Royal Caribbean International and The Bahamas marked the start of a new adventure on April 22 as the cruise line broke ground on Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, the 6.87-hectare beach day experience on Paradise Island in Nassau, The Bahamas.
Once complete, Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is expected to host an average of 2,000 guests. Vacationers will access the beach club via a ferry ride from the Nassau Cruise Port and return through historic downtown Nassau near the world-famous Straw Market.
The Royal Beach Club Paradise Island will feature three pools with swim-up bars, private cabanas, four island-style spots for quick bites and local fare, and experiences that feature local artisans and live music.
The first of the Royal Beach Club Collection will take shape in the coming months ahead of its opening in 2025, and at the heart of the experience will be the island nation of The Bahamas, in which Bahamians will own up to 49 per cent equity.
Local businesses and entrepreneurs will also manage parts of the construction and experience, which will generate hundreds of jobs in the short and long term. To date, Bahamians have participated in workshops to develop authentic local dishes, music, entertainment, sports and activities as well as design ideas that reflect the true Bahamian spirit and style.
“Marking more than the beginning of the construction process, today’s ground-breaking event symbolises partnership, momentum and continued economic development for so many Bahamian entrepreneurs and the entire community,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group.
Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International, commented: “The beauty and charm of the island are why we chose to debut the Royal Beach Club Collection in Nassau, and with the collaboration and support of local entrepreneurs and the wider community, we know that what we create will far exceed everything we imagined.”
More details about the first Royal Beach Club, including the opening date and pricing, will be revealed on Royal Caribbean’s website soon.
In hospitality, inclusive leadership and gender balance are becoming important business imperatives, as gender-diverse teams reportedly see up to 19 per cent higher profits. However, gender parity in leadership remains a challenge in this industry, owing to factors such as demanding expectations, work-life balance struggles, and the scarcity of female leaders as role models. A 2022 WTO report noted the insufficient data on women in leadership across Asia-Pacific, and underscored the urgency for action.
Insight Vacations has launched its small group, women-only tours specially created for women by women – first tours depart in 2025 with the hope of encouraging solo travel and spotlighting women in the travel industry.
The development of Insight Vacations’ Women-Only Tours comes after research with Journey Women, in which they surveyed over 1,000 female travellers. Results showed that 65 per cent of those surveyed “look for tour companies that offer women-only tours or solo trips for women” while 43 per cent feel “the travel industry ignores solo or older female travellers”.
On the new tours, travellers will have the opportunity to explore more culture and celebrate women’s achievements across countries, meet likeminded women and forge lifelong friendships. The small group tours will have a maximum of 24 guests and follow exciting routes with more single-room stays in stylish handpicked hotels, meals in top-rated dining spots and stress-free travel.
During the Peru with Machu Picchu trip, travellers meet the Quechua weavers of Peru’s Sacred Valley, and learn about the cultural importance of this ancient craft and how their visit helps preserve this ancient culture. Guests on the Country Roads of Italy Tour will have the opportunity to meet with a weaving association in Perugia that’s owned and run by women, and on the Best of Morocco Tour, travellers can attend a baking class at a women’s cooperative which empowers women to become professional chefs.
The Journey Women research also noted that 73 per cent of women surveyed seek recommendations and travel advice from other women before travelling solo. As such, Insight Vacations will launch a new social travel group on Facebook for women – Insight Vacations Women-Only Travel Community. With this group, Insight Vacations hope to encourage women to join and discuss travel among themselves, share tips, and find others with similar interests.
“As a travel brand, we are always intent on inspiring inclusion, which is why we wanted to open doors to all women, especially solo or older travellers who prefer the additional security or companionship of travelling with fellow females,” said Mae Cheah, managing director, Asia, TTC Tour Brands.
“Our women-only tours are something we’ve carefully developed for women by women to meet their unique needs of exploring new cultures… we are always looking to create exceptional experiences that enable women to explore the world with confidence.”