British Basketball Seeks Affinity Deals With Timeshare Operators In Europe

Britain’s top basketball league (The BBL), today announced plans to work on new marketing initiatives and strategic alliances with key players within the European timeshare industry.

The league which consists of 12 professional teams based in key cities throughout the UK, attracts family audiences in excess of a million through its season from September to May and in addition through its extensive community programmes.

With the Demographic profile sitting within the ABC1 sector the sport attracts a large percentage of family followers, the marketing synergies between timeshare appear clear for all to see.

Commenting on this new initiative Vice Chair of the BBL and Director of the Sheffield Sharks is Sarah Backovic.

“Basketball is a growing and successful sport in the UK. This is best evidenced in the recent Sport England report outlining basketball as the third most participated team sport in the country.” said Sarah. “However, we see this as an opportunity to further increase crowd growth and ensure the league is on a stronger financial and progressive footing”.

“ Our focus on the timeshare sector was encouraged by David Lilley, who has been a great ambassador for Timeshare and a strong advocate of all the positive elements the industry can extend to us,” continued Backovic. “ We are interested in promoting holiday offers and adding value to our supporters through timeshare opportunities, we believe this will be an appealing concept.”

Basketball’s profile enjoyed significant exposure when the last nine games, including the Championship finals, were televised by Setanta Sports 1 and the parties are currently in negotiation for the 2008-09 season.

To add to the partnership programme, British Basketball recently agreed a five year multi media deal with the Press Association sport division, PA Sport.

The Director responsible for basketball and multi media development is James Mcevoy who explains the vision for any potential partnership;

“With the Olympic Games being staged here in 2012, the sports industry as a whole is in profile more than usual. Interestingly, Basketball is the number one team sport within the Olympic programme and there are opportunities for the forward thinking timeshare players to capitalise” stated Mcevoy. “For example, the 120 plus timeshare resorts in the UK alone would attract a fair number of Olympic spectators seeking to be accommodated in comfort during their stay.”

In line with this vision PA Sport have developed a number of sponsorship and marketing opportunities. These range from television sponsorship opportunities for the more serious players, to ticket insert, database and website promotions.

“ Suffice to say we are looking to work with timeshare players who meet their strict customer service standards”, continued Mcevoy.

For further information interested parties should contact James Mcevoy at PA Sport via email at James.mcevoy@pa-sport.com.

The Villa Group Hosts Military Family

Camp Pendleton Marine Staff Sergeant’s Family Selected for All-Expense Paid Trip

“Hey Sergeant, how about a free family vacation?” This is how Staff Sergeant Nicky Mota heard the news that The Villa Group had invited his entire family to enjoy an all-expense paid trip to the exclusive, family resort Villa Del Palmar Beach Resort and Spa. Mota, a returning Iraq War Veteran with several tours of duty in the mid-east, his wife Amber and children Gabriel (7) and Sara (11) are on their way to some well deserved family time in Cabo San Lucas.

The family was nominated by Gabriel’s third grade teacher, Jon Schwartz, at Camp Pendleton (Oceanside, CA) where all the kids in the public school on the base have a deployed Marine as one of their parents.

With airfare arranged by Alaska Airlines at the request of The Villa Group, the family departs June 26 for a four day trip that includes deep sea fishing, dining and entertainment excursions into the vacation paradise of Baja California.

Alejandro De La Garza, Director of Corporate Sales says “The Villa Group knows how much military families have sacrificed much for their country. We are proud to be able to support their efforts in a small way and honor Sgt. Mota’s family on behalf all our military personal who endure long and multiple deployments. “

Jon Schwartz, Gabriel Mota’s teacher who championed the family says “Hats off to The Villa Group, owners of the resort, for stepping up to the plate and donating this all-expense paid trip. The gift that this family is receiving is but a token of what we can all give back to these great Americans.”

