Delivering Great Destinations.
HOLISTICA is an independent, self-sufficient, destination development company for multi-brand, world-class destinations for cruise guests and travelers around the world.
8 DECADES OF EXPERIENCE IN CRUISE & DESTINATION DEVELOPMENT
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INVESTMENT GRADE
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GLOBAL RELATIONSHIPS
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SIGNIFICANT GUEST VOLUMES
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VERTICALLY INTEGRATED
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ENTREPRENEURIAL & INNOVATIVE
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STRONG TIES WITH ALL CRUISE BRANDS
MISSION
Holistica Destinations delivers an inclusive model for destination development that works holistically, to meet the needs of coastal communities, local governments, and land, sea and air travelers.
VISION
&
VALUES
Long-term beneficial
relationships
Open to all
cruise brands
Sustainable and
Environmentally
conscious
Integrate with
the community
Mitigates
over-tourism
Local investment
and participation
Authentic, quality,
and socially
responsible
Fair and open
commercial
practices
DEVELOPMENT
Independent self-sufficient destination development company and operator. Focused on delivery of new opportunities in the cruise industry.
MANAGEMENT
Vertically integrated management of day-to-day operations within our all-encompassing existing cruise destinations (retail, F&B, shore excursions, attractions, etc.)
TAILORED FOR
CRUISE LINES
Identify existing and potential cruise destinations and leverage economies of scale to build or improve port infrastructures, land-based developments, and shore excursion products for the cruise industry.
GOVERNMENTS, COMMUNITIES & DESTINATIONS
Working hand-in-hand with governments, local communities and the private enterprise to create compelling and sustainable destinations which exceed the expectations of cruise guests and travelers worldwide and the communities they serve.
BACKGROUND
Holistica Destinations Ltd is a 50-50 partnership between Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and ITM Group, headquartered in Miami. The new venture will own and operate destinations in Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic and Grand Bahama, Bahamas. The projects will serve 8 million visitors annually, and be accessible to all travelers, including land and air vacationers and guests of all cruise companies.
INITIAL PRESS RELEASE (JUNE 24TH 2019)
On June 24, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and Mexico’s ITM Group created Holistica Destinations Ltd., a 50-50 joint venture to radically transform the way we think about coastal destinations. As its name implies, the new company will use a holistic approach to generate significant economic growth for communities and local governments and preserve and sustain the area’s natural resources while offering a compelling experience for guests.
RCI: We're famous for building ships our guests love. We obsess over every detail of their onboard experience from before they even think of cruising until they decide to take the next one. And we’re really, really good at it. But we know that the destinations we visit are just as essential in memory-making as our ships. “We’ve spent five decades learning what works and what doesn’t,” said RCI’s Michael Bayley, “and we know the potential of strategic destination development to deliver great guest experiences and meet the needs of local communities.” So when RCL decided to get into the destination development business, we came from a position of strength.
Holistica isn’t creating these destinations just for RCL ships and, perhaps even more surprising, not even only for cruise lines. “Having more destinations, developed in a responsible manner, gives travelers on land, sea, or air greater vacation quality,” says Bayley. “And that’s a win-win-win for the entire leisure industry.”
Holistica will begin with five projects already underway in Freeport, Bahamas; Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; among others. The Freeport project, currently under review by the Bahamian government, is a great example of the holistic approach. While focused on reimagining the Grand Lucayan resort, the project includes ambitious plans for local ownership, employment, job training, community investment, and sustainable construction practices.
“We’re not just re-opening a resort in Freeport,” says Bayley. “We’re looking at everything from transportation to utilities to local culture to responsible sourcing to entertainment to… well, to everything. It’s an ecosystem, not a property.”