5th January, 2021

Statement by the Hon Charles H. Fernandez
Minister of Tourism & Investments of Antigua and Barbuda on the passing of Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart

Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart was a Caribbean giant in the tourism industry. It is often forgotten that, despite his humble beginnings, he competed against the biggest names in tourism to build a successful and respected network of hotels across the Caribbean.

That undertaking was not easy. It required a special person with unique skills and committed drive to successfully overcome the challenges from established institutions, and to carve a universally known brand name. Butch Stewart was all of that and more.

He was a Jamaican – a land to which he was deeply committed, but he regarded the Caribbean as his wider fraternal community. Antigua and Barbuda was pleased to welcome one of his first Sandals ventures outside of Jamaica and, without a shred of doubt, the standards he established made a significant contribution to the growth of our tourism.

We join his relatives and the Sandals family across the region in mourning the falling of a true Caribbean champion and hero.