Unique Vacations, Inc., an affiliate of the global representative for Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts, hosted the 2025 Global Sales Conference from January 8-12 in picturesque Jamaica. This significant event brought together over 200 participants, including business development managers, company executives, industry leaders, and government officials, all eager to explore the future of Caribbean tourism.
During the five-day conference, attendees gained valuable insights into the company’s renewed Caribbean-focused vision and strategies aimed at enhancing productivity and increasing sales throughout the year. The conference featured a variety of keynote speeches, workshops, and presentations, highlighting Sandals’ ambitious plans for growth and development in the coming months.
Highlights from the Conference
Attendees were treated to a host of impactful discussions surrounding key topics such as enhancing guest experiences and bolstering partnerships with travel advisors. Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, underscored the positive trajectory for the country, noting over 125,000 visitors in just the first eight days of January—a 1.8% increase compared to the same timeframe in 2023.
Adam Stewart, executive chairman of Sandals Resorts, elaborated on the brand’s regional influence, referencing significant increases in airlift to destinations like Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, where Sandals had a successful launch last year. Stewart emphasized the essence of the hospitality industry, stating, “We are in the business of thank-yous and making people’s dreams come true.” He also highlighted the brand’s evolution: “Sandals 2.0 is about evolving and moving forward. Our brand will grow, our resorts will become more luxurious, and we will expand together.”
The Made of Caribbean Campaign
A central theme during the conference was the unveiling of Sandals’ new global campaign and visual identity, “Made of Caribbean.” This branding initiative is being effectively integrated into advisor collateral material, including brochures, car wraps, and toolkits, which have all undergone a redesign to reflect the “Made of Caribbean” ethos.
Award Recognitions
An awards ceremony celebrated the contributions of multiple team members from the Canadian Sales division, recognizing outstanding performance in various categories:
- National BDM of the Year, Canada – Winston Chang, BDM, BC, SK & Yukon
- Spirit of Excellence, Canada – Teresa Villanueva, Inside Sales Manager
- Silent Warrior, Canada – Sandra Brousseau, BDM Eastern/Central Quebec & Atlantic Canada
- Outstanding Team Player, Canada – Donne Nixon, HR Coordinator
- Outstanding Sales Achievements, Canada – Richard Todd, Senior Sales Consultant, and Winston Chang, BDM
- Industry Award of Excellence, Global – Lorna Richards, National Training Manager, Canada
- CEO Award for Excellence, Global – Omar Josephs, Senior Manager – Group Sales & Events, Canada
Additionally, several Unique Vacations Canada team members were honored for years of service milestones, including 30 years for Maureen Barnes-Smith and 25 years for Grace Larmond.
Jeff Clarke, CEO of Unique Vacations, remarked, “We believe this level of investment is crucial, as it lays a strong foundation for building a successful future,” emphasizing the importance of commitment to product development even during peak winter season.
Launch of WAVE by Sandals and Beaches
Sandals introduced an innovative social media content platform, WAVE, specifically designed for travel advisors promoting Sandals and Beaches Resorts. The platform will be available by invitation-only, with a pilot program slated to debut in 2025.
Exciting Incentives for Travel Advisors
To further engage travel advisors, a contest was announced offering four U.S. and two Canadian travel advisors the chance to win a five-night, all-inclusive stay in a butler suite at Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, along with airfare credits. This contest will reward the highest bookers for the 2025 season through January 31, 2025.
Moreover, travel advisors can earn up to 21% commission along with additional bonuses of up to $85 in cash for new bookings made at any Sandals or Beaches Resorts. These bookings must be completed through Unique Vacations, Inc. via the TA Portal or the Travel Advisor Reservations Team.
This year’s Global Sales Conference not only highlighted the growth strategies for Sandals but also showcased the collaborative spirit of the travel industry in driving tourism in the Caribbean. With exciting new initiatives and robust partnerships, the future looks bright for Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts.
