The Tribune

HUNDREDS of visitors descended on Sandals Royal Bahamian last week to participate in Sandals Resorts International's 19th annual Reunion Week. More than 1,500 returning guests headed to Sandals Resorts across the Caribbean to celebrate the luxury-included resort chain's premier loyalty event. As a part of Sandals' returning guests rewards programme, the Sandals Reunion Week 2012 held in April boasted welcome-home cocktail receptions and nightly themed parties, off-resort excursions, gala dinners and complimentary vow renewal ceremonies, designed to thank the company's remarkable 40 per cent return guest clientele. The returnees, known as Sandals Select Rewards Guests (SSGs), also participated in specially arranged Sandals Foundation outreach activities in Antigua, the Bahamas, Saint Lucia and Jamaica. "Returning guests are an integral part of the Sandals business and the Sandals Select Rewards programme gives us the perfect vehicle to recognise and thank these guests directly for their continued support," said Melissa von Frankenberg, Sandals senior manager for loyalty programmes. Ten-time returnees Joseph and Betty Stana chose the Sandals Royal Bahamian as their vacation spot for Reunion Week and were impressed, particularly with the recent upgrades at the resort. "Every year we come back there is something new. It's great to be able to look forward to new improvements each time we return," Mr Stana said. Sandals Reunion Week is also highly anticipated by resort staff. "Reunion week gives us a tremendous opportunity to get even closer to our returning guests," said Patrick Drake, general manager at Sandals Royal Bahamian.