Owners Perspective Magazine; the independent consumer magazine for timeshare and fractional property owners has reported a consistent increase in fractional ownership interest by existing timeshare owners after continued coverage of the product both in print and online.

Based on ongoing surveys of the magazine’s readership of more than 42,000 existing owners and prospective buyers, currently over 38% of existing timeshare owners have expressed an interest in buying into a fractional property in the near future.

“The move to an equity based product whilst retaining the vacation element seems to be an attractive option for the more affluent timeshare owners…” says Paul Mattimoe, CEO, Perspective International, “…and we will continue to explore this emerging trend and many others as we interact with our growing online community of magazine subscribers”.

Owners Perspective Magazine is available free of charge online complete with hundreds of additional resort reviews, destination guides and buying advice and attracts hundreds of new subscribers per month to its online resource.

Owners Perspective Magazine is also available in print and distributed via leading UK supermarkets, selected hotels and resorts and by individual subscriptions.

With a combined print and online presence of over 42,000 exisiting timeshare and fractional owners, prospective buyers and renters, Owners Perspective provides an impressive organic lead generation and brand development platform.

For more information on advertising and editorial opportunities visit www.perspectiverates.com
or call +44 191 250 3501 (UK) or +1 407 792 2343 (USA)

Interval International, a leading global provider of vacation services, announced the promotion of Torey Marcus to assistant vice president of Creative Services.

In this role, he oversees the editorial, copywriting, and design divisions of the department, developing print and electronic communications for members and resort clients in worldwide markets. He also serves as editor-in-chief of the Interval World® consumer magazines, the Interval International Resort Directory, and other publications.

“Torey has greatly enhanced the quality and effectiveness of our publications and has demonstrated outstanding leadership and creative talents,” said Edrea Kaiser, vice president of creative services for Interval International. “I know that he will be very successful with this expanded responsibility.”

Marcus joined Interval in January 2005 as senior editor, and was promoted to editorial director the following year. He has nearly 15 years of experience in the publishing industry. Marcus received a bachelor of arts degree in communications from the State University of New York at Oswego and completed coursework toward a master’s in journalism at Ohio University.

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 25 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.

Nearly 90 Interval International employees recently participated in the company’s Eighth Annual Community Service Day benefiting the Fruit & Spice Park, the only tropical botanical garden of its kind in the United States, maintained and operated by the Miami-Dade County Park and Recreation Department.

Interval International Employees Participate In Eighth Annual Community Service Day

The 37-acre subtropical paradise, nestled in the heart of the historic Redland community, hosts more than 500 varieties of rare fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, nuts, and other commercially important plant specimens from around the world. They include: 80 varieties of bananas, 70 varieties of bamboo, 40 varieties of grapes, 50 varieties of mangoes, 15 varieties of jackfruit trees, and numerous other exotic edibles.

Volunteers thinned bamboo, spread mulch, trimmed banana trees, and attached tree labels. They also had the opportunity to learn about and sample some of the exotic fruits, herbs, and spices grown in the park.

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 25 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.

Hotel HABITA. Art project by Day, Mexico City hotel by night with an intervention by Rubén Gutiérrez titled “Banality by repetition” (2009) drawing / video / specific site intervention. Curator: Ariadna Ramonetti Banality by repetition is a project that resorts to diverse media like  drawing, specific site intervention and shortfilm in video, to indicate events that happen in the context of the private space. Adopting the name of motels situated in zones of Mexico, like “La Merced” or “La Colonia Doctores” and by locating in its façade a neon signboard, the HABITA Hotel will turn into “Paradise Hotel”. Hereby the site acquires a different outlook, provoking from the inside a series of simulacrum events caught in video and shown as shortfilms, it recreates diverse film scenes to refer the frivolity of contemporary mediatic culture while questions terms like luxury, sophistication and good taste.

Rubén Gutiérrez incorporates elements from its graphical production to affirm that we are immersed in a controlled environment where the cynicism and the obvious become fundamental tools of a programmatic exercise that searchs to harm the integrity of the individual by exposing its intimacy to the gaze of the other, as if this one lived in a shared captivity call “Paradise Hotel”. Banality by repetition questions the limits of the public in the private space, contextualizing a real site in the land of fiction and turning it into a scenario, where a tale of terror occurs culminating in a parody of the banal thing; annulling a daily fact to replace the reality and to turn it into spectacle.

In a period of Economic Downturn such is being experienced at the moment, shrewd developers are looking at ways in which to continue to attract inward investment in their Overseas Property developments. Fractional ownership is one such initiative and, in the USA, is one of the fastest growing sectors of the resort and real estate industries.

Fractional World has been launched by Graeme Grant and Michael Coyle who have both been at the forefront of the Overseas Property industry since their major involvement in the hugely successful La Manga Club resort in Southern Spain in the early 1980’s. Graeme has been intimately involved in the Fractional Industry since 2003 and in 2004 was a key note speaker and Panel Chairman at a major Fractional Conference in Orlando, Fla. Both the Principals of Fractional World have been involved in developing and marketing Fractions in the Caribbean and Italy over the past 5 years.

Europe has always followed on a few years behind the USA when it comes to leisure or holiday properties starting with Integrated Leisure resorts – La Manga Club was the 1st in Europe some 20 years after the Americans had started in Florida. Europe was 15 years behind the USA in the Timeshare market and now, getting better each time, just 12 years behind in the Fractional market. In 2008 the Fractional market in the USA was worth in excess of $2.4 billion.

Fractional World will work with developers to develop Fractional projects from scratch and also to consider converting existing stock into Fractionals. This later initiative is fraught with danger as Fractionals will only work if they are located in a unique position within a resort and can be perceived to be the very highest quality element of the resort. Fractional Ownership is not the right way to get rid of unsaleable stock.

The principals of Fractional World will work with Developers to design each Fractional property recommending optimum sizes, a pricing and phasing policy designed to succeed, establishing the best Legal Framework for the Fractions working in conjunction with the developer’s Legal representatives and researching the very best marketing initiatives.

