A-List: Alain J.A. Grangé, Chief Executive of Sol Meliá Vacation Club

An interview with Alain J.A. Grangé, Chief Executive of Sol Meliá Vacation Club and President & CEO of Luxury Leisure Properties International and Grangé Group. Grangé has an extensive background in developing and operating international developments across the globe.

What steps did you take in your career to become an expert and specialist in international shared ownership and leisure properties?

I came to this industry in a way that is much different than most people, having worked in the luxury palaces of Europe, luxury branded hotel companies worldwide, country clubs, real estate and mixed use communities. In the early 80s in Europe, I worked with hotel owners to help them maximize their assets, recover capital and continue healthy hotel operations. It appealed to my marketing sense to combine hotel expertise with that of the membership and real estate industries to create a very unique, global niche.
In my endeavors, I have long followed the mantra of “Glocalization,” or a global vision and strategy with local knowledge and execution. One should always remember that in one part of the world one thing has a certain meaning, but in another part of the world, it might mean something entirely different, or in other words, “the same is the same, until it’s not the same.” When playing on an international field, it’s important to know which game you are in, as well as how it is played, just as in the vast differences between US football and international football. Developing internationally not only requires specific research and planning, but also international skills, a special mindset and patience.

I’ve always used the formula of international development taking twice as long to implement as in the U.S., and that is after having the right leadership and people in place, in the right positions. It’s key to rely on local experts for guidance to establish realistic timeframes for all the necessary legal, financial and regulatory aspects of doing business in a destination. I’ve learned that success abroad is ultimately only as good as one’s roadmap and the team in place to implement it.

When you became Chief Executive of Sol Meliá Vacation Club three years ago, did you envision this branded product and vacation experience to achieve so much in such a short time? What do you think were the catalysts to drive these results?

Yes, I knew that when I selected Sol Meliá as the company with which to execute this very targeted business model that it had the ability to exceed expectations. As one of the very few globally branded vacation clubs, we started off very strongly with the name, organization and clear responsibility to develop and execute a product that exceeded high standards of service and quality. The key was that the company was committed to support the project. The breadth of the company and its hotels on an international scale also provided the perfect place to take club membership to a level so that it becomes a leisure lifestyle, rich with experience and options that can adapt and be enjoyed by members for a lifetime.

Solid financial results have built a strong foundation. We’ve been profitable since our first quarter of business in 2004 from vacation club sales, member and network operations, rental and Club portfolio. Since that time we have opened 12 international home resorts in Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America, opening 3 to 4 resorts every year, and we have consistently achieved record sales and some of the highest operating margins within the vacation ownership industry. Sol Meliá Vacation Club achieved a revenue increase in 2006 of 86 percent over 2005, while also reporting a 2007 increase of 44 percent over the 2006 revenue number. At the end of 2007, we celebrated a banner year with total revenue of $130 million, an EBITDA of over $50 million and more than 23,000 members worldwide. We’re extremely proud of the fact that The CLUB has made a net contribution of more than $400 million to Sol Meliá’s Hotel Division during its short time in business.

Our tremendous success is owed, in part,to widespread success of new projects in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Spain, the Dominican Republic and Central America, and the launch of a new deluxe 4-bedroom villa product which is marketed and sold as a multiple weeks product. In 2007, The CLUB opened new projects at ME by Meliá in Cancun, Gran Meliá in Puerto Rico, the Paradisus Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic and Meliá Gorriones in Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, Spain. Additional successful satellite preview centers were also opened in Europe and the Americas.

Why are you so passionate about the global shared ownership and leisure properties market?

I have always been very passionate about creating a quality product that is a perfect fit for the consumer, with the right destination and the right markets. Delivering a quality experience from day one is a big part of it. I’ve been very fortunate to have had tremendous success in creating teams with a willingness to venture forward with passion, dedication and focus on a global vision. I’ve seen the difference it makes in conducting business internationally in a fashion that makes others respect and want to work with you. With an entrepreneurial spirit embracing culture, language and local traditions all along the way, it’s always an exciting and profitable adventure.

Additionally, for hotel and hospitality companies, this business creates the best long-term loyalty program for them. It enhances the natural synergies between the businesses while increasing the growth and profits of many of the hotels’ operations. It’s a great win-win situation for both the company and the consumer.

