PRESS RELEASE – SANDALS Resorts International Chairman, Gordon “Butch” Stewart, remains consistent in his commitment to the sustained economic development of the Caribbean and the educational advancement of its people.
This commitment to development and education manifests itself in a number of ways. It finds expression across the region where Sandals operates and is managed by the Sandals Foundation.
Sandals guests remain actively interested in this philanthropic approach to operating resorts and are very keen on enjoying sun, sea, and sand and education, which provides added value to the vacation. In addition to sending school supplies, guests book tours to visit schools as part of the Reading Road Trip.
Stewart said: “We compete with a number of destinations – Paris, the Far East, Alaska and Mexico, among others. But the guests keep coming back to our world-class service that is unmatched.”
Presently in Saint Lucia, there is a renewed thrust to encourage students who study tourism as part of the Social Studies curriculum to visit and experience the Sandals tourism plant. To that end, students from the Banse La Grace Primary School, Leon Hess Secondary School and George Charles Secondary School have been part of organized workshops and tours to the Sandals Resorts on island.
Workshop sessions have been organized to provide the students with a wealth of knowledge about tourism – what it is, how it operates, the role it plays in the economy, who is responsible for policy that would impact the industry, and many other related concepts.
During the most recent workshop activity, which was held at the Sandals Grande St. Lucian Spa and Beach Resort, 45 students and 5 teachers from George Charles Secondary School were exposed to the back-end of the tourism product that a world-class resort in Saint Lucia offers.
The students were particularly interested in the possibilities for employment which, to them, ranged from opportunities in a number of departments in operations, including public relations, sales and marketing, administration, kitchen, bars, housekeeping, entertainment, landscaping and other revenue-generating areas such as the spa, photo shop and weddings.
Kerlanna Jules, a third form student, was more than thrilled that she had made the tour. Having completed a short quiz at the end of the workshop, she was the lucky recipient of a Dell computer, which had been previously donated by a guest who had vacationed at Sandals Grande St. Lucian Spa and Beach Resort.
Kerlanna is an outspoken, energetic student who has been described by class teacher, Ms. Augustin, as “the spirit of her home room.”
Upon accepting her gift, she said: “I almost did not come on the tour today. My teacher paid my transportation and made it possible for me to attend. I am so happy to win this computer as I did not have one.”
Kerlanna, a member of her school’s football team, shows tremendous potential. We wish her well for the future.