Date: 12-14 October 2009
Location: Hilton Hotel, Athens, Greece
Website: OTE-Info.com

More details to follow shortly…

Date: 14-17 September 2009
Location: The Peabody, Orlando, Florida, USA
Website: VacationOwnershipInvestment.com

Date: 2-5 May 2009
Location: Chula Vista Resort, Wisconsin, USA
Website: CARE-Online.org

More details to follow shortly…

Date: 23-24 April 2009
Location: Hilton Metropole, London, UK
Website: FractionalSummit.com

Date: 29 March – 2nd April 2009
Location: Orlando World Center Marriot, Orlando, Florida, USA
Website: ARDA.org

Date: 13-15 March 2009
Location: Park Royal Hotel, Warrington, UK
Website: TimeshareAssociation.com

Date: 9-11 March 2009
Location: The Fairmont San Francisco
Website: RagatzAssociates.com

2009 Ragatz Associates Ninth Annual Fractional Interest Conference to be held March 9-11 in San Francisco

Resort Real Estate Event Will Emphasize Improving Business Performance in a Down Economy

San Francisco, Calif. (November 20, 2008) – Registration is now open for the 2009 Ragatz Associates Ninth Annual Fractional Interest Conference to be held March 9-11 at The Fairmont San Francisco.

This year’s conference will emphasize the conduct of business in the fractional interest industry in a down economy.

Critical topics of discussion will include:

• Results of the Annual State-of-the-Industry Research
• How Affluent Consumers Make Decisions
• How Some Fractional Interest Projects Continue to Make Sales
• Innovative Marketing and Sales Strategies in a Down Economy
• The Search for Financing
• Is Your Troubled Resort Development Appropriate for Fractional Interests?
• Insights and Advice from Industry Leaders

The conference should be of interest to companies already in the fractional interest industry (including private residence clubs and destination clubs), as well as to companies considering entering the industry. As in the past eight annual conferences, it will include formal presentations as well as a series of small group break-out sessions.

The conference will feature presentations from over 60 speakers, including ones representing the land development, hotel, finance, legal, computer and public media industries. Confirmations have been received, for example, from representatives of Hyatt, Fairmont, Timbers Resorts, Preferred Residences, The Registry Collection, The Robb Report, Luxury Institute, The Harrison Group, The Little Nell, East West Partners, CapitalSource, the American Resort Development Association, etc. Almost one-half of the presenters will be first-time speakers at the conference.

Additionally, results from the 2009 Edition of Ragatz Associates State of the Fractional Interest Industry will be presented, providing the most up-to-date findings available about fractional projects in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. The report will be available for purchase. Current research on affluent consumers also will be presented.

Almost 25 companies once again support the conference via being Sponsors. Included at the Platinum level are Ballard Spahr, Baker Hostetler, DCP International, Preferred Residences and The Registry Collection. At the Gold level are ARDA, LaTour Signature Group, Star Resort Group, Weinstock & Scavo, Greenberg Traurig, Sirkin Paul Associates and Luxury Fractional Guide. Others are at the Silver and Media levels.

Registration for the conference is $950, or available at a discounted price of $850 if purchased before January 12th. Group discounts of up to 50 percent are also available.

For questions and registration information, visit RagatzAssociates.com.
Contact Sarah Winter at 541-686-9335 or info@ragatzassociates.com.

About Ragatz Associates
Ragatz Associates is recognized as the leading consulting and market research firm in the resort real estate industry on a global basis. The firm has conducted more than 2,500 studies in over 70 countries since being formed in 1974. It specializes in feasibility analysis and consumer research.

Perspective Magazine; the most read independent B2B publication for the shared ownership industry, extends it’s global reach further in 2009 confirming official distribution at no less than 15 major timeshare, fractional and property conventions around the world.

For more information on advertising and editorial opportunities at these events, and a full convention list visit www.perspectiverates.com

Interval International is a sponsor of the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) annual Caribbean Marketplace conference and business meetings taking place on January 18-20 in Gros Islet, St. Lucia.
The event gives attendees an opportunity to meet face-to-face with a range of suppliers from the region, representing hotel and all-inclusive chains, boutique inns, and meeting and incentive products from many Caribbean destinations. Participants spend two days of pre-scheduled business appointments discussing existing contracts, developing packages, and contracting for future business.

