Following on from the industry-first success of Owners Perspective Magazine’s independent positioning of shared ownership products amongst general consumers through first class airport lounge distribution with more than a dozen of the world’s leading airlines, and in top hotels, resorts, golf clubs and spas, the specifically tailored Resort Developer Editions are helping on-site sales credibility, reducing new member cancellations and increasing the opportunities for upgrades, rentals and referrals.

Since its official launch last month, the publisher has announced confirmation for distribution and use at resorts in Mexico, Thailand, India, Bali, United Kingdom and soon plans to announce a number of confirmed contracts in Florida, Canada and Australia. These developer orientated special editions are backed by the credibility of the world’s largest independent publication for shared ownership products that is available to the general public and is exciting and motivating sales teams as it continues to be implemented in more and more resorts around the globe.

“We are so pleased with being able to provide another unique product to help increase sales and customer retention, and the rapid success of our Resort Developer Package is testament again to the quality of our work” says Paul Mattimoe, CEO of Perspective International Ltd.

With an incredibly versatile suite of options, developers can choose some or all of the features provided within the package to create the perfect fit for their operation(s) and orders can be placed with no long term commitment enabling resorts to quickly integrate at low cost.

For more information on Owners Perspective Magazine’s Resort Developer Options please request an information pack by emailing advertising@perspectiveinternational.com

Owners Perspective Magazine can be freely read online at http://www.ownersperspective.com

Since its inception in July 2008, Owners Perspective Magazine has established itself as the authority on buying timeshare, resort real estate and fractional ownership products, having been selected for distribution via the first class airport lounges of more than a dozen of the world’s leading airlines, luxury hotels, resorts, golf clubs and spas with a reach of over 50,000 highly targeted prospective buyers per edition.

Today, sees the launch of a new cutting edge website for the magazine, which offers access to all back issues in both digital page turn technology and downloadable PDF formats, web versions of all articles for easy search and reference, reader offers, competitions and the latest resort and luxury travel news updated daily.

The new site also has a social media element to it, combining the most popular features of Twitter and Facebook as well as offering Groups and Forums designed to glean positive feedback and consumer opinion on all aspects of shared ownership products.

To ensure the quality and integrity of its readership, all previous subscribers to the website are being asked to manually re-register, enabling Owners Perspective Magazine to have an accurate and active database of readers; with the new system also controlling any unsubscribing readers with ease.

Estimated figures predict that more than 10,000 will re-register over the next few weeks and the company expects rapid growth thereafter.

For more information visit www.ownersperspective.com

For information on advertising and editorial opportunities visit www.perspectiverates.com

Christel House International and Perspective International are pleased to announce that Perspective Magazine has been named the official media sponsor of the 2010 RCI Christel House Open, a unique international charity golf tournament with a global scale. This year’s event will see golfers compete in charity tournaments hosted on courses on five continents. On and around June 7, 2010, approximately 2,000 golfers are expected to participate on courses around the world.

“The Christel House Open is delighted to welcome Perspective Magazine as the tournament’s official media partner this year,” says Cheryl J. Wendling, senior vice president, Christel House International.

“Perspective’s participation further strengthens ties between the global timeshare industry and Christel House, and creates added value and exposure for our event-wide sponsors and site hosts.”

The annual event will be an incredible and unique day of golf for players across the globe… and all to raise funds for impoverished children through Christel House, a registered 501(c)(3) public charity.

One-hundred percent of the proceeds will directly benefit the children of Christel House. These funds are applied to programs and services and are not used for any administrative expenses, professional solicitors or fundraising consultants.

The children of Christel House

“Having visited Christel House South Africa, it is a pleasure to continue to be able to expand on our support for Christel House and I urge all industry leaders to support this organization that truly impacts on children’s lives and the communities around them,” says Paul Mattimoe, CEO, Perspective International.

Sponsorships
The RCI Christel House Open, featuring nearly 20 participating courses worldwide, offers a great many sponsorship opportunities on the event-wide and local tournament levels. Benefits include, but are not limited to:

•    Naming rights and product promotion
•    Networking and customer hospitality
•    Product placement at sites and in player giveaways
•    Complimentary, competing foursomes
•    Advertising space in event programs, magazine, and newsletters
•    Signage, media, sponsor recognition at events and more.

