An exclusive live interview with Edward Kinney, vice president of corporate affairs for Marriott Vacation Club International on Marriott’s entry into timesharing – as well as his own. Interviewed by Matt McDaniel in Orlando, Florida in January 2009.

Ed, thanks for taking the time to talk with us today. Why don’t we start with you telling us how MVC got started?

Dating back to 1984, it was an idea by the combination of Bob Miller and Ed McMullen, who had American Resorts, getting together with the Marriott company to see how we could leverage the lodging business and integrate it with the timeshare industry. It had never been done before, and it looked like it would have a lot of synergies. There was a bit of a leap of faith, but they felt it was a viable extension to what they currently offered.

At the general manager and hotel owner level,there was apprehension that the timeshare customer would displace hotel customers: “Why would we partner with those guys if they’re just going to take away our customers that come back here year after year?” That was a valid question; it actually took five or 10 years to prove that it wasn’t displacing the customer. From there the business continued to grow, we got more cooperation from the individual hotels, and it did prove itself to be a nice fit, that one element complemented the other.

Where’s MVC today and how has Marriott changed over the years?
Where we are today obviously is dramatically different from the beginning. From a customer standpoint, we now have over 390,000 families that own with us. We’ve diversified to have different brands catering to different segments. From a sales standpoint, the first year we were in business we did $5 million in sales. We do that in roughly 24 to 30 hours these days. From an operations standpoint, we have properties all over the world now. We have our urban product up in Boston. We have large properties in Orlando and California which have or are proposed to have over 900 villas; no one would have even fathomed to have a resort that size back in the early days.

Tell us about the different brands and the markets they serve.
Marriott Vacation Club is our core brand. The name used to be Marriott Ownership Resorts and we changed it back in ‘96 to be more consumer focused. Marriott Ownership Resorts seemed institutional. We wanted to have a brand identity that was much more leisure oriented.

Having vacation in it was important. We felt we had a club environment, although not a traditional club – but people felt like they belonged to something unique – so club worked. We have 49 properties underneath the MVC brand in Asia, Europe, through the Caribbean, and obviously, throughout the United States.

Next would be the fractional product, in which we have actually two brands operating. We have the Ritz-Carlton Club, which is our luxury fractional ownership product, where the ownership interest varies between 14 and 35 days, depending on the resort. It allows us to tap into the customer that was more traditionally buying a second home but maybe not using it the whole time, and gave them an option to buy something that had all the services of Ritz-Carlton associated with it – in exclusive destinations. The brand has grown tremendously. and it’s going to have its 10th anniversary in ’09, just as MVC is going to have its 25th anniversary.

Where Ritz-Carlton is an exclusive, private residence club where you can’t access it unless you’re a member or owner, Grand Residences by Marriott offers kind of a blend between timesharing and where you can own larger slices of the pie. There are also flexible usage options. You can exchange or rent your time, and you have benefits like the Marriott Rewards program add more choices for you. We have Grand Residences in London and Tahoe, and in full-ownership form in Panama City Beach, Florida. We’ll also have it in Hawaii at the Kauai Lagoons property.

The fourth that we have is Horizons, which was created for the moderate-tier customer. Conceptually, it was developed to offer a vacation experience at a lower price point. Market conditions and land and product costs have made it challenging to grow this brand. We’ll continue to keep it underneath the umbrella of Marriott Vacation Club.

What lessons would you say you learned from that experience?
That although things look good in strategy form, sometimes market conventions change, and you can’t always change the product for the market. We were able to do two test sites and realize that it was not as viable as we originally anticipated. Ultimately, we have to consider whether we are providing a great experience for the customers and shareholder value. That ultimately drives the ability to grow.

What are the company’s latest projects?
We’re going to continue to focus on taking advantage of any opportunities to grow the Asia-Pacific market because it has tremendous potential. It’s already proved itself to be very fast growing. It did require us to step away from our traditional deeded ownership and go to a points-based product, because that’s what the customer wanted. But certain markets are going to be more successful if we adapt our way of thinking to their needs rather than trying to force what we have onto somebody.

We also have three new properties in Florida alone. Everyone says that Florida is the timeshare capital of the world, and we’re continuing to reinforce that.

How many projects are in the pipeline right now?
The three in Florida are yet to be opened. We will have another property in Hawaii in Kauai Lagoons that will actually have all three of our brands. We’ll probably add more inventory in Asia, but markets are yet to be determined. We have not formally announced, but it is public knowledge, that we have acquired a property in Surfers Paradise, Australia. We purchased the property, which is actually a Courtyard hotel, and we’ll continue to run it as a Courtyard as we evaluate what our options are and how we can adapt it for timesharing. We did acquire a property in Dubai but we don’t have a schedule on it yet because of the hyper-inflation of construction. So we’re holding back on that until we see the construction costs in that market stabilize.

So tell me how did you personally get started in the business? When was it, and what was your background before coming to the company?
I got started on Hilton Head about 26 years ago. I was really a graphic designer, but I was working for the Chart House chain of restaurants, training bartenders and also was in food and beverage management. On Hilton Head you either did resort real estate, which included timeshare, food and beverage, or you were probably doing something on the beach with suntan lotion. It was just by being so exposed to the growth of timesharing at the early stages that I got involved. My entry point was in sales, and then went to runningan agency that specialized in timeshare and fractional ownership. From there I was responsible for the marketing at MVCI’s first international property in Paradise Island, Bahamas. This was followed by various corporate marketing positions and now Corporate Affairs, which includes public relations, crisis management and brand awareness..

Did you expect career you ended up having?
I never expect anything to the next day! I’ve said time and again, I’m embarrassed by my good fortune – it seems like I’ve been in the right place at the right time and to be involved in an industry and a company that has continued to grow over such a long period of time has been just amazing. So to watch it evolve and grow, see new milestones – you can’t imagine how good of a feeling it is to have people look at you and equate you with being a part of the best in what you do. It’s flattering in one sense, and challenging in that
you have to maintain that level all the time.

But no, I never expected to be where I am today.

Tell me about your involvement with the trade association.
I was chairman of the PR and communications committee for five or six years. I succeeded [Starwood’s] David Matheson after he served on it. That is kind of a funny thing: Many people look at our industry as highly competitive; it’s actually so much more collaborative amongst the different key stakeholders than people realize. Like our relationship with the Starwood, Disney and Hilton folks. Because our corporate offices are in the same market, we talk all the time. We learn from one another.

What do you like best about your position?
Getting to interact with every facet of the business and to meet and talk with owners. I also actually thrive on chaos. Being responsible for crisis-management communications,and how you need to immediately react to complicated situations, is an amazing challenge. It means though that you never know what’s going to happen moment to moment. For me that’s the time that I feel I’m at my best.

Stroman Realty, Inc. announces that the number of offers to purchase timeshare resales in January 2009 twice exceeded their December 2008 numbers.  Considering the extraordinary economic environment in which we all find ourselves, it is remarkable that timeshare resales are actually picking up momentum.

