GORDON 'BUTCH' STEWART -- 1987/1992

Huge efforts in promoting economic success

TOURISM MOGUL, Gordon 'Butch' Stewart copped the Gleaner's Honour Award twice, in 1987 and 1992 for his innovation in tourism and his efforts promoting economic success with the "Sandals Initiative", popularly known as the Butch Stewart Initiative.

His efforts along with other factors, caused a social transformation, when he allowed the conversion of foreign exchange at lower and lower foreign exchange rates, sending speculators into panic as they were forced to sell their speculative hoardings at a loss. He showed that it is possible to engender the national good over individual selfishness.

Mr. Stewart who is chairman of the world-famous Sandals chain of resort hotels, recently received an honorary Doctorate of Law degree from the University of the West Indies last year. He was cited as among other things, "the Cupid of the Caribbean," the "Master of Marketing and World Travel Awards."