Supported by their team of Area sales Managers and a network of Preferred Partners, a growing group of European wide and Russian Property brokers, Fractional World are able to immediately call upon an experienced network of sales people. We are also able to train on site sales people to sell Fractions, a technique very different to selling properties or Timeshare.

Aware of the fact that Fractionals have been being successfully developed in the USA for over 12 years, Resort Group has aligned itself with Gravity Attracts a USA based Real Estate consultancy the Principals of whom have been actively involved in successfully developing and selling Fractional Property in the USA over the last 12 years. The experience and track record of these professionals can only, and certainly does, enhance the quality of the Consultancy offering being made to European developers by Fractional World.

“I have little doubt that within 5 years, Fractional properties will be outselling freehold properties in Europe” said Graeme Grant, Managing Director of Fractional World Ltd.

Today, after 80 years and more than 70 hotels providing legendary service, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. yet again raises the bar with the unveiling of a new way to enjoy an inspiring vacation lifestyle: The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club. An evolution of The Ritz-Carlton Club, this equity-based private membership program offers two choices – either a Home Club Membership (identical to the successful fractional ownership offering) which provides use of a titled residence at a property they can return to throughout the year, or a deeded, Portfolio Membership which affords the opportunity to discover a wide variety of premier destinations and accommodations. An industry defining vacation option, The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club offers an unparalleled experience tailored to each Member’s needs and expectations.

“The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club provides the discerning few with a new level of privilege and freedom when they travel,” said Peter J. Watzka, executive vice president and chief operating officer for The Ritz-Carlton Development Company, Inc. (an affiliate of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company). “Over the last decade of establishing a second home alternative for our current Ritz-Carlton Club Members, we developed intimate and rewarding, one-to-one relationships. With this commitment to deliver luxury vacation experiences, we evolved the brand to the new Ritz-Carlton Destination Club by blending the attributes of luxurious vacation homes with a heightened, flexibility while also maintaining the exclusivity our Members have come to expect.” 

For example, Members with a Home Club preference enjoy up to 35 days of pre-reserved access at their specific Club annually, and can also use a portion of their time at other locations on a reciprocal use basis in accordance with reservation procedures. Home Club prices range from the low $100,000s to the low $800,000s per deeded interest.

Conversely, Portfolio Memberships offer a beneficial interest in a trust where Members can customize their vacations through a points-based currency. This annual allotment of currency is used to reserve accommodations based on their travel dates and residence floor plan best suited for their trip. An initial membership grants 5,000 Club points, but additional interests can be purchased in 2,500 Club point increments.

Portfolio Membership pricing starts at $120,000 for 5,000 annual Club points. The Portfolio Membership option allows the ultimate flexibility for the Member who prefers a different experience each time they travel. For example, a Member may decide to use a four-bedroom residence in Abaco, The Bahamas for a family celebration and use a one-bedroom in San Francisco for a romantic getaway. When choosing from the collection of residences, each is assigned a varying nightly point value. The new Hotel Exchange Program also enables Members who purchased a Portfolio Membership to utilize a portion of their Club points at participating Ritz-Carlton hotels and resorts worldwide.

With locations in San Francisco; Aspen, Colo.; and St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. to name a few, The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club offers the legendary service for which The Ritz-Carlton is renowned. Members benefit from a heightened level of service as they are paired with their very own member experience manager who will serve as their primary liaison. Additionally, Members will enjoy the privilege of a dedicated concierge staff providing services that include everything from airport pick-up and pre-arrival provisioning of the residence, to unpacking and pressing pre-sent garments and arranging a complete vacation itinerary.

About The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club
The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club is an equity-based luxury travel program where Members select either a Home Club Membership which provides a titled residence and usage at a property they can return to every year, or a deeded Portfolio Membership which affords the opportunity to discover a wide variety of locations and experiences. Combining an innovative choice for luxury vacations at some of the most sought-after destinations in the world and coupled with the legendary services of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club offers an inspirational vacation lifestyle tailored to each Member’s expectations.

For information, please visit www.ritzcarltondestinationclub.com.

Marriott Vacation Club International (MVCI), the vacation ownership division of Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) , proudly celebrates 25 years of preserving one of the oldest family traditions — the family vacation.

“Frankly, it’s changed our lives,” says Peter Pfiel an Owner at Marriott’s Monarch at Sea Pines on Hilton Head Island, S.C., since 1984. Pfiel and his family made the trip from Cincinnati to Marriott’s very first vacation ownership resort every summer. Today the Pfiels are among nearly 400,000 Owner families at more than 50 distinct Marriott Vacation Club resorts throughout the U.S., Caribbean, Europe and Asia.

“This year marks a great milestone and one I am very proud of — the silver anniversary of Marriott Vacation Club International,” said Stephen P. Weisz, president of Marriott Vacation Club International. “On the business side, it’s been amazing to watch MVCI revolutionize an entire industry. On the personal side, it’s exciting to think of all of the families who are creating a lifetime of vacation memories through Marriott Vacation Club,” continued Weisz.

On April 17, 1984, Marriott became the first branded hospitality company by nearly a decade to enter the timeshare industry with the acquisition of American Resorts and its 184-villa project which became Marriott’s Monarch at Sea Pines. With just 7,000 Owners at the end of its first year, the division lost no time making its mark on the fledgling timeshare industry.

Marriott Vacation Club marks its first 25 years with an impressive 91 percent customer satisfaction rating. With more than 50 percent of the company’s business coming from Owners purchasing additional weeks and referring friends, the common denominator for many is Marriott’s signature quality and service.
A typical Marriott Vacation Club two-bedroom, two-bath villa includes a fully-equipped gourmet kitchen with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances; generous living and dining areas; multiple flat-panel televisions with DVD players; oversized shower with multiple shower heads in master suite; washer/dryer; balcony; and wireless high-speed internet access.

