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Dr. Gordon 'Butch' Stewart, honored in recognition of his accomplishments in the lodging industry, as well as for his substantial contributions to the community
“This award was established last year to honor the people that take the notion of success to its pinnacle,” said Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) President Berthia Parle, MBE. “In addition to his mark as an innovator and trendsetter, who re-defined all-inclusive vacationing in the Caribbean, Butch gives new meaning to the term philanthropy; before terms such as corporate responsibility ever hit the mainstream in the tourism industry, Sandals and Beaches Resorts had become active citizens in their surrounding communities.”
Sandals’ Mafoota Farmers Market is a recent example of the vision and determination that have carved Butch Stewart a place in Caribbean history. The eight-year association of Sandals Montego Bay with the Mafoota Farmers, in which the hotel initially supplied seeds of exotic vegetables to the farmers, the Rural Agricultural Development Authority provided extension services, and the hotel provided a market for the crops, has developed into something even greater. On a recent trip to Mafoota by the Sandals team, it was discovered that hundred of pounds of vegetables are dumped each week because the farmers do not have enough of a market for their produce. In response, Sandals Montego Bay launched the Mafoota Farmers' Market, which now takes place every Friday by the taxi stand at the property. Sandals Montego Bay provides the location, a big tent, and promotion for the market. The Mafoota farmers bring fresh produce, which is sold at almost farm gate prices. On inauguration day, patrons came from all over Montego Bay and most of the produce was sold off within the first hour.
CHTIC has the specific objectives of improving the tourism investment and operating climate across the region; making the investment community aware of the development opportunities available in the Caribbean; and stimulating a continuing flow of both equity and loan capital into the region. It was held May 9-11, 2005, at the Sherbourne Conference Centre in Barbados, presented by the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA), in conjunction with the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), and Burba Hotel Network (BHN).
The event featured for the first time the PROFIT in the Caribbean Partnership Meeting, a business component that matches pre-qualified tourism projects in the Caribbean with pre-screened European investors to promote partnership and investment opportunities in the tourism sector.
Outputs of CHTIC 2005 are expected to be available shortly.
For more information, visit www.caribbeaninvestment.org, or contact CHA’s Communications Department, at telephone 787.725.9139, fax 787.725.9108, or email lortiz@caribbeanhotels.org.
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