There’s a reason for that.  In a climate of general belt-tightening, people still want, need and feel they deserve a vacation.  But that vacation is predicated on value.  Said simply–people are looking for bargains and they are discovering that owning timeshare (via the resale or secondary market) is the smart way to buy tomorrow’s vacations with today’s dollar.   Unfortunately, the resort timeshare retail or primary market is facing a daunting problem – it is pricing itself out of contention when it comes to the savvy and frugal timeshare vacation property shopper of today. 

Without a doubt, high marketing costs are intrinsic in the retail price to the consumer, and timeshare financing has become difficult to find to say the least.  This is evidenced by the fact that Textron Financial Corporation, one of the largest asset based financing companies in the timeshare industry, recently announced they are pulling out of commercial lending.  This will affect the ability for timeshare resorts to get the financing they need and will slow sales of new units. So, consumers searching for the best timeshare bargains will be looking more to the secondary market. 

Offers are the first step to a sale and a sale doesn’t happen without an offer!  Yes, it’s the actual SALE that buyers and sellers rightfully expect.  Even in a tough market like this, Stroman, as a licensed timeshare resale broker, strives to maintain the highest price possible for its sellers and still manages a very good value for its buyers. Stroman has resold and closed over $100,000,000 in timeshare resales for individual timeshare owners and is the world’s largest licensed timeshare reseller network.
 
Stroman will soon publish the “Timeshare Resale Buying Trends: 2008 Report” as an annual follow up to the “Timeshare Vacation Property Resale Buying Trends:  A 2003-2007 Study” found at http://www.RPMLS.com/Timeshare-Resale-Study.aspx.  The report will be a valuable tool for timeshare buyers and sellers alike as well as the general timesharing community to use as a gauge in understanding timeshare resale market analytics. 

Initial findings in the timeshare resale report show that the average price for worldwide timeshare resales in 2008 dropped only 10.7% to $8,819 from the same sales period in 2007–considering that, for instance, the average USA residential property sales price dropped 15% during the same period.

Stroman Realty, Inc. is located just north of Houston in the resort community of Conroe, Texas.  In addition to Lake Conroe area traditional real estate sales, Stroman Realty has, since 1979, specialized in Timeshare Vacation Property Resales, employing over 100 licensed agents and support personnel.
Website address:  www.TimeShareLink.com  Email address:  info@stroman.com

Group RCI, the worldwide leader in vacation exchange and the European leader in vacation rentals, today announced new affiliations with multiple properties.

The new affiliates include the Whitewater Village resort in Ontario, Canada, The Mimosa hotel in Miami Beach, Florida; Betsie River Club and Lodge in Traverse City, Michigan; Gull Lake Residence Club in Nisswa, Minnesota and Salmon Falls Resort in Ketichikan, Alaska.

“Each of these resorts is a great addition to the RCI exchange program,” commented Geoff Ballotti, President and CEO, Group RCI.  “These new additions are all great examples of the wide range of vacation experiences our more than 3.7 million subscribing members can enjoy in over 4,000 locations across the globe, from mountains to seashore and everything in between.”

The Whitewater Village Resort in Ontario, Canada is environmentally-friendly, one of the first resorts in Eastern Ontario designed and built using a fully-sustainable development model. The buildings are 40 – 50 percent more energy-efficient than typical cottages, and are built using FSC wood. The resort provides geothermal heating, solar water heaters, Energy Star appliances, solar-powered golf carts, and electric vehicles for transportation in the car-free village. There are currently three cottages completed; 34 cottages will be available by the spring of 2010. Both pet-free and pet-friendly cottages are available to RCI members. Members can enjoy outdoor dining and scenic views from their private screened-in porch, as well as energizing water activities at the resort’s beach house, including canoeing and kayaking.

The Mimosa in Miami Beach, one of Florida’s most popular vacation spots, boasts ten units that offer accommodations ranging from studios to spacious two-room apartments. All rooms have whirlpool baths or Jacuzzis, and give access to a health club and spa. There is also a beach bar and pool, a game and well-equipped fitness center and a café bistro on site. With easy access to the nightlife of Miami’s South Beach and great shopping in nearby Bal Harbour, The Mimosa is a great place for RCI subscribing members to experience all that Miami has to offer.

The Betsie River Lodge and Club in Traverse City, Michigan is currently under construction and will eventually include 135 units. All cabins will enjoy luxury furnishings and sleep up to ten guests. They will have two full baths, custom kitchens, and two beautiful porches. The luxury resort features an all-season pool, basketball court, frisbee golf course, and off-road snowmobile trails. The high-end accommodations give the Betsie River Lodge and Club RCI Gold Crown Resort® status.

Gull Lake Residence Club in Nisswa, Minnesota, currently under construction with five units completed, features a beautiful blend of Mother Nature and resort living. The club features three-bedroom, four-bathroom luxury townhomes that are fully furnished with four fireplaces, five flat-screen high-definition televisions, jetted tubs, wireless Internet and an outdoor grill. The high-end resort is nestled on the beautiful Gull Lake in the Brainerd Lakes area, a popular Midwest vacation destination. Gull Lake has 38 miles of wooded shoreline with a variety of hiking trails, and each townhouse has its own boat slip in the full-service marina. This spectacular resort has RCI Gold Crown Resort status.

Salmon Falls Resort in Ketichikan, Alaska, a breathtaking resort featuring 20 units, offers an array of exciting tours and fishing excursions to help ensure visitors get the adventure vacation they’re looking for. For the fishermen, the resort gives guided Halibut, Salmon and freshwater fishing trips. Other adventure tours include bear watching along the waterways of the Tongass National Forest, glacier viewing near the Canadian border, and sightseeing at the Misty Fjord National Monument. The main hotel building is constructed of rustic Montana Pine and offers guests the feeling of the wilderness with all of the creature comforts. The large and comfortable rooms found in all units have wireless internet services and private baths. Salmon Falls Resort offers RCI subscribing members unique vacations where they can create memories that will last a lifetime.

For additional information on the value-added services offered to leisure real estate developers by Group RCI visit www.grouprci.com.

About Group RCI
Group RCI, part of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies, (NYSE: WYN) is the worldwide leader in vacation exchange and the European leader in vacation rentals, with exclusive access for specified periods to more than 67,000 vacation properties in approximately 100 countries. The company is comprised of vacation exchange, including RCI®, the worldwide leader in vacation exchange and provider of travel services to businesses and consumers and The Registry Collection, the world’s largest luxury exchange program; vacation rentals, including Endless Vacation RentalsSM , Landal GreenParks®, Novasol®, and more than 30 other vacation rental brands, through which vacationers can rent a variety of property types, from city apartments to villas; and NorthCourse®, Leisure Real Estate Solutions, an international leader in providing a full spectrum of advisory, research, and asset management services. Wyndham Worldwide Corporation is one of the world’s largest hospitality companies with leading brands in lodging franchising, vacation ownership, vacation rentals and vacation exchange. For additional information visit www.grouprci.com or the media center of www.wyndhamworldwide.com.

Owners Perspective Magazine; the independent consumer publication for the shared ownership industry gained more than 800 new subscribers in one weekend.

