Number of years company has been in business:
Sandals Resorts has been in business over 41 years.

In 50 words or less, please share a quick description for your company:
Sandals® Resorts are set along the most gorgeous tropical settings and exquisite beaches in Jamaica, Antigua, St. Lucia, Bahamas, Grenada, Barbados and Curacao. Our Caribbean resorts feature unlimited gourmet dining, premium liquors and wines, land and water sports, including complimentary green fees at our golf resorts and PADI® certified scuba diving.

Do you have a Travel Advisor Specialist Program and if so please share the URL where advisors can learn more or sign-up:
 Yes, the Sandals WeddingMoons Specialist program (SWS) is a training and recognition program for Travel Advisors that focus on weddings, honeymoons, renewal of vows, anniversaries, and engagement travel. To find out more information, visit the Sandals TA Portal: www.taportal.sandals.com 

Share a little about the company culture (what you're most excited about as an employee):
At Unique Vacations we love the brands that we sell, and every employee carries a sense of pride in playing an important role in the success of the sales and marketing for Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts!

As it relates to romance travel, what unique value proposition(s) set your brand apart from the competition?
Sandals & Beaches Resorts offer the most comprehensive Wedding Program in the Industry.  We provide our clients with hundreds of options to customize their destination wedding, which are all commissionable to the Travel Advisor when booked prior to travel.  Our professional wedding planners are there to assist our Travel Partners and mutual clients every step of the way.

Can you share a success story (with WOW factors) when working with travel advisors?
One of our Mississippi-based Travel Advisors had limited experience with booking Destination Weddings. However, after taking the Sandals WeddingMoons Specialist (SWS) 4-week online training course, she was extremely motivated and proceeded to market herself within her community.  She used her experience during our SWS Fam trip to become more proficient with social media marketing and expanded her reach to new followers.  Inquiries turned into bookings and after 1 year she became a Sandals WeddingMoons Specialist which requires our Travel Advisors to have at least 3 traveled weddings or $9K in wedding revenue in a calendar year. Now she is earning higher commissions and her name & contact details are featured on our website, under “Find a Sandals Wedding Specialist”, which provides her with even more exposure. Her wedding group bookings helped her to achieve Chairman’s Royal Club status, which specifies at  least 100 room bookings per year. This is quite an accomplishment, and we are very proud of her.

What is new and exciting that you're looking forward to share with this year's Romance Travel Forum delegates?
We are thrilled to Re-Introduce the all-new Sandals Dunn's River in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. 
This magnificent resort will welcome arrivals on May 24, 2023.  At Sandals Dunn’s River, you’ll find an elevated resort experience where architecture and innovation go hand in hand.  Let Life Flow in this secluded spot filled with Earth’s abundance.
Travel Advisors stop by our booth and get a sneak peek of our recently launched Aisle to Isle, Weddings Magazine. 

The travel industry is forever evolving. What are some of the trends you're seeing, and what initiatives is your brand developing to support travel sellers grow their business?
Sandals & Beaches Resorts have seen an increased demand for Destination Weddings Groups. With the large number of requests being received, we encourage our Travel Partners to take advantage of our current group contract room rate reduction offer of up to 11% off regular room rates (subject to blackout dates & terms and conditions) and book their wedding groups through the end of 2025 by contacting their Groups Sales Manager for a group quote.

What are your traditional commission structures?
Wedding Commission is 10% on all wedding options purchased prior to travel.  Sandals WeddingMoons Specialists receive a higher commission depending on their SWS Status: 
SILVER Status - 11% commission
GOLD Status – 12% commission
PLATINUM Status – 14% commission

Why should travel advisors work with your brand?
Travel Advisors can book Sandals and Beaches directly through our Travel Advisor portal - https://taportal.sandals.com/ which can result in up to 3% additional commission. Sandals & Beaches Resorts has the largest sales force in the industry across North and South America, providing you with direct support to grow your business.

Selling Sandals and Beaches Resorts also means you will receive continuous product training, access to a marketing bank, free digital and print brochures, assets to market your business, and the opportunity to wrap your car for free.  Ultimately, you’ll build your business and earn Points to Paradise to enjoy your personal vacation at Sandals and Beaches Resorts.

What tools/technologies do you have in place to support travel sellers, and do they integrate into current available technologies? If yes, please share which ones.
Sandals & Beaches Resorts wants to give back to our Travel Advisors by offering an unprecedented partnership that makes it easier than ever to lock in bookings with industry-leading tools, resources, and support throughout the entire process, including 24/7 TA Portal, direct booking incentives, dedicated reservations team.

When communicating with your company, what can travel advisors expect (ie turnaround time, dedicated point person, etc.)?
Travel Advisors can reach our dedicated Wedding Business Development Team with a 48-hour response time by email or phone 800-327-1991.
Susan Mangan – smangan@uvi.sandals.com ext. 4377
Connie Vazquez – cvazquez@uvi.sandals.com ext. 4203
Or our dedicated inbox - sws@uvi.sandals.com

No matter where you are located, from homebased independent travel advisor to brick-and-mortar storefront, you can count on focused, one-on-one partnership with your Sandals & Beaches Business Development Manager (BDM). Whether you want to expand into a new market, focus on a specific niche, or grow your influence, BDM's are dedicated to your success.  Find your local BDM  https://taportal.sandals.com/bdm/ 
Sandals also offers a dedicated Inside Sales Support Team that can be reached at: 1-800-48-SPECIAL or via email at insidesales@uvi.sandals.com for assistance.

How and where can travel advisors book or get support when selling your product?
Travel advisors can call us directly at 877-Sandals or 877-Beaches to book a wedding, honeymoon or engagement or book your clients room directly through the TA portal at www.taportal.sandals.com.