Founded in 1984, The Villa Group is one of Mexico’s leading privately owned real estate development companies. Its portfolio features beachfront timeshare resorts located in Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta, and Los Cabos, as well as well as fractional and full-ownership luxury real estate developments. Additionally, new timeshare and fractional properties are slated to open in Loreto and Cancun in 2010.

70 Per Cent Of Mobile Workers Avoid Working On Train Journeys Due To Potential Privacy Threat

98 per cent of commuters admit they would take a sneaky look at a laptop being used nearby

A recent poll by Hypertec, the specialist supplier of memory, storage and personal workspace solutions has found that 70 per cent of mobile workers worry about commuters viewing private work whilst travelling on a train. 16 per cent of respondents stated that fellow passengers often look at their screen, whilst 40 per cent stated that they would simply not work on busy trains because of the potential risk.

Hypertec also polled rail commuters on whether they would look at a fellow passengers screen and a massive 98 per cent admitted that they would. 65 per cent of these said it was ‘human nature’ to have a sneaky look, and 33 per cent said they would look if they were bored or if the screen was in full view to them.

The findings come as Hypertec announces that it has introduced a new range of security laptop screens from Dicota. Using the latest microlouvre technology, the screens restrict viewing to just 60 degrees (30 degrees either side of the perpendicular), preventing unauthorised viewing.

The Dicota privacy protectors black out displayed information unless the viewer is directly in front of the screen, it also protects eyes and laptop screens by blocking UV rays and reducing glare. The screen is easily removable for non-private applications such as presentations.

Lianne Denness, managing director, Hypertec comments, “In order to meet the growing needs of businesses for solutions that protect private files being seen by unauthorised individuals, we are pleased to announce the addition of the new privacy protector screens from Dicota, to our Accessories range. Our survey shows that a large number of employees and organisations see working in public places as a potential threat and have stopped doing so in an effort to combat members of the public viewing private documents.

The new privacy protectors will allow mobile workers the freedom to continue working from trains and other public places, whilst giving them peace of mind that their work is kept private. At Hypertec we are continuously expanding our range of products to suit the increasing number of mobile workers in the UK. These new screens will suit almost every mobile worker with a range of screen sizes available.”

Prices range from £28 to £88 depending on screen size.


For product enquires please contact:
Hypertec Ltd
0870 243 5603
info@hypertec.co.uk
www.hypertec.co.uk

Starwood Vacation Ownership Announces Plans For Third Maui Resort

Hawai‘i’s first full-service resort aiming for LEED certification to open in Fall 2011

Starwood Vacation Ownership (SVO), a division of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide (NYSE: HOT), announced plans to expand its portfolio of resorts in Hawai‘i with the development of its third vacation ownership resort on Maui. The new property, expected to open fall 2011, has been designed to achieve certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, the nationally accepted benchmark for green buildings.

“SVO is proud to be the first stand-alone, full-service resort in Hawai‘i to be developed with this coveted certification in mind,” said Matt Avril, president and managing director of operations, Starwood Vacation Ownership. “We have partnered with Arup, a global firm of designers, engineers, planners, and business consultants renowned for its expertise in green design, to ensure that the design and operation of the resort is environmentally responsible and contributes to Maui’s future sustainability.”

LEED certification recognizes buildings’ superior performance in areas including sustainability of site, water efficiency, energy savings, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation in design. The new, full-service resort will build and operate its own desalination and heat exchange system, which will produce drinkable water on site and utilize cool salt water for its air conditioning system. In addition, a state-of-the-art cogeneration system will provide most of the resort’s electricity and hot water needs.

The beachfront property will be located in Kā‘anapali North Beach, overlooking the Pacific Ocean with stunning views of the islands of Lāna‘i and Moloka‘i. Just minutes away from the shopping, dining and attractions of Lahaina, the resort will be surrounded by the natural beauty of West Maui’s beaches and mountains, which have made the area famous for whale watching, snorkeling, hiking, and horseback riding. The new property will feature 390 spacious, luxury villas including a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom units.

