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

A special Shared Ownership Summit is being offered in association with this year’s Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC), co-hosted by RCI on 1st May 2010, 1:00 – 5:30 p.m., at Madinat Jumeirah, Conference Centre, Dubai. Perspective Magazine will be a sponsor of this essential forum for developers, investors and hospitality firms who are recognising the renewed importance of timeshare, fractional and private residence clubs as integral components of mixed-use developments.

“Perspective Magazine is playing a key role in the shared ownership industry by highlighting trends, opportunities and generally driving awareness of vacation ownership, fractional and private residence club models,” says Jeff Tisdall, Managing Director, RCI Middle East and North Africa. “We are extremely appreciative of their continued support of both RCI and the upcoming Shared Ownership Summit in Dubai.”

The Summit will offer real, executable solutions that fully leverage today’s market conditions and will feature an unprecedented gathering of global and regional industry leaders. Participants can either register for the Summit directly, or upgrade their AHIC conference package to include the optional session.

“We are delighted to be a part of the Shared Ownership Summit,” says Perspective CEO Paul Mattimoe. “Perspective Magazine is all about disseminating useful, important information to the shared-ownership industry, and that is exactly what this event will accomplish as well.”

The Shared Ownership Summit will offer participants:

•The Perspective of Global Industry Leaders – Hear their views on the future direction of timeshare, fractional, private residence and destination club businesses.

•    Market Opportunities – Today’s new market conditions have significantly enhanced the prospects for shared ownership in MENA; find out why.

•    Sales, Marketing and Operating Solutions – Hear everything from support in developing in-house capabilities to turnkey operating models designed for developers and asset managers.

•    The Luxury Segment – Brand experts and leaders in branded residential will discuss future opportunities.

•    The CEO Shared Ownership Handbook – An essential tool kit for senior business leaders.

•    2010 Shared Ownership Survey – NorthCourse, RCI’s shared ownership consulting arm, will present its latest market research.

Registration fees are $500 for those attending the Shared Ownership Summit only, with a preferred rate of $350 for AHIC attendees.

To register for the Summit or for more information, please call +971 (0)4 390 0049, e-mail ahic@meed-dubai.com or visit www.registrationline.org.uk/ahic/event303/reg.asp. Information on the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference is available at www.arabianconference.com.

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

Hutchinson & Co Trust Company Limited is proud to announce that on the 5th February 2010, the Group celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a gathering of nearly one hundred staff, past and present, at the beautiful Elvetham Hall in Hampshire. Elvetham is steeped in history, having been owned by the family of Jane Seymour, one of Henry VIII’s wives and famed as being the site of the first performance of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Initially, Hutchinson’s acted as Collection Agent for resorts in Portugal and Malta. However, the company soon realized the huge potential that the industry offered to professionals prepared to marry their expertise and integrity to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the emerging sales and marketing entrepreneurs. In 1990, Peter Hutchinson, Group Chairman, took the key decision to take the company to the next level and as a result, Hutchinson & Co Trust Company Limited was formed.

During the last twenty five years, the Group has gone from strength to strength, consistently providing a quick, efficient, professional and value for money service, permitting the company to become one of the top specialized Holiday Ownership Trustees in Europe and the largest in India and the Far East. In summarizing the Group’s success, Peter Hutchinson remarked:

“The only constant throughout the last 25 years has been change! And our success has been built on the ability to adapt to what the market demands and to maintain a level of service which is always one step above the expectations of our clients! Our business life is a far cry from its beginnings when Joy Pope and I both worked from home, with a single phone line, typewriter and telex machine, between us! Indeed, that which seemed daunting in 1985 now seems mundane and it will not be long before we can say that at any hour of the day, somewhere in the world, there is a Hutchinson office open for business!”

In 2007, the Group set up a specialist subsidiary, Citadel Trustees Ltd, with a principle focus on emerging products, such as green energy products, requiring stakeholder, trustee and escrow services, as well as Hotel buy-to-let schemes and other leisure related investment products. Citadel has grown rapidly and is now authorized by the UK Financial Services Authority to set-up, operate and manage Unregulated Collective Investments Schemes, an area of business which has seen very strong growth in recent years and one which will be of particular focus for the company in the future. The Group now boasts offices in the UK, Spain, India, Thailand and China and is involved with projects valued at over $2.5 billion!

For further information about Hutchinson or Citadel, please contact Christopher Allen, Director, Client Services and Business Development, by email chrisallen@citadeltrustees.com or, call the company’s UK Head Office +44 (0) 1276
482015/16

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

Joins Sold-out Royal Club at Palm-Jumeirah and Royal Club at Downtown Dubai

Interval International, a leading global provider of vacation services and an operating segment of Interval Leisure Group (Nasdaq: IILG), today announced the affiliation of Royal Club at Bonnington Tower in Dubai. The 40-story, five-star Bonnington Tower is located in the heart of Jumeirah Lakes Towers, one of Dubai’s most prestigious residential and commercial communities.

Royal Club at Bonnington consists of 30 spacious one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments furnished to the highest standards, boasting large balconies overlooking the stunning “New Dubai” skyline and the Jumeirah Lakes. Owners and guests also can enjoy a wide range of on-site amenities, including six restaurants and bars, a Leisure Deck, state-of- the-art gym, hairdressing salons, and 24-hour concierge service. The unique double-height Leisure Deck on the 11th floor has an infinity pool open to the elements on three sides.

“Interval International has worked with Royal Club in Dubai and its marketing partner for many years, and we’ve developed a relationship based on shared respect for quality product and service excellence,” said David Clifton, Interval’s managing director for Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia. “We have no doubt that the Royal Club at Bonnington Tower will be as valuable an addition to our network as the two other Royal Club resorts — Royal Club at Downtown Dubai and Royal Club at Palm, Jumeirah — have been.”

“Royal Club at Bonnington is our third affiliation with Interval International,” noted Sherif Khalil, chief executive officer of Dermarr Real Estate, owner of the Royal Clubs. “We are focused on quality, so our exchange provider must have the same vision. Interval is not just our exchange provider, but also a trusted business partner.”
The newest Royal Club is convenient to the Dubai International Airport, and to major malls, including the Mall of the Emirates with its indoor ski resort, and the Dubai Mall, one of the largest luxury malls in the world.

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.

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.