An example of a passion for cultural understanding can be found with Sol Meliá’s Vacation Club in Puerto Rico. Even though the destination is geographically located in the Caribbean, the local residents, who make up the majority of the main membership base, demand a product that is sophisticated and conservative in appearance. They look for a certain interior feel, quality of furnishing and décor in their accommodations. While on the neighboring island of the Dominican Republic, the product is much different and has more of a tropical beach-like appeal and a membership base that is from both the US and Europe. The expectation from this group is that the product should look and feel like a Caribbean fantasy. It was our understanding of local heritage that quickly brought the cultural differences to the forefront, making sure that the right product was provided for the right destination and the right consumer. This has been one of the keys to SMVC’s strong start and ongoing success in these and other locations.

What are the goals for Sol Meliá Vacation Club in the next five years?

Sol Meliá Vacation Club continues to focus on its vision to be a pre-eminent global provider of exceptional leisure lifestyle experiences for its members, while moving to the next stage of development with The CLUB by Sol Meliá. Objectives are to achieve further success in brand penetration and expansion, as well as maximization of occupancy levels. The mission is to build a Global Club that will be a leader in its field for brand quality, customer satisfaction and employee pride, which will be delivered through customer focus, ethic, integrity, teamwork, communication and continuous improvement. Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe will continue to be growing areas for Club Member resorts. We currently have three large exciting projects in development in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain, the Riviera Maya area in Mexico and the Dominican Republic. My hope is that The CLUB will keep growing and evolving from its original foundation
of success.

What are your expectations for the international shared ownership and leisure properties market within the next five years?

The international shared ownership industry is poised precariously between those looking for short-term profits and those with ethics and integrity, seeking long-term benefit for all, including long-term relationship with its members. I strongly believe that if outside the USA the mistreatment of the consumer and the non availability of product backing the memberships continues, and if the international industry organizations do not start policing it, stronger punishing legislation will take place.

I am hopeful that international developers will seek the true benefit of building long-term relationships with their customers and members, rather than having a short-term view of that relationship. Short term strategies do not work. The formation of these long-term relationships with consumers is the catalyst to providing an experience of a lifetime. Members and developers alike reap the benefits of true mutual long-term loyalty for all.

Making a true difference lies in a well laid plan, which generates long-term financial stability and loyal customers. In conclusion, our industry needs to create a menu of “experiential” moments for its members based on a well-working system backed by quality real estate and product, for the benefit of all involved.

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For information on advertising and editorial opportunities with Perspective Magazine & Owners Perspective Magazine; the leading independent B2B & B2C magazines for the timeshare and fractional ownership industries visit www.perspectiverates.com

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Wyndham Worldwide Issues $225 Million Of Notes

Wyndham Worldwide Corp. said it has completed a term securitization transaction involving the issuance of $225 million of investment grade asset-backed notes by Sierra Timeshare 2009-1 Receivables Funding LLC, an indirect subsidiary of Wyndham’s Vacation Ownership subsidiary.

The notes are backed by vacation ownership receivables originated by subsidiaries of Wyndham Vacation Ownership.

Parsippany, New Jersey-based Wyndham Worldwide is a hospitality firm with around 7,000 franchised hotels and around 588,500 hotel rooms worldwide. The company’s Group RCI unit offers its 3.8 million members access to more than 73,000 vacation properties located in around 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 in North America, the Caribbean and the South Pacific.

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For information on advertising and editorial opportunities with Perspective Magazine & Owners Perspective Magazine; the leading independent B2B & B2C magazines for the timeshare and fractional ownership industries visit www.perspectiverates.com

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Vantage Strategy Develops New Web Presence For Mystic, CT

Strategic Marketing Specialists Bring User Friendly Website to Tourist Hot Spot
  
Vantage Strategy, a business strategy firm based in Maryland, announced today at the Connecticut Conference on Tourism the launch of a new website for Mystic Country, a tourist destination along the eastern shore of Connecticut.  The new MysticCountry.com website will brand and market the destination to consumers and business travelers with cutting edge technology that makes travel planning more user friendly and cost effective for the destination and its constituents. The website has over 2000 pages of consumer focused content and was designed and created after Vantage Strategy performed an in-depth analysis and developed a strategic marketing plan for the destination. 

“Vantage spent a significant amount of time getting to know our destination and our organization from the inside out, so they were clearly poised to provide the most insightful and strategic implementation of our new website. The site features an itinerary builder to allow travelers to combine the diverse activities and attractions offered by our unique destination,” said Donna Simpson, Executive Director of the Eastern Regional Tourism District. “We are very excited about the vision they brought to this project.”

