BHTA senior execs pay respect to Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, ‘a giant of a man’

As news of the passing of a tourism industry giant reverberated throughout the world, senior executives from the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Industry paused to reflect on the life and impact of Gordon “Butch” Stewart.

“The world has lost a giant of a man, the tourism Industry has lost a visionary. More than any other individual, ‘Butch’ has influenced the trajectory of tourism in the entire region,” stated Robert Sands, president of the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association. “His contribution to The Bahamas cannot be defined in mere dollar value; he set the bar for excellence and he inspired us to exceed it.”

Newly instated BHTA Senior Vice President Jackson Weech, whose background is steeped in the all-inclusive realm, stated “Mr. Stewart always said, find out what people want, give it to them and in doing so exceed their expectations. A sound and simple philosophy that would become a standard mantra in industry. One we strove to achieve.”

Since the opening of the Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort and Spa in 1996, Stewart and the Sandals team have been avid supporters of the BHTA. Stewart loved the islands and cays of The Bahamas and demonstrated that through his addition of two luxury properties in the Exumas.

Carlton Russell, immediate past president of the BHTA, echoed the president’s sentiments. “We will forever be grateful to ‘Butch’ Stewart for his unwavering support, his faith in our country, in organizations such as the BHTA. He has touched the lives of countless people, for the better. His legacy will live on through his family and the incredible team of people who work for and with the Stewarts in The Bahamas and throughout the Caribbean.”

Stewart was awarded the prestigious “Hotelier of The Year” award by the BHTA at the 16th Cacique Awards ceremony, held at the Meliá Nassau Beach resort on Saturday, January 24, 2015.

Vernice Walkine, the BHTA’s vice president for allied members and president and chief executive officer of Nassau Airport Development Company, commented on the passing of ‘Butch’ Stewart: “He was such a pioneer, a genius really. He created a whole new tourism/hospitality sector in luxury all-inclusive, he perfected the all-inclusive.”

Perhaps less well-known is the extent of his considerable philanthropy. Sandals and Beaches Resorts through their philanthropic arm, the Sandals Foundation, have positively impacted the lives of over 840,000 people across the Caribbean though charitable efforts.

The BHTA offered condolences to the family of Gordon “Butch” Stewart.

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source https://thenassauguardian.com/bhta-senior-execs-pay-respect-to-gordon-butch-stewart-a-giant-of-a-man/