Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is nestled in a valley surrounded by lush mountains and the cobalt blue Caribbean Sea. Sandals Resorts’ new island destination guest. It is scheduled to open on March 27, 2024.
At first glance, the resort looks like a picture postcard of a dreamy vacation. Is bringing an international all-inclusive resort to a tropical paradise good for the island’s people and ecosystem? Sandals’ recent launch in Curaçao may provide insight into this important question. do not have.
future goals
In preparation for Sandals Royal Curacao’s opening in June 2022, the resort has partnered with Amsterdam soccer team AFC Ajax and local recycling company Limpi to develop the Future Goals soccer program. The program, which provides around 100 goals and more than 600 soccer balls to children on the island, focuses on recycling, team building and community, impacting nearly 50 schools across the island. is given.
During the development of the program, Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International, said, “Curacao is a new island for Sandals and a new opportunity to expand our influence. It is the soul of the.”
The soccer goal was made from recycled fishing nets and plastic waste sourced from the ocean. Fishing nets lost at sea, also known as ghost nets, make up almost half of the world’s “plastic soup.” This is a term that refers to the accumulation of waste, including plastic, that ends up in our oceans and oceans. Curacao beaches.
Stewart continued: “If we can give children tools to play with and teach them to protect the planet in the process, that’s a goal in itself.” Since our founding in 1981, Sandals Resorts has taken an unparalleled approach to supporting the communities in which we operate.
Sandals has started operations in Curacao, a philanthropic arm. sandals foundation. The foundation operates on his three main pillars: education, environment and community. Sustainable projects include coral reef restoration, tree and mangrove planting, marine reserve, and beach cleanup. As of June 2022, they have helped him remove over 440 tons of trash from the earth.
sandals foundation
“Future Goals perfectly encapsulates Sandals’ unwavering commitment to empowering Caribbean islands,” said Heidi Clark, Executive Director of Sandals Foundation. “Being wrapped up in the destination was part of the blueprint as we rolled out our plan. sandals royal curacao — and a sign of our promise to generations to come. ”
In the last year in particular, the Sandals Foundation has put a lot of effort into food security across the Caribbean. Food security remains a concern around the world, and this concern is even more acute in Caribbean islands, where import-dependent economies are more susceptible to challenges in international food supply chains.
Climate change is having a negative impact on traditional agricultural practices. To foster a sustainable future, Sandals Foundation builds resilient food systems and food forests in local schools and communities by providing the necessary equipment and training and investing in climate-smart agricultural technologies. We are committed to providing the skills and tools to build.
island inclusive dining
The resort sought to offer an entirely new experience that would push customers outside the resort gates. One of his such programs is Island Inclusive Dining. The program grants qualifying guests a $250 credit toward dining at select restaurants around Curaçao.
Luke Massotto, Vice President of Food and Beverage Product Innovation at Sandals, explains the motivation behind the Island Inclusive Dining initiative: We all know that one of the most powerful ways to truly understand a destination and its culture is through its food, including its landscapes, flavors, and people. ”
One of the participating restaurants, Kome, shared its sustainability practices with Website“We take our commitment to sustainability seriously, using environmentally friendly products, working directly with local farmers and artisans to reduce waste, and providing the freshest, highest quality ingredients in our dishes. I definitely use it.”
Luuk Gerritsen, Kome’s general manager, explains how they express this intention by working with as many local suppliers as possible for their produce. hofi cas cola and Zen Farms. We only serve locally caught fish by self-employed fishermen. Most of the company’s cleaning products are organic and eco-friendly, with no single-use plastics.
These options aren’t necessarily the cheapest, but they add up to little things. “We have been part of this program since its inception. [Island Inclusive Dining]” says Gerritsen. “This gives us a way to reach a comprehensive population with a higher spending budget.”
“Sandal effect”
Curaçao is heavily dependent on tourism, with 81% of the workforce working in the service industry. Country report. The increase in tourism affects the livelihood of local residents, as more visitors not only provide more jobs, but also opportunities for growth within the organization. As your team grows and supports more customers, additional management opportunities arise.
The influx of tourism spending around Curaçao is stimulating the economy and the island is on track to make history. In July 2023, one year after the opening of Sandals Royal Curacao, the island experienced its strongest month ever, reaching the historic milestone of 500,000 annual visitors. I got on track towards it. Notably, 2023 is also the first year that overnight arrivals exceeded this figure. 300,000 During the first seven months of the year.
The opening of a resort will impact nearly every part of the island’s economy, from additional business for taxi drivers to the supply chain. The company is so keen to integrate into the community that many publications have dubbed this the “sandal effect.” It impacts the entire island, from youth football to job creation and increased arrivals. Judging by its impact on Curaçao, Sandals will help keep St. Vincent and the Grenadines beautiful and prosperous for generations to come.
This article was created by Media decisions Syndicated by Wealth of Geeks.