The main focus of the enhanced site is to introduce visitors to a new image of Mystic Country with comprehensive user friendly itinerary planning tools. “Our goal is to use the website to reposition Mystic Country as the gateway to the New England coastline and countryside and the many treasures the region offers,” said Vantage CEO, Mike Pusateri. “Since the site is the first glimpse many travelers will have of Mystic Country, it’s critical that we give them a positive experience from the minute they enter the site. Our company marries strategic branding with the latest trends in internet technology to give our clients the most intelligent and intuitive site possible.”

The new site will allow all Mystic Country tourism businesses the ability to add information, pictures and special offers to be easily searched and accessed by the traveler. The Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Exploration and Mystic Seaport – the Museum of America and the Sea will be featured as well as offerings of the area’s casinos – Foxwoods, MGM Grand and Mohegan Sun – for entertainment and dining. The site will also highlight the region’s countryside; rich with agricultural, historical and cultural treasures.

Vantage Strategy is a business strategy consulting firm providing customized top-tier sales, marketing, and growth strategies for business of all sizes. Current clients include Orlando, Boston, and Annapolis, to name a few. 

The Mystic Country website was built as a joint project between The Eastern Regional Tourism District, a public sector destination marketing organization representing 42 towns in the region and the Mystic Coast & County Travel Industry Association, a private sector membership destination marketing association dedicated to promoting South Eastern Connecticut and Southwestern Rhode Island as a travel destination. For more information about Vantage Strategy call (202) 449-9708 or visit www.VantageStrategy.com. For more information about Mystic Country, and to view the new website, visit www.MysticCountry.com.

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For information on advertising and editorial opportunities with Perspective Magazine & Owners Perspective Magazine; the leading independent B2B & B2C magazines for the timeshare and fractional ownership industries visit www.perspectiverates.com

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European Timeshare: Happy Owners And A Year Round Boost To Regional Economies

There are over 1.5 million timeshare owners in Europe and the vast majority *(87%) are happy with their holidays, with almost three quarters thinking that their timeshare accommodation is better than other self-catering holidays they have taken, with quality of accommodation the most important consideration for owners.

This is according to a comprehensive study into timeshare carried out by The Christel DeHaan Tourism and Travel Research Institute at the Nottingham University Business School on behalf of RDO (Resort Development Organisation), formerly known as OTE. The study looked into the industry in detail, analysing what its economic impact is, what owners think of their timeshare and what the industry’s reach is, over 40 years since it was first conceived of in the French Alps.

The results paint a picture of a thriving industry which makes a positive impact on local economies all over Europe. The Timeshare industry generates €3.2 billion of expenditure each year and employs nearly 70,000 people. Occupancy rates are high throughout the year (72%) in Europe’s 1,312 resorts – that’s 67 million bed nights – with owners spending an average of €1,588 per trip on goods and services in the local area: from restaurants, car rental and groceries to souvenirs and clothes.

It is also a form of holiday property ownership for the masses with the average owner’s household income (pre-tax) standing at €60,475; and for people in their mid-life, with the average owner coming in at 55.  The British and the Irish are the biggest timeshare fans, followed by the Germans, Italians, Spanish and French. Spain is the most popular destination with 26% of resorts, followed by Italy (15%) and the UK and Ireland (11%). It’s not all about jetting off though, one third of owners purchase a timeshare in their own country – which shows many want to be able to get to their resort easily.

“Timeshare is a concept that has truly come of age with many thousands of happy owners across Europe”, said RDO Chairman Richard McIntosh. “The quality of timeshare resorts is high which is why many owners see it as superior to other self catering holidays. With exchange options available, owners also enjoy the flexibility of being able to try out resorts across Europe and the rest of the world.”

“This report also highlights the positive impact that timeshare has on local economies. Timeshare is a year round industry with owners as likely to visit in the winter months as the summer, spending money in the local community and providing jobs where they otherwise might not exist”, concluded McIntosh.

Professor Chris Cooper, Director, Christel DeHaan Tourism and Travel Research Institute commented: “This report is essential reading for all involved in the timeshare business, not only does it provide a detailed profile of timeshare owners, but it also examines their future intentions and preferences in the timeshare market place”.

