Royal Caribbean taps Bahamian Philip Simon to lead Royal Beach Club

He'll also serve as GM of Royal Caribbean International Bahamas.

Simon will oversee every aspect of the proposed beach club and be the local chief executive collaborating with The Bahamas government, regulatory agencies, businesses and fellow residents to ensure Bahamian expertise and influence are cornerstones of the project.

Commitment to local participation

RCI's Jay Schneider, chief product innovation officer, said the company is 'committed to maximizing Bahamian participation and building a development that will set new standards in environmental design and operation in The Bahamas. Philip, a resident and native of The Bahamas, has the experience and reputation to ensure that.'

Simon will lead executive staff and a team based in Nassau, overseeing everything from the responsible development of the beach club to the recruitment of local Bahamians and businesses for construction and operations.

A key part of this role will be collaborating with Royal Caribbean’s equity partner to bring a new public-private partnership to life. This enables Bahamians to own up to 49% equity in the beach club. Simon will also support the development of partners, businesses and entrepreneurs to maximize the local sector’s opportunities to operate the beach experience.

20-year track record

Simon has a 20-year track record of responsible development and management. He was most recently managing partner at PMR Bahamas Realty Ltd. (Torch Cay), overseeing the company’s business in The Bahamas, and president of The New Providence Development Co. Ltd. before that.

His background also includes serving as a voice and key supporter of local businesses during his time as CEO of The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce from 2002-2010, where he managed daily affairs with a special emphasis on trade and business development.

Boards and affiliations

Simon has served on the boards of Bahamas Ferries, the Bahamas Venture Capital Fund, The Regional Management Consultancy Task Force, Civil Society Advisory Group, The Bahamas National Pride Association and The Bahamas Trade Commission. He is also the former chairman of the Self-Starter Youth Entrepreneurial Grant Program, an honorary member of the Rotary Club of Old Fort Bay and a former membership officer of YPO Bahamas. He is the current chairman of Junior Achievement Bahamas and deputy chair of The Bahamas Primary School Student of The Year Foundation.

The Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island is a proposed 17-acre beach experience planned to open in 2025, pending environmental review.

For more on cruise development in The Bahamas, see Seatrade Cruise Review's June cover story