The new magazine that covers all aspects of leisure property; including fractional ownership, overseas property, timeshare, private residence clubs, boutique hotels and luxury travel has seen continued success from its presence at a series of travel and property shows around the UK.

“As an exhibitor, we wanted full transparency on our stand, and as such all passersby can clearly see that we cover timeshare, fractional products, property and travel so we could gauge the general public’s reaction to this type of publication – and they like it!” Commented Paul Mattimoe, CEO, Perspective International Ltd who publish the magazine.

During the most recent show last weekend, the Owners Perspective Team handed out magazines across the four day Times Newspaper Destinations Holiday & Travel Show in Earls Court, but also registered more than 800 new subscribers there and then, proving that savvy travellers are interested in vacation products such as timeshare and in alternatives to owning property such as fractional ownership and are actively researching the possibilities of purchasing in the near future.

Owners Perspective Magazine is at another travel show in Glasgow this weekend, one in Birmingham two weeks later and so far another two later in the year.

The publication has also confirmed distribution via leading UK supermarkets from March 2009.

Subscriptions are also generated via marketing deals with key industry companies such as ICE Europe, Group RCI, Dial An Exchange, Sell My Timeshare NOW, Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket and distribution via selected resort accommodation is also underway.

For more information on circulation (currently 38,000+) and demographics, advertising and editorial opportunities visit www.perspectiverates.com or email sharon@perspectiveinternational.com

Wyndham Hotel Group today announced the appointment of Jeff Wagoner, a 25–year lodging industry veteran, as president of Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, responsible for the portfolio of managed and franchised upscale Wyndham® hotels and the franchised midscale Wingate® by Wyndham chain.

Wagoner will succeed Peter Strebel, who is stepping down after nearly four years with the brand and eight years with the company to spend more time with his family and pursue other interests.

The appointment marks a homecoming for Wagoner, who served the former Wyndham International from 1998 to 2004. As senior vice president of operations, he oversaw more than 100 Wyndham and Wyndham Garden hotels with responsibility for operations, strategic planning, revenue generation, profit performance and capital planning.

During that time, he spearheaded the creation of Wyndham ByRequest, the chain’s personalized frequent guest program. He also oversaw relations with hotel owners, new property integration, the company’s relationship with 10 Shula’s on–site restaurants and hotel standards compliance.

“Jeff Wagoner brings to our organization a profound understanding of the culture and philosophies that established the Wyndham brand,” said Eric Danziger, Wyndham Hotel Group president and chief executive officer. “His success growing other companies will help build on the Wyndham brand’s solid business platform and take us to a new level.”

Most recently, Wagoner was chief operating officer of WhiteFence, a privately held online comparison–shopping marketplace for residential home services. Prior to that, he was senior vice president of sales at ZipRealty Inc., a publicly traded, nationwide residential real estate brokerage firm. Earlier in his career, he held management roles with Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc and Marriott International Inc.

Wagoner will begin work on February 23, 2009 and will relocate from Houston, Texas to Wyndham Hotel Group’s Parsippany, N.J. offices.

Strebel, who led the Wyndham brand since 2005, oversaw expansion of the Wyndham resort portfolio in the Caribbean and Mexico and introduced new interior designs, in–room products and prototypes.

From 2001 to 2005, he served Wyndham Hotel Group as senior vice president of sales and marketing, then executive vice president and chief marketing officer. Strebel directed the launch of the company’s TripRewards® loyalty program — since renamed Wyndham Rewards® — the largest of its type in the lodging industry, based on the number of participating hotels.

Wyndham Hotel Group, one of three principal components of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN), encompasses nearly 7,000 hotels representing approximately 583,000 rooms in 66 countries under the Wyndham®, Ramada®, Days Inn®, Super 8®, Wingate® by Wyndham, Baymont Inn & Suites®, Microtel Inns and Suites®, Hawthorn Suites®, Howard Johnson®, Travelodge®, Knights Inn® and AmeriHost Inn® brands. All hotels are owned individually and operated independently or by Wyndham Hotel Management. Wyndham Hotel Group is based in Parsippany, N.J. Additional information is available at www.wyndhamworldwide.com.

CONTACT:
Evy Apostolatos
Director, Media Relations
Wyndham Hotel Group
1 Sylvan Way
Parsippany NJ 07054
(973) 753-6590
evy.apostolatos@wyndhamworldwide.com

Wyndham Hotel Group today announced that nine of its hotel brands made Entrepreneur’s 2009 Franchise 500® list, a ranking based on objective and quantifiable factors including a franchise’s financial strength, growth rate and system size.

The Hotel Group’s Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Wingate by Wyndham®, Microtel Inns and Suites®, Baymont Inn & Suites®, Howard Johnson®, Travelodge® and Knights Inn® brands were included in the list.

“Wyndham Hotel Group’s brands are strong and well–known, and our company offers owners a multitude of services including marketing, global sales and reservation support as well as the world’s largest loyalty program – Wyndham Rewards®,” said Eric Danziger, Wyndham Hotel Group president and chief executive officer. “We are the world’s largest hotel franchisor but we make every effort to maintain close relationships with our franchisees — and this may just be our greatest advantage.”

Wyndham Hotel Group, one of three principal components of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation, encompasses nearly 7,000 hotels representing approximately 583,000 rooms in 66 countries under the Wyndham®, Ramada®, Days Inn®, Super 8®, Wingate® by Wyndham, Baymont Inn & Suites®, Microtel Inns and Suites®, Hawthorn Suites®, Howard Johnson®, Travelodge®, Knights Inn® and AmeriHost Inn® brands. All hotels are owned individually and operated independently or by Wyndham Hotel Management. Wyndham Hotel Group is based in Parsippany, N.J. For additional information or to make a reservation, please visit www.wyndhamworldwide.com.

CONTACT:
Christine Da Silva
Director, Media Relations
Wyndham Hotel Group
1 Sylvan Way
Parsippany, NJ 07054
+1 (973) 753-6590
Christine.DaSilva@WyndhamWorldwide.com

Disney’s Doorway to Dreams, to be located at Roosevelt Field on Long Island, is planned to feature full-scale, two-bedroom vacation home model, interactive zones, children’s play area and more

Scheduled to open later this summer, Disney’s Doorway to Dreams will offer Roosevelt Field visitors and Long Island, N.Y.-area residents a convenient and exciting way to learn firsthand about Disney Vacation Club, an innovative vacation-ownership program that helps families enjoy flexibility and savings on decades of future vacations.

Disney’s Doorway to Dreams will showcase the accommodations at Disney Vacation Club resort hotels, which are spacious and offer numerous home-like amenities. These vacation villas provide families with a place to relax and spend quality time together either at Disney destinations worldwide or at more than 500 other popular vacation locations around  the world. This convenient mall location will give them a glimpse of the choices they have, from a magical stay at the Walt Disney World Resort or a relaxing cruise aboard a Disney Cruise Line ship to a family-friendly, interactive Adventures by Disney trip or an exotic jaunt to South America.