More about RDO
RDO (Resort Development Organisation) is the trade body dedicated to excellence and fair trading in the European vacation ownership industry, whilst promoting and fostering industry growth. As such, it serves its members through public relations, legislative lobbying, research and member and consumer relations management.

Resort Development Organisation AISBL, formerly Organisation for Timeshare in Europe AISBL is an international non profit making association registered in Brussels with company number 0457.984.213.  Its registered office is at Oak House, Cours St Michel 100/3, 1040 Brussels, Belgium

The Christel DeHaan Tourism and Travel Research Institute (TTRI)
TTRI is located in the Business School in the University of Nottingham. The University of Nottingham is one of the UK’s leading universities, a member of the Russell Group of universities and one of the top four universities earning research funding from private industry and commerce. The Business School has been rated as one of the leading research schools in the 2008 UK-wide Research Assessment Exercise

Previous results
*When asked in 2006 whether they were pleased with their decision to buy timeshare 75% of UK owners agreed.

Case Studies – the following ‘excerpts’ represent major developers in some of the key timeshare markets – UK, Portugal and Spain (including the Canaries).

Anfi Group
Anfi Group resorts are located in two main areas of Gran Canaria: Anfi Arguineguín with 4 resorts (Anfi Beach, Puerto Anfi, Monte Anfi and Gran Anfi) and Anfi Tauro (Anfi Emerald).

With occupancy levels in excess of 85% across its luxurious 988 apartments, with the highest rates in October, November, February and March, Anfi’s 1,000 staff service in excess of 30,000 members.

The resorts located in Arguineguín attract many additional visitors through their beach and marina, boosting sales in local shops and restaurants. Tauro Valley which has several golf courses, also brings in many extra visitors to the region, supporting the local economy.

Clowance Estate & Country Club – part of Seasons Holidays Group.
Clowance Estate and Country Club in Cornwall employs over 150 staff in part and full time positions for its 108 unit resort. Clowance has an occupancy rate of 93% – 95% with half its owners on fixed weeks with the rest of the occupants made up of Seasons’ multi destination network. Clowance creates year-round jobs in the resort and indirectly creates jobs in the tourism industry in the local area.  Local shops and restaurants are supported by the resort’s customers all year round, as well as nearby tourist attractions such as the Eden Project.

Club La Costa
Club la Costa employs approximately 1,100 people on the Costa del Sol with an average occupancy rate of 85.2% across its 800 units and has 50,000 owners.

Club la Costa is one of the largest employers on the Spanish coast and the majority of staff come from the local community. It also has a policy of trading with local business people wherever possible.

Gran Anfi Club – part of the Anfi Group
TBC

Hilton Craigendarroch
The Hilton Craigendarroch resort in Royal Deeside is part of the Hilton hotels group. It is a resort of 99 timeshare units and a 45 bedroom hotel. The timeshare units run at 96% occupancy year round and have over 3,800 owners. The resort employs 35 full time and 80 part time staff in addition to 90 people in the hotel. The resort has a big impact on the local community with local restaurants now open all year round. Prior to the opening of the resort there were only two restaurants in the town and now, in part thanks to the resort, there are nine. Guests at the resort support many local traders, including visitor focussed businesses such as galleries and bike hire shops.

Petchey Leisure
Petchey Leisure, one of Europe’s leading leisure groups, has 3 resorts in the Algarve, Portugal, and a total of 850 apartments.  With around 10,000 timeshare owners and excellent year-round occupancy levels, the resorts provide direct employment opportunities to the local community, hiring around 300 staff.  Local businesses, including shops, restaurants, bars and attractions benefit from the money spent by the resorts’ customers. 

Resort Properties
Resort Properties built, sold out and operate 4 prestigious resorts in Europe. The combined Sales, Marketing and Management Team consist of approximately 950 personnel. There are over 1,000 units with an occupancy level of 88%, and a worldwide ownerbase of over 40,000 families.

The resorts are maintained by its Management Company, XL Hotels & Resorts, who employ approximately 600 personnel across their sites.

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For information on advertising and editorial opportunities with Perspective Magazine & Owners Perspective Magazine; the leading independent B2B & B2C magazines for the timeshare and fractional ownership industries visit www.perspectiverates.com

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Homestead Preserve Receives 2009 VCC Better Models For Development Award For “Excellence In Historic Preservation”

The Valley Conservation Council recently awarded Homestead Preserve the 2009 Better Models for Development Award for “Excellence in Historic Preservation” in recognition of its restoration and adaptive reuse of the historic Old Dairy in Warm Springs, Virginia.