2010 Participating Tournaments
Following is a list of confirmed locations for the 2010 RCI Christel House Open.

Boonville, New York – Woodgate Pines Golf Club
Avon, Colorado – Gypsum Creek Golf Course
Carmel, Indiana – Woodland Country Club
Christmas Mountain, Wisconsin – Christmas Mountain Village Resort
Daytona Beach, Florida – LPGA International Champions Course
Gatlinburg, Tennessee – Bent Creek Golf Course
Kissimmee, Florida – Orange Lake Resort and Country Club
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina – Members Club @ Grande Dunes
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida – PGA National Resort and Spa
Scottsdale, Arizona – Camelback Golf Club
Vista, California – Shadowridge Country Club
Williamsburg, Virginia – Golden Horseshoe Golf Club Green Course
Caracas, Venezuela – Valle Arriba Golf Club
Perivale, Middlesex, UK – Ealing Golf Club
Bangalore, India – Course to be announced
Mexico City, Mexico – Course to be announced
Capetown, South Africa – Course to be announced
Johannesburg, South Africa – Course to be announced

Interested in playing or sponsoring a tournament? E-mail Becky Arnett or call her on 317-464-2009, or visit www.chopen.org to find a tournament near you.

********** PLUS **********
SAVE THE DATE: SEPTEMBER 26 – OCTOBER 2, 2010
2010 Christel House Donor Excursion to India
Experience the magic of Christel House India first hand!
We’d love to have you join us to experience the magic and mystery of India, and to see the transformation taking place in our children. Details are being finalized now, so be sure to block the dates in your calendar.
If you would like to receive more information about the Donor Excursion to India, please contact Christel House at trips@christelhouse.org or 317-464-2341.

The leading trade publication for the shared ownership industry reaches another milestone as it takes the number one spot on Google.com for another powerful search term.

Perspective Magazine and its network of websites have commanded top search engine results for search terms such as “timeshare news” for several years, but now can boast the top spot for the term “fractional news”, with their flagship website http://www.theperspectivemagazine.com, beating other competing sites, even the many that use the word “fractional” within their website name.

“There are many factors to achieving high search engine rankings, but quality content, loyal repeat visitors and natural growth have always been the key to our success.” Says CEO Paul Mattimoe. “We have reported on the fractional ownership industry for several years, but as that market continues to gain momentum and we continue to take on more fractional clients it is important for us to show our strength and commitment in this specific area.”

Perspective Magazine provides daily timeshare, fractional ownership, resort real estate and hospitality news online and by email, in addition to publishing the “most read” independent trade publication globally for the shared ownership industry, reaching more than 21,000 registered industry professionals. Perspective Magazine also recently launched a Social Networking Site (http://perspectiveforums.com) dedicated to the shared ownership industry which in just four weeks has attracted more members than any other industry social media group worldwide.

For more information visit http://www.perspectivemagazine.com

For Advertising & Editorial opportunities visit http://www.perspectiverates.com

Interval International, a leading global provider of vacation services and an operating segment of Interval Leisure Group (Nasdaq: IILG), is proud to welcome Porto Vacation Club to its exchange network. The vacation club initially will consist of units at Porto Marina, an exclusive, multi-use resort on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast, with two additional resorts, Golf Porto Marina and Porto Sokhna, to follow.

Porto Vacation Club is the latest venture of the Amer Group, a leader in Egypt’s tourism, entertainment, and real estate industries for more than 20 years. One of its signature achievements is the creation of the “Porto World” concept that has evolved into a brand synonymous with gracious family lifestyle experiences and is evident in all aspects of its newly launched vacation club.

“The Amer Group is committed to showcasing Egypt’s global appeal, while pursuing excellence in all its endeavours,” noted Craig M. Nash, chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Interval Leisure Group, parent company of Interval International. “We look forward to working with the well-respected Amer family as they enter the shared ownership industry with these outstanding resorts.”

“We are very pleased with the opportunities offered by our move into vacation ownership,” said Mansour Amer, chairman of the Amer Group. “Our emphasis on quality, which mirrors that of Interval International, is one of the primary reasons we selected their company to be our strategic partner.”

The Porto Marina complex is built on a truly grand scale featuring a broad, palm-lined promenade with 180 designer shops, 11 restaurants and al fresco cafes, and ending with a stunning white-sand beach. The mixed-use property has a total of 1,200 one- and two-bedroom apartments, and includes a 378-room luxury hotel with stunning views of the Mediterranean. Located in El Alamein, it is easily accessed by road from Cairo and Alexandria.