“Our first Disney’s Doorway to Dreams location has been very popular and a great way for Chicago-area residents and visitors to learn more about the family vacation experiences available through Disney Vacation Club,” said Disney Vacation Club President Jim Lewis. “Now, we are delighted to bring Disney’s Doorway to Dreams to New York, which is one the top markets for our rapidly growing membership base, so that more people can discover all that Disney Vacation Club has to offer.”

To help families envision just what those vacations will entail, Disney’s Doorway to Dreams, located at Roosevelt Field on Long Island, NY, will feature a full-scale, two-bedroom model of the vacation home accommodations Disney Vacation Club members and their families can expect to find at Disney Vacation Club resort hotels.

 “Disney has always been a unique and innovative leader in the timeshare industry,” said Howard C. Nusbaum, chief executive officer of the American Resort Development Association (ARDA). “Now, Disney’s Doorway to Dreams allows New York-area families the chance to experience how a timeshare ownership can help ensure years and years of memorable family vacations.”                                                         

Designed to create a fun and immersive experience, Disney’s Doorway to Dreams is planned to go beyond featuring model accommodations to offer an interactive family vacation discovery zone, comfortable discussion areas and a supervised children’s play area within its approximately 6,900 square feet of retail space.

Celebrating more than 50 years of offering more choices, Roosevelt Field is located at the intersection of Old Country Road and the Meadowbrook Parkway in Garden City and is managed by Simon Property Group, Inc., headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. The mall offers unparalleled customer service with amenities including Simon Giftcards, good everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted and Simon American Express Giftcards, which can be used everywhere American Express cards are welcomed; Ticketmaster at Simon Guest Services, valet parking; complimentary wheelchairs; strollers and a post office. It is anchored by Nordstrom, Macy’s, JC Penney, Bloomingdale’s and Dick’s Sporting Goods and has more than 270 specialty stores. For more information, please go to www.simon.com.

For more information about Disney Vacation Club and the new Disney’s Doorway to Dreams preview center, please visit www.disneyvacationclub.com.

At its core, SCS Interactive knows “interactivity” is the essence of true waterplay and it strives to bring this idea to all aspects of its business. SCS not only integrates industry-leading waterplay and theming to create some of the world’s most original and breathtaking attractions, but continually strives to work hand-in-hand with its clients and partners to achieve mutual success.
 
In 2009 SCS has taken its years of interactivity and theming experience and brought it to the spray park market. SCS Interactive introduces the HydroDek™, SCS Interactive’s unique spray park design. The HydroDek™ combines the best of SCS; it has SCS industry leading interactivity combined with SCS’s ability to create iconic attractions all available now in a competitively priced package.
 
The spray park concept has grown in popularity over the last 10 years and can now be found in resorts, parks, campgrounds, hotels, water parks, and municipal aquatic centers. It not only provides fun and excitement for children of all ages, but also requires a minimal capital investment, has low operating costs, and requires minimal supervision. The spray park concept was meant to bring an element of the waterpark experience to a different market, but to date most spray parks don’t have true “hands on” interactivity or an iconic central element which truly brings the waterpark experience to life. SCS is happy to bring this option to the market.
 
SCS is thrilled to be an innovator in this market, because it can offer clients new design options that will bring heightened excitement to the children playing on the HydroDek™ by SCS. SCS can work with each client to create a HydroDek™ that is ideal for its specified target audience, taking into account the importance of age and skill level. Each HydroDek™ has age zones beginning on the outer area of the HydroDek™ and culminating in the center with an iconic SCS experience. Trust SCS Interactive to continuously invent new interactive water attractions to keep the play experience fresh, exciting and unique time after time. 
 
About SCS Interactive
 SCS Interactive is the source of great waterparks. SCS has revolutionized the waterplay industry as the originator of the multi-level interactive tree house concept, the creator of the giant tipping bucket seen at amusement and water parks around the world, and the developer of the world’s first wet and dry water coaster known as SplashTrack™. Some of the biggest resorts, amusement and waterparks all over the globe showcase SCS Interactive structures as signature attractions. Additional information about SCS Interactive can be found on the website at www.scsinteractive.com.

TimeShareWare, the leading technology platform provider for the shared-ownership resort industry, is pleased to announce the availability of a new interface designed to streamline the process for receiving payments into its TimeShareWare Enterprise and TimeShareWare Professional product lines.  

The new interface, called Recurring Payment Interface (RPI), allows TimeShareWare clients to process automatic recurring Automated Clearing House (ACH), e-Check, and credit card payments via Sage Payment Solutions, a leading gateway for electronic payment processing. As recurring payments are processed, they are imported directly into their respective maintenance fee or loan accounts in TimeShareWare. While the interface is initially designed to function by leveraging Sage Payment Solutions’ tools, the interface can be expanded, as needed, to include other electronic payment gateways that provide recurring payment functionality.

For TimeShareWare’s Chief Operations Officer, Jerry Sandorf, this new product provides tremendous value for many TimeShareWare clients. “TimeShareWare has always strived to provide value-added business solutions that complement our gold quality core applications. The addition of RPI to our product offering expands functionality for our clients while increasing our clients’ ability to offer flexible payment options to their owners without introducing new inefficiencies and overhead into the organization. RPI is without a doubt a win-win-win product.”

Stephen Furrer, Vice President of Operations at InnSeason Resorts, agrees. “We have completed testing the Recurring Payment Interface using the Sage/TimeShareWare integration. This is a milestone for us as our club owner base was pushing to have the burden of their annual maintenance fee spread over months. Without Sage to manage the recurring charges and TimeShareWare’s interface to import and post them, we would be spending too much time and money on these very tedious tasks. Given the nature of the economy our timing could not have been better to implement this integration.”

About TimeShareWare & CondotelWare:
TimeShareWare is the industry standard software platform for shared-ownership, mixed use resorts. Since 1993, TimeShareWare serves all sizes and types of vacation ownership associations, fractional ownership properties, and timeshare resorts including multi-site, single-site, and points-based clubs. The TimeShareWare software platform includes solutions for lead management, contract processing, sales and marketing, owner accounting, loan servicing, property management, reservations, and web-based owner servicing.

CondotelWare is the first full-service software solution designed specifically for condominium hotels. The software helps owners and operators master all aspects of condo-hotel management and administration, including owner accounting, billing, rental rotation, inventory management, reservations, owner relations, reporting, and more.

Contacts:
Mike Norton
Director of Implementation
TimeShareWare
(801) 444-3113 x127
mike.norton@timeshareware.com
or
Candace Vigil
Business Development Manager
TimeShareWare
(801) 444-3113 x104
sales@timeshareware.com
TimeShareWare Website – www.timeshareware.com

Travel Advantage Network, one of the fastest-growing travel programs in the nation, celebrated one of its most successful fund-raisers when the company’s Eco Team collected $1,506 for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation during November. TAN Purchasing Specialist Dan Negrete spearheaded the effort by resurrecting an old idea: penny wars.

“The response was overwhelming,” Negrete says. The two office buildings that comprise TAN’s headquarters competed head-to-head to see which building could balance their pennies with their competitor’s silver coin and dollar contributions. In the end, Negrete carted more than 150 pounds of coins to the bank for counting. “People really did step up for the penny wars,” Negrete says.

