~ Demonstrable Brand Impact on Increased
Air Service Felt Across Caribbean, Spurs Unprecedented 178% YOY
Increase in Service to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines ~
MIAMI, June 27,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The transformative
influence of the Sandals Resorts brand on surging airlift across
the Caribbean region continues
into the 2024-2025 winter season, most recently exemplified by the
remarkable success of Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, where airlift to the Eastern Caribbean country between September 2023 and September 2024 has increased by a staggering 178%
year over year. The resort is the most recent and profound example
of the demonstrable impact of Sandals on destination airlift.
Prior to the hotel's opening in March, Caribbean Airlines
offered one weekly flight, which it bumped to two in March;
American Airlines offered three flights a week, which it increased
to four in April following the hotel's opening and announced it
will begin daily nonstop service from Miami starting in November, and in December,
will introduce Saturday nonstop flight from Charlotte and
New York's JFK. JetBlue, which did
not serve the destination, will begin twice weekly service from
New York's JFK to SVD this
October.
Said Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Minister of Tourism Carlos James, "We're building out a tourism
sector that is unique and amazing and air is critical to that
effort. We want to welcome everyone to experience Vincy, an
authentic Caribbean destination,
something never seen, felt or imagined and all of it begins with
making it easy for visitors to get here."
According to Gary C. Sadler, Executive Vice President
of Sales & Industry Relations at Unique Vacations, an affiliate
of the worldwide representative for Sandals Resorts, the increase
in airlift to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and across the Caribbean where Sandals resorts are located,
reflects the broader success story of "the Sandals Effect," the
ability of brand Sandals to drive tourism.
"When Sandals goes to market, it brings the Caribbean along. This is critical to
destination stakeholders and travel advisor partners upon whose
shoulders Sandals stands as it introduces new audiences to the
unique experiences and pleasures of Caribbean vacationing," said Sadler.
Delta Air Lines, which had not flown to the destination in over
15 years, began weekly service to Curaçao coinciding with the 2022
opening of Sandals Royal Curaçao, the brand's debut entrée in the
Dutch Caribbean that has been credited with record-breaking tourism
arrivals. Starting this November 23,
Delta will significantly increase that service with daily nonstop
service from Atlanta (ATL) to the
destination, joining JetBlue and contributing to a year over year
increase in airlift of nearly 30% from the United States.
On the heels of the 2023 opening of Sandals Dunn's River in
Ocho Rios, Jamaica, American Airlines initiated the
first-ever commercial flight between Ian Fleming International
Airport (OCJ) in Ocho Rios and the
U.S. with twice-weekly service to from Miami. It had been the vision of Sandals
Resorts' founder and late chairman Gordon "Butch" Stewart to
encourage international service to the airport. In recognition of
his remarkable achievements and unwavering dedication to the growth
of Jamaica's travel and tourism
industry, the Airports Authority of Jamaica named the Departure Hall at Ian
Fleming International Airport in his honor. Noting the route's
success, American Airlines is expanding and will begin offering
daily nonstop service starting this December.
More Service to the Caribbean
Beyond the increased capacity
to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, UVI reports its airline partners
have increased and will continue to increase service across the
Caribbean including:
- For travelers seeking to "island hop," regional Caribbean airline Sunrise Airways introduced
daily (except Tuesdays) nonstop service between Antigua to
St. Lucia this past May.
- Earlier this month, Southwest Airlines launched daily nonstop
service from Orlando to
Nassau, Bahamas and
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos.
- Starting November 9, 2024,
American Airlines will introduce nonstop Saturday service between
Philadelphia and Barbados and on December 7, 2024, American Airlines will offer a
new nonstop Saturday-only service from New York to St.
Lucia starting Dec 7,
2024.
- Delta Air Lines will also resume daily nonstop service from
Atlanta to Barbados beginning November 23, 2024.
- Looking ahead to 2025, Delta Air Lines will add Saturday
nonstop service to Antigua from New
York starting January 11.
"Robust lift to island destinations is critical and we do not
take it for granted. We are full partners. Knowing that UVI will
support new routes and expanded service through our promotion of
Sandals in the marketplace is key," said Sadler.
The Rhythm and Blues Sale Returns
To that end, when
guests book seven nights or more at select Sandals' properties
including Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sandals Royal Curaçao, Sandals
Grande St. Lucian, and Sandals
Grande Antigua, they'll get a
$1,000 air credit plus $175 resort credit. The Rhythm and Blues sale is
valid for bookings made through August 4,
2024, for travel through July 31,
2025. For more information, visit sandals.com.
About Sandals Resorts International
Sandals® Resorts
offers the ease and refinement of the most-awarded luxury
all-inclusive vacation experience in the Caribbean. With 18 beachfront settings in
Jamaica, Antigua, Saint Lucia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Curaçao, and Saint Vincent and The
Grenadines, each resort reflects
the design, cuisine, and unique essence of its island home. From
butler service and gourmet dining to top-shelf spirits and unique
suites, including the Caribbean's
first Overwater Villas, Sandals Resorts creates the time and
moments necessary for guests to reconnect and focus on what matters
most. Celebrated for pioneering innovations that constantly evolve
and elevate the all-inclusive vacation experience, Sandals Resorts
has recently piloted fresh concepts such as an off-site Island
Inclusive dining program that takes the all-inclusive experience
beyond the resort gates – all while staying true to its
Caribbean roots and showcasing the
transformative link between tourism and its power to transform
lives through its philanthropic arm, the Sandals Foundation.
Sandals Resorts is part of family-owned Sandals Resorts
International (SRI) which includes family-friendly Beaches Resorts,
and is the Caribbean's leading
all-inclusive resort company. For more information, visit
www.sandals.com.
Contact:
The Decker/Royal Agency
sandals@deckerroyal.com
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SOURCE Sandals Resorts International