“Over the next 25 years we’ll continue to experiment with our product form,” said Weisz. “We’ll continue to understand how we can give our customers more flexibility and work with the best of the best to make sure the physical product is current for generations to come and will continue our legacy of creating unforgettable vacation experiences.”
About Marriott Vacation Club
Marriott Vacation Club is the recognized worldwide leader in vacation ownership with more than 50 resorts and 10,600 timeshare resort villas throughout the U.S., Caribbean, Europe and Asia. Today nearly 400,000 vacation owners around the globe own their vacations “the Marriott way” in a program highly regarded for its quality and unique flexibility. For more information on ownership, please visit www.marriott-vacations.com. For nightly rentals, please visit http://www.marriott.com.

The Registry Collection® exchange programme is pleased to announce that Les Maisons de Baumanière en Provence, one of its newest affiliates, has won the Fractional Life Summit Award for Innovation and Excellence.

Avenio Prieuré, a luxury resort development company, joined with the Les Maisons de Baumanière hotel portfolio in France to develop three fractional properties in Avignon, Gordes and Aix-en-Provence.

Nick Turner, VP and head of new business development, The Registry Collection, said of the award: “We are very proud to be associated with Les Maisons de Baumanière en Provence. The developments meet all the criteria for a very successful fractional project – prime locations, spacious, five-star category accommodations and, with the company’s affiliation to The Registry Collection, concierge services, leisure property exchange options in developments of commensurate quality worldwide from our growing property portfolio and many more exclusive membership benefits to offer purchasers.

“We congratulate developers, Marc Koerts and André Guillot, together with their partner, Jean-André Charial, on their deserved success in the Fractional Life 2009 Innovation and Excellence Awards.”

Piers Brown, founder of Fractional Life, said: “We were very pleased with the high volume of entrants to the newly-launched Fractional Life 2009 Awards. Les Maisons de Baumanière en Provence, the new luxury brand and its exclusive properties offering many superb amenities on site, including a boutique hotel and the L’Occitane en Provence spa experience, is indeed, a worthy winner of our Innovation and Excellence Award.

“As the first winner of what we hope will be many Fractional Life Summit Awards, Les Maisons de Baumanière en Provence should certainly provide inspiration for others.”

A second associate of The Registry Collection – the Pezula Private Residence Club in Knysna, South Africa – received a Highly Commended award in the same category, which was collected by Brett Archibald, senior vice president, The Registry Collection, on behalf of the developer.

This year’s summit was held on 23rd and 24th April at The Hilton Metropole Hotel in London and was a sell out success, providing an indication of the high level of interest in the fractional property market.

RCI, the worldwide leader in vacation exchange announces that it has affiliated with Rang Dong Group’s Sea Links Golf & Country Club in Phan Thiet, Vietnam.

Located approximately 200 kilometers east of Ho Chi Minh City amidst the backdrop of a crystal-clear ocean, Sea Links Golf & Country Club is an expression of aquatic inspiration and the calming nature of Phan Thiet’s sea. It is noted to be the leading five-star golf resort in Vietnam with luxury accommodations and facilities that include a golf course, spa and tennis courts.

Situated on sandy hills 60 meters above sea level, the villa complex offers a panoramic view of the entire Mui Ne Bay, where guests can soak in its awe-inspiring ambiance. Guests can enjoy a game of golf at the international standard 18-hole course, savor Asian or European cuisine, or simply relax at the spa amidst lush greenery. In addition, the resort’s close proximity to Phan Thiet’s popular sights such as the Poshanu Cham Tower, Mui Ne Sand Dunes, Hon Rom, Ke Ga Lighthouse and Ta Cu Pagoda, offer a diverse holiday experience.

“It was an easy decision to work with RCI,” said Nguyen Van Thieu, vice chairman, Rang Dong Group. “RCI is the world’s largest timeshare and vacation exchange company. Gaining access to their 4 million leisure-bound members will be very valuable for our resort. I believe that our professional services as well as the stunning landscape in Phan Thiet will provide unforgettable experiences for guests at Sea Links Golf & Country Club.”

“This relationship is historic for RCI as Sea Links Golf & Country Club is our first affiliate in Vietnam,” said Geoff Ballotti, president and CEO, Group RCI. “We are thrilled to welcome this beautiful resort to the collection of top vacation destinations we offer to our RCI Weeks® members.”

About Rang Dong Group
Established by three principals in the 1990s and now recognized as a leading company in Vietnam and Binh Thuan Province in the Infrastructure and Construction industry, Rang Dong has been instrumental to many key constructions projects in Vietnam, and Sea Links Golf & Country Club is a testament to its values.

About 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 73,000 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 program, the world’s largest luxury exchange program; vacation rentals, including Endless Vacation RentalsSM , Landal GreenParks®, Novasol®, and other renowned 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.

From the beginning of May the European based timeshare resale company, Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket will be the first timeshare industry company thanks to the hard work of appointed agency Fourchairs and their Managing Director, Terry Rose over the last 9 months in overcoming the opposition towards timeshare advertising.

As the main sponsor, the company will be featured very heavily throughout May with exposure at all times including peak periods. and will also be supporting their viewer competition by offering a weeks accommodation at their resort in Scotland, The Moness House Hotel & Country Club which will show Timeshare in a good light.

An Interview with Howard C. Nusbaum, President and CEO of the American Resort Development Association on how ARDA has helped shape our industry over the years and its continuing efforts to promote timeshare as a mainstream hospitality product.

What is your background prior to your appointment to President and Chief Executive Officer of ARDA?
I spent ten years with American Hotel & Lodging Association in various roles including Vice President of Corporate Relations for the AH&LA as well as Executive Vice President of the Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association. Prior to my hotel association experience, I was VP of Sales and Marketing for Janus Hotels and Resorts, a national hotel management company.

What differences and similarities have you found working within the timeshare industry with ARDA compared with the hospitality industry at American Hotel & Lodging Association?
Of course there are similarities between the two industry associations since both are advocacy oriented groups and both focus on travel and hospitality, but the two industries are also very different. The Hotel industry focuses on yield management and resort operations. The timeshare industry has many facets beyond resort operations and yield on rentals of guest accommodations. Resort operations are key to delivering on the promise of better vacationing; however, the timeshare business is seen by many as a sales and marketing business, and many others might argue that it is a financial services business. Additionally, the highly regulated state by state real estate laws coupled with complicated and important use-plans make timeshare a very focused real estate business with great attention to legal and regulatory framework.