“Caribbean Marketplace is widely recognized as the largest tourism marketing event of the year for the region and Interval is proud to support it,” said David Callaghan, vice president of resort sales and service for Interval International. “The conference provides a venue for tourism officials and hoteliers to meet with incentive buyers, tour operators, and wholesalers from around the world interested in promoting and purchasing Caribbean vacations.”

“CHTA acknowledges and greatly appreciates Interval, one of its long-standing Strategic Partners, for its ongoing commitment to the Caribbean hospitality industry,” said Alec Sanguinetti, director general and chief executive officer of CHTA. “It’s continued support of our programs throughout the years has been vital to our industry, and in particular, to the success of Caribbean Marketplace.”

The Caribbean has proven itself to be a very popular destination among potential owners of the vacation ownership product. According to the Future Timeshare Buyers: Market Profile 2008, the region is one of the preferred international destinations among leisure travelers interested in purchasing vacation time, as nearly one-quarter (22 percent) indicate a desire to visit during the next two years. This study is designed to provide unique insights into the vacation habits, preferences, and intentions of pleasure travelers, who are interested in purchasing some form of vacation ownership within the next two years.

As a Strategic Partner of CHTA and a Board Member of the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Education Foundation, Interval has been a long time supporter of the tourism industry in the Caribbean. The company is committed to understanding the unique needs of the Caribbean region and providing products and programs tailored to this market.

Founded in 1962 and headquartered in Miami, Florida, CHTA represents the entire spectrum of the hospitality industry’s private sector. From more than 850 member hotels in 36 national hotel associations to allied members, including airline executives, tour operators, travel agents, trade and consumer press, hotel and restaurant suppliers, and others. CHTA is online at www.caribbeanhotelassociation.com.

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 30 years. Today, Interval has a network of over 2,400 resorts in more than 75 countries and offers its resort clients and approximately 2 million member families high-quality products and programs through 26 offices 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.

A new website has launched this month which gives consumers and holiday makers access to a raft of useful and interesting information about timeshare and other forms of shared holiday ownership. The new site www.gotimeshare.org  is a ‘one stop shop’ for destination news, regional reviews, information and advice on timeshare as well as feature stories from timeshare owners.

A series of microsites will be also be launched, one of which, www.timeshareactive.com is now live. This site provides ideas about exciting destinations throughout the world that timeshare owners can visit.

Gotimeshare.org has been set up by the Organisation for Timeshare in Europe (OTE) the pan European trade body, to promote the best that the industry has to offer. The site is aimed at a Europe wide audience and a number of key articles will be translated into Spanish, French, German, Italian, Hungarian and Greek. 

Commenting on the launch of the site, OTE chief executive Paul Gardner-Bougaard said:  “gotimeshare.org is a great resource for holiday makers who want to try out new ways of taking holidays. It gives consumers a step-by-step guide to how timeshare works and gives advice for people interested in this popular form of taking holidays.

“It is also full of useful information for people looking to find out more about the range and quality of timeshare resorts now available throughout Europe. With new and exciting forms of holiday ownership, such as fractional ownership, increasingly available, now is an exciting time for someone to be looking at shared holiday ownership options.”

Harbor Hill resort is pleased to announce that they have selected SPI Orange Systems Resort Manager as the property’s resort management software.
 
Harbor Hill Resort Manager Donna Zoppi says her new Systems Products International (SPI) timeshare software was selected to handle their resort’s reservations, maintenance dues billing and other property management requirements because of its speed, agility and the many efficiencies inherent in the system. “Now it will take far fewer hours of my staff’s time to do much more than before, by using SPI’s Resort Manager,” said Zoppi.
 
“Also, it is so efficient in the way it handles our financial information,” she grins. “My Board of Directors will love me!”

According to Matt Brosious, SPI director of sales, “Donna recently visited us and worked with senior members of our implementation team. She mastered SPI’s mortgage and maintenance fee receivables system in less than two hours. She told us it was so easy to operate, she can hardly wait to get back home to start producing reports, sending out late notices and recording payments. SPI Orange Systems Resort Manager provides all the tools needed to manage a timeshare resort in a flexible, easy-to-use package and that makes the resort more efficient, helping to reduce costs, which is key in this economic environment.”