“This is a beautiful and comprehensive rehabilitation of a rural agricultural complex,” says Sara Hollberg, Valley Conservation Council (VCC) Planner. “The dairy barns and silos have been an iconic part of the Bath County landscape for generations, and it is wonderful to see their future secured.”

Homestead Preserve completed restoration of the seven 1920s historic structures that now make up the Old Dairy Community Center in 2007, at the cost of about $6 million.  Today Old Dairy is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is also a designated Virginia Historic Landmark.  The restored agricultural complex has been the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions over the past two years, including an award for Outstanding Adaptive Use from the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities (APVA) last year and receipt of the 2009 Palladio Award for historic restoration. 

“We are incredibly honored by this award,” says Don Killoren, Co-General Manager of Homestead Preserve.  “To receive recognition from such a respected conservation group as the VCC for our thoughtful development approach and restoration efforts in Bath County means a great deal to us.”

VCC recognized ten projects this year that serve as models for development in the Shenandoah Valley region. All represent ways to grow that respect local character, create livable communities, complement historic resources, and conserve natural assets. The awards include projects from Winchester, Berryville, Woodstock, and New Market as well as Warren, Augusta, Rockbridge, Bath, and Botetourt counties.

“The issue is not whether we will continue to grow, but where and how we want to grow,” says John Eckman, VCC’s Executive Director. “These projects prove that development not only can fit the character of our traditional communities but also add to it.”          

Homestead Preserve developers and Celebration Associates partners Charles Adams and Don Killoren were instrumental in the design and development of Celebration, Florida, near Orlando, which was hailed as the “Most Advanced Community in the Country from 1996-1998” by The Guinness Book of World Records.  Celebration Associates has for the past ten years been a partner in developing the community of Baxter Village in South Carolina, and is also a partner leading the real estate development projects at Bundoran Farm in Charlottesville, Virginia, and the Mt. Washington Hotel at Bretton Woods in New Hampshire.  Crosland, LLC, of Charlotte, NC is a financial partner in Homestead Preserve, Bundoran Farm and Mount Washington Resort. Crosland’s President and CEO Todd Mansfield was also directly involved in the development and success of Celebration, Florida.  Crosland, LLC, is one of the Southeast’s leading and most diversified real estate companies.

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For information on advertising and editorial opportunities with Perspective Magazine & Owners Perspective Magazine; the leading independent B2B & B2C magazines for the timeshare and fractional ownership industries visit www.perspectiverates.com

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Interval International Signs Long-Term Master, Multi-Location Club Agreement With Zorgvliet Private Residence Club In South Africa

Interval International, a leading global provider of vacation services, announced the addition of Zorgvliet Private Residence Club in South Africa to its vacation exchange network. The affiliation covers six outstanding resorts, sold on both a fractional and traditional timeshare basis. Holiday options available through the Club’s resorts include safaris, South Africa’s famed Wine Region and Garden Route, and health and spa resorts.

“We are very proud to welcome Zorgvliet to our network of worldwide resorts. These are all upscale properties in very desirable locations and this will be another key affiliation in the region for our company,” said David Clifton, managing director Europe, Middle East, Africa & Asia, Interval International. “These properties offer a wide range of leisure amenities and unique experiences and can be said to represent the best holiday experiences that South Africa has to offer. This great quality affiliation continues our planned expansion in southern Africa.”

The resorts included in the affiliation are:

Ka’Ingo Private Reserve and Spa. A luxury African bush experience developed as a prime private “big-five” game animal reserve on the Mokolo River through three safari camps – one offering self-catering, one fully integrated hospitality and one six-room private lodge.

Dinkweng Safari Camp at Ka’Ingo. Comprising luxury secluded bush lodges with modernly appointed kitchen, open-plan layout, three master en suite bedrooms and own pool.

Riviera on Vaal Hotel and Country Club. An exceptional inland resort on the banks of the Vaal River with high class lifestyle, leisure and sporting facilities, including golf, spa treatments, dining, river cruises and a floating restaurant.

Zorgvliet Vineyard Lodge and Spa and Alluvia Specialist Winery and Guesthouse. Both situated close to Cape Town in the beautiful Banhoek Valley outside Stellenbosch, Zorgvliet is an award-winning working wine farm.  Protea King George Hotel. This gem of the famed Garden Route overlooks the Outeniqua Mountains and is situated on the George golf course.

