MONTEGO BAY — Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, Founder and chairman of Sandals Resorts International, took home the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS) in Miami.

The award recognizes individuals “who have made significant contributions to the hospitality industry over his or her lifetime through their actions, deeds and great accomplishments”, said Burba Hotel Network, the host of CHRIS.

Surrounded by an audience filled with family and friends and colleagues, Stewart recounted a life spent in pursuit of opportunity.  “It is such an incredible honor to be the first honoree to receive the inaugural CHRIS Lifetime Achievement Award,” Stewart said, “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%, an unequaled repeat guest factor of 40% and demand that has led to unprecedented expansion. Between Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts there are now 10 resorts and three private villas in Jamaica, three resorts in Saint Lucia, three in The Bahamas, two in Antigua, one in Grenada, two in Barbados and one in Turks & Caicos.

“We are very pleased to be able to present the inaugural CHRIS Lifetime Achievement Award to Hon. Gordon Arthur ‘Butch’ Stewart,” said Jim Burba, President of Burba Hotel Network. “The success of Sandals has helped to power the growth of the tourism industry and the economies not only in Jamaica but throughout the Caribbean. The word ‘icon’ certainly applies to Butch Stewart and we are delighted to be honoring him with this award.”

Through its philanthropic arm, The Sandals Foundation, Sandals Resorts International currently gives active support to more than 150 major projects in its host communities. This support ranges from the building of schools to the paying of teachers, to providing hospitals with linens, to bringing healthcare to the doorsteps of those who cannot afford it.