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• Gary Sadler praises LatAm Travel Advisors for boosting tourism to Jamaica and the Caribbean as Argentina tops golf tourney

  In a glowing endorsement of the vital role played by Latin American travel advisors, Gary Sadler, Executive Vice President of Sales and Industry Relations at Unique Vacations, lauded their unwavering efforts in driving tourism to Jamaica and other Caribbean destinations, particularly where Sandals Resorts are located.

  Sadler expressed his heartfelt appreciation for their continued dedication to promoting the Sandals brand and the broader Caribbean region, as he acknowledged the crucial role they play in not only attracting visitors but also in strengthening the tourism sectors of the countries they serve, with a special emphasis on Jamaica, the home of Sandals Resorts.

  “Jamaica and Sandals continue to be a very strong product for Latin America. You have seen just a part of Jamaica, the Ocho Rios region, but as we continue to invest in Latin America, you'll find that the Caribbean, such as Barbados, with flights four times a week from Panama with Copa Airlines, and Bahamas Nassau, again with Copa Airlines flying from Panama, will continue to grow. We are throughout the Caribbean, hence the reason that we can provide the diversity that you need,” Sadler said after another successful staging of the Sandals Latin America Travel Advisors Golf Tournament on Monday.

  “Your commitment to showcasing the beauty, culture, and luxury that Jamaica and the Caribbean have to offer is nothing short of extraordinary. Each year, your efforts bring more and more visitors to our shores, allowing them to experience the unparalleled service and hospitality that Sandals is known for,” he added.

  

  Gary Sadler shares a light moment with Arlenes Garcia.

  The 10th edition of the Sandals Latin America Travel Advisors tournament brought together travel advisors from 11 Latin American countries—Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, Peru, Panama, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Mexico—for a few days of networking, education, and friendly competition at Sandals Golf and Country Club in Upton Estate.

  Two teams from Argentina were crowned joint champions, as both teams finished tied on 68 after the two days.

  One team, comprising Gabriel Miguens, Pablo Moioni, Gaston Serra, and Ulises Chiappe scored 34 across both days, while the other team of Maria Luisa Rodriquez, Fernando Rafael Quintes, Pablo Wolinsky, and Cesar Suarez scored 36 on day one and 32 on day two.

  Peru’s team of Cesar Ruiz, Denitza Almeyda, Diego Sorni, and Micaela Oslcese, was third with 72, following scores of 39 and 33 across both days.

  Beyond the competition, the advisors, many of whom were visiting the island for the very first time, were given a firsthand experience of the luxurious accommodations, world-class amenities, and vibrant culture that they market to their clients.

  The tournament not only served as a platform for professional development but also as a testament to the strong partnerships that Sandals has built with the Latin American travel industry over the years.

  

  Gaston Serra, a member of the winning Argentina team, makes a put.

  Sadler highlighted the importance of these partnerships, noting that the continued success of Sandals Resorts in Latin America is a direct result of the hard work and dedication of the travel advisors.

  He also encouraged the advisors to keep pushing for sales in their regions, emphasizing that their efforts have a direct impact on the growth of tourism in the Caribbean.

  “What that means is that you have the ability to sell the Caribbean, especially the English-speaking Caribbean. Every time a visitor from Latin America visits the Turks and Caicos Islands, it's the quality vacation that you sell that makes a huge difference. My own experience visiting Brazil for carnival, visiting Christ the Redeemer in Rio, tells me that everyone must travel to experience the world,” Sadler declared.

  "Your influence in the Latin American market is undeniable, and so I urge you to continue your relentless pursuit of excellence. Together, we can further strengthen the Sandals brand and ensure that Jamaica and the Caribbean remain top-of-mind destinations for travelers from Latin America,” he stated.

  “We're grateful that you can make it Sandals and you can make it Jamaica, and I sincerely hope that everyone had a wonderful, wonderful experience. Thank you for your commitment to Jamaica, and thank you for your commitment to Sandals,” he ended.

• McIlroy to cut back tournament schedule after 'hitting wall'

  Rory McIlroy is planning to cut down the number of tournaments he enters in 2025 after a congested season that will include 27 events this year.

  The Northern Irishman finished tied for ninth place in the Tour Championship in Atlanta last weekend, his 22nd event of the year.

  McIlroy started the year strong, winning the Dubai Desert Classic before triumphing at the Wells Fargo Championship in May.

  He also came close to ending his decade-long wait for a major title, but agonisingly missed out to Bryson DeChambeau by one shot at the U.S. Open after a late collapse, prompting him to take a short break.

  "It's been a long season, and I'm going to just have to think about trying to build in a few extra breaks here and there next year and going forward because I felt like I hit a bit of a wall sort of post-U.S. Open, and still feel a little bit of that hangover," said McIlroy.

  "My season is not over, obviously. I've still got five events left to play," he said.

  "But yeah, I feel like the tournaments came thick and fast, and obviously, with the Olympics thrown in there, as well, this year, it sort of condensed everything a bit."