“The Zorgvliet Group of companies have executed a long-term affiliation agreement with Interval International offering members of the Zorgvliet Private Residence Club exciting South African and international exchange opportunities,” said Mac van der Merwe, chief executive, Zorgvliet Private Residence Club. “Interval is a global leader in the field of vacation services and we are delighted to be enhancing the Zorgvliet product offering by partnering with a company of this stature.”

About Interval International
Interval International operates membership programs for vacation owners and provides value-added services to its developer clients worldwide. Based in Miami, Florida, the company has been a pioneer and innovator in serving the vacation ownership market for more than 33 years. Today, Interval has a network of 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.

About Zorgvliet Private Residence Club
Zorgvliet Private Residence Club (ZPRC) is a multi -destination club offering vacation ownership options backed by five-star hospitality services at all its destinations. The company has been developed to provide vacation options at the most appealing South African destinations including game safaris, vineyard holidays and leisure resorts. ZPRC is a family-owned business operating under the Zorgvliet brand. Zorgvliet is based outside Stellenbosch in the Western Cape and offers wine partnership opportunities to its associates.

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For information on advertising and editorial opportunities with Perspective Magazine & Owners Perspective Magazine; the leading independent B2B & B2C magazines for the timeshare and fractional ownership industries visit www.perspectiverates.com

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Interval International Promotes Marcos Agostini To Vice President, Resort Sales And Service, Latin America

Interval International, a leading global provider of vacation services, announced the promotion of Marcos Agostini to vice president, resort sales and service, Latin America. In this role, he oversees Interval’s presence in Central/South America and Mexico and plays a lead role in building the company’s developer client base in the region. He also serves in the same capacity for Preferred ResidencesTM, a branded membership and exchange program for luxury fractional resorts and private residences clubs.

“It gives me great pleasure to promote Marcos, who is a valued member of the resort sales and service team and has made many significant contributions to our organization,” said David Gilbert, executive vice president, resort sales and marketing, Americas. “He has been extremely successful in expanding our resort network in key markets and I am confident that he will continue to be an important asset to the company in his new role.”

Agostini joined Interval in 1993 in the company’s Venezuela office and since then he has held various management positions of increasing scope. As international member services manager, Agostini oversaw the member services departments of Interval’s offices throughout Latin America, including Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, and Brazil.  Most recently, he was assistant vice president for Latin America.

He is a member of the board of the Mexican Resort Development Association (Asociación Mexicana de Desarrolladores Turísticos, AMDETUR) and an active participant in the American Resort Development Association (ARDA).

Interval International operates membership programs for vacation owners and provides value-added services to its developer clients worldwide. Based in Miami, Florida, the company has been a pioneer and innovator in serving the vacation ownership market for more than 33 years. Today, Interval has a network of 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.

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For information on advertising and editorial opportunities with Perspective Magazine & Owners Perspective Magazine; the leading independent B2B & B2C magazines for the timeshare and fractional ownership industries visit www.perspectiverates.com

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Absolute Plans Two Sites In Phuket

Absolute Group, a hotel management and development company, is investing 570 million baht to develop two projects on its own in Phuket, scheduled to open this year.

The properties are the 300-million-baht Absolute Bangla Suites, with 47 suites and seven penthouses in Soi Bangla, and the 270-million-baht Absolute Beach Resort at Nakalay, with 33 suites and penthouses on Patong Bay.

The company is also co-investing with the ‘yoo’ brand, which is seeking to expand in Asia, to develop a lakeside apartment building worth 1.75 billion baht in Phuket, due to open in 2011.

The 256-room yooPhuket is located near the Red Mountain golf course and is scheduled to launch in September. Absolute Resort Management will manage the property.

Bryan Lunt, Absolute’s chairman, said expanding during the crisis was a big challenge. However, he is still confident in Phuket’s competitiveness, as the island is well-known worldwide even though the global downturn and local political instability have affected Thai tourism.

“Phuket is our main focus as we believe the market has a lot of growth potential in the medium to long term. We’re also interested in Samui and Pattaya, which still have growth,” he said.

yooPhuket’s target customers are foreigners as well as Thais who are looking for a good return on investment and want to live or stay in a high-end resort under an international brand. yooPhuket expects its occupancy in the first year to be at least 85%, Mr Lunt said.

