, par-72 course, which features 6 signature ocean-side holes. Greg was at the resort to sign a partnership agreement to become a lifestyle spokesman for Sandals Emerald Bay and Sandals Emerald Reef Golf Club. I couldn’t believe it when I found out that, even though Greg had designed the course for the Four Seasons, he had never actually stayed at the resort. We were happy to make up for that oversight and he seemed truly impressed by what he saw and experienced of the property and the Sandals Luxury-Included concept.

Greg even ran into a familiar face here, Henry Diaz, one of his Sandals Emerald Bay butlers, who just happened to have served as Greg’s butler many times before—in Dubai! As soon as Greg saw Henry, who works for Sandals now, he instantly recognized him and they had a reunion of sorts. Of course, Henry already knew all of Greg’s preferences down to a tee, which made his stay run even smoother. Quite a coincidence!
 

Exciting days lie ahead and I can’t wait to share them with you. So check back here early and often for the very latest news!

Hanging out in front of the pool with General Manager John Keating; some of Sandal Emerald Bay’s first guests, David Hobden and Marina Vassilieva; and the Chairman.

Greg Norman on the state-of-the-art golf course he created, with a stunning backdrop of the sea behind him.

There’s the Chairman and Greg Norman signing a partnership contract by the pool, with Unique Vacations President, Kevin Froemming, and I looking on.

In front of the pool at Sandals Emerald Bay with Unique Vacations President, Kevin Froemming; the Chairman; Greg Norman; and Bart Collins, the President of Greg’s Great White Shark Enterprises.

Greg checks out an amazing view of the ocean from the fairway of the golf course he designed at Sandals Emerald Bay.

Greg Norman is reunited with Sandals butler, Henry Diaz, his former attendant in Dubai, who was only too happy to make sure that Greg had a memorable stay at Sandals Emerald Bay.

As the devastation in Haiti continues to unfold, it is hard not to feel extreme sadness at the sight of so much suffering, especially in a neighbor country. But the resiliency and strength of the Haitian people and the amazing response of the rest of the world which has reached out to help relieve conditions on the island also has made me feel a lot of hope and convinced me that slowly, but surely, things will get better in Haiti. Especially if we continue to do our part!

I mentioned last time that The Sandals Foundation, through the establishment of the Haiti Relief Fund was launching a series of initiatives to aid the Haitian people in their recovery from this disaster. Well, I’m proud to report the very latest news about our efforts. The Sandals Foundation has joined forces with American Airlines, and their regional carrier American Eagle, to deliver much-needed supplies, including water, food, shoes and medicine, as well as medical personnel to the island. Through the incredibly generous donations that we have already received from our Sandals Resorts' team members, from Unique Vacations employees and from caring people like you all over the world, The Sandals Foundation is underwriting the cost of 10 humanitarian relief flights from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Haiti, which will start flying on February 2nd and continue three times a week through February 23rd. Our partner in this mission, American Airlines, will coordinate the relief supplies and will fly them down to the island on American Eagle ATR-72 aircraft, which have the capacity to transport 10,000 pounds of supplies and relief workers per flight!
 

So, while Haiti continues to struggle with the aftermath of this awful natural disaster, at least we can keep on doing everything in our power to reach out and deliver the help that they need in order to begin rebuilding their country and their lives.

I’ll keep you posted on the progress of our ongoing initiatives as we move forward. Thank you for all that you’ve done and given and please know that any further contributions that you are able to make will surely be appreciated.
 

Together we are helping Haiti to emerge from the rubble and start over!

These photos, provided by Salesian Missions, one of The Sandals Foundation’s partners in carrying out our Haiti Relief Effort, really show the spirit and resilience of the Haitian people, especially the kids, even in the face of so much destruction.
 

Still smiling even in front of all the ruins behind them.

Even with very little resources available, the people make do and create makeshift shelters and temporary homes.

Signs that the aid relief efforts are starting to make an impact can be seen in this tiny tent city.

Even small children are doing their part to make sure that water gets delivered.

In the middle of so much chaos and rubble, this little girl is determined to offer hope for a better day ahead.