We understand you have won a number of highly prestigious awards from the Educational Institute. What were they for?
I had the honor of working closely on the development of several hospitality training programs. The spirit of hospitality training and the need to make sure that the employees who touch our customers understand their role in creating a positive guest experience is an inspiring journey. I was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time when EI was focused on this front line training. It was a privilege to co-develop this training as well as some welfare-to-work vocational training. Nothing is more motivational than the chance to help people understand what a difference they can make – one person at a time.

Since you joined ARDA in 2000 what has been your greatest achievement?
One of the things I am most proud of is working with ARDA volunteer leadership to mainstream this once niche industry into the larger world of hospitality and tourism. For too long, timeshare and other vacation ownership products flew under the radar of the larger tourism industry. Today, I believe ARDA and the industry are seen as important and influential partners in both the world of travel and tourism and the world of real estate. What makes vacation ownership so interesting is that we have a foot in both industries (real estate and hospitality) – we are travel product with real estate as the centrepiece and integrity of the product. Helping the industry take its rightful leadership role in both these worlds has been a very rewarding experience.

ARDA covers approx 99% of the US timeshare market. Do you plan to extend your reach to cover fractional / residence clubs?
ARDA has both a traditional timeshare segment membership as well as a fractional/ PRC membership. As far back as 1987, ARDA was publishing fractional research. I realize that the two products have different development business models and marketing practices; however, from a legal perspective – dividing interests in real estate is the same no matter the size of the interest or the duration of the use plan or the amenity level. ARDA has always served both segments. I am proud of some of the new benefits we have created especially for our fractional members as we recognize the differences in the products and the consumers they serve.

What goals are ARDA currently working towards? In addition to our on going mission of advocacy for vacation ownership at the local, state and federal level, I believe that the new PR initiative ARDA is working on will be a real turning point for the industry. ARDA is working to “recolor” the word timeshare to better reflect its contemporary product offerings and consumer-centric marketing. Furthermore, we are working through this initiative to move timeshare and fractional media coverage from the real estate investment pages to the travel and tourism pages. I long for the day when columnists quit saying that timeshare is a bad investment. Vacations are not financial investments, and no one goes on vacation expecting that expenditure to become an annuity. Timeshares pay an immense “enjoyment dividend,” and I believe ARDA is niquely qualified to educate the media and consumers on this issue.

What have been your greatest challenges as President & CEO of ARDA?
As the industry moves from being a niche product that must be sold to a mainstream lodging option desired by consumers, one of the hardest things has been to get everyone to buy into the concept that timeshare can be a sought good. I know that the old paradigm was “No one wakes up wanting to buy a timeshare.” And although that is true, I’d like to suggest a new a paradigm, “Everyone wakes up everyday wanting to be on vacation.” If we all agree on this new twist on an old theme, then the work of ARDA and the developer community becomes more about expressing why owning a timeshare is a vehicle for better vacationing. One only has to look at demographics to know that the large number of middle class to affluent people who are interested in owning a flexible piece of vacation real estate that costs less than a new car makes for a compelling value proposition. In short, we have an eager marketplace, all we have to do is present the product in a way in which the demands of this growing marketplace can understand.

What have been ARDAs key milestones?
I’m proud of many of ARDA’s accomplishments in recent years – from our omnibus timeshare bill that passed a few years ago in California (the largest state with so much potential) to the various wins throughout the country protecting timeshare consumers from onerous transient occupancy taxes and real estate taxes. Through the passion of almost a million timeshare consumers, ARDA-ROC (Resort Owners Coalition) has helped ARDA advocate not only for the timeshare product but the integrity of the real estate purchase made by more than 4.4 million American consumers.

ARDA is blessed to represent an entrepreneurial industry that has recreated the way families vacation. Nothing is more satisfying than the comments I hear from timeshare owners as they express how this product has positively impacted their live and their families.

What changes do you see ahead for the industry in the next 10 years?
Just from an American perspective, we have 70+ million baby boomers moving from restrictive work and family schedules to a period in life with more time, freedom and affluence. The idea of owning a vacation product that allows them to experience their “wanderlust” and enjoy multigenerational vacationing with family and friends is hugely compelling. Our time as an industry has come. All we have to do is make sure that we capitalize on this growing marketplace with consumer friendly sales and marketing backed by quality assured products. I’m very excited about the future!

Following on from their success with award winning  Perspective Magazine; now the “most read” independent B2B publication for the Shared Ownership industry globally, Perspective International recently took a bold step into the public arena and created a consumer magazine designed to educate prospective buyers and renters on the full product range available to them from luxury travel through timeshare to fractional ownership and private residence clubs to whole ownership and resort real estate; inclusive of investment purchases with rental and exchange programs.

Now with a rapidly growing circulation of currently more than 40,000, Owners Perspective Magazine is not only providing shared ownership developers and marketers with exposure to a wider yet highly targeted marketplace it is also delivering direct purchase and rental enquiries to its advertisers.

“Given the recent increase in general media attention regarding the fractional property industry it is  nice to be involved in educating the consumer via the supermarkets and travel and property shows we distribute at – but ultimately for the fractional developer or marketer it is sales that are required to grow this relatively new industry in Europe and with a targeted readership made up solely of prospective buyers and renters actively seeking more information we are now seeing a significant increase in fractional companies approaching us” says Paul Mattimoe, CEO, Perspective International Ltd.

The publishers of this magazine; Perspective International Ltd say that there are several other large distribution deals currently under negotiation and a special package for developers to be announced shortly.

For more information about advertising and editorial opportunities visit www.perspectiverates.com or call +44 191 250 3501 (UK) or +1 407 792 2343 (USA).

To view the magazine online visit www.ownersperspective.com

Dial An Exchange (DAE) is to hold a global two day seminar to support owners and managers of timeshare resorts. The event will take place at Barnsdale Hotel & Country Club in England on Tuesday 29th & Wednesday 30th September 2009.