Apart from its own investment, Absolute will manage two resorts: the Absolute Chandara Resort and Spa Phuket and the 100-suite Absolute Sansabai Resort and Spa. Its portfolio includes the 54-room Absolute Sea Pearl Resort and Spa in Patong and the 30-room Absolute Patong Villa Resort and Spa.

The company has budgeted 200 million baht this year for operations, human resources and marketing for properties planned to open this year.As well, it is expanding its vacation ownership business by opening two new sales offices in Bangkok and another one in Teheran. The Middle East is expected to be a growing market and more offices are planned.

The company said Thai buyers of its Absolute Vacation Club were growing in number. It sold more than 100 memberships in the first month of operations.

Source: Bangkok Post – http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/tourism/17001/absolute-plans-two-sites

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For information on advertising and editorial opportunities with Perspective Magazine & Owners Perspective Magazine; the leading independent B2B & B2C magazines for the timeshare and fractional ownership industries visit www.perspectiverates.com

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Sales Management Expansion Part Of Sell My Timeshare NOW’s Critical Growth Plan

 Sell My Timeshare NOW, the global leader in the advertising and marketing of timeshare resales and timeshare rentals, has expanded its sales management team with the hiring of Senior Director of Sales, Bonnie McLoud. CEO Jason Tremblay says, “Bonnie brings executive leadership skills in internet advertising, e-commerce, sales, and customer service to our company and our sales floor team.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Previously the General Manager of American Passport Express, a division of CIBT and the world leader in providing travel documents, Bonnie McLoud was responsible for the internet advertising campaigns at American Passport Express, the company’s large call center, and its e-commerce platform for customers ordering passports and visas. Bonnie is a past Vice President of Burst Media where she managed online advertising campaigns for nationally recognized brands. “I am enthusiastic about being a part of a company that has, in a very short time, redefined the way people buy, rent, and sell timeshare,” McLoud says.

Jason Tremblay explains that because Sell My Timeshare NOW is in an aggressive growth phase, increasing both services and products, the sales management team needed to expand as part of the process. Some of Sell My Timeshare NOW’s critical growth projects include implementing new CRM (Customer Relationship Management); revamping the company’s entire training program; and developing an on-going coaching program for reps, all projects on which Sell My Timeshare NOW’s Director of Sales, Rosanne Luba, as well as McLoud, will focus. Luba says, “Expanding our sales management team is very exciting and will enable Sell My Timeshare NOW to achieve standards of excellence rarely seen in business today.”

About Sell My Timeshare NOW
SellMyTimeshareNOW.com, the company’s flagship website, offers internet advertising and marketing solutions and success-based timeshare brokerage services for timeshare owners. The timeshare company was recognized in 2008 by Inc.com as one of the fastest-growing privately held companies in America.

Contact:
Steve Luba (media)
Phone (603) 516-0649
steveluba@sellmytimesharenow.com

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For information on advertising and editorial opportunities with Perspective Magazine & Owners Perspective Magazine; the leading independent B2B & B2C magazines for the timeshare and fractional ownership industries visit www.perspectiverates.com

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Drake And Scull International Wins Dhs226m Contract On Palm Jumeirah

Drake & Scull International PJSC has been awarded the Dhs226m Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing contract for the Kingdom of Sheba development on Palm Jumeirah, bringing the total value of its contracts on the Palm Jumeirah to over Dhs1.4bn.

With this contract, DSI is now working on six separate projects, covering a total built up area of 1.2m square metres, on the Palm Jumeirah, making it the largest MEP contractor on the island.

Kingdom of Sheba is a mixed-use residential and leisure luxury resort located on the crescent of Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. The resort is the largest resort IFA Hotels & Resorts is developing. DSI have been awarded the contract for the first phase of the development which consist of the residential component (Balqis Residence) and the Private Residence Club (Fairmont Heritage Place, Kingdom of Sheba).

This is the fourth Project IFA Hotels & Resorts has awarded DSI.

DSI Vice Chairman and CEO Khaldoun Tabari added that his company is in a unique position at the moment.
‘There are still a lot of opportunities in the construction industry in the UAE, and DSI is well equipped and has the capabilities and resources to take on mega projects, and deliver as per the client’s requirements of time, cost and quality. The expertise we gained in the UAE in over 40 years as a specialist MEP contracting company, combined with our cash rich position ensures we will continue to meet all our projects’ requirements,’he said.