“I think the penny wars created a lot of good old-fashioned fun,” Eco Team chairwoman Dee Ann Arneson says.

“Dan found a creative way to support a terrific cause,” says TAN President Brad Callahan. “He and the entire Eco Team continue to impress me with their ideas to enforce our company’s green policies.”

Formed in 2006, the Eco Team doesn’t stick to ordinary recycling projects. Arneson says they once collected 100 pairs of sneakers to donate to Nike, Inc. for use in recycled playing surfaces like outdoor basketball courts. The team also distributed fluorescent bulbs and reusable grocery bags to its employees on Earth Day and regularly presents its Greenie Award to employees who promote and support the company’s green efforts.

The team’s daily efforts include lunch-room recycling bins, reminders to turn off lights and the use of paper pads recycled from old company request forms.

In the future, Arneson says TAN hopes to start a sponsor-a-highway project, enact green policies within the company’s numerous properties and disseminate community green opportunities to employees.

The Eco Team’s most recent fund-raising effort collected enough to purchase 60 trees for CBF. Negrete says he initially established a goal of $1,000, but watched as contributions heartily passed it. “Wow. I never thought that would be obtainable. I thought $1,000 was pushing it,” he says.

About Travel Advantage Network – Since 1992, TAN, a wholesale priced vacation accommodations program, has helped families and individuals create lifelong vacation memories. TAN is the proud recipient of the Better Business Bureau of Maryland’s prestigious Torch Award for exemplifying high business standards and professional integrity and the Maryland Chamber of Commerce’s Philanthropy in Business Award for outstanding and innovative commitment to local and national charities. TAN is a recipient of Baltimore CEO Magazine’s 2008 Future 50 Award, recognizing the fastest growing companies in the greater Baltimore area. TAN was the only travel company to make this year’s Future 50 list.  To learn more, visit http://www.planwithtan.com.

Re-designed by Renowned Architect Robert Iopa and Award Winning Interior Design Firm Philpotts and Associates, The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort features Waikiki’s Only Oceanfront Luau, Four Beachfront Restaurants and More Than 66,000 Square Feet of Outdoor Event Space with Breathtaking Ocean Views

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. today announced the debut of The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort to The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts, a glittering ensemble of more than 75 of the world’s finest hotels and resorts in more than 26 countries. Owned by Kyo-ya Hotels & Resorts, LP and recently renovated by hospitality designers WCIT Architecture in collaboration with interior design firm Philpotts and Associates, the 592-room resort features 35 suites including 18 oceanfront and six two-story exclusive suites, more than 66,000 square feet of beachfront space and world class signature restaurants and lounges, including the world famous Mai Tai bar and Waikiki’s only beachfront luau.

“The Luxury Collection is a portal to the world’s most exciting and desirable destinations, offering guests unique, authentic and enriching experiences at spectacular destinations around the world,” said Paul James, Global Brand Leader, The Luxury Collection and St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. “Celebrated for its rich heritage, stunning design and spectacular location, The Royal Hawaiian adds another jewel to The Luxury Collection brand’s glittering portfolio.”

“This is a very historic moment for The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort,” said Ernest Nishizaki, executive vice president and chief operations officer for Kyo-ya Hotels & Resorts, LP, owners of the resort. “The Royal Hawaiian closed only once before – in 1945 after WWII ended. The legendary “Pink Palace of the Pacific” is a treasured part of our island’s both ancient and modern heritage. We look forward to a new generation of guests falling in love with The Royal Hawaiian and Waikīkī.”

The redesigned accommodations at The Royal Hawaiian combine rich imported fabrics with indigenous materials and cultural artifacts to reflect the hotel’s rich heritage. Guests are welcomed into the resort with a traditional Hawaiian lei, chilled oshibori towel and fresh Hawaiian fruit cocktails along with other indigenous complementary refreshments. The resort lobby has been enlivened by newly appointed Koa wood desks, classic Hawaiian artwork by Eugene Savage and brilliant tropical botanicals. Boasting breathtaking panoramic ocean or Diamond Head views, guest rooms and suites are adorned with exquisite traditional Hawaiian furnishings and design elements and woven wicker with bamboo and rattan accents crafted by master artisans, creating a soothing yet luxurious setting for discerning global travelers.

Dining at The Royal Hawaiian indulges the senses with a diverse menu of authentic and exceptional culinary options. The newly opened Azure Restaurant, an oceanfront, dinner-only space illuminated by candlelight and mother-of-pearl mosaics offers fresh fruits de mer, from ahi to onaga, including locally caught fish selected each morning at the famed Hawai‘i Fish Auction. Evoking memories of Hollywood’s timeless glamour, the Royal Hawaiian’s world-famous Mai Tai Bar has been completely restored to evoke memories of the innumerous iconic celebrities, jetsetters, and diplomats who have enjoyed the bar’s magnificent views of the ocean and Diamond Head.

For guests seeking an exclusive and romantic wedding destination, The Royal Hawaiian offers an exceptional wedding venue, unparalleled in setting and service. Guests can choose from a variety of ballrooms and suites totaling 12,000 square feet or more than 66,000 square feet of stunning outdoor event space set against the majestic Waikiki Beach backdrop. The landmark Monarch Room offers an unforgettable wedding experience complete with an elevated stage for live entertainment, and breathtaking views of Diamond Head.

Offering unique and exceptional experiences, guests of the Royal Hawaiian enjoy private access to the resort’s private club, The Royal Beach Club. Staffed by the Royal Hawaiian’s signature Royal Ambassadors, the exclusive oasis features six, private beachfront cabanas complete with WiFi, refrigerators, individual sound systems and impeccable decor. Developed in the early 20th Century, The Royal Hawaiian opened its doors as a luxury resort in 1927 and has played host to presidents, heads of states, aristocrats and celebrities.

The resort’s spectacular location, stunning ocean views, and unique design, together with the exceptional signature of The Luxury Collection services and discrete modern technology make The Royal Hawaiian a favorite destination in Waikiki for sophisticated global explorers. Drawing inspiration from the Pacific’s azure waters and Waikiki’s lush tropical landscape, the redesign merges the hotel’s distinctive Spanish Moorish design and signature coral pink palate with modern Hawaiian and Asian influences to create a contemporary luxury island paradise.

The award-winning hotels and resorts that make up The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts are some of the world’s most iconic properties, including The Grande Bretagne, Athens; Hotel Marqués de Riscal, Elciego; Mystique, Santorni; Hotel Danieli, Venice; The U.S. Grant, San Diego, The Palace Hotel, San Francisco and The Phoenician, Scottsdale.

For more information on The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts, www.luxurycollection.com.