“Globally, the Westin-branded vacation ownership resorts in Kā‘anapali, Maui are two of SVO’s most popular resorts among vacation ownership buyers and visitors seeking hotel accommodations,” said Matt Avril. “With Maui being such an important market for SVO, we are pleased that we will be adding a third resort to our vacation ownership and rental offerings on the island.”

SVO’s new Kā‘anapali North Beach resort will bring the company’s total number of vacation ownership properties in Hawai‘i to four. The first resort, The Westin Ka‘anapali Ocean Resort Villas, opened in December of 2003. Four years later in December 2007, SVO opened its second Maui resort, The Westin Ka‘anapali Ocean Resort Villas North. Earlier this year in April, SVO made its Kaua‘i debut with the opening of The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas.

In 2005, The Westin Ka‘anapali Ocean Resort Villas received the ACE Project of Excellence, the highest accolade of the vacation ownership resort industry from the American Resort Development Association (ARDA). The property had among the highest Guest Satisfaction Index scores of any resort in the Starwood family and is the most requested resort for Starwood owners.

Starwood Vacation Ownership is a division of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, which has a long history in Hawai‘i and Maui beginning with the Moana Surfrider, the oldest hotel in Waikīkī, built in 1901. Starwood also manages the Sheraton Maui Resort, the first hotel built on Kā‘anapali Beach, Maui.

For more information on Starwood Vacation Ownership’s resorts in Hawai‘i, contact 800.601.8699 or visit www.starwoodvacationownership.com.

Interval International And Its Member Resorts Support CTO Foundation For Ninth Consecutive Year

2008 Donation Reflects 40 Percent Increase Over 2007

Interval International and its member resorts continued their financial support of education in the Caribbean with a $25,000 donation to the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Foundation. The check was presented by David Callaghan, vice president of resort sales and service for Interval International, to Jacqueline Johnson, chairman, CTO Foundation, and Hon. Richard “Ricky” Skerritt, first vice chairman of CTO and minister of state in the Ministry of Tourism, Sports, and Culture, St. Kitts & Nevis.

 “We recognize the powerful impact that education has on the growth of the tourism industry in the Caribbean. Skilled tourism professionals provide better service and a higher quality vacation experience for visitors, which in turn, supports the long-term success of the region in today’s competitive global marketplace,” said Callaghan. “Through our collective contributions to the CTO Foundation, we support the development of qualified Caribbean-based personnel who will continue to provide the excellent service that sets the region apart from other warm weather destinations.”

The CTO Foundation awards scholarships and study grants to Caribbean nationals from CTO-member countries who wish to pursue studies in the areas of tourism, hospitality, and language training. Interval and its member resorts have collectively donated $160,000 to this organization over the last nine years. Since its beginning in 1997, the Foundation has awarded 43 scholarships and 84 study grants amounting to more than $647,000.

 “The CTO and its Caribbean nationals appreciate the continued support that Interval and its participating resorts provide to the education of our youth in the region,” said Allen Chastanet, CTO chairman. “Human resource development is one of our primary goals and the financial assistance that Interval offers to the CTO Foundation is crucial to the future of the region.”

The 25 vacation ownership properties contributing to the 2008 scholarship fund include: Aquarius Vacation Club at Boquerón Beach (Puerto Rico), Barceló Punta Cana (Dominican Republic), Bay Gardens Beach Resort (St. Lucia), Cayena Beach Club (Dominican Republic), Costa Caribe Resort (Dominican Republic), ESJ Towers (Puerto Rico), Grand Caymanian Resort (Cayman Islands), Island Seas Resort (Bahamas), Jolly Beach Vacations (Antigua), Jolly Harbour Beach Resort (Antigua), La Cabana Beach & Racquet Club (Aruba), Long Bay Beach Resort and Villas (Tortola), Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club (Aruba), Marriott’s Aruba Ocean Club (Aruba), Ocean Reef Resort (Bahamas), Oyster Bay Beach Resort (St. Maarten), Paradise Beach Villas (Aruba), Playa Linda Beach Resort (Aruba), Pelican Resort Club (St. Maarten), Renaissance Aruba Beach Resort & Hotel (Aruba), Sun Village Resort and Spa (Dominican Republic), The Reef Resort (Cayman Islands), The Aruban Resort and Casino at Eagle Beach (Aruba), The Franklyn D. Resort & Spa (Jamaica), and Woodbourne Resort (Bahamas).

