The “Sandals Effect” is in full swing; most notably, the success of the new Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has spurred flight capacity to the Eastern Caribbean nation, increasing it by 178 percent from September 2023 to September 2024, underscoring the brand’s significant impact on regional air services.
“When Sandals goes to market, it brings the Caribbean along,” said Gary C. Sadler, Executive Vice President of Sales & Industry Relations at Unique Vacations, an affiliate of the worldwide representative for Sandals Resorts, in a press statement. “This is critical to destination stakeholders and travel advisor partners upon whose shoulders Sandals stands as it introduces new audiences to the unique experiences and pleasures of Caribbean vacationing.”
The “Sandals Effect”
Before the resort opened in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines last March, Caribbean Airlines operated one weekly flight, which increased to two. American Airlines went from three weekly flights to four in April and will offer daily nonstop service from Miami starting in November, with additional Saturday flights from Charlotte and New York’s JFK in December. JetBlue will begin twice-weekly service from New York’s JFK to SVD in October.
After 15 years, Delta Air Lines resumed weekly service to Curaçao with the opening of Sandals Royal Curaçao in 2022. Starting November 23, Delta will increase to daily nonstop flights from Atlanta, joining JetBlue and contributing to a nearly 30% year-over-year increase in airlift from the United States.
Following the 2023 opening of Sandals Dunn’s River in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, American Airlines launched the first commercial flight between Ian Fleming International Airport (OCJ) and the U.S. with twice-weekly service from Miami. In December, American Airlines will expand to daily nonstop flights.
Beyond Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, UVI reports increased air service across the Caribbean, including:
- Sunrise Airways introduced daily (except Tuesdays) nonstop service between Antigua and St. Lucia in May.
- Southwest Airlines launched daily nonstop service from Orlando to Nassau, Bahamas, and Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, earlier this month.
- American Airlines will start nonstop Saturday service between Philadelphia and Barbados on Nov. 9, 2024, and from New York to St. Lucia on Dec. 7, 2024.
- Delta Air Lines will resume daily nonstop service from Atlanta to Barbados on Nov. 23, 2024.
- Delta will add Saturday nonstop service to Antigua from New York starting Jan. 11, 2025.
“Robust lift to island destinations is critical and we do not take it for granted. We are full partners,” added Sadler. “Knowing that UVI will support new routes and expanded service through our promotion of Sandals in the marketplace is key.”
The Return of the Rhythm and Blues Sale
The brand’s annual Rhythm and Blues sale is back, available to book through Aug. 4, giving your clients a $175 resort credit on stays of five nights or longer and a $1,000 air credit on stays of seven nights or longer for travel through July 31, 2025. Valid at four of the brand’s resorts: Sandals Saint Vincent and The Grenadines, Sandals Royal Curaçao, Sandals Grande St. Lucian and Sandals Antigua. To take advantage of this offer, travel advisors must register their booking for the package offer within 72 hours of booking with promo code RNB175.
For more information, visit sandals.com/rhythm-and-blues.