About The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts
The Luxury Collection® is a selection of hotels and resorts offering unique, authentic experiences that evoke lasting, treasured memories. For the global explorer, The Luxury Collection offers a gateway to the world’s most exciting and desirable destinations. Each hotel and resort is a unique and cherished expression of its location; a portal to the destination’s indigenous charms and treasures. Magnificent décor, spectacular settings, impeccable service and the latest modern conveniences combine to provide a uniquely enriching experience. Today, The Luxury Collection is a glittering ensemble of more than 75 of the world’s finest hotels and resorts in more than 26 countries in bustling cities and spectacular destinations around the world. The Luxury Collection includes award-winning hotels that continuously exceed guest expectations by offering unparalleled service, style and class in some of the most desired destinations in the world. Most recently, Mystique, a Luxury Collection Resort, was honored with the 2008 Travel + Leisure Design Award for Best Small Resort in the world. All of these hotels, many of them centuries old, are internationally recognized as being among the world’s finest. For more information, please visit www.luxurycollection.com.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 930 properties in approximately 97 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, and the recently launched AloftSM, and ElementSM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

InnSeason Resorts®, creators of the Northeast Experience® and leading providers of resort vacation and ownership opportunities, recently announced that Chief Executive Officer, William E. “Billy” Curran has been appointed to the Board of Sell My Timeshare NOW.

Sell My Timeshare NOW is the recognized global leader in online timeshare resale and rental marketing with over $400 million in offers through its websites in 2008. The company’s flagship website property, SellMyTimeshareNOW.com, provides internet advertising and marketing solutions for timeshare owners who seek to sell timeshare or rent timeshare. In addition, the company also offers success-based services through its brokerage arm, Timeshare Broker Services. Headquartered in Dover, NH with offices in Orlando, FL and Tampa, FL, the company has over 160 employees and was recently recognized as one of the fastest-growing privately held companies in the country by Inc.com.

Curran says: “I am pleased to serve on this board because I think that in the long run this company will be instrumental in changing the landscape of the timeshare industry.  Timeshare Owners are looking for change and for a secure way of reselling their product. In many cases a lifestyle, or lifestage change has precipitated a desire to change ownership. A family has simply outgrown trips to Orlando or week long ski vacations. As an industry it is imperative that we listen and provide these satisfied owners with a process to make a change. This exciting, growing company can help them sell their timeshare at a fair value so they can reinvest in ownership that more closely suits their current needs. I am pleased to be working with a company that will listen to and work with owners and developers in shaping the resale market.” “This is a unique opportunity for me to work with a nationally recognized company that will ultimately positively affect InnSeasons’ 30,000 owners.”

William E. “Billy Curran”, a sales and marketing executive with over 30 years experience, is the founder of Curran Management Services, Inc., and currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of InnSeason Resorts, whose corporate headquarters are on Cape Cod (MA).

InnSeason Resorts®, include: InnSeason Resorts Pollard Brook and InnSeason Resorts South Mountain, Lincoln (NH); InnSeason Resorts The Falls at Ogunquit (ME); InnSeason Resorts HarborWalk, InnSeason Resorts Captains Quarters, InnSeason Resorts Surfside, Falmouth (MA), and Mountainview Resort in Jackman, (ME).

InnSeason Resorts®, delivers “best-in-class” management, advisory and marketing services to resorts and developers nation-wide. For more information, visit www.InnSeason.com.

Using Technology to Drive the Bottom Line Given Current Economy

The 76,000 jobs lost within the hospitality industry in November alone* reflect how more than ever hoteliers are having to look for ways to increase revenue while reducing labor and cutting expenses. These tight times make ICE by Intelity, the smartest in-room electronic concierge and operations monitoring system, a wise choice. Despite the current state of the economy, hospitality decision makers still want to provide guests with memorable stays and exceptional service while being mindful of costs. ICE’s groundbreaking technology is part of the solution to prosper in lean times while increasing guest satisfaction in original ways no hotel could implement until now. The system allows hoteliers to make confident, real-time decisions based on true business intelligence and hotels are able to dramatically reduce expenses through the implementation of ICE (www.IntelityICE.com).

Benefits to Guests
With occupancy levels decreasing, ICE by Intelity provides an essential competitive advantage. Consumers as a whole are drawn to products that make life easier. From making restaurant reservations and ordering room service to confirming airline departures and receiving notifications of a clean room, ICE grants guests with a superior way to plan stays effortlessly in the room with touch-technology or on the go. ICE is a sleek, streamlined system that uses fluid, multi-touch screens and virtual narrators, all of which combine to create a high level of engagement. In addition, guests can even access the system on any personal device such as a cell phone, laptop or smartphone. Guest satisfaction and overall enjoyment are heightened because of increased amenity exposure, control and interaction.

Benefits to Hoteliers
During a challenging period, implementing quality assurance measures in hotels is vital. The ICE solution streamlines operations via its Quality Assurance monitoring system. The system’s clear feedback, from housekeeping schedules to amenity usage rates and restaurant wait times to analysis of room service orders, allows hotel management to quickly and easily maximize hotel efficiency and reduce unneeded labor expenses. The ability to change prices and content puts this feedback to use immediately, achieving real cost savings. ICE allows hoteliers to manage more efficiently by enabling forecasting, planning and day-to-day control over the entire hotel through one centralized operations solution.

In choosing IT products, hotels must look to the rate of return on investment. ICE prides itself in providing continual ROI through increased in-house reservations, from restaurant to spa, increased upselling and average check. ICE also offers non-invasive advertising, another revenue stream, targeted to the guest. The return on the customer-centric knowledge ICE compiles is improved decision-making and targeted marketing and messaging.

The ICE solution eliminates many of the hotel’s current time-intensive, paper-driven processes. With hotels spending an average of $200 per room on printing compendiums each year, this solution provides tremendous value in print cost reductions. 

For fractional and vacation ownership management, ICE offers increased rates of sales conversions and tour attendance, all of which boost a property’s revenue stream daily.
Value is what ICE brings to a hotel or timeshare – for both the guest and the management team. This continued emphasis on usefulness and return is what makes installing ICE a stellar decision especially given the current economy.

For an on-screen demo and more information, visit www.IntelityICE.com. Interested hoteliers and timeshare managers can call toll free 1-888-REV PAR 1 to speak with an ICE hospitality expert for more information on sales, pricing and exciting upcoming ventures.

Leading vacation ownership companies and service providers have signed on as Signature Sponsors of the 2009 American Resort Development Association (ARDA) Convention and Exposition at the Orlando World Center Marriott in Orlando, Florida. The annual convention, from March 29 – April 2, will feature an impressive line-up of speakers and entertainers, including keynote speaker Dr. Jeffrey Rosensweig, global economics forecaster and expert on global investing and business strategy.
 
The 2009 Signature Sponsors include American Express, Group RCI, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, Holiday Systems International (HSI), International Cruise and Excursions , Inc. (ICE), Interval International, Redweek.com, Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., Textron Financial Corporation, VacationGuard, Inc., and Whirlpool Corporation.
 
The convention offers companies prime exposure to top vacation ownership industry professionals who gather to network, learn the latest industry trends, and visit hundreds of industry suppliers on the exhibit floor. Thanks to the generosity of the Signature Sponsors, the ARDA convention has become the number one resource for networking with industry leaders, timely educational programming, and exposure for sponsors, exhibitors, and attendees.
 
“We are grateful for the 2009 Signature Sponsors whose support enables us to continue to bring cutting-edge programs and high-quality events,” said Howard C. Nusbaum, ARDA’s president and CEO.
 
