In Nevis, Reinventing the Caribbean Tour Company for Today’s Luxury Traveler

In recent years, Nevis Sun Tours has undergone a bold transformation, evolving from a tour operator into what its founder now calls a Luxury Travel Enablement Platform. The shift reflects not only the company’s deep relationships with hotels, cruise lines, and advisors, but also a wider demand for more seamless, story-driven, and intimate travel experiences in the region. Caribbean Journal caught up with Nevis Sun Tours’ Greg Philip to explore the inspiration behind the rebrand, how it goes beyond the traditional tour company model, and what it signals for the future of luxury travel in the Caribbean.

What inspired you to rebrand Nevis Sun Tours into a broader Caribbean luxury travel platform, and how does it go beyond the traditional tour company model?

What inspired me to rebrand Nevis Sun Tours into a broader Caribbean luxury travel platform was really a combination of vision and necessity. Over the years, we built strong relationships with travel advisors, luxury hotels, and cruise lines, and we realized that what they valued most wasn’t just our tours—it was our ability to solve problems, create seamless experiences, and connect all the moving parts of a luxury trip in St. Kitts and Nevis.

That’s when it became clear: Nevis Sun Tours was more than a tour company. We were already acting as a partner that enabled others—advisors, hoteliers, retreat planners, even cruise companies—to deliver extraordinary Caribbean experiences. Rebranding into a Luxury Travel Enablement Platform gave us the language to describe what we were already doing and the freedom to expand it intentionally.

What makes this different from a traditional tour company is that our focus isn’t just on the end traveler, it’s also on empowering the B2B partners who serve them. Yes, we operate some of the most unique and authentic tours in the destination, but beyond that, we provide an ecosystem of services—concierge support, immersive experiences, event planning, logistics, and local expertise—that allows our partners to confidently sell and deliver luxury in St. Kitts and Nevis.

In short, we’ve gone from being a supplier to being an enabler. That shift makes all the difference for partners who want to give their clients something that feels seamless, exclusive, and truly Caribbean.

How do you define “luxury” in the Caribbean context, and how is that shaping your vision for the platform?

In the Caribbean, luxury is not always about excess or what is new and shiny. We define it as the chance to experience something rare, intimate, and unforgettable. In other words, luxury here is not always obvious; often it must be discovered, presented, or even created.

That belief shapes everything we do at Nevis Sun Tours. As a Luxury Travel Enablement Platform, it guides the suppliers we choose to partner with, anchors our focus on FIT and small groups, and keeps us dedicated to quality and detail. Our role is to make extraordinary Caribbean luxuries accessible — so that travel advisors and partners can confidently deliver experiences that go far beyond the expected, and clients return home with stories that are truly one-of-a-kind.

You’ve just signed an exclusive partnership with SeaDream Yacht Club — can you share how that collaboration came about and what it means for Nevis?

We won an international accolade in 2024 for the award-winning tour and services we deliver for another small luxury cruise line, and the exposure from that recognition — combined with the excellent work of our PR firm — put us on SeaDream Yacht Club’s radar at the perfect time. In our early conversations, we shared the process and detail that go into every bespoke tour and activity we design. The fact that they are always authentic, immersive, intimate, and storied resonated perfectly with the kind of experiences SeaDream seeks for its guests.

What does this mean for Nevis? It means SeaDream has even more reason to call on our island, helping strengthen Nevis’ reputation as a Caribbean destination for luxury travelers and ensuring our place on the itineraries of some of the world’s most discerning guests.

Nevis Sun Tours was recently recognized as Azamara Cruises’ Best New Tour worldwide. What do you think set your product apart from competitors to earn that distinction?

“First of all, we are truly thrilled to be recognized by Azamara Cruises for having the Best New Tour offered worldwide in 2024. The award specifically honored our Alexander Hamilton Island Tour, taking into account the feedback received directly from their guests.

What sets this tour apart is its originality and depth. It’s designed as a documentary-style experience with rich storytelling, layered with historical detail and a true sense of place. Because the story is authentically rooted in Nevis and could not be replicated anywhere else, it offers guests one of the most immersive and memorable historical tours in the Caribbean — and, we believe, anywhere in the world.”

From your perspective, how has the profile of the Nevis traveler changed in the last few years, and what experiences are they seeking now?

“The profile of the Nevis traveler has definitely evolved in recent years. We’re seeing younger visitors, many of them corporate professionals, traveling as couples or within multigenerational family groups. There has also been notable growth in incentive and corporate travel to the island.

Across all segments, today’s Nevis traveler is looking for more — more depth, more personalization, and more meaning. They want experiences that are high-quality, customized, authentic, immersive, and intimate. In many ways, they are seeking exactly the type of experiences we specialize in creating and curating at Nevis Sun Tours.”

What role does authentic, locally rooted experience play in the new vision of Nevis Sun Tours?

“Authenticity is at the very heart of our new vision for Nevis Sun Tours. In the Caribbean, true luxury comes from the richness of local culture, history, and community. By grounding our tours and experiences in Nevisian stories, traditions, and people, we create moments that feel rare, intimate, and unforgettable.

As a Luxury Travel Enablement Platform, our role is to transform these authentic, locally rooted experiences into offerings that travel advisors, hotels, and cruise partners can confidently present to their clients.”

What other developments or partnerships can you share that are “in the works” for the coming season?

“In the coming season, Nevis Sun Tours is preparing to deliver even more for our clients and their travelers. One development we’re especially excited about is a live historical presentation we’ve produced featuring Alexander Hamilton and Lord Horatio Nelson. We’re collaborating with a renowned British historical author (to be announced soon) to bring this creative production to life. The result will be an experience of exceptional quality and entertainment value — something unique for travelers to enjoy only in Nevis.

This project also reflects the direction we’re taking as a Luxury Travel Enablement Platform —curating rare, storied, and immersive experiences that our partners can proudly share with their most discerning clients.”

How do you see Nevis Sun Tours’ growth fitting into the wider Caribbean tourism landscape, especially in the luxury segment?

“Nevis Sun Tours’ growth reflects a broader evolution in Caribbean luxury tourism. Travelers are seeking more than standard resort experiences—they want authenticity, immersion, and seamless service. By positioning ourselves as a Luxury Travel Enablement Platform, we’re helping travel advisors, cruise lines, hotels, and retreat organizers deliver exactly that.

Our growth demonstrates how a destination like Nevis can compete on a global luxury stage by offering highly curated, intimate, and storied experiences that other destinations may struggle to replicate. We see our role as not only elevating the profile of Nevis but also setting a benchmark for what luxury, experiential Caribbean travel can look like, inspiring both partners and travelers across the region.”

When you look ahead five years, what do you want Nevis Sun Tours to be known for across the region?

“Five years from now, I want Nevis Sun Tours to be recognized across the Caribbean as the benchmark for luxury, authentic, and deeply immersive travel experiences. We want to be known not just for our tours, but for the way we empower travel advisors, hotels, cruise lines, and retreat planners to deliver extraordinary journeys that go far beyond the expected.

Ultimately, our goal is for Nevis Sun Tours to be synonymous with curated, storied, and one-of-a-kind experiences — a platform that uplifts both the destination and the partners we work with.

What advice would you give to Caribbean entrepreneurs looking to elevate their tourism businesses into the luxury space?

“My advice to Caribbean tourism entrepreneurs looking to enter the luxury space is simple: study your craft, continue learning relentlessly, and be bold in your creativity. Curate and create experiences that are distinctive, meaningful, and memorable, and invest thoughtfully in every aspect of your business.