The title and theme of the conference is Radical Thinking & Decisive Action.

DAE says the theme reflects the challenges the timeshare industry faces as the world meanders through its worst ever economic crisis.

The event will focus on addressing, debating and working towards solutions for some of the timeshare industry’s most acute challenges:

• Timeshare resales
• The realities of the exchange systems
• Marketing and lead generation
• Maintenance fee collection
• Sales techniques including sales certification
• Rental programmes
• New products to stimulate a brighter future 

A line up of experts will deliver speeches on the key subjects. Working groups will be held to debate and attempt to create solutions to established and recurring industry problems.

The event follows on from a smaller event that was held in February this year. Seventy four resorts were represented at the first “behind closed doors” event. The feedback from the delegates was that any follow up event should held be over a longer period on a larger scale.

A modest cost to attend
To respect the current economic situation, the cost to attend the event has been kept as low as possible. Delegates can attend the whole event (with bed, breakfast, lunch and dinner included in the price) for remarkable 2 day delegate price of £380.

Day delegates can attend the event for £120.

Who should attend the event?

• Timeshare owners
• Resort Committee members
• Resort developers
• Timeshare marketers
• Marketing companies
• Resale companies
• Suppliers to the industry

The main organisers of the event are Francis Taylor, CEO of DAE International and David Lilley, Managing Director of Dial An Exchange Europe.

Commenting on the event David Lilley said “There is no question that there are dozens, perhaps even hundreds of resorts out there who really need help and advice in these challenging times. Whilst everyone with a timeshare interest is welcome to attend the event we particularly encourage independent owner run resorts to send representatives. We have worked very hard to keep the cost of the event as low as possible to ensure that everyone can afford to attend. We are not looking to make a profit from hosting the event”

More detailed information about the event can be found at DAESeminar.com

Delegates can benefit from the Early Booker discount for the next six weeks. The price will increase to £430 from June onwards.

One of the World’s Largest Hospitality Companies Makes Donation to Starlight Children’s Foundation through Card’s Distribution

Women on Their Way by Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE: WYN), the hospitality industry’s longest-running branded program dedicated entirely to female travelers, is celebrating mothers around the globe with a free, fully customizable Mother’s Day e-Card, special offers, and a 10 percent promotional discount on travel booked on www.WomenOnTheirWay.com at any of the participating Wyndham Worldwide family of brands and properties. 

Those who send the card are able to upload personal photos and create a message that may then be shared on the Women on Their Way online community or sent privately to their female friends, mothers, grandmothers, aunts and daughters.

The celebration of admired women will be shared on the website’s Mother’s Day section along with great gift ideas from Women on Their Way blog, Adventures with Alyson, and special offers from the various Wyndham Worldwide family of brands.

“Women on Their Way is about recognizing, supporting and celebrating women while providing a resource for them to research, plan and book all of their travel, giving them ideas on how to make the most of the valuable time they spend with their families and friends,” said Virginia Wilson, chair of the Women on Their Way Advisory Board and executive vice president and chief financial officer for Wyndham Worldwide. “We are proud to assist our customers and associates in celebrating and honoring the women they admire this Mother’s Day. To further celebrate these special women, we will be offering vacation packages and deals on www.WomenonTheirWay.com.”

The celebration doesn’t end with mothers alone. By teaming up with the Starlight Children’s Foundation, a Wishes by Wyndham signature charity, Women on Their Way will donate $1 for every Starlight Children’s Foundation card sent, up to $25,000 total, to the organization in an effort to raise awareness and funds for the foundation.

Starlight Children’s Foundation is dedicated to helping seriously ill children and their families cope with their pain, fear and isolation through entertainment, education and family activities. Starlight’s programs have been proven to distract children from their pain, help them better understand and manage their illnesses, and connect families facing similar challenges so that no one feels alone. Starlight has relationships with more than 1,200 hospitals treating children, and its cornerstone Great Escapes program offers frequent, relaxing, fun-filled special events for Starlight families at local venues.

The special events provide time for families to connect with other families, make new friends and spend family time together.

“It’s my hope that every mother is showered with love and praise on Mother’s Day, and we also want to acknowledge the extra-special women who confront and cope with the demands and challenges of seriously ill children,” said Paula Van Ness, CEO of Starlight. “These mothers and grandmothers face daily emotional and financial stresses that most of us cannot even imagine. Starlight is grateful to Wyndham for its generous donation and for this campaign that honors mothers everywhere and pays tribute on this special occasion to mothers of children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses.”

Women on Their Way is the hospitality industry’s longest-running branded program entirely dedicated to female travelers. Since the program’s launch in 1995, Wyndham has supported women travelers as they’ve emerged from a niche market to a formidable force, listening and responding to women’s feedback, which has resulted in a better hotel experience for all travelers; including the addition of various amenities to hotel rooms such as coffee makers, full length mirrors and healthier room service menus.

The Women on Their Way program was re-launched in May 2008. While once a single hotel chain program, Wyndham Worldwide expanded the program across all brands and businesses offering more than 70,000 hotels, vacation rentals and resorts in 100 countries.

About Wyndham Worldwide Corporation

As one of the world’s largest hospitality companies, Wyndham Worldwide offers individual consumers and business–to–business customers a broad suite of hospitality products and services across various accommodation alternatives and price ranges through its premier portfolio of world–renowned brands. Wyndham Hotel Group encompasses more than 7,040 franchised hotels and approximately 592,900 hotel rooms worldwide. Group RCI offers its nearly 3.7 million members access to more than 73,000 vacation properties located in approximately 100 countries. Wyndham Vacation Ownership develops, markets and sells vacation ownership interests and provides consumer financing to owners through its network of over 150 vacation ownership resorts serving over 830,000 owners throughout North America, the Caribbean and the South Pacific. Wyndham Worldwide, headquartered in Parsippany, N.J., employs approximately 27,000 employees globally.

For more information about Wyndham Worldwide, please visit the Company’s web site at www.wyndhamworldwide.com.