Group RCI is sponsoring the Group RCI/AIF Open Golf Tournament at Hawk’s Landing Golf Club. Interval International is hosting their annual “Party with a Cause” with ticket proceeds benefiting industry research and education. The Breakfast of Champions will feature gold medal swimmer, Janet Evans. The ARDA Awards Gala, sponsored by Holiday Systems International (HSI), will include a cocktail reception, elegant dinner, presentation of the annual ARDA Awards, and entertainment by music notable, Marvin Hamlisch.
 
Companies interested in participating as sponsors or exhibitors at the timeshare industry’s premier annual event may contact Bob Craycraft at 202-371-6700, or bcraycraft@arda.org. Visit www.ARDA.org for more information about the 2009 convention.

Holiday Inn Club Vacations today announced that resorts in Lake Geneva, Wis., and Panama City, Fla., are now part of the timeshare brand’s portfolio.  They join the flagship location, Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake Resort in Orlando, Fla.  Starting today, travelers can rent vacation villas in Lake Geneva and Panama City through a dedicated website at www.hiclubvacations.com.

“We’re pleased to offer leisure travelers and their families two more destinations for the ultimate resort vacation experience,” said Christian Hempell, vice president, Holiday Inn Club Vacations.  “Whether they’re looking for a great golf experience, spa treatments, a ski getaway or a sunny beach escape, our guests will find that Holiday Inn Club Vacations provides the comfort and value of Holiday Inn in a full-service resort style environment, and they can now take advantage of two more Holiday Inn destinations to spend their precious leisure time with family.”

Both resort properties offer a host of amenities for timeshare owners and guests:
o  Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Lake Geneva Resort is located just a short drive from Chicago and Milwaukee and offers award-winning golf courses, distinctive restaurants and lounges, horseback riding, a sophisticated spa and fitness center, an indoor/outdoor waterpark, a ski and snowboarding park, and hiking and biking paths. 
o  Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Bay Point Resort is located in Florida’s Panama City Beach on 1,100 acres of wildlife sanctuary overlooking St. Andrew’s Bay.  The resort features two 18-hole championship golf courses, a world-class day spa and fitness center, 24-hour business center, private beach, kid’s activities, restaurants, marina services and nearly 200 deep-water boat slips.

Holiday Inn Club Vacations was announced in September 2008 as a strategic alliance between IHG, the world’s largest hotel company, and Orange Lake Resorts, a leader within the timeshare industry with more than 25 years of proven success.  This alliance is unique in that it allows IHG to enter the timeshare industry, purely through an exclusive licensing and marketing agreement with no capital investment.  Orange Lake will continue to own and operate these resorts as a privately held company.

Don Harrill, President and CEO of Orange Lake Resorts, said, “These two unique resorts have been very popular with our members, many of whom live within a short driving distance.  We’re proud to fly the Holiday Inn Club Vacations flag at these resorts and look forward to welcoming not only our existing owners but Priority Club members and other guests booking through the website.”

Through IHG’s guest loyalty program, Priority Club® Rewards, guests renting villas will earn Priority Club points during their stays at Holiday Inn Club Vacations, which they can redeem for free nights at IHG properties or exchange for merchandise and special experiences.  These resorts will also welcome members of the newly formed Holiday Inn Club™ exchange program, which allows members to exchange their weeks at any Holiday Inn Club Vacations resort for hotel nights at IHG’s more than 4,100 hotels worldwide.  Holiday Inn Club members will also have access to Resort Condominium International’s (RCI) network of more than 4,000 resorts.

Later this month, the Ascutney Mountain Resort in Brownsville, Vt., will also go live as a Holiday Inn Club Vacations resort, and the brand will continue to seek opportunities to expand in top North American destination locations, adding more vacation experiences, features and benefits. Orange Lake also plans to build a flagship Holiday Inn Resort hotel at the Orlando resort and has the potential to develop up to 2,500 more timeshare villas at this location. For more information, visit www.hiclubvacations.com.

About Holiday Inn Club Vacations
Holiday Inn Club Vacations was created in September 2008 as a strategic alliance between IHG, the world’s largest hotel company, and Orange Lake Resorts, a leader within the timeshare industry with more than 25 years of proven success.  Holiday Inn Club Vacation’s flagship property in Orlando, located next to Walt Disney World® Resort, was established in 1982 by Holiday Inn founder Kemmons Wilson.  A 1,450-acre golf, water park and sports resort, Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake Resort includes 2,412 villas and plans for expansion to 4,500 villas.  Other member resort locations include Lake Geneva, Wis., and Panama City, Fla., with Brownsville, Vt., joining in late February.  Holiday Inn Club members enjoy access to Holiday Inn Club Vacations resorts and IHG’s network of more than 4,100 hotels worldwide.  Holiday Inn Club Vacations will continue to expand their Member Resorts to top North American destination locations.  For more information on Holiday Inn Club Vacations, visit www.hiclubvacations.com.

About IHG
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is the world’s largest hotel group by number of rooms. IHG owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various subsidiaries, over 4,100 hotels and more than 600,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world. The Group owns a portfolio of well recognized and respected hotel brands including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo®, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn® Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites® and Candlewood Suites®, and also manages the world’s largest hotel loyalty program, Priority Club® Rewards with 40 million members worldwide. 

IHG has more than 1,700 hotels in its development pipeline, which will create 200,000 jobs worldwide over the next few years. InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group’s holding company and is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales.

IHG offers information and online reservations for all its hotel brands at www.ihg.com and information for the Priority Club Rewards program at www.priorityclub.com. For the latest news from IHG, visit our online Press Office at www.ihg.com/media.

Group RCI, the global leader in vacation exchange, the European leader in vacation rentals and one of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies, today announced an exclusive affiliation agreement with Resort Owners Group, a leisure real estate company that offers asset-managed, rentable, resort vacation homes in premier destinations including Mexico, Europe, the Caribbean, Asia, Canada and the U.S.. 

“We are very pleased to sign this affiliation agreement with Resort Owners Group, said Geoff Ballotti, president and CEO, Group RCI.  “These fine properties will be complementary to our global portfolio and owners at Resort Owners Group affiliated resorts will greatly benefit from the services and benefits we provide through our unsurpassed global vacation exchange networks.”

Resort Owners Group resort owners will be able to participate in The Registry Collection program, the world’s largest luxury exchange program or RCI Weeks, RCI’s traditional week-for-week exchange program, giving them access to over 4,000 affiliated resorts world wide.  A resort’s quality qualifications will determine which benefits the owners will be able to enjoy. 

Gary Carter, CEO of Resort Owners Group, said, “Resort Owners Group has  developed the most complete sales & marketing ownership solution for quality independent developers, ‘The Resort Owners Group Model’,  making resort vacation homes more affordable, more saleable and more exchangeable. A variety of flexible options include Resort Owners Group’s fractional ownership, Resort Owners Group’s Private Residence Club, Resort Owners Group’s Premium Whole Ownership and Resort Owners Group’s New BuyWithFriends option which combines the best of whole and fractional ownership. Our affiliation with RCI now provides our owners with even more vacation options and a great value-added selling feature for Resort Owners Group developer partners”.