“The CTO Foundation provides young people in the Caribbean with the necessary economic assistance to realize their dreams and secure higher level positions in the tourism industry,” said Jacqueline Johnson, chair of the CTO Foundation. “Interval and its member resorts are helping us educate the leaders of tomorrow. We can’t thank them enough for what they have done in the past and continue to do by making these tremendous donations.”

As a strategic partner of the Caribbean Hotel Association and a board member of the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Foundation, Interval is committed to understanding the unique needs of the Caribbean region and providing products and programs tailored to this market. For its roster of Caribbean resort developer clients and new entrants into the vacation
ownership industry, Interval offers a range of services including program design, sales and marketing support, reservations, travel, and financial services.

Interval International is a leading provider of exchange, travel, and leisure services to resort developers and vacationers worldwide. Based in Miami, Florida, the company has been a pioneer and innovator in serving the vacation ownership market for more than 30 years. Today, Interval has a network of over 2,400 resorts in excess of 75 countries and offers its clients and nearly 2 million member families high-quality products and programs through its 28 offices in 17 countries. Interval is part of IAC, which owns and operates more than 60 diversified brands in sectors being transformed by the Internet, online and offline. Other IAC companies include Ask.com, HSN, LendingTree, Match.com, and Ticketmaster.

Bluegreen Corporation (BXG) Acquires Vacation Ownership Intervals in New Orleans

Bluegreen Corporation (BXG), headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, is a provider of Colorful Place to Live and Play® through two operating divisions: Bluegreen Resorts and Bluegreen Communities. Bluegreen Resorts markets a flexible, real-estate based vacation ownership plan that allows access to over 40 resorts and an exchange network of over 3,700 resorts, cruises and hotel stays. Bluegreen Communities has sold over 55,000 planned residential and golf community homesites in 32 states.

Recently, the company announced it has acquired vacation ownership intervals (weeks) at Club La Pension in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has also acquired commercial space to establish sales and marketing operations to manage and operate the resort. Bluegreen expects to renovate the commercial space in the resort for its new Bluegreen Vacation Club® Preview Center. Sales in New Orleans are expected to begin in the 3rd quarter 2008 pending satisfaction of all applicable legal, licensing and registration requirements.

Club La Pension is one of the oldest and most successful vacation ownership resorts in New Orleans. It consists of six historic buildings, one of which is Canal Street’s oldest existing building. The resort features studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom vacation ownership units, many of which have balconies overlooking the French Quarter. The rooftop features two sundecks with hot tubs and views of the French Quarter, river and city. Bluegreen will also be looking to develop marketing alliances with area vendors to provide additional incentives to its guests, including admission tickets to local attractions, and restaurant and merchandise certificates.

Website Changes Lead To Nearly $40 Million In Offers In One Month For Sell My Timeshare NOW

Already the global leader in the online advertising and marketing of timeshare resales and timeshare rentals, Sell My Timeshare NOW’s recent enhancements to its website appearance and usability are yielding significant results both in website traffic and offers to buy or rent timeshare.

Sell My Timeshare NOW, a timeshare advertising and marketing company, is seeing substantial results from the recently launched new look and new usability features of their website. Already the worldwide leader in advertising timeshare resales and timeshare rentals via the Internet, Sell My Timeshare NOW, unveiled a fresh appearance and new features for their website during this year’s American Resort Development Association (ARDA) convention in Las Vegas, NV.