Porto Marina’s state-of-the-art 1,200-berth marina can accommodate crafts up to 100 metres in length and was the site of the 2007 World Powerboat Championship. Its spa is one of the largest and best-equipped wellness centres in the country, offering a range of therapies and treatments. Other resort amenities include five pools (four outdoor and one indoor) with water jets, slides and waterfalls, and activities ranging from tennis to parasailing. The Grand Canal (with gondolas) and Piazza de Espana, where plays and concerts are staged in a setting reminiscent of Rome’s Spanish Steps, give Porto Marina an international ambience.

Later this year, Golf Porto Marina will be added to the vacation club. Only five minutes from Porto Marina and also located on the Mediterranean, the resort will bring the first 18-hole championship golf course to the coast, along with Olympic City, a training facility for sports professionals. The mixed-use property covers 370 acres (150 hectares) and includes 5,100 apartments offering concierge and housekeeping services, as well as around-the-clock room service. In addition, the resort will ultimately have a luxury hotel, mega-mall with 200 shops, 12 restaurants, and a water park with Las Vegas-style dancing fountain.

Porto Sokhna, which overlooks the Red Sea, will add another range of two-bedroom apartments at the Group’s third mixed-use resort next year. Following Amer’s successful blueprint, this complex is being designed to blend 1,600 apartments housed in a pyramid-style building into a resort setting. Facilities are planned to include a 42-unit suite hotel, 18-hole championship golf course, spa, and mall with 150 shops. One of the 12 on-site restaurants — accessible only by cable car — will feature stunning views from an 886-foot (270 metre) mountaintop.

Ultimately, plans call for at least 200 units at each of the three resorts to participate in the vacation club programme, the majority of which will be two-bedroom units. Interval will provide exchange and membership services to members of the vacation club, as well as to full-time member residents owning whole units at the three Porto Vacation Club resorts who participate in the rental programme. This will include Interval Gold®, Interval’s upgraded membership tier with enhanced benefits.

“To have Porto Vacation Club affiliated with us is the first step in what we know will be a long-term relationship,” added David Clifton, managing director of Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia for Interval International. “We are excited about the Amer Group’s vision for ‘Creating Lifestyle Landmarks’ with world-class facilities for holidaymakers of all ages. Its flagship resort, Porto Marina, is already a favourite international gathering spot.”

About Interval International
Interval International operates membership programmes for vacation owners and provides value-added services to its developer clients worldwide. Based in Miami, Florida, the company has been a pioneer and innovator in serving the vacation ownership market for more than 33 years. Today, Interval has an exchange network of more than 2,500 resorts in over 75 countries and offers its resort clients and approximately 2 million member families high-quality products and programmes through offices in 26 cities in 16 countries. Interval is an operating segment of Interval Leisure Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: IILG), a leading global provider of membership and leisure services to the vacation industry.

About The Amer Group
For over 20 years, the Amer Group has been leading the way in developing innovative entertainment and vacation gateways. Their vision is to create landmark destinations that put Egyptian resorts on the global tourist map, and create new job opportunities in the process. Among Amer’s many achievements is the creation of the successful “Porto World” concept that has evolved into a brand that they plan to grow both locally and regionally. In the entertainment sector, Amer launched the first full-service casual dining establishment in the Middle East in 1993 with the opening of the Chili’s chain. This has since been developed with successful franchises throughout the region.

IFA Hotels and Resorts, an international leader in the development of premier mixed-use hotel and tourism projects, announces the appointment of Merlin as software provider for its fractional residence clubs. IFA Hotels and Resorts, with its main operating office in Dubai, is listed on the Kuwait and Johannesburg stock exchanges and provides world-class facilities through a network of hotels, vacation and private residence club destinations.

Merlin Software will be used to run IFA’s new high-end fractional residence clubs based in various locations around the world and its internal inter-residence exchange programme.

Announcing the appointment of Merlin Software Mr Piaras Moriarty, VP Vacation Ownership IFA Hotels & Resorts, said “when we looked for a software provider we needed a company with wide industry knowledge and expertise in managing products like ours.  With Merlin’s pedigree, which dates back to the start of clubs 25 years ago, making the appointment based on their stellar track record and experience was a logical choice”.

The IFA team was keen to partner with a software business that offered “simple to implement” software that could manage and adapt to their evolving product needs.  Mr Moriarty explained “it was important for us that our partner could advise us on how to formulate and manage these products now and in the future”. The team was particularly impressed that Merlin Software is easy to set up with no lengthy installations and training is straightforward and logical. Resorts can be in business immediately.