The Ritz-Carlton Club, St. Thomas recently completed a comprehensive refurbishment of 81 of the 105 two- and three-bedroom residences. The new décor was designed to feature elements of the surrounding Caribbean islands while keeping with The Ritz-Carlton tradition of elegance. The refurbishment also included installations of artwork by the resort’s in-residence local artist, Lucinda O’Connell.  

All new furnishings adorn the residences. The living room offers a new couch, chairs, an area rug, window treatments and an entertainment center with a 32” flat screen television. In the bedrooms, the new furnishings consist of new beds, bedding, area rugs, desks, dressers and 32” flat screen televisions, and all new travertine marble floors to replace the carpeting. The resort is fully operational and has been welcoming Members to their refreshed residences.

“We are very excited to unveil this makeover to our Members as they return to their residences over the course of this year,” said Ronald Parker, general manager of The Ritz-Carlton Club, St. Thomas.

About The Ritz-Carlton Club, St. Thomas

Located on the eastern tip of St. Thomas on a half-mile stretch of beach, the 105-residence Club provides a luxurious vacation home in paradise – without the maintenance and responsibilities associated with home ownership. Members enjoy personal concierge services, which assist them with their every need prior to and throughout their stay, and the privileged use of the services and amenities available at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas – including the 53-foot catamaran, Lady Lynsey, and a full-service spa, salon and fitness center. The Club provides deeded, fractional ownership allowing Members and their guests to use a one-twelfth interest, for 21 days annually. Members also have the opportunity to utilize supplemental time as space allows.

About The Ritz-Carlton Club

The Ritz-Carlton Club is more than a traditional timeshare, it is a deeded, fractional ownership real estate offering combining the benefits of luxury vacation home ownership with personalized Ritz-Carlton services and resort amenities. Designed as a private club, Members have the opportunity to access their luxuriously-appointed vacation home Club or other Ritz-Carlton Clubs through reciprocal use privileges in accordance with reservation procedures. Members also have the ability to utilize additional time as available.

Barceló Hotels has recruited the highly experienced Elaine McCormack as UK Sales Director.

Elaine, who has 24 years’ global experience in the industry, joins from Concorde Hotels and Resorts where she was Regional Director of Sales and Marketing for the UK, Ireland and Scandinavia and was responsible for sales strategy across MICE, corporate, BTA and leisure segments.

Prior to this, Elaine worked at Millennium Hotels and Resorts where she was Director of Sales for Corporate Meetings and Incentive Travel.  Her career experience also includes Hilton International Hotels and Pullman International Hotels.

“I am delighted to be joining Barceló Hotels, which has a strong UK portfolio offering a range of distinct and diverse properties, and I look forward to developing and building its corporate sales strategy and proposition further,”  says Elaine.

An Interview with Geoff Ballotti, President and CEO of Group RCI – On his first year and the future of Group RCI.

Could you tell us about your background in the real estate and travel sectors before joining RCI?
My first job was with Bank of New England in 1983 as a management trainee in their management training department. I went into the real estate lending group there, making development loans around New England and across North America. I got to know some great people at ITT Sheraton who were headquartered in Boston. At about the same time I went back to business school and when I got out I joined Sheraton in their development group. To me, after five years of banking, I thought the hotel industry was a lot more colorful and exciting than banking was—and a lot more fun. I spent the next 20 years with Sheraton, a company that took me all over the world. In the early 1990s, they sent me overseas to work on the acquisition of an Italian luxury hotel group called CIGA, and I got into operations.

I always wanted to be a general manager—I thought that being a GM of a great hotel was the best job in the industry. I still think that. My first GM assignment was as GM of the Sheraton Brussels, a city in which three of my four daughters were born. We then moved back to Italy and I had one of my best jobs ever as Managing Director of CIGA and the Starwood Hotels of southern Europe. In 2002 I was brought back to the U.S. to run the North American division of Starwood hotels and resorts, which I did for six years. I first met Steve Holmes, chairman and CEO of Wyndham Worldwide, in January 2008 when I was approached for this job. Over a series of meetings Steve convinced me what a great company, a great group and a great opportunity running RCI would be.

You started working for Group RCI in April 2008. In your first year, what have been your biggest challenges?
One big challenge for me has been not diving too much into the details—which I’ve always tended to do. I’ve always wanted to figure out everything that is going on. After 20 years in the hotel business, there’s a ton for me to learn. So many aspects of the timeshare exchange and vacation rental businesses are new to me. My challenge has been taking a step back and trying to manage the organizational context, as opposed to managing the details of the operation. Organizationally, another challenge has been making sure we have the right leaders in the right seats. We’re surrounded by incredibly smart folks like Gordon Gurnik our president of North America, Tom Edwards our Chief Financial Officer, Faye Tylee our Global Head of Human Resources, Charisse Cox, our Managing Director of the Pacific… I could go on. Operationally, intellectually and experientially, these people are outstanding. It’s so important that we position the brightest people we can find into key leadership roles, over-communicating our strategy to our associates as to where we are headed and going from there.

After having worked in Europe for a leading hospitality brand for many years, do you think this has given you a wider understanding of the global marketplace and its differences from region to region?

Absolutely. If you think about RCI and how global we are, Europe is absolutely critical for us. Our businesses in Europe are led by two new great talents at RCI: Jonathan Back, who heads our Exchange businesses and Ian Ailles who heads our Rental businesses. In terms of organizational context or managing cultural differences, I think my years in Europe have been very helpful for me in managing issues and opportunities.

Group RCI has also been expanding in areas other than Exchange, such as rental programs, holiday cottages and fractional ownership. Can you tell us more about the strategy behind these additional products and services?

