07 DEC 2017: Chairman and founder of Sandals Resorts International, Gordon “Butch” Stewart, was honoured at The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Government of Jamaica, World Bank Group and Inter-American Development Bank’s Global Conference held in Montego Bay last month.

At the Conference’s Gala Dinner and Tourism Icon Awards, held on the final night, the UNWTO, in association with Jamaica’s Ministry of Tourism, presented Stewart with the Global Legend of the Caribbean Award in recognition of his long and outstanding contribution to sustainable global tourism growth and job creation in the Caribbean.

“Knowing the humble beginnings of this company and after 36 years in this industry, I can truly say it is an honour to receive this award. Sandals is a homegrown brand with proud roots in Jamaica and the Caribbean and I am happy we have been able to have such an impact on the region by bringing guests from across the world to our beautiful shores and by creating jobs for Caribbean nationals,” said Stewart.

The night’s other awardees included David Scowsill, former president and chief executive officer of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), Taleb D. Rifai, who is concluding his second four-year term as Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization, Micky Arison, chairman and chief executive officer of Carnival Corporation and Frank Rainieri, president and chief executive officer of Puntacana Group, a recognized leader of the tourism industry in the Dominican Republic.

The Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony was attended by heads of state from Jamaica, Saint Lucia and the Dominican Republic and by ministers of tourism and senior members of the tourism leadership from across the Caribbean.