Chief software developer Mike Pnematicatos explains “On a daily basis IFA will use all of Merlin’s resort management, marketing and accounting functionality for activities such as maintenance fee collections and owner reservations. What really sets Merlin apart though is its dynamic sales and ownership tracking. IFA has complex occupation rosters and rules which Merlin handles with ease” he continued.

Merlin will also handle IFA’s internal exchange facility which takes place between the managed residence clubs. Mr Moriarty explained “inter-residence exchange can now be provided internally using Merlin Software without relying on a third party”.

From single site fractional resorts to multi-destination residence clubs, Merlin’s software functionality provides a single software solution. Developed as state of the art Business Application Software, Merlin is served across the internet. Users simply access it securely via a web browser from anywhere at any time without the need of expensive link lines and hardware installations.

Developed by Mike Pnematicatos with over 25 years’ experience in the timeshare and property development industry, Merlin is the most complete business software around. It is highly interactive meaning that businesses can integrate the software with their current websites to offer a range of services such as online bookings and payments. With such industry experience, that no other software company can offer, businesses need look no further for a safe pair of hands to provide the latest technological solutions.

Merlin is the leading industry software provider using the new technology of Cloud Computing to deliver software directly to your internet browser. According to chief software developer Mike Pnematicatos “Merlin is resource light, incredibly intuitive and allows unlimited users and multiple locations to access the software securely in real time from anywhere in the world. It enables resorts and hotels to benefit from time and cost savings – yet still be at the cutting edge of internet technology”.

For more information on Merlin Software for Vacation Ownership contact Mike Ashton on, email at mikea@quickmerlin.com  or visit www.quickmerlin.com to arrange a full demo.

For more information on IFA contact Mr Piaras Moriarty on Tel: + 971 4 404 3424 or Email: info@ifahotelsresorts.com

Using the latest web technology, Merlin is the complete software package for today’s hospitality industry and can handle all types of timeshare and holiday product.

Merlin Software incorporates modules for sales, marketing and front and back office. Its inherent flexibility means it can operate all types of sales activity and holiday product.  As Merlin is served over the Internet there is no requirement for any expensive communication links or set up fees and can be accessed from wherever there is an Internet connection.

The world’s most read independent trade publication for the shared ownership industry has now launched a test version of its new online social media business forum at http://www.theperspectivemagazine.com/forum/

Described as a cross between the discussion attributes of LinkedIn and the functionality of Twitter, this innovative “live update” site is another industry first from Perspective International Ltd and backed by their B2B publication, is expected to grow rapidly into a useful resource and communication platform for timeshare and fractional ownership professionals to discuss anything related to their industry, share thoughts and ideas with others and learn from each other’s expertise, knowledge, successes and failures.

This online forum is the first in a series of social media products and services set to be released in 2010 by Perspective International Ltd specifically designed for the shared ownership industry and mark the beginning of another year of accelerated growth.

Perspective International Ltd first published their trade publication in 2005 and since then has grown to be the industry’s most read independent monthly publication globally with more than 21,400 print and online subscribers. February 2010 will see an additional version of the award winning publication launched – Perspective Magazine North America; specifically focusing on the USA, Canada, Mexico and Caribbean regions.

2009 also saw the launch of the first globally recognized consumer publication focused on the purchasing and ownership of timeshare, fractional ownership and resort real estate, which is now available in selected hotels, resorts, supermarkets and first class airport lounges around the world and is now generating direct sales enquiries for developers from its print and online components and strategic brand alignments.

For more information on advertising and editorial opportunities visit www.perspectiverates.com

The consumer magazine that focuses on shared ownership products has today launched its highly anticipated Fractional Property Guide at http://www.fractionalpropertyguide.com

This standalone website is the first of a suite of directories planned by Owners Perspective Magazine which burst onto the market in January 2009 and already reaches nearly 50,000 consumers per month through an innovative mix of online and print subscriptions and distribution via more than 140 first class and business class airport lounges around the world; including global deals with British Airways and selected main routes for Virgin Atlantic, Emirates Airlines, American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines and many more. The publication is also available through a rapidly growing number of luxury hotels and resorts worldwide.

The Fractional Property Guide however is not just another portal. Six months of trialling content, design and functionality within a temporary part of the magazine’s website has resulted in the birth of an exclusive collection of fractional properties that consumers can contact directly.

The website is not designed to harvest other fractional listings in a bid to boast the most properties; instead it is exclusively available to Owners Perspective Magazine advertisers only and subject to approval.  Each fractional ownership property has a full page listing with essential information, images and the option for streaming video, plus a direct enquiry form where consumers can request anything from a brochure or availability of fractions, to requesting a sales call or arranging an inspection visit all with the confidence that these carefully selected properties have already featured in the leading independent shared ownership publication in the world.

