…Sandals to serve the local spirits in its over 200 bars
Sandals Resorts International and the Demerara Distillers Limited have embarked on a partnership that will see the resort chain carrying the local branded liquors for an initial period of two years, in what has been described as a sound business relationship.
And to further cement the relationship, Sandals’ CEO Adam Stewart came to Guyana to further discussions with the beverage giant, known worldwide for its award winning rums.
At a press conference at DDL’s Head Office in Kingston, Stewart said that he wanted to see how the local products are made “from stem to stern.” He said that he will take that information “and train and develop all of our bartenders in our resorts…”
He noted that the Sandals chain has over 200 bars in its group “and people come down to our resorts to enjoy themselves and spirits [are] a part of that.”
“Rum is a way of life…it is a part of life. People are loving it and I feel more confident today more than I did yesterday that this was absolutely the right move,” Stewart said.
Speaking to the media, DDL Vice President for International Marketing, Komal Samaroo, said that this is a strategic partnership between two Caribbean companies. “This signals that when Caribbean companies come together they can make winning partnerships where both sides win because the global marketplace is a huge marketplace. The opportunities are huge but the resources required to access that marketplace is also phenomenal,” he said.
“So when companies in the Caribbean can find synergies to work together and access that market [it bodes well] for the region and I believe that this is what CARICOM is all about. That is what the political framework under which we play was set up to achieve and we are demonstrating that here today,” he said.
Stewart said that the deal was a financial win for both parties and this has been facilitated through the CARICOM Single Market and Economy.
“We are in three islands that fall under CARICOM…Jamaica, St. Lucia and Antigua…in these economic times you have to make sound financial decisions for your organisation. So it has to be good for DDL and it has to be good for Sandals. CARICOM’s parameters have facilitated this and made it a viable opportunity,” he said.
He said that with the Caribbean being only one little part of the world, the stronger businesses are the better their chances of breaking into the global market.
“If we can trade in and out of the Caribbean and become a stronger region, then it makes our little part of the world more sound. DDL has manufactured a great Caribbean product that I can put forth to customers and that could only be a positive thing,” he said.