About SPI
SPI provides developers, managers and operators of vacation ownership resorts (timeshare, fractional, private residence club and others) with its .NET-based software as either its Orange Systems enterprise suite of software or in specific modules to handle marketing, sales, property management, finance, maintenance fee and receivables servicing, centralized reservations or Website access operations. Founded in 1978 and based in Miami, FL, SPI can be reached at 305-858-9505, sales@spiinc.com or www.spiinc.com.

About Harbor Hill
Harbor Hill is located near the entrance of the Cape Cod National Seashore in Provincetown, Massachusetts. Owners and guests enjoy the traditional allure of the Cape, including beaches, boating, whale-watching, boutique shopping, antiquing and galleries. The resort is particularly beloved for the feeling of privacy it provides, despite being close to downtown’s picturesque Commercial Street. For more information, call 508-487-0541.

The new consumer magazine for existing owners and prospective buyers / renters of leisure property appeared for the first time in print this month and was well received by visitors to the holiday and travel show confirming the growing interest in fractional property and luxury timeshare vacations.

A few thousand copies were distributed during the event and many visitors stopped to chat about the topics the magazine covered which range from overseas property, through fractional ownership, private residence clubs, destination clubs and timeshare as well as boutique hotels and luxury travel.

“It was encouraging to see the number of people who passed our exhibition booth who stopped and enquired about the leisure property products featured in the magazine; and although we do not represent or sell any of the properties or products we feature, it was a good indication of the level and quality of enquiries our advertisers could expect to receive as we move forward.” Said Paul Mattimoe, CEO, Perspective International Ltd.

Available free online and providing hundreds of destination and travel guides, Owners Perspective has attracted more than 10,700 subscribers in its first few months, but now it is available in print too the circulation has risen to 24,000 to incorporate property and travel shows, distribution through selected resorts and individual subscriptions.

Other exciting distribution channels are expected to be announced later this week, but with a further six travel and property shows already confirmed for 2009 and a rapidly growing subscription base it is quite clear that there is a new place for independent information on property and travel for consumers, as well as a new organic, highly targeted advertising platform for developers, marketers and suppliers.

For more information visit www.ownersperspective.com

For advertising and editorial opportunities visit www.perspectiverates.com

Money raised for water-aid charity Just a Drop during World Travel Market this year will help fund projects in Zambia, Afghanistan, the Philippines and Uganda.

The total of £46,000 ($67,000) was the largest amount ever donated to the cause at the event.
Long-term supporter Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions, with Den Haag Marketing, gave an environmentally-friendly car that produced £6,500 ($9,474) from a silent auction.
This money will go towards funding a scheme to bring clean water to 200 children and their families at the Zambian village of Siazibola. Currently, they are forced to get their domestic water from a crocodile-infested stream, more than a kilometre away from their homes, where elephants frequently roam.

“The present water source is from the river and unprotected shallow wells and is totally unsafe for human consumption” said Fiona Jeffery, chairman and founder of the charity.
“To make matters worse, the women and children who collect the water are often attacked by marauding elephants. It is crucial that we urgently provide the village with clean water in a safe area, close to their homes, before someone is either killed by an elephant or dies from water-borne disease.”

South Korea, Romania, Greece, Fiji, Trinidad, Turkey, Grenada, Sri Lanka also raised vital funds on their stands at World Travel Market, while the WTM Captains of Industry Lunch yielded £10,000 ($14,588). The money was collected through an auction, thanks to the efforts of Chris Mottershead and Giles Harper.
Students from Chelmsford College, UK collected contributions from WTM delegates throughout the four days, while participants in the ‘Walk the World’ promotion, purchased Just a Drop pedometers to test their endurance.

World Travel Market furniture supplier Melville and on-site florists Oldacre donated a percentage of profits and there were also personal donations from delegates and companies. In addition, Triallance committed to continue its support of Just a Drop in 2009 and beyond, presenting a cheque during the event, which brought their total annual donation to £8,200.00 ($11,631.70).

The money will go to three other Just a Drop initiatives, including a sanitation and clean water project to help the endangered Mangyan tribe living on Mindoro Island in the Philippines.
In Afghanistan, where every 30 minutes a woman dies during childbirth because of no facilities, Just a Drop is helping to fund the building of a fully equipped delivery room complex with clean hot and cold water, powered by solar.

