By Marlon Madden
Declaring that Sandals Resorts Barbados has emerged from the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic with “a bang”, Managing Director Carl Beviere has also reported that the hotel’s commitment to Barbados continues to reap dividends.
“Coming out of COVID three years ago I can proudly stand here tonight and say we are back and back with a bang. When I say that, I am not only referring to Sandals Resorts but to Barbados as a country,” said Beviere.
“This is a testament by simply driving around and seeing not only the number of tourists on the island, but also the resumption of construction in certain areas and by listening to the radio. There seems to be an abundance of events on the horizon,” he said.
Also acknowledging that the economy was gathering steam, he expressed pride that Sandals was associated with brand Barbados.
“Barbados has always been the jewel in the crown for our late chairman and for good reason. Its beauty, its people and heritage have always made the island standout and be recognised as a destination of desire by visitors for many a year,” said Beviere.
“We at Sandals are proud to be associated with the island and we will do our part to promote [and] provide employment opportunities for the people of Barbados in every sector of the resort. So far, this commitment has paid dividends as every single one of our diamond talent award winners from inception has been won by a Barbadian and they have set the bar at the very highest level,” he said.
Beviere was speaking at the Eighth Annual Sandals Prestige Awards, held last Friday at the hotel’s ballroom under the theme Ubuntu (I am Because We Are): African Kings and Queens Unite.
During the ceremony, 29 employees representing 21 departments were given special awards based on six categories.
Beviere told the gathering, which included two of their diamond guests, Minister of Tourism Ian Gooding-Edghill and Chairman of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) Renee Coppin, that the employees selected for an award have gone “out of their way to make the job that much more enjoyable, and give exceptional service to our guests”.
“It was no easy task selecting those gathered this evening to be recognised as the ‘best of the best’. But what makes tonight more special is that there are no losers here; everyone’s a winner and a role model,” he said.
“We have some nominees who may not be seen in the frontline of our massive operation but their roles are crucial to the overall success of Sandals Barbados and Sandals Royal Barbados,” said Beviere.
Between Sandals Barbados and Sandals Royal Barbados, there are more than 1,500 employees. There are just over 600 rooms between the two side-by-side properties.
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