Adam Stewart, CEO of Sandals Resorts International and one of the travel and tourism industry’s youngest and most inspirational leaders is to take WTM World Responsible Tourism Day’s HOTseat.
He follows in the prestigious footsteps of some of the world’s most senior travel industry chiefs including Ed Fuller, president and managing director of Marriott International and Peter Long, CEO, TUI Travel.
HOTseat will see BBC World’s leading news and current affairs broadcaster Stephen Sackur quiz Stewart on his own responsible tourism policies, but also question him on the challenges facing a more sustainable industry. One of the major highlights of WTM World Responsible Tourism Day on Wednesday 10 November at ExCeL, London, it has attracted a huge following because of its frank and exacting interview style.
“Unlike many other discussions about responsible tourism, HOTseat pulls no punches or holds back on what needs to be done by the industry if it is to survive in generations to come”, said Fiona Jeffery, Chairman of World Travel Market and pioneer of responsible tourism over the past 16 years.
“We are delighted and honoured that Adam Stewart will be flying in from Jamaica to attend HOTseat.
“He has an inspirational and impressive track record and is one of a growing band of young, thrusting senior professionals who have brought a fresh, more aggressive and enlightened approach to the industry.
“Adam is straight talking – a dynamic resort leader for the 21st century. It should be a fascinating, thought provoking session.”
Adam Stewart took over in 2006 from his legendary father ‘Butch’ Stewart who founded the company 30 years ago. He oversees all areas of operations for the resort empire, which employs 10,000 people across 22 properties in the Caribbean.
One of Stewart’s passions is the Sandals Foundation, the charitable arm of Sandals Resorts International. The Foundation was created a year ago to bring together three decades of philanthropic work by Sandals, helping to improve the quality of life of people in the communities where the company operates. By 2011, Stewart aims to increase its current annual $10 million contribution to the Sandals Foundation, with a continued focus on the improvement of community, education and the environment.
“It’s an honour to be invited to speak at an event as prestigious as HOTseat,” said Stewart.
“World Responsible Tourism Day is an invaluable platform for driving dialogue about sustainability and CSR within the industry, and we’re delighted to be a part of it.”
A British subject, Adam Stewart was raised in Jamaica and graduated from Florida International University’s acclaimed Hospitality Management Program before working in many departments within Sandals Resorts.
WTM World Responsible Tourism Day, in association with the UNWTO and now in its fourth year, is the largest and most ambitious global day of industry action on responsible tourism.
The day, marked throughout the world by participants who use the official WTM WRTD logo, aims to educate and inspire industry professionals to make a greater contribution to responsible tourism.
HOTseat will follow the WTM World Responsible Tourism Day opening ceremony and presentation of the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards. There will also be keynote debates, presentations and workshops throughout the week, although the main focus will be on the actual day. The event closes with a highly popular networking reception.
Applications to use the official WTM WRTD 2010 logo on sales and marketing materials are currently being studied to ensure that they meet WTM World Responsible Tourism Day’s criteria. Once approved, successful applicants can use the official WTM WRTD logo for this year on its sales, marketing, letterhead, direct mail and PR materials as well as receive considerable business, publicity and profiling benefits.
For more information or to apply for a WTM World Responsible Tourism logo, log on to www.wtmwrtd.com. Alternatively contact the WTM WRTD co-ordinator
Araminta Sugden on the WRTD hotline telephone +44 (0) 1892 535943.
- HOTseat is at midday on Wednesday 10 November at ExCeL, London’s Platinium Suite 4.