  Since the U.S. Open, McIlroy has struggled to show his early-season form, missing the cut at The Open Championship and finishing fifth at the Paris Olympics while representing Team Ireland.

  The 35-year-old still has five tournaments left this year, including next week's Irish Open at Royal County Down.

  Asked how many tournaments is too many in one year, McIlroy replied: "27. I'm usually sort of like a 22 sort of person. But again, that was when I was sort of in my 20s and didn't have the responsibilities that I do now.

  "I'm going to try to cut it back to like 18 or 20 a year going forward, I think."

• Premiere destination: LatAm's Arlenes Garcia urges Jamaicans to champion the country as a global brand

  If ever Jamaicans needed a nudge to embrace the beauty of the island on which they reside, then Arlenes Garcia’s message—keep selling Jamaica as a brand—would hit home.

  Garcia, the dynamic Director of Sales and Marketing for Latin America at Unique Vacations, who is currently in Jamaica along with travel advisors from 11 Latin American countries, is passionate about promoting Jamaica as a premier destination for tourists.

  Her visit is part of the 10th staging of the Sandals Latin America Travel Advisors Golf Tournament, an event designed to immerse these individuals in the rich experiences that Sandals Resorts and Jamaica as a whole have to offer.

  With the tournament as a backdrop, Garcia spoke enthusiastically about the importance of showcasing Jamaica's unique blend of natural beauty, cultural vibrancy, and world-class hospitality.

  “Jamaica is so beautiful. There are so many things that the tourists can experience when they come to Jamaica. It's safe to travel to Jamaica, and we have to speak about all this. Jamaica is more than just a destination; it’s a brand that resonates globally, so when we promote Jamaica as a country, as the Caribbean, we have to promote the beauty of the country,” Garcia said.

  “From the stunning beaches and lush landscapes to the warm and welcoming people, Jamaica offers an experience that is unmatched. We have to speak about the experience that tourists in Jamaica could have. I mean, there is so much to speak about when we think about it—Dunn’s River Falls, Mystic Mountain, and the golf course—there are so many beautiful places that you could find in Jamaica. So I would suggest that we continue promoting Jamaica,” she added.

  

  Latin American Travel Advisors share a photo opportunity with caddies.

  Garcia revealed that there are times when some Latin American travel advisors overlook Jamaica as a destination to experience and vacation, until they are told about the warmth and vibrancy of the island.

  As such, she pointed out that it is essential that those who have experienced the beauty of the island  serve as ambassadors and continue to highlight these aspects to the world.

  “Tourism is important for Jamaica and for us to be able to strengthen our relationship with our partners is also important. Jamaica is more than just a destination; it’s a brand that resonates globally, so as soon as those reluctant parties change their minds and decide to come here, they want to come back every year," she shared.

  That said, Garcia explained that the tournament is more than just a sporting event but more of a strategic initiative aimed at deepening the understanding of what Jamaica offers as a tourism destination.

  By bringing travel advisors directly to the island, Sandals Resorts ensures that these key influencers experience firsthand the quality and variety of amenities available.

  This, in turn, allows them to better sell Jamaica to their clients across Latin America, as countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, Peru, Panama, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Mexico are represented at the tournament. 

  

  Members of Mexico's team in action.

   

  With that in mind, Garcia emphasized the significance of golf as an integral part of Jamaica’s sports tourism industry. 

  "Golf tourism is growing rapidly, and Jamaica is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend. The beautiful golf course here at Sandals Golf and Country Club, set against breathtaking backdrops, adds an extra dimension to the traditional sun-and-sand holiday. It’s these unique offerings that make Jamaica stand out, and it’s our job to ensure that the world knows about them," Garcia reasoned.

  "For travel advisors, the ideal thing is to actually see the product, enjoy and live the experience, because this is exactly what they will be selling when they go back home. So if they see the product and they enjoy it, then they can sell and the golf tournament is ideal for those travel advisors who specialize in golf. They have these clients that actually are looking for a vacation where they can incorporate their sport," she noted.

  During their time in Jamaica, the travel advisors have been treated to a showcase of the island’s best. From luxurious stays at Sandals Dunn’s River  to exploring the island’s attractions and, of course, enjoying rounds of golf on at the scenic Sandals Golf and Country Club at Upton, an experience carefully curated to highlight Jamaica’s strengths.

  But the travel advisors also do a bit of giving back themselves, as Garcia also encourages a 'pack for a purpose' initiative that involves giving back to Jamaican communities through the Sandals Foundation.

  "We encourage the agents to actually park for a purpose. They bring articles that they can share with the community. As you know, we support the education, the environment and the communities with the Sandals Foundation, so to be able to bring school items, books, and other articles that will support the communities and the schools here in Jamaica is part of the program that we have prepared for the travel advisors. We also have island roots as part of the sponsorship and they will actually support us by incorporating an activity where the agents will be able to experience Jamaica," Garcia ended.