Beaches Resorts announced plans to invest nearly US $1 billion in the expansion of its leading family all-inclusive vacation brand, doubling its footprint within the next five years.

Adam Stewart, executive chairman of Beaches Resorts, unveiled the groundbreaking announcement and ambitious expansion plans at the company’s Made of Caribbean global launch event held in New York City. Stewart shared the announcement of new destinations for the Beaches brand including: a new Beaches in Barbados, plans for aBeaches in Exuma, The Bahamas, and Beaches Runaway Bay in Jamaica – along with asneak peek of the new Treasure Beach Villagecoming toBeaches Turks and Caicos.

Beaches Resorts was founded in 1997 with locations in Jamaica and Turks and Caicos, as the family-friendly evolution of Sandals Resorts. Beaches Negril and Beaches Turks and Caicos introduced a premium, all-inclusive experience tailored specifically for families. Since then, Beaches has established itself as the premier vacation for travelers of all ages with signature inclusions such as Caribbean Adventures with Sesame Street®, Kids Camps, epic waterparks and its groundbreaking Autism Programme certified `by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES).

“As a family from the Caribbean, we have a deep love for our islands, and it’s incredibly gratifying to draw inspiration from our guests,” said Stewart. “Our growth strategy is rooted in meeting their wants, with the importance of family time being at the core of our brand’s DNA. We know that now, more than ever, families are prioritizing connection and seeking enriching, multigenerational vacations. We are committed to not only meeting this demand but going above and beyond to wow them with new product offerings and provide unforgettable shared experiences.”

Beaches Resorts to Make its Debut in Barbados

Joining existing sister properties Sandals Barbados and Sandals Royal Barbados, Beaches Barbados will open as the inaugural Beaches on the island. Breaking ground in late 2025, the new resort will offer 600 rooms – from king suites and two-queen designs to nearly 3,000-square-foot, four-bedroom suites complete with a private oceanfront balcony. Designed in ‘Bajan Style,’ a grand and luxurious take on Caribbean Georgian Style, the resort’s standout will include a dedicated ‘Main Street’ – a winding resort centre featuring dining and shopping opportunities, as well as high-energy family zones from outdoor performance stages to a modern sports bar and arcade.  

Beaches Resorts Steps Foot in The Bahamas

Set upon 500 acres in the Out Islands, Beaches Exuma will be the brand’s first appearance in The Bahamas. The brand is collaborating with the Bahamian government to finalize an agreement for the conversion of the resort from Sandals Emerald Bay. The transformation into Beaches Exuma will reconfigure the property’s 249 keys into a mix of accommodations, including multi-bedroom villa suites. While the new resort will feature 12 restaurants, a Kids Camp, signature splash park, full-service Red Lane Spa, and the brand’s exclusive partnership with Sesame Street^®, the destination itself – with its renowned crystalline waters – will be the star attraction. Guests can also enjoy complimentary green fees at the Greg Norman-designed 18-hole Emerald Bay Golf Course. 

Beaches Runaway Bay Resort 

Located midway between Ocho Rios and Montego Bay on Jamaica’s renowned North Coast, Beaches Runaway Bay will feature an estimated 400 expansive one, two, three and four-bedroom suites and villas, designed with extended families in mind. Guests can expect dedicated wellness areas and new activities such as skateboarding, bike trails, a climbable treehouse and access to Runaway Bay Golf Club and its par-72, 18-hole championship golf course, plus organic farm-to-table dining. 

Treasure Beach Village at Beaches Turks and Caicos Now Accepting Reservations 

Beaches Resorts will open the doors to a brand new village, Treasure Beach, at Beaches Turks and Caicos, bringing the property to 858 total keys across its soon-to-be six villages. Designed for friends and families traveling together, Treasure Beach Village will add 101 keys – all of them suites – including large four-bedroom villas along the beach welcoming up to 10 guests each and overlooking the crystal clear Grace Bay waters. Treasure Beach Village will debut its first-ever food hall featuring an international array of dining options, as well as introduce Sandals guest favorite, Butch’s Island Chophouse, to the brand. The resort is now accepting reservations.

These additions to the Beaches Resorts portfolio come on the heels of a recent expansion to the brand’s flagship resort in Jamaica, Beaches Negril, where the new three-story Firesky Reserve Villas welcome families of up to 10, complete with four bedrooms, beautifully appointed living areas, a private pool and more – all steps from the sand; along with the Eventide Penthouse Collection, welcoming up to 18 guests with access to a rooftop terrace ideal for stargazing and soaking in the soothing breeze. (PR)

Teams participating in the ‘Hearts of Many – Connecting The World Through Aviation’ (HOM) Aviation Football Tournament being held today, Thursday, February 27, were welcomed to the island at a reception at the Barbados Coast Guard Headquarters, last evening.

Those teams are British Airways Virgin Atlantic and Delta, JetBlue, American Airlines, O2 Beach Club – Barbados, British Airways (Barbados), Barbados Defence Force (BDF) and Weymouth Wales FC.