Ten families from the Ugandan village of Mitukula will also benefit from the money raised at World Travel Market. Just a Drop is funding a project providing clean water and latrines.
“I cannot thank exhibitors enough for their energy and enthusiasm for Just a Drop during World Travel Market”, said Fiona Jeffery, chairman and founder. “It was a brilliant result, the best yet at the show.”
For further information and to make a donation, log on to www.justadrop.org

Caribbean Residence Clubs is very proud to announce that The Los Altos units in their portfolio are now part of The Registry Collection.

The Registry Collection provides owners access to more than just one slice of Paradise. Owners can have it all. Exchange Privileges enable owners to make memories to last a lifetime at any of the superb locations in our portfolio. Members can also indulge in a Personal Concierge service that caters to every whim requested. These limited edition villas are set amidst the Dominican Republics best golfing, spa and resort amenities, and feature lush gardens and optional private pools.

All Los Altos villas have stunning views of the renowned Dye Fore golf course. Golfers will attest that there is no more scenic site to finish a round and watch a sunset than the 18th hole of Dye Fore, perched triumphantly atop the resorts highest point. Ownership opportunities include fractional ownership starting in the low $200,000s. Whole ownership condos are available starting from approximately $1 million and whole ownership villas from just over $1 million up to several million for an exclusive estate.

Contact Information
Caribbean Residence Clubs
Craig Bosio
888-264-1757
info@caribbeanresidenceclubs.com
www.caribbeanresidenceclubs.com

Marriott Vacation Club Begins its 25th Anniversary Year with New Napili Villas at Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club and 114 Oceanfront Villas at Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club

Marriott Vacation Club International (MVCI), the recognized worldwide leader in the vacation ownership industry and a division of Marriott International, Inc., announced today the opening of the Napili Villas, the final expansion phase of Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club, as well as the fourth phase opening for Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club on Oahu. Celebrating 25 years of making vacation dreams come true, Marriott Vacation Club continues to offer additional villas in Hawaii for Owners and guests.

Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club
Opening in late January 2009, the spacious Napili Villas will offer 71 two- and three-bedroom villas, ranging from approximately 1,200 to 1,700 square feet. Proposed amenities for the Napili Villas include a new pool area with pool bar; a sports court; fitness center expansion; and tropical landscaping complete with barbecue areas. Each villa will feature a fully-equipped kitchen with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances; spacious living and dining areas; oversized shower with multiple showerheads in master suite; luxurious bedding; multiple flat-panel televisions with DVD player(s); washer/dryer and Wi-Fi Internet access.

Situated on pristine beachfront in the heart of the spectacular Kaanapali Beach Resort, Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and neighboring islands. The Napili Villas is the final of two purpose-built additions that will bring Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club to a total of 459 suites and villas upon build-out. The first purpose-built addition, Lahaina Villas, was introduced in late 2007.

A tropical paradise, Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club beckons guests to relax amidst its spectacular beachfront location with breathtaking views of neighbor islands. Owners and guests will enjoy the 3.5-acre superpool with slides, waterfalls and grottos; children’s sandy beach with pirate ship and water features; oceanfront dining at the new Longboards Kaanapali; Beach Walk Market and Pantry; Marriott’s Activity Zone Experience (MAZE) for all ages; children’s center with game room; retail shops; water sports and beach equipment rentals; pool bar and poolside food and beverage service; BBQ area; and the championship golf courses of Kaanapali Resort.

Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club
The new phase at Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club reveals 114 additional two- and three-bedroom villas, ranging from approximately 1,280 to 1,600 square feet. Offering a residential feel elegantly designed for comfort, each spacious villa includes a fully equipped kitchen with granite countertops; spacious living and dining areas; luxurious bedding; multiple televisions with a DVD player; private balcony, washer/dryer and Wi-Fi Internet access. Each villa offers the ideal family accommodations with three-bedroom villas being able to accommodate up to 10 people. Adding onto the vacation resort’s existing 300 two- and three-bedroom villas, the new villas bring the total resort count to 414 out of a proposed 750 villas upon build-out.

Owners and guests will delight in the resort’s family-friendly lagoon and three swimming pools, including one with a 50-foot long enclosed waterslide, and seven whirlpool spas. Dining is made easy with the resort’s picnic and barbeque areas and two restaurants; Chuck’s Steak House and Kolohe’s Beach Bar & Grill.

