TPC on Location: Welcoming Every Traveller to Beaches

“Every single person is welcome at Sandals and Beaches.” That was the message as representatives from the Beaches team hosted an event last night in Edmonton as part of their Canadian roadshow. Held at the upscale Royal Glenora Club, the evening’s attendees included travel advisors and agency owners with their clients, select media, and members of the Northern Alberta autism community. 

Beaches strives to be an inclusive resort and has gone to great lengths to ensure that autistic people and their families can have a fun, safe, relaxing vacation. General Manager of Beaches Negril, Lancelot Lebert, spoke about the amenities at his resort that could make families, especially families with autistic members, feel comfortable and at home…if home was a 20 acre oceanfront property with 13 restaurants, six pools and almost 30 room categories. 

Over the course of the evening, attendees learned that for families with specific requirements, even contemplating a trip can be difficult. Edna Ray, Senior Manager, Regional Sales for Air Canada, spoke about Autism Aviation Days at airports across the country. These special events are an opportunity for people with autism and their families to take a “dry run” at the airport (sometimes including a short flyover, so participants can experience take off, flight and landing) to practice navigating the airport experience. "The primary objective is for families to see for themselves if travel is even a possibility," says Ray. Sometimes people assume it will be too difficult or “too much,” but once they have had the practice day, feel a little more confident at the prospect. “[We hear] OK, travel could be an option...now where can we go?” Ray said, going on to explain Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations partnership with Beaches and Sandals. 

Air Canada will launch a weekly direct flight from Edmonton to Montego Bay in December which will make travel to Beaches and Sandals properties in Jamaica shorter and easier. 

Booking Special Needs Travel at Beaches

Beaches and its marketing arm, Unique Vacations, have instituted a handful of ways to help advisors book the best trip for families with specific requirements. The company provides a detailed form for advisors to fill out with their clients, so the hotel can be prepared ahead of time for what the travellers need. Some examples could be dietary needs and preferences, things that Kids’ Camp workers should be aware of, additional locks to prevent wandering, even having breakable things removed from guest rooms. Advisors can contact special services at Unique Vacations for the form, or call the contact centres to have it sent out. The team asks that the form be submitted at least two months ahead of travel so the property can be fully ready to receive the guests.

A dedicated website (beaches.com/autism) details additional ways Beaches welcomes every traveller and is a handy resource to share with clients.

The team also shared information about becoming a certified autism travel professional, offering to pay half the cost of the training for the travel advisors in attendance last night. 

 

Inclusive Amenities at Beaches Negril

Lebert shared some of the lengths his property will go to ensure a safe and relaxing vacation is possible for everyone at Beaches Negril. It starts with the sensory guide. The pamphlet outlines what people can expect in every area of the resort, rating each on a scale of 1-10 for each sense, and mapping out the quiet, less stimulating spots where people can rest and regroup as needed. 

The staff at Beaches Negril all take yearly autism certification. The workers at the kids’ camp also have early education certifications. Knowing the high level of training and awareness can help parents feel more confident leaving their kids for the programming. Additionally, the resort has a Beach Buddy program, which pairs a special needs guest with a member of staff. The buddy is the same person for the entire week, so the two can get to know each other and develop comfort and trust. The Beach Buddy program isn’t just limited to children, autistic adults can take advantage of it too. 

Also of note is the culinary concierge program. This isn’t specific to autistic travellers, other special food needs can be catered to under the program. At least two months ahead, travellers or advisors are encouraged to contact the culinary concierge to detail food needs. The concierge will arrange allergen-free meals, celiac friendly meals, halal or kosher meals or ensure that hot dogs and butter noodles (or whatever strict food preference they may have) are on-hand at the restaurant where the traveller is dining each night. 

What’s New at Beaches and Sandals

While autism travel was the main focus of the evening, the team also shared some of what’s upcoming at Beaches and Sandals resorts. The biggest upcoming news is the reopening of three Jamaican properties following the devastation of Hurricane Melissa last year. 

Renderings of the reopening Sandals resorts were on display. (Photo Credit: Jen Mallia/TravelPulse Canada)

Sandals Montego Bay, Sandals Caribbean Cay (formerly Royal Caribbean) and Sandals South Coast have undergone a $200 million overhaul and are slated to welcome guests again during the upcoming season. Sandals South Coast will open Nov. 18, 2026 while Sandals Montego Bay and Sandals Caribbean Cay will reopen Dec. 18, 2026. During the restoration and renovations, the company was proud to keep every member of staff employed and paid weekly, which is not something every resort brand chose to do. 

Over the next five years, four new Beaches resorts are slated to open in the Caribbean. Starting next year, Beaches Exuma in the Bahamas will open, followed by properties in Barbados and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. By 2030, the fourth property, at Runaway Bay, will open, complete with a pro golf course across the road. 

 

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