SANDALS DUNN’S RIVER — If it wasn’t every single Sandals Dunn’s River team member at the front doors ready to welcome bus after bus of arriving travel advisors, it was pretty close.
There were big smiles, and hugs, and genuine delight all around, as 200+ Canadian and U.S. travel agents descended on Sandals Dunn’s River yesterday.
Officially, this is Sandals Resorts’ ‘Back to Jamaica’ trip, showcasing the island’s ongoing recovery in the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s Oct. 28 hit.
Sandals wants to give agents a preview of properties like Sandals Dunn’s River, one of five Sandals properties here just days away from its Dec. 6 reopening.
Unofficially, it’s also a reunion. Agents on the trip are ready to see the resorts they love, and greet the staff members many know so well.
They want to help Jamaica kickstart its tourism industry post-Melissa now that the winter season is underway.
THE DRIVE TO SANDALS DUNN’S RIVER
While parts of the island, like Black River and parts of the South Coast, are still recovering, places like Ocho Rios and Negril are ready and happy to receive the visitors that fuel such a big part of Jamaica’s economy.
On the 90-minute bus ride from MBJ to Sandals Dunn’s River, damaged vegetation and the occasional downed tree soon enough gave way to Jamaica’s lush green landscapes.
Montego Bay did take a hit, but the airport was bustling and in good shape, and there were plenty of passengers coming and going.
Many of the big-brand resorts right off the main highway, sighted as the group headed east from MBJ along the north coast, were doing roof repairs. Nearby homes were intact but many had blue tarps as they waited on roof work.
Not just Sandals Dunn’s River, but also Sandals Royal Plantation, Sandals Ochi, Sandals Negril and Beaches Negril, will reopen this Saturday, December 6.
The company’s remaining three resorts in Jamaica — Sandals Montego Bay, Sandals Royal Caribbean and Sandals South Coast — will follow a longer restoration schedule, reopening on May 30, 2026.
Gary Sadler, EVP, Sales & Industry Relations, Unique Vacations Inc. (left) with CJ Smith, Director of Sales, UVI (Canada) Inc.
BUZZING WITH EXCITEMENT
With a contingent of 21 travel advisors from Canada, joining close to 200 more travel advisors arriving from the U.S., the lobby at Sandals Dunn’s River was buzzing with excitement yesterday.
The property looks fantastic, all decked out for the holidays. Sandals Dunn’s River is a favourite for many in the retail travel industry, thanks to its compact size, and its ‘OG’ status. The original opened in 1991, and after ownership passed back to Sandals Resorts and following extensive work, the resort made its second debut in 2023.
Pink Palm Travel’s Jennifer Gaskell said she found the return to Jamaica, and the wonderful welcome from the Sandals Dunn’s River staff, “very emotional.”
“AS LONG AS YOU TELL US IT’S READY, WE’LL BOOK IT”
Maureen Barnes-Smith, VP, Sales & Marketing for Unique Vacations (Canada) Inc., said that seeing the resorts ready to reopen, and all the travel advisors ready to sell Sandals and Beaches Resorts in Jamaica, is “amazing.”
“It’s the best thing that could happen to us,” Barnes-Smith told Travelweek, about Sandals Resorts’ Back to Jamaica trip, and the Dec. 6 reopening for the five resorts. “A lot of agents ask me how they can help Jamaica. The biggest way to help Jamaica is to sell Jamaica.”
At Sandals Dunn’s River (l-r, back row) Kim Hartlen, Kim Hartlen Travel, Halifax; Robert Smith, BDM, Eastern Ontario, Sandals and Beaches Resorts and (l-r, front row) Ann Rogers, Maritime Travel, Summerside, PEI; Danielle Sotera, Travel3000, Barrie, ON; Renee Cannon, Marlin Travel, Oakville, ON
Agents put their faith in the Sandals team. “They tell me, as long as you tell us it’s ready, we’ll book it,” said Barnes-Smith.
And like with anything else, the best way to start something is to start. “Up until two weeks ago, people were still shifting reservations. Now we’re doing this, and there’s a real momentum with the bookings.”
An event like this one, pulling together the marketing power and visibility of Sandals Resorts’ top producers, has incredible word-of-mouth power.
Dinner and drinks under a clear Jamaican sky at Sandals Dunn’s River, for the first night of the 200-strong ‘Back to Jamaica’ trip
Barnes-Smith gave a heartfelt shout-out to Canadian travel advisors. “They’re sending their dollars, through organizations like the Sandals Foundation. And they’ve committed themselves to rebuilding Jamaica with their bookings.”
Watch for more coverage from Sandals Resorts’ ‘Back to Jamaica’ trip in Travelweek Daily.
Lead image caption: Maureen Barnes-Smith, VP, Sales & Marketing for Unique Vacations (Canada) Inc. (second from right) with Sandals and UVI team members