Nestled on Oahu’s sunny West coast, Ko Olina is the island’s most complete resort destination, offering world-class accommodations, championship golf, luxurious spa, award-winning restaurants and a private marina. Plus, its four breathtaking lagoons provide a serene ocean playground where guests can enjoy water activities and relax on the white sandy beaches.

“The additions to both Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club and Ko Olina Beach Club will mean more opportunities for our Owners and guests to enjoy the island’s beauty and incredible vacation experiences on Maui and Oahu,” said Chris Wachta, regional vice president of sales and marketing for Marriott Vacation Club International. “We are pleased to offer this final phase of Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club as well as additional villas to Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club as part of our expansive portfolio of Hawaiian resorts.”

For more information on vacation ownership, please visit www.marriott-vacations.com. For nightly reservations, please visit www.marriott.com.

About Marriott Vacation Club
Marriott Vacation Club is the recognized worldwide leader in vacation ownership with a program highly regarded for its quality and unique flexibility. In 1984, Marriott became the first branded hospitality company by nearly a decade to enter the timeshare industry. Marriott Vacation Club continues to expand with a diverse portfolio of 49 resorts and over 9,900 timeshare resort villas throughout the U.S., Caribbean, Europe and Asia. Today, more than 365,000 vacation owners around the globe own their vacations “the Marriott way,” offering options to exchange weeks with priority within the Marriott Vacation Club portfolio or within Interval International’s global system of more than 2,300 resorts in over 75 countries, trade their week(s) for Marriott Rewards points, or rent their week(s). For more information, please visit http://www.marriott-vacations.com/index.asp.

Marriott International, Inc.,is a leading lodging company with over 3,100 lodging properties in the United States and 66 other countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Bulgari brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club, Horizons by Marriott Vacation Club, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Grand Residences by Marriott brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers. The company is headquartered in Bethesda, MD, and had approximately 151,000 employees at 2007 year-end. It is ranked as the lodging industry’s most admired company and one of the best companies to work for by FORTUNE®, and has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with the 2007 Sustained Excellence Award and Partner of the Year since 2004. In fiscal year 2007, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of $13 billion. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com.

Halogen Network today announced an innovative new marketing program from several leading publishers in its Business and Influence channel. Partnering in the program is Exclusive Resorts, the world’s leading luxury destination club.

Through this new “sponsored post” program, selected web publishers will introduce their readers to Exclusive Resorts, the innovative luxury travel club, owned by Steve Case’s Revolution Places. While the editorial content is identified as advertiser-supported, it is presented in the format and tone of each publisher.

The program will run to the end of January. A partial list of the participating websites include Silicon Alley Media’s Clusterstock (http://clusterstock.alleyinsider.com), and WowoWow.com (http://www.wowowow.com)

“Our luxury advertisers want more than traditional banner ads”, said Halogen Network co-founder and CEO Gregory Shove. “They want to engage targeted Web audiences in a way that starts a dialogue with their brand. Our Sponsored Post program is the first of many new engagement-driven advertising programs that we will deploy in 2009 on behalf of our luxury clients.”

“The Sponsored Post program offers a unique, effective way to introduce our unique luxury vacation solution to affluent and influential readers,” said Ian Arthur, Chief Marketing Officer of Exclusive Resorts. “This new program is just the latest in a long line of successful, effective marketing campaigns from Halogen Network, from traditional rich media display ads to lead generation.”

According to an independent survey conducted by Nielsen Online* in September 2008, the Business & Influence channel of Halogen Network has more than twice as many users with household incomes topping $150,000 than found on WSJ.com. Halogen Network is now tied with Wine Spectator for the highest percentage of affluent readers on the Web, according to Nielsen Online.

About Halogen Network
Halogen Network is a premium web publisher network that targets the more than 10 million U.S. households with assets over $1 million. It connects more than 50 publishers into a single network that allows media buyers and advertisers to efficiently reach affluent consumers online. Many of the world’s leading luxury brands, including Ritz-Carlton Club, Marquis Jet and American Express, advertise through Halogen Network. More information is available at http://halogennetwork.com.

