Adam Stewart Honored with 2026 International Achievement Award
News related to:Sandals Resorts International · 2 min read
NEW YORK, Oct. 19, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals and Beaches Resorts, has been honored with the 2026 International Achievement Award from the American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) during the organization's annual Hummingbird Gala on October 16 at The Plaza Hotel. The gala, which also recognized Emmy Award-winning actress Sheryl Lee Ralph with the International Humanitarian Award, brought together distinguished leaders, philanthropists, and supporters of Jamaica.
Stewart, who received the award in recognition of his longstanding contributions to the Caribbean, shared his journey during the acceptance remarks. He began by recalling his father’s 1981 vision: to start a hotel company with just 99 rooms beside an airport in Montego Bay. Today, Stewart carries that vision forward, leading a company that has grown into a globally recognized brand, proudly standing on the world stage. Stewart emphasized the extraordinary gifts, talent, and spirit of the Caribbean people, noting that more than 20,000 team members are part of the organization today, with 97 percent of them born in the Caribbean, centered in Jamaica.
The recognition carries added significance as it comes just ahead of the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Melissa. Stewart and Sandals pledged to keep 100% of the company's Jamaican team members on payroll with benefits intact, while committing more than US$5 million to direct team member recovery support. Through the Sandals Foundation, the company also mobilized relief efforts to assist storm-affected communities across Jamaica, reinforcing Stewart's longstanding commitment to the island and the people whose livelihoods depend on its tourism industry.
Stewart's commitment to human development is embedded in Sandals' DNA. In 2012, he founded Sandals Corporate University to expand Caribbean team members' access to professional certifications, degree programs, and lifelong learning opportunities. As President of the Sandals Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts, he champions initiatives spanning education, community development, and environmental conservation throughout Jamaica and the wider Caribbean.
The company's growth strategy remains focused on Jamaica, with Stewart leading a US$200 million transformation of three of Sandals' most iconic Jamaican resorts following Hurricane Melissa. Sandals South Coast is scheduled to reopen on November 18, followed by Sandals Montego Bay and Sandals Caribbean Cay on December 18, marking a significant milestone in Jamaica's tourism recovery and the company's continued investment in the island.
Sandals Resorts offers some of the best adults-only all-inclusive resorts that bring guests closer to the vibrancy, authenticity, and spirit of the Caribbean. With 17 beachfront all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica, The Bahamas, Saint Lucia, Barbados, Antigua, Curaçao, Grenada, and Saint Vincent and The Grenadines, each reflecting the genuine vibe of its island home, Sandals makes it easy for guests to go all in on vacation mode. Beyond the resort gates, immersive destination experiences, like a newly piloted Island Inclusive dining program and MINI Coopers for island exploration, raise the bar on the all-inclusive vacation.
The AFJ, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit built on the principles of service and philanthropy, has been rendering assistance in the areas of Education, Healthcare, and Economic Development for nearly 40 years. The organization's grant cycle begins at the end of each year, with grants disbursed in April of the following year.