Founder and Chairman of Sandals Resorts International, Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart has been honored with the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award at the Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS), which took place April 26-28, 2017, at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami.  Burba Hotel Network, the host of CHRIS, presents this prominent award to individuals who have made significant contributions to the hospitality industry over his or her lifetime through their actions, deeds, and great accomplishments. 

“It is such an incredible honor to be the first honoree to receive the inaugural CHRIS Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Gordon “Butch” Stewart, Chairman of Sandals Resorts International. “While I am so proud of all that has happened to bring me to this day, I am focused on what tomorrow may bring and continuing to raise the bar for Caribbean tourism.”

Stewart’s innovations changed the face of the all-inclusive format and established Sandals Resorts, and now Beaches Resorts, as one of the most successful brands in the category – boasting year round occupancy levels of more than 85 percent, an unequaled repeat guest factor of 40 percent and demand that has led to unprecedented expansion. His continued growth has brought a total of ten resorts and three private villas in Jamaica, three in Saint Lucia, three in The Bahamas, two in Antigua, one in Grenada, two in Barbados, and one in Turks & Caicos.

For more information about Sandals and Beaches Resorts, visit www.sandals.com and www.beaches.com .