About Exclusive Resorts
Exclusive Resorts combines the luxury of private vacation residences with the services and amenities of world-class resorts, bringing together the best of both worlds. Since it began operations in 2003, Exclusive Resorts has grown rapidly from a club with only a few members and four residences to what it is today: the world’s leading luxury destination club, with more than 3,000 members and a real estate portfolio valued at more than $1 billion. Members enjoy access to more than 350 luxury residences in dozens of destinations, as well as a variety of unique travel experiences through the club’s innovative Once in a Lifetime program.

Fractionally priced, affordable luxury offers a rare ownership opportunity

Widely renowned for its hospitality, turquoise-colored water, and pink-sand beaches, Bermuda is one of the most accessible island destinations for Canadians. The ideal location and climate render Bermuda a logical second home destination, but for years real estate has been virtually unattainable for foreigners. The recent advent of fractional ownership, however, is finally attracting greater numbers of foreign buyers. The newest such property is The Reefs Club, a private residence club due to open June 2009 next to Bermuda’s most award-winning hotel, The Reefs.

While Bermuda’s government strictly limits the sale of whole ownership real estate to non-Bermudians – a practice which drives home prices into the millions of dollars – The Reefs Club offers affordable luxury with hotel-style services and amenities. Despite the current recession, Canadians are showing a keen interest.

“We are receiving an enthusiastic response, particularly from Calgary and Toronto residents,” reports Sales Director Chrissy Frith. “They have a strong affinity for Bermuda thanks to easy flight access, desirable weather, natural beauty, and friendliness of Bermudians. One Canadian couple that has visited Bermuda for over 30 years always wanted a home here, but found real estate to be prohibitively priced. The Reefs Club is a perfect solution because of the fractional price, unprecedented strength of the Canadian dollar, and its prime location on a private beach.”

The Reefs Club currently offers pre-completion pricing for one-tenth, deeded ownership. Two-bedrooms are US$350,000 while three-bedrooms are US$410,000. Each residence is fully furnished in a contemporary, Bermudian style and features superior entertainment systems and appliances, spa bathrooms, private hot tubs on the verandas, and unobstructed ocean views. Owners will enjoy a rooftop putting green overlooking the ocean, infinity-edge pool, state-of-the-art fitness center, concierge service, and more. They will also have convenient access to the new La Serena Spa and the property’s three fine dining restaurants, two of which opened in August 2008.

“Given the number of repeat visitors who have been fiercely loyal to The Reefs over the hotel’s long history, we wanted to create an opportunity for them – and other Bermuda enthusiasts – to own a piece of this special property,” explains Reefs’ President David Dodwell, who has been with the property for 35 years. “We’ve designed ownership at The Reefs Club to be completely enjoyable and hassle-free,” he adds. “Because the residence club is fully staffed, all maintenance and housekeeping is professionally handled for our members. Most importantly, owners will enjoy the same award-winning service and hospitality The Reefs continues to win prestigious awards for.”

Reefs Club owners have access to all residences in their ownership category, which expands the availability. They are welcome to visit as often as they like, according to Club reservation policies.

Canadians travel easily to Bermuda on Air Canada non-stop flights from Toronto and Halifax. Convenient connections are available from many East Coast U.S. cities offering two-hour flights to the island.

PR Contact: Hilary Reiter  435.645.7500 x105
www.reefsclub.com

Star Marketability Assessment Report Provides Real World Information to Developers

Star Resort Group (SRG) a leading developer, marketer and seller of luxury fractional ownership real estate, private residence clubs and whole ownership resort real estate products has initiated a new service for developers of fractional, mixed use and private residence club resort real estate.
According to Carl G. Berry, CEO of SRG, “it is the objective of the Star Marketability Assessment Report (SMART) to provide real-world information to the developer at a cost less than the traditional feasibility study.  It is written from the viewpoint of principals who have been on the front lines in developing, marketing and selling high-end fractional interests.”

The principals of Star Resort Group (SRG) have been leaders in the industry since its inception.  They have been directly involved in the development, marketing, sales and management of more than two dozen high end fractional projects; they began in 1993 with the first of its kind, the Deer Valley Club in Park City, Utah; and presently have three projects in active sales: Anabui Private Residence Club (Aruba), Vallarta Gardens in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and Cape Codder (Hyannis, Mass.).

According to Carl G. Berry, CEO of SRG, the report is made up of three components which, when combined, will gives developers the information needed to make a “go-or-no-go decision” and a head start on marketing of the offering. 

