Adam Stewart delivers a ‘message of resolve,’ provides update on reopening plans

Sandals Resorts International’s Executive Chairman Adam Stewart delivered a candid update on Jamaica’s recovery following the recent hurricane and outlined the company’s phased reopening plans during a series of virtual town halls he hosted this week for thousands of travel advisors and Sandals Select Reward loyalty members.

Stewart, who spoke live from Jamaica, praised the country’s “unshakable resilience” and the unity shown by government, private sector, and international partners in restoring normalcy across the island.

And he emphasized that key tourism infrastructure is operating, with Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport, Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport and Ocho Rios’ Ian Fleming International Airport open, and primary roads to Ocho Rios and Negril cleared and fully accessible.

Said Stewart: “Jamaica is going to be okay. In every moment of challenge, including this one, our first responsibility has always been to our team members and the guests who place their trust in us.”

He continued: “And as we share honest, timely information with our travel partners and those who love this country, we want them to know this: the greatest way to support Jamaica is simply to come back. Tourism is the most economically impactful industry in our society, uplifting many sectors of our economy and Jamaican communities across the island.”

Stewart also underscored the crucial role that travel advisors and consumers continue to play in supporting the region’s recovery, reaffirming their partnership as essential to the tourism industry’s strength and sustainability.

SRI’s Executive Chairman confirmed that Sandals’ resorts in Ocho Rios and Negril are on track to welcome guests beginning Dec. 6, with full services in operation. This includes Sandals Dunn’s River, Sandals Royal Plantation, Sandals Ocho Rios, Sandals Negril and Beaches Negril, which will have undergone additional sprucing and safety checks during the planned 30-day pause.

Sandals Montego Bay, Sandals Royal Caribbean and Sandals South Coast, which experienced more significant impact, will begin an accelerated enhancement program, targeting reopening on May 30, 2026. Stewart noted that the resorts will return with what he has coined “Sandals 2.0” experiences, with additional upgrades brought forward from future plans.

Stewart said: “One thing I can tell you is that when we come back, we always come back bigger, better and stronger.”

Throughout the storm and its aftermath, Stewart underscored that the company’s people-first philosophy has guided every decision. Approximately 1,000 guests on island during the hurricane remained safe and cared for, with teams voluntarily staying on property to support them and charter flights arranged to help guests return home.

Several million US dollars have already been directed to team members for personal recovery needs, alongside targeted assistance for those who lost homes or suffered severe damage.

“Our team members are the heart of this company, and they have shown extraordinary courage, compassion and professionalism,” Stewart stated. “We are standing shoulder-to-shoulder with them and with the people of Jamaica until every community is back on its feet.

The Sandals Foundation, the company’s non-profit arm, has launched one of its most far-reaching relief efforts to date for communities across Jamaica. Relief teams have distributed over 1,000 care packages and 6,000 cases of water to families in remote and hard-to-reach areas.

The Foundation has also donated critical care equipment to strengthen the Bustamante Hospital for Children and supported the U.S. Army Reserve in rescue and assessment operations at Sandals South Coast. Working alongside Medic Corps and the Jamaica Defence Force, Sandals has repurposed its corporate hangar for medical evacuations and supply missions, while collaborations with World Central Kitchen and Team Rubicon have established kitchen hubs serving freshly prepared meals to communities in western Jamaica.

Additional efforts include delivering bulk food supplies to community relief centres, providing tarpaulins, flashlights, and baby essentials to families in need, and helping to restore critical healthcare services at St. Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital after severe storm damage.

Guests and partners wishing to support Jamaica’s recovery efforts are encouraged to donate through the Sandals Foundation, where 100% of donations go directly to programs on the ground.

To donate to the Sandals Foundation in Canada and receive a tax receipt:

Option 1 – Credit Card: To process payment, please contact [email protected]

Option 2 – By Cheque: Please make it payable to ‘Sandals Foundation Canada’ and send to:

Sandals Foundation Canada

c/o Unique Vacations (Canada) Inc

4211 Yonge Street, Suite 320

Toronto, ON M2P 2A9