Owners Perspective Magazine’s print and online educational and research platform is revolutionizing traditional lead generation methods for developers by putting the consumer in the driving seat, spending anything from several minutes to several months, perhaps even years to educate themselves at their own pace in what they are looking for from a vacation home or vacation product, rather than being sold to. Then when the consumer chooses to contact the developer / advertiser that are selling a specific product, it is because that consumer is ready and wants to discuss a potential purchase at that development.

For the developer, this regular stream of sales enquiries are simply delivered instantly to their sales / marketing departments in a clear easy to use and easy to file format, complete with full contact details of the prospective buyer and additional information such as whether or not they already own a vacation property or vacation ownership product.

Owners Perspective Magazine also offers a number of enhanced products and services for developers and marketers of Fractional Properties.

For more information call +1 407 792 2343 (USA) or +44 191 250 3501 (UK), email advertising@perspectiveinternational.com or visit their online media centre at http://www.perspectiverates.com

Interval International, a leading global provider of vacation services and an operating segment of Interval Leisure Group (Nasdaq: IILG), has announced the affiliation of Gardenia Resort, located in the holiday town of Hurghada on Egypt’s famed “Red Sea Riviera.”

“Today, we’re seeing that Egypt in general and the Red Sea in particular are proving more and more popular as year-round destinations. With the addition of this notable resort to our network, Interval will be better able to cater to the increased demand,” said Darren Ettridge, Interval International’s vice president of resort sales and service for Europe, Middle East, and Africa.

Scheduled for completion in 2011, this mixed-use property will be situated within easy reach of nearby golden sand beaches and local night life. Plans for the purpose-built resort call for 175 timeshare units, with a combination of studios, and one- and two-bedroom units. Facilities on-site are anticipated to include restaurants and bars, a number of swimming pools, a health club, and a kid’s corner.

“We are happy to affiliate Gardenia Resort in Hurghada, our new property, with Interval. During our long relationship with the company, we have always had positive experiences, especially with Gardenia Plaza, our first affiliated resort in Sharm el Sheikh,” said Khaled el Nayal, chairman of Network Corporation & Continental for Touristic Resorts and developer of the resort.  “We will now be able to promote Gardenia Resort in this spectacular area with the great support we have always had from Interval. We are looking forward to a mutually beneficial relationship for us and our owners.”

Just a few years ago, the town of Hurghada was a small fishing village, but it has grown to become one of the leading seashore destinations on the Red Sea. To meet the need of increased tourist arrivals, the airport also has grown and now serves approximately 60 cities in 20 countries across Europe and the Middle East.

Known as an international centre for aquatic sports, visitors can try their hand at sailing, deep-sea fishing, and windsurfing. The area is most noted for snorkelling and diving as the offshore reefs are considered some of the finest in the world.
For those who wish to keep their feet dry, the aquarium houses a spectacular array of marine species and the Marine Biology Museum north of the town has a fine collection of Red Sea flora and fauna.

About Interval International
Interval International operates membership programs for vacation owners and provides value-added services to its developer clients worldwide. Based in Miami, Florida, the company has been a pioneer and innovator in serving the vacation ownership market for more than 33 years. Today, Interval has a network of approximately 2,500 resorts in more than 75 countries and offers its resort clients and about 2 million member families high-quality products and programs through offices in 26 cities in 16 countries.Interval is an operating segment of Interval Leisure Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: IILG), a leading global provider of membership and leisure services to the vacation industry.

Priority Booking of those industry professionals that pre-registered their interest in attending The FORUM Conference is now underway – but delegate places will go on general release shortly after 5pm GMT today.

Due to the Forum Debate style of this not for profit conference, delegate places are strictly limited to just 200 so those wishing to attend need to act fast to secure tickets; which are limited to 3 per company.

Hosted by Generator Systems & Perspective Magazine, this first of its kind event boasting more than 25 speakers from around the world, will tackle not only the difficulties being encountered by the timeshare and fractional ownership industries in these uncertain economic times, but also discuss possible solutions by breaking the mould of traditional conventions and allow the event to be audience driven and interactive; replacing long presentations with topical “forum” styled debates between delegates and expert panelists.

Details of the speakers, sessions and sponsorship opportunities are now available at www.perspectivemagazine.com/forum

Remember: Delegate Registrations open to all shortly after 5pm GMT time today!