“May was our first full month to evaluate the impact of the website improvements. Visitors to our website increased by 22 percent and offers increased by 135 percent over May 2007,” says Jason Tremblay, the company’s CEO. He explains, “The new look of Sell My Timeshare NOW’s website makes it easier than ever to find the right timeshare at the right price for your vacation needs.”

While other segments of the vacation industry were feeling the crunch of the tight economy and escalating gas prices, Sell My Timeshare NOW saw unique website visitors in May increase by 24 percent, year over year. Significantly, 10,466 offers to buy timeshare or rent timeshare were made, for a total of $37,979,158; an amount that reflects a 131 percent increase over the same month last year.

As an Internet based company, Sell My Timeshare NOW offers a website where timeshare owners advertise their timeshares for sale or rent, creating an inventory of vacation ownership property. Consumers who want to buy timeshare can conveniently shop online from any computer. Sell My Timeshare NOW’s website ranks near the top for Google searches for terms such as ‘timeshare’. The website is so highly visible that interested buyers and renters can easily buy or rent vacation ownership property from any location in the world. In 2007, over $274 million dollars in offers to buy or rent timeshare were made for timeshare advertised on the company’s website.


About Sell My Timeshare NOW, LLC:
Sell My Timeshare NOW provides advertising and marketing for timeshare owners who want to sell timeshare or rent timeshare. In less than five years, the company has become the recognized global leader in the advertising and marketing of timeshare resales and timeshare rentals via the Internet. In 2007, SellMyTimeshareNOW.com presented its customers over $274 million in offers to buy or rent timeshares. CEO Jason Tremblay is available for interviews at (603) 516-0649 or by emailing steveluba(at)sellmytimesharenow.com

Diamond Resorts International Hires Business Development And Operations Expert As Vice President, Operations, Latin America

Diamond Resorts International® (DRI), a global leader in the vacation ownership industry, has appointed Bill Tsao, as Vice President, Operations, Latin America, for DRI. Tsao will initially be responsible for developing, implementing and managing DRI’s growth and operations strategy in Latin America, including resort acquisition and development, sales and marketing and resort operations.

Diamond Resorts International® (DRI), a global leader in the vacation ownership industry, has appointed Bill Tsao, as Vice President, Operations, Latin America, for DRI. Tsao will initially be responsible for developing, implementing and managing DRI’s growth and operations strategy in Latin America, including resort acquisition and development, sales and marketing and resort operations. Tsao will report to President and Chief Operating Officer for DRI, Simon Crawford-Welch, PhD, RRP.

“Providing additional choices in resort destinations and penetrating new markets is key to DRI’s growth and success strategy,” says Crawford-Welch. “Bill’s extensive experience in the Latin American market will drive new sales opportunities and well-planned expansion into high-demand destinations. His expertise will be invaluable in fulfilling our worldwide commitment to greater choice and comfort for our owners, members and guests.”

Tsao has over 16 years of experience in the timeshare industry, including positions as Vice President of North and Latin American Business Development for International Cruise & Excursions (ICE) and Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Raintree Resorts, a multi-site, multi-national timeshare development and sales organization operating primarily in Mexico. During his tenure at Raintree, Tsao designed and implemented an innovative consumer affairs department strategy as well as having direct P&L responsibility for sales and marketing operations which included targeted products and programs for the Latin American consumer marketplace.

“As a global hospitality brand we’re looking beyond our traditional marketing demographics for additional growth opportunities,” says Stephen J. Cloobeck, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DRI. “Bill’s vision for our Latin American operations is ambitious, achievable and well aligned with our desire to deliver our brand tenets of simplicity, choice and comfort coupled with superior, customer-focused hospitality worldwide.”

Diamond Resorts International®, based in Las Vegas, Nev., is one of the largest vacation ownership companies in the world with more than 110 branded and affiliated resorts and nearly 23,000 guest beds in 14 countries with destinations throughout the continental United States and Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe. Offering simplicity, choice and comfort to its more than 360,000 owners and members through the branded service of more than 5,500 team members worldwide, Diamond Resorts International® is dedicated to providing its guests with effortless and relaxing vacation experiences every time, for a lifetime.

