by Brian Major
Last updated: 6:10 PM ET, Tue May 21, 2024
Sandals Hotels and Resorts honored its highest-producing
travel advisors this past week at the 19th edition of the operator’s Sandals
Travel Advisor Recognition (STAR) Awards, held at the company’s new Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines resort.
The Caribbean all-inclusive resort company hosted 361
international advisors from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and
Latin America at the event. Winners were named in categories based on variables
including total bookings and generated revenue, highlighted by Best of the
Best, Chairman’s Royal Club, Top Sandals Travel Agency, Top Beaches Travel
Agency, Top Club Sandals, and Top Butler Elite awards.
The company also presented advisor awards in the Worldwide
Contribution to the Sandals Foundation and Top Island Routes Travel Advisor
categories.
“We’ve
always put our money on the horse that is the travel advisor community,” said
Adam Stewart, Sandals’ executive chairman.
“The best bet in the
world is to bet on the most powerful distribution means in the entire tourism
ecosystem, and that’s hands down travel advisors,” he said. “We continue to
hold this true.”
As part of the ceremony, Zane Kerby, president and CEO of
the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), was inducted into Sandals’ Hall
of Fame “in recognition of his role and remarkable tenure as a true champion”
for the hospitality and travel industries” according to Sandals
officials.
Sandals Hall of Fame membership is conferred on
“individuals who have made a significant contribution to the success of
Caribbean tourism,” said officials, “working diligently to promote cultural
understanding, meaningful trade and ultimately the responsible growth of
tourism in the region.
Zane Kerby, ASTA’s president and CEO, was inducted into Sandals’ Hall of Fame at the company’s Star Awards held at the Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines resort. With Susan Dougan, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines governor-general and Adam Stewart, Sandals’ executive chairman. (Photo by Brian Major)
“Lots of suppliers pay lip service, but Sandals believes
in you to their bones,” told the gathered advisors. “Events such as this one
are evidence of that [and] commissions paid in a timely manner are also
evidence of that.”
“Back in 2003, I received my very first invitation to
attend a Sandals STAR Awards,” said Jennifer Doncsecz, owner of VIP Vacations. “And
even 21 years later, this event still holds a special place in my heart,” she
said.
“Sandals has always recognized travel agents and it felt
wonderful to be back, celebrating with them! Winning three awards is also nice,” Doncsecz
added.
“We’ve consistently won [Star Awards honors] and been at
the event for the last 10 or 12 years,” said Tom Varghese, whose agency, Travel
Tom was among this year’s award winners.
“Although you see me at a lot of these events, I do not
take them lightly nor do I feel entitled to be here,” said Varghese. “This an
important designation for me personally, but mostly for the team [because]
we’re a small agency. We have five people, but we just kill it.”
He added, “We do love the product. We think [Sandals]
does a really great job in having a solid luxury product for their clients.
We’re honored to be selected to be one of the award recipients. We will
continue to support [Sandals] and we’re looking forward to their innovations.”
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