Jamaica’s luxury tourism soars with Moon Palace, The Grand, a $700M resort featuring 1,200 rooms, overwater bungalows, and the island’s largest spa. Meanwhile, TBO acquires Classic Vacations for $125M, enhancing luxury travel distribution and tech-driven advisor support globally.
Jamaica’s Luxury Tourism Boom and the Future of Corporate Travel
We’re seeing exciting developments in the global hospitality and travel industry this week, with Jamaica’s luxury tourism market and corporate travel sector making headlines. Both stories reflect broader trends: strategic investment driving growth, technology shaping operations, and an emphasis on high-end experiences tailored to discerning travelers.
Jamaica: A New Era of Luxury Hospitality
Jamaica continues to cement its position as a premier luxury travel destination. July 2025 stopover arrivals hit 286,548—a remarkable 16.5% increase year-over-year—signaling strong demand from international tourists. This growth is mirrored by bold investments in large-scale resort development. Among the most notable is the groundbreaking of Moon Palace, The Grand, in St. James. Valued at US$700 million, this resort promises to redefine premium travel on the island.
The property will feature 1,200 luxury rooms, overwater bungalows, 13 specialty restaurants, an expansive waterpark, and the largest spa in Jamaica. Such ambitious developments illustrate a strategic focus on delivering unparalleled experiences for travelers while supporting long-term tourism growth. Investors are clearly confident that luxury tourism is a segment worth scaling, and projects like Moon Palace reflect a commitment to elevating Jamaica’s global appeal.
Beyond infrastructure, the resort is likely to have a ripple effect across the local economy—boosting employment, fostering supplier partnerships, and creating opportunities for small businesses that cater to the hospitality sector. For property managers and hospitality professionals, this signals the importance of aligning offerings with premium traveler expectations, from curated experiences to exceptional service standards.
Corporate Travel: TBO and Classic Vacations Join Forces
Meanwhile, corporate and luxury travel is being reshaped through strategic acquisitions and technology integration. TBO’s recent purchase of U.S.-based luxury specialist Classic Vacations for $125 million is a prime example. This move combines Classic Vacations’ network of over 10,000 travel advisors with TBO’s advanced technology platform, creating a robust ecosystem designed to enhance efficiency, personalization, and distribution capabilities in the luxury market.
The acquisition is particularly notable because Classic Vacations will retain its brand identity, ensuring continuity for existing clients while leveraging TBO’s tech-driven tools. Advisors now have access to enhanced resources, streamlined workflows, and richer data, enabling them to deliver truly personalized experiences to clients. In an era where travelers increasingly expect tailored journeys and seamless booking processes, this consolidation positions both companies to capitalize on a rapidly evolving market.
For travel professionals, the TBO-Classic Vacations deal offers several key takeaways:
Technology is essential: Integrating AI, dynamic packaging, and distribution platforms allows advisors to operate more efficiently.
Brand continuity matters: Preserving established brand identities fosters client trust even amid acquisitions.
Luxury travel is growing: Demand for personalized, high-end experiences continues to rise, and consolidations like this signal significant opportunities for professionals and investors alike.
Final Thoughts
Both stories—Jamaica’s Moon Palace, The Grand, and TBO’s acquisition of Classic Vacations—highlight how strategic investments and technology are shaping the future of travel and hospitality. For property managers, investors, and travel advisors, staying informed about these trends is crucial. The message is clear: luxury and personalized experiences are the future, and both infrastructure and digital innovation play central roles in delivering them.
As the travel landscape evolves, understanding market dynamics, adapting to high-end traveler expectations, and embracing technology-driven efficiencies will be key to success. From the Caribbean to corporate travel hubs worldwide, the opportunities are abundant for those ready to innovate and deliver exceptional guest experiences.