As part of Resort Owners Group’s affiliation with Group RCI, the company will also be able to leverage Endless Vacation Rentals, Group RCI’s direct to consumer vacation rental business.  For more information on Endless Vacation Rentals, see www.EVRentals.com.
For additional information on the services offered to developers by Group RCI and how they can add potential value to leisure real estate projects, visit www.grouprci.com.

About Group RCI
Group RCI, part of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies, (NYSE: WYN) is the worldwide leader in vacation exchange and the European leader in vacation rentals, with exclusive access for specified periods to more than 67,000 vacation properties in approximately 100 countries. The company is comprised of vacation exchange, including RCI®, the worldwide leader in vacation exchange and provider of travel services to businesses and consumers and The Registry Collection, the world’s largest luxury exchange program; vacation rentals, including Endless Vacation RentalsSM ,LandalGreenparks®, Novasol®, and more than 30 other vacation rental brands, through which vacationers can rent a variety of property types, from city apartments to villas; and NorthCourse® Leisure Real Estate Solutions, an international leader in providing a full spectrum of advisory, research, and asset management services. Wyndham Worldwide Corporation is one of the world’s largest hospitality companies with leading brands in lodging franchising, vacation ownership, vacation rentals and vacation exchange. For additional information visit www.grouprci.com or the media center of www.wyndhamworldwide.com.

About Resort Owners Group
Resort Owners Group is a Canadian company that is revolutionizing the resort home industry through their unique platform approach for independent developers. The company is creating a global brand of professionally asset managed, rentable, resort vacation homes in premier resort destinations in Canada, US, Mexico, Caribbean, Europe and Asia. Resort Owners Group has developed “The Resort Owners Group Model” that makes resort vacation homes more affordable, more usable and more exchangeable, with ownership options of fractional, whole, Private Residence Club and the new BuyWithFriends.com model of ownership. Resort Owners Group licenses the Resort Owners Group complete turnkey solution to quality developers enabling them to leverage The Resort Owners Group Model of ownership and Resort Owners Group’s growing list of sales and marketing partnerships.
For additional information, visit www.resortownersgroup.com or phone Natalie Korobaylo at 1.866.869.6377.

The Anfi Group in Gran Canaria has once again played host to top sportsmen – this time Norwegian Premier League football team Rosenborg Ballklub. The team as well as its managers and training coaches stayed at Anfi’s newest development Anfi Tauro Golf & Luxury Resorts in the South of Gran Canaria.

Norway’s most successful team took advantage of the facilities at Anfi Tauro, which were a significant change from the Club’s home stadium Lerkendal. They stated Anfi as being ‘perfect’ for their training requirements. They also travelled to a nearby football training ground in Las Burras, as well as using various sporting facilities in the village of Arguineguín.

During their stay the team concentrated their efforts on training as well as playing a friendly match against Ukrainian team Shakhtar Donetsk. Their limited free time was spent relaxing at Anfi where the luxurious onsite facilities provided welcome relief from their intensive training regime. Additionally some players participated in a spot of sport fishing.

The stay was part of Rosenberg’s intensive training program for the forth-coming premiership season, which begins on March 15th. Interestingly their first match will be against Valerenga, the Oslo based premiership team who are themselves regular visitors to Anfi.

Sissel Bach, co-ordinator for the recent visit and secretary to the clubs Sport Director and Head Coach commented, “the facilities at Anfi were perfect for our stay and we are hoping to return to Anfi for further training again next year. The climate is a great boost for the team. This morning it was -7˚ here in Trondheim, so the fantastic weather conditions in Gran Canaria were very welcome break for the team!”

The Anfi Group is fast becoming the place to go for the worlds leading sportsmen and women. In the past twelve months alone Anfi has hosted the Spanish Olympic sailing team, the Spanish APG Golf Championships, the BMW Golf International Cup 2008 and the National Jet Bike Championships (Final del Campeonato de España, Copa del Rey 2008). The fantastic facilities and excellent year-round weather conditions are putting the Anfi Group firmly on the world’s sporting map.

For further information on Rosenborg see www.rbk.no
For details regarding the Anfi Group see www.anfi.com and www.anfitauro.es

Perspective Magazine & Owners Perspective Magazine add highly targeted online lead generation and marketing platform – free of charge to clients.

Perspective International Ltd; publishers of both B2B and B2C publications for the leisure property market have always produced free online versions of their print publications for readers, but now, as online advertising continues to rapidly increase they have announced that magazine advertisers (excluding classified sections) will receive premium banner advertising space on their respective websites without any additional charge.

“We ourselves are probably into online marketing as much as we are into print advertising and own more than 250 websites to date – but the decision to finally allow banner advertising on our sites came only when we agreed that there would be no charge for it.” Said Paul Mattimoe, CEO, Perspective International Ltd. “Due to growing demand, too many websites charge large amounts of money for online advertising these days and they typically charge per thousand ‘impressions’ even though the average online click through rate is around just 0.5% of the number of banner impressions. Our primary interest in the current economic market is not in finding more ways to increase revenue, but to continue to increase the results we generate for our advertisers and this new “free” addition to our suite of services will certainly do that. We operate in a relatively niche market and readers of our magazines subscribe by choice, therefore our banner advertisements are viewed by a highly targeted and relevant audience.”

Online Banner Advertising began a week ago, and preliminary reports show a click through rate of 1.5% per day on a lower traffic week in between the release of monthly editions. Further statistics will be released in due course.

For more information on Perspective Magazine or Owners Perspective Magazine which cover all aspects of leisure property; including fractional ownership, overseas property, luxury travel, timeshare, boutique hotels and private residence clubs visit www.perspectiverates.com

Or Call Perspective International Ltd on +44 191 250 3501 (UK) or +1 407 792 2343 (USA)

Absolute Group of companies recently completed the show unit at Bangla Suites Jacuzzi Condominiums. The development is the first five-star resort condominium in the heart of Soi Bangla, consitsting of 54 condominium units (47 one bedroom suites and 7 Penthouses), and will be completed May 2009.

Mr. Bryan Lunt, Chairman, Absolute Group of companies said “The project has been a success already in terms of sales. There are 4 one bedroom suites left. One penthouse with the best view of Patong Bay is also on the market at 18 million baht and 6 other penthouses are available through our co-ownership program with prices starting from 600,000 Bht.”*
“We are now proud to present to our buyers and potential buyers the completed show unit, which shows the quality and design of Bangla Suites.”

Co-ownership is becoming a more popular option for buyers in these times. Mr. Lunt added that “As Absolute has been operating a vacation club business for many years, we found that over 80% of our members are repeat tourists to Phuket and other destinations in Thailand, and they have shown interest to own properties.”
“It is a perfect option for someone who doesn’t want to own the entire property, yet still use it. With our co-ownership programme you can use one month a year and/or enter into the rental program and gain a return.”

For more information, please visit www.BanglaSuites.com or visit the show unit at 2nd floor of Absolute Bangla Club, off Soi Bangla, Patong Beach, Phuket.

*Conditions apply and price is subject to change without prior notice.