Sandals reopens

Sandals Barbados officially welcomed its first guests on Thursday, following a near six-month closure.

Just after 4 p.m., a Rolls Royce glided through the resort’s entrance with an excited UK couple who were visibly blown away by the reception they received from management and team members, all of whom adhered to the physical distancing protocols.

The arrivals continued into the evening as all guests were accommodated at Sandals Royal Barbados anxious to begin their stay.

General Manager of Sandals Barbados and Royal Barbados Ramel Sobrino said that after much anticipation, he was extremely pleased to see guests returning.

“Today is a celebration not only for Sandals but also for Barbados as a whole, because we are saying to the world that we are ready and open for business. These are new and different times and we have several new health and safety protocols in place, but the guest experience and warmth of the Barbadian people will never change,” he said.

Sobrino added that team members were also delighted with the reopening, as many of them were thrilled to be back on the job and ready to welcome some familiar repeat guests.

“We are even more pleased to welcome back about 85 per cent of our team members, with more expected as we continue to be guided by the demand. The team members have been trained in the Sandals Platinum Protocol of Cleanliness which is in keeping with the Government protocols,” he said.

The Sandals Platinum Protocol of Cleanliness was established in collaboration with local and international health agencies, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), and cover a myriad of touchpoints from arrival to departure.

Sandals Chairman and founder, Gordon Butch Stewart noted that it was critical for tourism stakeholders to find ways to innovate and adapt in the new normal that exists today.

“I believe all stakeholders must do what is necessary to help revive the tourism sector so that the entire community – farmers, tour operators, taxi drivers and service providers, all those who depend on it – are able to earn and take care of themselves and their families. We are proud that Sandals is once more helping to lead the way to recovery,” he added. (BT/PR)