Top 5 — Inside Rafael Nadal’s New Caribbean Resort
PLUS: the business of Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, sports tourism in Saudi Arabia, and more
Whatsup Squad,
Let’s get into the top stories of the week:
⭐️ FEATURE STORY
Inside Rafael Nadal’s New Caribbean Resort
Tennis is having a moment.
The sport is evolving into a commercial juggernaut, with a record number of Americans picking up rackets and billion-dollar bids on tournaments.
Not to be outdone, tennis legend Rafael Nadal celebrated the grand opening of his new Caribbean resort.
ZEL Punta Cana, a collaboration between Nadal and Meliá Hotels International, is inspired by the welcoming homes, outdoor culture, and spontaneous lifestyle of the Mediterranean.
While it’s not purely a tennis resort, Nadal’s celebrity presence brings immediate attention to the Caribbean as a destination for active tourism and tennis enthusiasts.
Bottom Line - Nadal isn’t the only tennis star invested in the region. John McEnroe recently opened a world-class tennis facility at Baha Mar in the Bahamas. These athlete-led projects are set to bring a new wave of visitors to the Caribbean.
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🇹🇹 Trinidad and Tobago
The Business of Trinidad Carnival
Carnival season is here.
Throughout the Caribbean (and around the world), Carnivals transform cities into massive block parties.
In the Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is unparalleled.
It is both a cultural jewel and a formidable economic driver, attracting over 40,000 international visitors and generating around $147 million annually.
Each year, Carnival supports over 15,000 jobs across diverse industries, from costume production and beauty to security and logistics.
The seasonal celebration contributes 4% to 6% of Trinidad and Tobago’s GDP.
Bottom Line - Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival stands out among global festivals. Its roots blend African, Indian, and Creole influences to produce a unique experience defined by soca, steelpan, and playing mas.
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🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia Attracts 2.5M Sports Tourists
In the past four years, Saudi Arabia hosted 80 international sporting events that have attracted 2.5 million tourists.
Sports tourism is a key component of Saudi Vision 2030.
And they’re showing no signs of slowing down.
TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of WWE and UFC, and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund announced a multi-year partnership to establish a new boxing promotion.
UFC CEO Dana White and WWE president Nick Khan will lead the operations. In fact, TKO is not committing any cash to the league. Instead, they will be paid a $10 million-plus annual fee for operating the business
That’s not all.
Saudi Arabia’s sports fund is considering an investment worth more than $600 million in World Athletics.
Bottom Line - The synergy between Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Sport is redefining the intersection of sport, culture, and global tourism. By 2030, the Kingdom anticipates welcoming 150 million international tourists annually.
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🇵🇷 Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico Open Boosts Local Economy
This past weekend, Puerto Rico hosted the PGA Tour’s 17th Puerto Rico Open, one of the island’s biggest annual sports attractions.
This year’s tournament was expected to bring more than $5.5 million into the island’s economy.
The event generates more than $700,000 in tax revenue, contributes $1.8 million in television production, and operates with a $3 million budget.
The Puerto Rico Tourism Company has partnered with the PGA TOUR for years, promoting the destination, its golf and other Island attractions, and generating over $4 million in charitable donations.
Bottom Line - Sports tourism is a strategic pillar for Puerto Rico’s economic development and destination marketing. The Puerto Rico Open reinforces its position as a world-class destination, generating a positive impact on tourism, commerce, and job creation.
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🇨🇦 Canada
Serena Adds WNBA’s Toronto Tempo to Her Portfolio
Serena Williams expands her investment portfolio with a stake in the WNBA’s Toronto Tempo.
She is already a minority owner of the NFL's Miami Dolphins, the NWSL's Angel City FC, and TGL upstarts the Los Angeles Golf Club.
Serena joins the team’s ownership group with majority owner Larry Tanenbaum, who chairs Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, which owns the city’s NBA, NHL, and MLS teams.
The Tempo are the first non-American team to play in the WNBA, with no players yet signed to their roster.
As part of her ownership stake, she will play an active role in future jersey designs and creating merchandise collaborations with the team.
Bottom Line - New court, same result: Serena wins again. Instead of joining one of the 10+ ownership groups bidding for the 16th WNBA franchise, Serena locks in a stake in the league’s first team outside of the United States, a significant step in building the league’s global brand.
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Until next time ✌🏾
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