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When Sandals Resorts chief Adam Stewart says “all inclusive” he also means that local communities must be included in the benefits of tourism.
During the 42nd annual Caribbean Travel Marketplace in Montego Bay last month, MPE’s Lelei LeLaulu spoke with the Executive Chairman about the importance of community involvement in the tourism industry. Stewart emphasized that for tourism to be truly sustainable, it must create opportunities and uplift the local populations, ensuring that they share in the economic benefits brought by the industry.
“Tourism is an ecosystem and like any ecosystem, it’s got to thrive and be healthy. So tours and taxis and (fishermen) and farmers, entertainers, even the pastors and the priests (who) officiate our weddings are an integral part of the whole overarching ecosystem,” said Stewart.
“And as we look at tourism 50-60 years into its maturity across the Caribbean, it’s so critical that inclusivity takes place to the next dimension … and that indigenous operators, indigenous people of the Caribbean, are a part of the tapestry and the thread of the future of tourism. And I think there’s a huge amount of opportunity to continue to grow in that direction, and Sandals remains really proud to lead in this area,” he added.
MPE’s Abdul Wahid captured the conversation on camera.