Wyndham Vacation Resorts At National Harbor Now Available For Purchase

Exclusive 250-Unit Upscale Vacation Ownership Resort in the Nation’s Capital

Wyndham Vacation Ownership announces that sales have commenced on its upscale 12-story, 250-unit Wyndham Vacation Resorts at National Harbor property. The resort is the exclusive vacation ownership property in the prestigious 300-acre National Harbor waterfront community in Prince George’s County, Md., on the perimeter of Washington, D.C.

Now available for purchase under the company’s FairShare Plus by Wyndham portfolio of products, Wyndham Vacation Resorts at National Harbor is anticipated to open in late 2009. With Wyndham’s FairShare Plus points-based exchange program, the company’s owners can not only enjoy this exciting new resort, but utilize their points at more than 65 resorts nationwide and receive unique travel benefits such as cruises, hotel stays and guided trips.

“National Harbor is certain to become the premier entertainment destination in the region with unmatched amenities and leisure activities,” said Franz Hanning, president and chief executive officer, Wyndham Vacation Ownership. “As the preeminent developer of urban timeshare, we are committed to expanding our presence in metropolitan markets offering our owners new and exciting vacation opportunities. National Harbor is destined to become a showcase location in our urban portfolio, and we are thrilled to begin sales on this world-class resort.”

This luxury vacation ownership resort will expand the company’s presence in the Washington D.C. market complementing its existing resort in Old Town Alexandria, which is located one mile from the Potomac River. Wyndham Vacation Resorts at National Harbor will feature street-level retail and 250 condominium-style, fully furnished suites including 42 opulent, two-, three-, and four-bedroom Presidential suites and offer multiple amenities for owners and their guests including indoor and outdoor heated swimming pools; an outdoor terrace; and a health and fitness club.

Located in the heart of National Harbor, visitors to the resort will be able to enjoy the many retail, dining and entertainment attractions being planned for the area such as McCormick & Schmick’s, Dolce Enoteca, Ketchup, Grace’s Mandarin and Rosa Mexicano, along with more than a mile of walking paths and waterfront activities.

Wyndham Vacation Resorts at National Harbor is located at 250 Mariner Passage, Prince George’s County, Md. Vacation ownership interests in Wyndham Vacation Resorts at National Harbor are currently being offered at the company’s sales offices in Fairfield Bay, Ark.; Hancock, Mass.; Branson, Mo.; New Bern, N.C.; Sapphire, N.C.; Newport, R.I.; Edisto Beach, S.C.; Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Santee, S.C.; Sevierville, Tenn.; Alexandria, Va.; Williamsburg, Va.; and Smithfield Township, Pa.

Additional information on the resort can be found at www.wyndhamvacationresorts.com.

It’s The New Ghirardelli Square

The next time you find yourself in Ghirardelli Square, don’t just ogle the brickwork or scoff at the tourists.

Instead, treat the full-block complex facing Aquatic Park as a cultural history exhibit. The topic is San Francisco, a city where the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Once an aromatic factory, then a flower-bedecked dose of Urbanity Lite, the Ghirardelli Chocolate Co. has been repositioned yet again: this time as an upscale enclave. The upper floors of five historic structures have been converted from office and retail space into a “residence club” where, for prices starting at $275,000, purchasers will own the right to bed down 36 nights a year.

You’ll still find Ghirardelli ice cream and sundaes beneath the 1915 clock tower. But there’s also an organic cupcake boutique and a shop devoted to “pet couture.” Peekadoodle Kidsclub is billed as a “premium full-service indoor family club” - and while the kids play peek-a-boo, mom and dad can unwind at Cellar360’s 42-foot-long tasting bar.

Read the full story at: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/06/23/DDOO11CB0I.DTL

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