Grant Holmes is Vice President of the Global Cruise & Superyacht Sector at Inchcape Shipping Services, the world’s largest shipping agent, with a footprint spanning 125 countries through its own offices and Exclusive Business Partners. Based in Dubai, he leads the sector’s global strategy and industry engagement, bringing a clear vision for how maritime services, destination development and tourism can work together to unlock growth.
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Grant combines strategic leadership with hands-on operational expertise. His remit draws on Inchcape’s capabilities across shore excursions, ground handling, passenger and crew visa services, security checks, charters, superyacht services, survey and inspection, and centralised agency coordination for global operations. He combines this global reach with local expertise to meet the complex needs of cruise lines, superyachts, ports, and destinations.
He began his career in shipbuilding as a master craftsman at HMS Dockyard in Portsmouth, before moving to Spain in 1986 and launching his journey into leisure and tourism. By 1990, he was Area Manager for a leading UK tour operator’s Caribbean gateway. Senior cruise industry roles followed, including directing operations for First Choice Cruises and serving as Director of Global Shore Excursions at Festival Cruises, with responsibility for substantial budgets and guest experiences across multiple destinations.
In 2006, Grant founded Progress International, advising major cruise lines, governments and port authorities. Its training programmes reached more than 75,000 industry professionals, while his strategic studies helped emerging destinations identify opportunities and build the capabilities to pursue them.
Today, he also leads Inchcape’s cruise destination consultancy initiatives, with work spanning Greece, Oman, the Arabian Gulf, India, Sri Lanka, the Indian Ocean, the Dominican Republic, Malaysia and parts of Africa. His vision extends beyond attracting ships: it encompasses the partnerships, infrastructure, operational readiness and distinctive visitor experiences that turn cruise potential into lasting value.