The games will be played at the Barbados Football Association’s Technical Centre from 4:00 to 9:30 p.m.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), Andrea Franklin, welcomed the teams, noting that HOM is more than just a football cup.

“This tournament is far more than a competition, it is a celebration of sport, tourism, and the meaningful connections that emerge when individuals from diverse backgrounds unite with a shared passion…. The Aviation Cup is a powerful testament to the way sports transcend boundaries, bridging cultures, industries and communities,” she said.

The BTMI CEO stated that Barbados is committed to enhancing sports tourism endeavours, as it seeks to position itself as a location for hosting premier sporting events.

“Barbados remains committed to expanding the scope and impact of sports tourism, recognising it as a driving force behind economic growth and international engagement. 

“According to the Barbados Statistical Service, in 2024, the island welcomed 12,140 visitors, who travelled specifically to participate in or spectate at sporting events.  This remarkable figure underscores the increasing global interest in Barbados as a premier sports tourism hub.  As we look to the future, we are determined to further strengthen our position on the international stage by actively marketing Barbados as the ideal destination for major sporting events,” Ms. Franklin stated.

She thanked the Co-Ordinator of the Aviation Cup, British Airways’ Performance Development Co-Ordinator, Kurt Morlese, for organising the initiative and for his “dedication and unwavering passion” for making the Barbados ‘leg’ possible.

According to Mr. Morlese, HOM is an event where the world of aviation professionals and the love for football converge.

He said it took three years of planning to pull off the initiative with the first leg being held in October 2024 in London. He pointed out that the initiative aids in raising awareness about homelessness and supports young kids and adults who are getting into apprenticeships within the aviation industry.

Mr. Morlese noted that the British Airways team comprised various persons from within the aviation sector, including cabin crew, pilots, engineers, global senior management, and persons in cyber security, and loading and baggage.

Also welcoming the teams were BTMI’s UK-based Business Development Officer, Cedric Lynch, and BDF Captain, Shane Drakes.

Ms. Franklin and Mr. Morlese thanked those who made the Barbados leg possible and wished the participants a successful and safe tournament. They also encouraged the teams to enjoy their time together as they build camaraderie on and off the field. (PR/GIS)

Caption: Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) CEO, Andrea Franklin (centre); British Airways’ Performance Development Co-ordinator, Kurt Morlese (ninth from left) ; BDF Captain, Shane Drakes (sixth from right); and BTMI’s UK-based Business Development Officer, Cedric Lynch (right) pose with some of the participating team members and supporters at the welcome reception yesterday.

The Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) has appointed two employees to its growing team. They are Sade Deane, Tourism Liaison Officer and Kemuel Burke, Administrative Office Assistant.

Deane brings a wealth of experience in the tourism and business development sectors with emphasis on the environment and sustainability, having previously worked with a climate change organisation and as a Solutions Consultant, providing project management, administrative and corporate social responsibility services.

The holder of a MSc in Tourism with Project Management and a BSc in Tourism Management (Special) from the University of the West Indies (UWI), Deane explained that her new role has been enriching and full of learning opportunities.

She said, “As Tourism Liaison Officer I am responsible for translating external needs into business benefits for our members and assisting with the process of facilitating any internal adjustments or changes necessary to support the industry.

“After my initial assessment over the past few months, we now have a number of programmes planned, some of which we have already started to roll out. These include information and demonstration sessions with stakeholders as well as projects to improve the emergency management response levels among our members, to strengthen our environmental sustainability efforts and to enhance our connections with communities and the non-profit sector.” 

Burke, who previously interned with the Association in 2023 while pursuing a BSc in Hospitality and Tourism Management at UWI, is now responsible for enhancing the administrative efficiency of the Association.

He explained that his stint as an intern prepared him for his new position, “Starting as a full-time member of staff has not felt like a new experience but like coming back to work after a weekend away.   From engaging with stakeholders to foster stronger relationships, to assisting with event management, supporting marketing promotions, handling member queries and, of course, managing the day-to-day administrative activities of the Association, the last few months have been both dynamic and rewarding.

“Not only am I contributing to the services the Association provides to its members, but I am also developing my organisational, communication and teamwork skills, while deepening my understanding of the tourism and hospitality industry. I am excited for the opportunity to continue growing and contributing to the BHTA’s success.”

CEO of the BHTA, Ryan Forde stated, “We are thrilled to welcome Sade and Kemuel to the team as they have both added strengths to areas that we were previously operating at a weakness, due to the limitation of resources of skillset and manpower.

“Sade’s experience and diligence allowed us to address many challenges and concerns alongside our public sector partners across varying ministerial  and NGO agencies especially with reference to water, waste disposal, hurricane preparedness and reaction to storm impact as well as agriculture, to name a few. This allows the business community to have areas addressed quicker and lend assistance to the government agencies programmes to help build resilience.

“Kemuel has really stood out for his energy and enthusiasm as a younger member of the team, coupled with his experience gained from training in the industry while studying. His internship allowed us to be exposed to his willingness to learn, to communicate a newer vision of Tourism of the future and to also be essential in supporting the team, our members and the industry as a whole, on a day to day basis.” (PR)