Our rental strategy is about fulfilling our customers’ needs. This includes our ability to rent inventory and provide affiliates and developers with an outlet to rent their product to generate leads for their resorts. In some respects it’s similar to a hotel room: a night not occupied is a night forever lost. So the ability to rent if we cannot fill a unit with the exchange is very important. An example is Endless Vacation Rentals (www.evrentals.com), which is a phenomenal success for us. We’ve registered over 21,000 travel agents and over 29,000 travel agencies. We’ve been very successful on Web deployment. In 2008 alone, we had over
three million unique visits to EVRentals.com. We’ve got a lot of unique features within our Endless Vacation Rentals product. One is the best price guarantee—an assurance that our offerings aren’t available for a lower price anywhere else. We also have no booking fee, complimentary concierge service, and a three-day, 100% refund, giving you a complete refund if your cancellation is made three days in advance of the start-date.
Other features that set us apart from our competitors are Wyndham Rewards Points, which give the customer 5,000 points for every EVR rental and 24-7 check-in assistance.

I think that the most important thing about Endless Vacation Rentals, however, is that our properties are rated by our customers. When our members leave a unit they complete an online survey, and our Web site allows customers to read those reviews. A recent survey showed that after booking through Endless Vacation Rentals, 89% of our customers reported that we either met or exceeded their expectations.

What goals have you set for the next 12 months?
There are three major goals over the next year. The first is our continued investment in technology, our Web sites, and search capabilities. The second is the continued investment in sales and marketing infrastructure, making sure that we’ve got the best sales and marketing opportunities for affiliates and developers. As the economy struggles, our focus will be to continue helping affiliates and developers with lead generation. The third goal is continued growth, by adding quality new affiliates that represent us well and have resorts where our members want to travel. Our recent affiliation with Disney Vacation Club is a great example of this. The Disney Vacation Club management team I believe saw that our management depth, technology resources,
and global marketing infrastructure is in alignment with their strategic growth plan. Now RCI’s more than 3.7 million members will enjoy the opportunity to exchange into Disney Vacation Club resorts.

Are there any new plans or upcoming announcements we don’t yet know about that you could divulge?
In 2009 we will provide increased flexibility for owners to customize their vacation needs by introducing Enhanced Search for Points, much in the same way we developed Enhanced Search for our RCI Weeks members. Again, we are continuing to invest in technology. Our new Enhanced Search feature has given our members the ability to quickly go online and see total availability anywhere in the world. We believe in having the most flexible technology in terms of what you can do with your Points or Weeks. All the research indicates a trend toward shorter vacations. And that’s something powerful. We will continue to stay focused on technology enhancements, providing our members with the most Webfriendly content and functionality available in the exchange industry, while also providing more flexibility and options than anyone else
in the industry.

Can you say a few words about our European rental business/brands?
The European rental business is a collection of great brands that cover an extraordinary range of holiday products; from rural homes, to Italian manor houses, to outdoor parks in Holland, to camping holidays in France and Spain…I could go on. They are united by being self-catered and family-centric in their product offering, giving freedom of independence and space to their travelers. There are other European holiday companies, but none that can offer the range of nationalities: we are proud to market to as many as 17 languages – reaching into every corner of Europe.

Fast, Frequent Feedback Enhances Responsiveness

Interval International, a leading global provider of vacation services, recently introduced Interval Insights and Interval Ideas, which offer quick and easy online ways for Interval members to communicate their opinions and preferences to the company.

Interval Insights allows members to weigh in on specific topics via surveys, while Interval Ideas provides them with a venue to make suggestions about new products and services. Both are available at IntervalWorld.com, the company’s members-only Web site.

“These features enable us to connect with members and quickly take a pulse on a number of issues,” said David Meier, Interval’s assistant vice president of product strategy. “The ability to do this is a significant step in increasing the engagement with our members.”

Currently, members are sharing information on Interval Insights about how technology plays a role in their vacation planning.  Previous surveys explored members’ intent regarding future exchange behavior, plans for cutting costs while on vacation, and the impact of fuel prices on their travel plans.

 “Gaining these insights and ideas from our members allows Interval to more effectively respond to their needs and priorities,” added Sharon Freed, Interval’s senior vice president of consumer marketing. “And sharing this information with our resort clients ensures that they, too, are aware of what’s important to their owners and guests.”

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 25 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.

Situated At The Center Of One Of America’s Most Affluent Communities, The St. Regis Atlanta And The Residences At The St. Regis Atlanta Offers A Classic, But Reinterpreted, Residential Experience In An Area Known For Its Luxury Shopping And Fine Dining

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today proudly announces the debut of the St. Regis hotel brand in Georgia with the opening of The St. Regis Atlanta. Ideally located in the elite Buckhead community, the hotel features 151 luxuriously appointed guest rooms and suites, 51 branded St. Regis Residences, Georgia’s first Remède Spa, a 40,000-square-foot Pool Piazza, more than 16,800 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, a state-of-the-art fitness center and an impressive selection of world-class cuisine. Owned by SR Hotel Development Company, LLLP and designed by Hirsch Bedner Associates, The St. Regis Atlanta combines modern sophistication with classic Southern style to offer an unparalleled level of luxury and bespoke service at one the best addresses in the world.

“We are proud to debut the St. Regis brand in Georgia with the opening of The St. Regis Atlanta, featuring the iconic luxury, unmatched privilege and bespoke services for which the St. Regis brand is renowned,” said Paul James, Global Brand Leader, St. Regis and The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts. “Truly one of the South’s most desirable destinations, Buckhead offers our guests a unique mix of world-class art, fashion, culture and cuisine at one of the best addresses in the world.”

Designed by renowned design firm Hirsch Bedner Associates, the 26-story St. Regis Atlanta is surrounded by lush landscaping and features a dramatic façade with expansive semicircular windows that offer spectacular Atlanta skyline views. Upon entering, guests are greeted by a pair of dramatic, curved staircases that serve as the centerpiece of the hotel lobby as well as two magnificent fireplaces inspired by those found in traditional Southern estates. Each guest room features Macassar Ebony furniture, leather-wrapped writing desks, domed crystal chandeliers and luxurious Egyptian cotton linens. The unique and spacious five-fixture marble bathrooms, among the largest in Atlanta, offer oversized bathtubs, separate showers and dual vanities. In addition, each room includes a 37-inch LCD television with DVD player, a state-of-the-art sound system, MP3 docking station and an innovative 17-inch LCD television recessed behind the bathroom mirror, enabling images to be projected onto a screenless surface.