He states that “with our global economic forecast being what it is, we at SRG know that this is the time to plan ahead and strongly urge developers to be able to hit the ground running when more robust market conditions re-appear. SMART strengthens their footing in that regard.” 

The first is a consumer research component which will provide statistical analysis of target audience demographics and levels of affluence.  The second part is an on-line survey of vacation travel habits, vacation home ownership patterns, levels of understanding of fractional ownership, and propensity to purchase a fractional product at certain price levels.

The third piece is a written report authored by the principals of Star Resort Group offering their professional opinion on the marketability of the project based on alignment with – or reasonable exceptions to – generally accepted criteria for success and preliminary recommendations on project scale, fraction size, use plan, architecture and interior design, services and amenities, and pricing.

The firm also offers an ASPIRETM Report an initial and more basic site potential overview including inspection, review and evaluation

Star Resort Group provides sales and marketing, development and management expertise to developers throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America and now, the Caribbean.  The company also develops resort projects for its own account, and is unique in that aspect.

For more information visit www.starresortgroup.com

Star Resort Group is located at 4248 N. Craftsman Court – Suite 100, Scottsdale, Arizona
Call Carl Berry 415.388.4588

Marriott Vacation Club International (MVCI), the vacation ownership division of Marriott International, Inc. will cut the ribbon Wednesday to officially open the third phase of The Marriott’s St. Kitts Beach Club at Frigate Bay.

St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Sam Condor, Minister of State for Tourism, Sports and Culture, Sen. the Hon. Richard “Ricky” Skerritt, other Ministers of Government and tourism officials and business leaders have been invited to the ribbon cutting ceremony at 4:30 P.M.

Phase three of the Marriott Vacation Homes involves an additional 22 two- and three-bedroom villas to the vacation property expansion located on the property with the St. Kitts Marriott Resort & The Royal Beach Casino.

It’s in addition to the resort’s 44 existing two-and three-bedroom villas, the new villas and brings to 66 out of a proposed 88 villas upon completion, and range from 1,400 to 2,089 square feet.

Owners and guests can take in the stunning views from balconies off each villa, as well as enjoy other villa features including a fully-equipped kitchen with GE stainless steel appliances, walnut finished cabinetry, tile floors and granite counters; generous living and dining areas; washer/dryer; oversized shower in master suite; multiple Sony flat-panel televisions; Sony DVD players in living room and bedrooms; and internet accessibility. Three-bedroom villas can accommodate up to 10 guests.

“As St. Kitts continues to assert itself as an increasingly popular destination, we are pleased to offer more opportunities for our Owners and guests to experience the beauty of St. Kitts from the prime location of Marriott’s St. Kitts Beach Club,” said President of Marriott Vacation Club International, Stephen P. Weisz.

Numerous amenities and concierge services are offered through the St. Kitts Marriott Resort & The Royal Beach Casino. Shared resort features and amenities include Three pools including the main oceanfront pool and access to the on-site Frigate Bay Beach, Whirlpool spas, Emerald Mist Spa, Kid’s Club and Teen’s Game Room, Fitness center and four tennis courts, a variety of casual and upscale restaurants and retail shops, concierge services, room service and sundries store and the Royal St. Kitts Golf Club with preferred tee times and discounted greens fees for owners.

Interval International has announced the addition of the Royal Club Hotel to its global vacation exchange network. The resort, which is currently under construction and due for completion in April 2009, is situated in the medieval village of Visegrad, 31 miles (50 kilometres) north of the Hungarian capital of Budapest.

“We are delighted to offer our members the opportunity to visit the Royal Club Hotel because the town’s historic importance and picturesque setting make it such an appealing destination,” says Darren Ettridge, Interval International’s vice president of resort, sales and service for Europe, Middle East and Africa.

The modern purpose-built property will have 39 timeshare apartments along with a range of amenities that include an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, a sauna and exercise room, restaurant and bar. Guests can also enjoy recreational activities such as sightseeing opportunities within Visegrad and day trips to Budapest, Slovakia and Austria.

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 30 years. Today, Interval has a network of over 2,400 resorts in excess of 75 countries and offers its resort clients and nearly 2 million member families high-quality products and programs through 26 offices 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.