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| From left to right, Miss Turks & Caicos 2013 Swenua Adams; Invited Guest of Beaches Turks & Caicos; Emma Cinque, Vice President of the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences; Hon. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson, Leader of the Opposition, Turks & Caicos; Hon. Akierra Missick, Deputy Premier of Turks & Caicos Islands; Joseph Cinque, President of the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences; Mr. Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, Chairman of Sandals Resorts International; Dr. The Hon. Rufus Washington Ewing, Premier and Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage, Turks & Caicos; Mr. Donald Dagenais, General Manager of Beaches Turks & Caicos; Her Excellency The Governor, Mrs. Anya Williams, Acting Deputy Governor of Turks & Caicos; Adam Stewart, CEO of Sandals Resorts International; The Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, ON, MP, Prime Minister of Jamaica; Dr. The Hon. Kenneth Wykeham McNeill, Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Jamaica; Hon. Lorne Theophilus, Minister of Tourism, Heritage and Creative Industries, Saint Lucia; Hon. John Maginley, M.P. Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation & Culture, Antigua & Barbuda; Miss Turks & Caicos 2014, Shanice Williams; and Hon. Charles Washington Misick, Minister of Finance, Investment and Trade, Turks & Caicos Islands. (Photo courtesy of Alex Tamargo / Getty Images. All rights reserved.) |
The Key West Luxury Village at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa marked its official grand opening May 18.
The new village is the first major expansion since the grand opening of the resort’s Italian Village in 2009.
“We are thrilled to celebrate yet another addition to this marvelous destination and a new pinnacle at this resort,” said Mr. Gordon “Butch” Stewart, chairman of Sandals Resorts International, parent company of Beaches Resorts. Speaking to an audience of government dignitaries, travel industry leaders and media, he added, “Beaches Turks & Caicos has earned a reputation as a leading destination for family fun in the Caribbean, and this investment helps us meet the eager demand of our guests wanting to visit the beautiful Grace Bay Beach.”
Prior to the ceremony, guests at the cocktail party were greeted with a family-friendly spectacle highlighting the beachfront vibe of the Key West lifestyle, with a traditional all-white theme, tarot card readings, caricature artists, jugglers and Beaches Turks & Caicos’ very own “Ernest Hemingway,” collecting books and school supplies for the Sandals Foundation, the resort company’s non-profit organization.
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The official proceedings began with the sound of conch shells and a performance of the National Anthem by the school choir from Enid Capron Primary, the resort’s adopted school.
“We started at this property with 150 bedrooms many years ago and have developed it into one of the most luxurious and most popular family resorts in the world,” said Mr. Stewart. “We pride ourselves on exceeding the expectations of our guests time and time again, and this could not be done without the support from our friends in the region and the dedication of our staff.”
The evening continued with the introduction of Joseph D. Cinque, president of the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences (AAHS) who presented the Chairman and CEO with two Six Star Black Diamond Awards for overall excellence in hospitality for the new Key West Luxury Village, as well as the Italian Village. In addition, Cinque presented a Six Star Green Diamond Award for forward thinking in environmental practices to the resort, as well as three Five Star Black Diamond Awards for Mario’s and Le Petit Chateau, the resort’s Italian and French restaurants, and the resort itself, for its commitment to excellence.
The evening continued with speeches from government officials and dignitaries from Turks & Caicos Islands and throughout the Caribbean, including Hon. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson, Leader of the Opposition, Turks & Caicos Islands; Hon. John Maginley, M.P. Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation & Culture, Antigua & Barbuda; Hon. Lorne Theophilus, Minister of Tourism, Heritage and Creative Industries, Saint Lucia; and Dr. The Hon. Kenneth Wykeham McNeil, Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Jamaica.
Formal addresses were also given by Dr. The Hon. Rufus Washington Ewing, Premier and Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage, Turks & Caicos Islands, as well as Her Excellency The Governor, Mrs. Anya Williams, Acting Deputy Governor of Turks & Caicos Islands. The Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, ON, MP, Prime Minister of Jamaica, closed the ceremony as the evening’s guest speaker.
Prior to the ribbon cutting, videos showcased the evolution of Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts. Sabrina Stewart, the Chairman’s daughter, performed John Legend's popular song, "All of Me."
Following the official blessing of the resort, Dr. The Hon. Rufus Washington Ewing, Premier and Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage, Turks & Caicos, Her Excellency The Governor, Mrs. Anya Williams, Acting Deputy Governor of Turks & Caicos, and The Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, ON, MP, Prime Minister of Jamaica, joined both Stewarts, the resort’s general manager, Mr. Donald Dagenais and the evening’s speakers for the ribbon cutting, marking the official grand opening.
The evening was capped with the Sesame Street Carnival Celebration and an after-party based on Key West's Mallory Square.
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