Dining at The St. Regis Atlanta indulges the senses with diverse culinary offerings, ranging from American bistro cuisine at Paces 88, complete with private seating and outdoor patio, to specialty cocktails including St. Regis’s Bloody Mary and signature Afternoon Tea ritual in the hotel’s wood-paneled bar. Guests can also sample premium, international wine selections in The Wine Room or enjoy live piano entertainment in The Long Gallery. The hotel’s stunning Pool Piazza offers private cabanas, a spectacular waterfall and a casual, yet stylish, Poolside Bar & Café.

St. Regis’ signature Remède Spa offers the spa brand’s exclusive Laboratoire Remède skincare line renowned for its anti-aging therapies. Guests can drift away while experienced therapists offer customized massage, facial and body treatments in one of eight discreet treatment rooms or in the exclusive Couples’ Suite. The spa will also feature a Vichy treatment room, manicure and pedicure stations, and men’s and women’s lounges where guests can unwind while indulging in signature refreshments, truffles, and bite sized indulgences. In addition, guests are invited to indulge in a range of rejuvenation offerings, including daily yoga classes overlooking the Pool Piazza.

An ideal destination for weddings, meetings and social events, The St. Regis Atlanta features more than 16,000 square feet of state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor function space including The Astor Ballroom with over 9,000 square feet of function space and 19-foot ceilings, up to four private spaces, ideal for breakout sessions and an enchanting outdoor balcony. Surrounded by trees with countless flickering lights and set amidst the soothing sounds of a lion’s head fountain, the Astor Ballroom Balcony creates a magical al fresco moment for any occasion.

The exclusive Residences at The St. Regis Atlanta boast exceptional views of the Atlanta skyline and feature private resident elevators as well as access to the hotel’s facilities and signature amenities, including the legendary St. Regis Butler Service. Residence owners have the opportunity to choose from four designer series floor plans, all featuring innovative outdoor living spaces that include a fireplace and built-in gas grill.

Following in the tradition of the iconic St. Regis Hotel New York, The St. Regis Atlanta will feature the famed hallmarks of St. Regis hotels including the legendary St. Regis Butler Service, bespoke guest experiences and luxury accommodations tailored to meet global travelers’ needs. Trained in the English tradition, the butlers provide ever-present, yet unobtrusive service while anticipating guests needs and customizing each guest’s stay according to his or her specific tastes and preferences.

The St. Regis Atlanta joins a select portfolio of St. Regis hotels in the best addresses around the world including Aspen, Bali, Beijing, Bora Bora, Houston, London, Monarch Beach, New York, Punta Mita, Rome, San Francisco, Shanghai, Singapore and Washington, D.C.

For more information on The St. Regis Atlanta, please visit: www.stregis.com/atlanta

About The St. Regis Atlanta

Combining timeless sophistication with an unrivaled dimension of luxury, The St. Regis Atlanta Hotel & Residences will debut April 14, 2009. The 26 floor development features 151 luxuriously appointed guest rooms and suites, 51 St. Regis Residences, more than 16,000 square feet of contemporary meeting and event space, two exclusive bars, world-class culinary options, a state-of-the-art fitness facility that overlooks an exquisite 40,000-square-foot Pool Piazza and poolside Bar, a 7,800-square-foot Remède Spa and Paces 88, the signature restaurant. Each guest room and suite is be attended by the signature St. Regis Butler Service, an ever present yet unobtrusive service dedicated to meeting the needs of discerning global travelers. The St. Regis Atlanta Hotel & Residences is located at 88 West Paces Ferry Road in Buckhead. For more information, please call 404.563.7900 or visit www.stregis.com/atlanta.

About St. Regis Hotels & Resorts

Combining classic sophistication and modern luxury, the St. Regis brand remains faithful to its commitment to excellence. Founded by John Jacob Astor IV, with the opening of the first St. Regis Hotel in New York City over a century ago, The St. Regis brand of hotels is known for its unique luxury dimension, customized service and refined elegance, in the best destinations worldwide. Plans for this brand to globally continue its legacy include long-awaited St. Regis properties in Baja Mar, the Bahamas, Bahia Beach, Puerto Rico, Bal Harbour, Hawaii and Deer Crest, in North America, and in Buenos Aires, Costa Rica, Kanai, and Mexico City in Latin America. St. Regis has also announced plans to open properties in Bangkok, Jakarta, Lhasa, Macau, Osaka, Chengdu, Sanya Yalong Bay and Tinajin. In the Middle East, the St. Regis brand will continue to expand in Cairo, Doha and Bahrain. The distinctive trait of the St. Regis experience is customized service and attention, coveted locations and luxurious design. For more information on The St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, please visit www.stregis.com.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 960 properties in 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 Aloft®, and Element SM. 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.

Interval International, a leading global provider of vacation services, is a patron sponsor of the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Investment Conference (CHTIC), which is being held April 14-16 at the Fairmont Southampton in Bermuda.

The event was founded by the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) and the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) in 1997 and has become the primary venue for hospitality industry leaders, government officials, developers, and investors to study key issues that impact the tourism and hospitality industry in the region.

“Interval is committed to working with CHTA and CTO on a year-round basis to help these important organizations achieve their objectives in the region,” said David Callaghan, vice president, resort sales and service for Interval International. “Our company has been involved with this conference since it was first held and we will continue to support the event because it plays such a key role in driving economic growth in the Caribbean.”

“We are very grateful for our partnership with Interval, the company’s dedication to CHTA, and to this event in particular. We truly appreciate its loyalty and consistent involvement with our events that directly impact Caribbean tourism,” said Alec Sanguinetti, director general and chief executive officer of CHTA. “Interval has been a good friend to the region for many years as demonstrated by its ongoing support, both in terms of financial and human resources.”

The Caribbean continues to be one of the top international destinations of choice for prospective timeshare owners, according to the Future Timeshare Buyers: 2008 Market Profile, the latest in a series of studies that offer unique insights into the vacation habits, preferences and intentions of leisure travelers who are interested in owning vacation time.

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

Interval International 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 25 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.