Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International, Adam Stewart has told nearly one thousand people in tourism that the industry is a global economic driver but they should begin to look for inward talent.

Stewart was invited to speak to an audience of industry leaders about the brand’s mission to create the region’s next generation of hospitality leaders.

“Tourism is by far the largest contributor to local economies in beneficial and sustainable ways. Regional companies need to look inward for talent. . We’re committed to developing people locally from the island countries where we operate to build world-class employees,” Stewart said

He said creating opportunity through education is fundamental to his organization and the successful future of the Caribbean, as it is to all people seeking a better life for themselves and their families. “We are proud to play a part in developing and flourishing hospitality talent in the Caribbean,” he added.

Stewart also imparted the importance of strong linkages with a wide range of stakeholders from the region’s entire ecosystem, from farmers and fishers to entertainers and taxi drivers –- all to ensure beneficial economic connectivity within the local communities and the importance for organizations to have the opportunity to buy locally. He shared the work of Sandals’ internal team development engine,

The Sandals Corporate University and imparted plans for the Gordon “Butch” Stewart International School of Hospitality and Tourism, a collegiate institution in conjunction with UWI and FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality. Set to open in Montego Bay, Jamaica, the world-class institution will help prepare the next generation of tourism professionals regionally and internationally.

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 Joining Executive Chairman Adam Stewart as a speaker at this year’s conference are some of travel’s most innovative and distinguished leaders including Expedia’s.