Sponsored Editorial - Sandals® Resorts: Open A World of Good
Make a difference on your next vacation to a Sandals Resort by participating in a Sandals Foundation Island Impact Tour.
In October 2024, over 30 athletes converged on the island of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to bravely take on an unforgettable test of endurance. Lasting four days - participants both from the island and the United Kingdom set off on an Island Challenge – running, hiking, and kayaking over 70 kilometers of scenic routes and breathtaking landscapes.
The event raised an astounding £100,000 for the Sandals Foundation to fund vital pediatric healthcare services at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital and pediatric health programs on the southern islands in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. What’s more, the entire idea was birthed by two travel industry colleagues and athletic enthusiasts- Karl Thompson, Managing Director of Unique Vacations UK Ltd., sales and marketing representatives of Sandals Resorts, and Graeme Saunders, Lead Senior Manager, Groups and Corporate.
In an incredible show of solidarity, teams of aspiring athletes from the United States and Canada joined in, demonstrating the power of travel to effect real change.
Take on New Horizons
While the recipe for an amazing vacation will vary from the nature enthusiast, thrill seeker, adventurer, budget conscious, and the luxury connoisseur, the inner fulfillment experienced after embarking on a Sandals Foundation Island Impact Tour cannot be denied.
For 15 years, the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts and the Caribbean Adventure Tour operator, Island Routes, have injected unique experiences into the itinerary of travelers wanting a little - more. No two ever the same, these one-of-a-kind excursions share with guests more authentic tastes of local cuisines, more connections to the island’s people, more one-on-one interactions to share stories and customs, and more opportunities to leave a legacy of love.
Today’s traveler cares about the spaces in which they vacation. While all may not sign up for a 70 kilometer challenge of physical and mental fortitude, there are numerous opportunities to open a world of good and make a difference in an island and its education, community, and environment.
- Before you Board, Pack for a Purpose - Guests staying at Sandals and Beaches Resorts are encouraged to pack up to 5 lbs of school, personal hygiene and needed supplies to support the efforts of targeted schools and community organizations. Learn more at https://www.packforapurpose.org/
- Make Memories on a Reading Road Trip: On all nine islands, guests can immerse themselves in the local education system through a “Reading Road Trip”, spending two wholesome hours with 5 to 7 years olds in their classrooms - sharing in the joy of reading, literary games and activities. Over the years, these tours have led to the donation of thousands of books to school libraries, educational resources for classrooms, and curating one- on- one tutoring between guests and students that form real connections.
- Witness the Magic of a Sea Turtle’s First Steps: Imagine observing the start of a baby sea turtle’s journey to the sea? The "Sea Turtle Watching Tour” connects guests in Ocho Rios Jamaica with the globally endangered species in their natural habitat. Acting as barriers to ordinary predators that pose multiple risks to the young ones, guests get the opportunity to help turtles make it safely across the sands. These tours raise funds for beach rehabilitation, hiring wardens and supporting local sea turtle conservation efforts.
- Harvest Your Meal at a Farm to Table: In Grenada, guests can embark on a "Farm to Table Tour," sharing in the vital link between food security and community empowerment. This tour offers a unique opportunity for guests to witness the journey from cultivation to meal preparation and contribute to sustaining a vibrant network of female farmers who play a crucial role in feeding their nation.
- Embrace the Customs, Journey and Festivals: For soaking up the authentic vibrations of the islands, Oisitins Express and Fiesta in Barbados, Gros Islet Street Party in Saint Lucia, Blue and John Crow Mountains Tours and Mini Routes tours in Jamaica are phenomenal experiences that also give back to the local communities they visit. From contributing to the economic livelihoods of artisans, entrepreneurs, community recreational areas and schools - a community tour empowers the lives of many.
Your Recommendation Makes a Difference
Planning a trip can include planning ways to serve beyond resort doors, and your recommendations count. Already, children with cancer and serious blood disorders such as sickle cell anemia in Jamaica, The Bahamas, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago are now better able to access a diagnosis, care and treatment thanks to continuous funding the Sandals Foundation provides to the SickKids Caribbean Initiative. Over 2000 schools have had their infrastructure improved, learning resources enhanced and teachers trained to create holistic learning environments for the young minds they mold, and marine sanctuaries have been developed with community residents gainfully employed to restore and protect the resources on which they depend to keep their way of life and livelihoods alive.
The Sandals Foundation believes in the power of travel to positively change lives. Through the incredible network of team members, guests, corporate partners, and travel advisors, we’re using travel to open a world of good.
To learn more, visit: www.sandalsfoundation.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. You can also contribute towards a program of your choice with 100% of every dollar donated going directly towards the programs that benefit the Caribbean community.
Sponsored by Sandals® Resorts