In the second quarter of 2008, DSI became the largest MEP contractor on the Palm Jumeirah after winning contracts for Fairmont Palm Hotel and Resort, an IFA Hotel and Resort project, and Royal Amwaj Resort and Spa.

DSI’s contract with Kingdom of Sheba incorporates the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of complete MEP works including: Air Conditioning, Ventilation, Plumbing and Drainage, Building Management System, Fire Fighting, Power, Telephone and Data, Fire Alarm System, Intercom System, Central Emergency Lighting, CCTV, Access Control Security Systems, PA/BGM System & Lighting Control System.

DSI is a leading UAE-based end-to-end service provider of MEP contracting, infrastructure, water and power (IWP) and civil contracting services. On March 16 2009, DSI became the first specialist contracting company to list on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) and is currently working on projects across the MENA region with a total value reaching approximately Dhs6bn.

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For information on advertising and editorial opportunities with Perspective Magazine & Owners Perspective Magazine; the leading independent B2B & B2C magazines for the timeshare and fractional ownership industries visit www.perspectiverates.com

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Trading Places Signs New Contract For Management In The Black Hills Of South Dakota

Trading Places International was recently awarded the management contract for Barefoot Resort in Lead, South Dakota, an old mining town in the Black Hills region. Trading Places will service all reservations, rentals, exchanges, sales and association financial services of the resort. Trading Places is pleased to welcome Barefoot Resort – the only timeshare property in South Dakota – into their expanding family of resorts.

“We’re very excited about the acquisition of a resort in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota,” said Douglas L. Wilcox, Vice President of Resort Management. “This new vacation destination will be a wonderful addition to Trading Places’ growing mid-west family of resorts.”

Barefoot Resort sits at an elevation of 6,500 feet and is located directly across from South Dakota’s major ski area, Terry Peak, and just 37 miles from Mount Rushmore. The resort is a 44-unit timeshare property offering studios, one, two, and three-bedroom units. Amenities include an indoor pool and hot tub, exercise equipment, basketball, volleyball, and tennis courts, and spectacular views of the northern Black Hills.

Trading Places International is a 36-year veteran of the travel and vacation ownership industries.  It is the only vertically-integrated, independent timeshare company providing full service resort management, exchange and rental services, and travel agency. It currently oversees more than 55,000 timeshare owners at over 30 resort locations in Hawaii, Mexico, South America, the Caribbean and mainland United States.

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For information on advertising and editorial opportunities with Perspective Magazine & Owners Perspective Magazine; the leading independent B2B & B2C magazines for the timeshare and fractional ownership industries visit www.perspectiverates.com

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Karma Developments Announces Appointment of Gary Knowles as CFI

After joining Karma Royal Group in September 2008 as Consultant Chief Financial Officer, KRG is pleased to announce such appointment has now become full time.

Gary has had significant experience in various leadership roles across multiple business sectors and geographic regions. His base knowledge is foundered on a chartered accountant’s qualification and he has held senior leadership roles as CFO, Executive Director – Group Development, CEO and Managing Director, Group CEO, Chief Operating Officer and Corporate Advisor.

Gary’s exposure to mergers and acquisitions, post acquisition integration and leveraging the best out of multiple acquisitions is seen as a core strength, together with his ability to cut across multiple business models and geographical regions. Gary has had success as a key member of a number of executive teams where growth targets and core objectives have been achieved and surpassed for sustained periods.

 

 

A proven track record in;
- ensuring financial health of entities,
- identifying and leveraging new opportunities,
- negotiating and closing appropriate deals,
- relationship building,
- business turnarounds,
- being part of and leading high performance teams,
- strategy formulation and execution of business plans and objectives, and
- experience across multiple geographic regions,
are seen as key strengths and we believe will provide a positive contribution at a strategic level to the focus and delivery of our vision.

Prior to joining the Karma Royal Group as Chief Operating Officer, Gary held the position of Group Chief Executive Officer for Roamfree Limited, an internet infrastructure business providing online solutions for accommodation providers and inventory aggregators.

Prior to joining Roamfree Limited, Gary enjoyed a 10 year career with, now Wyndham Worldwide’s Group RCI. Gary has held various roles with the NYSE listed company, but the most recent saw him hold the position of SVP and Managing Director for the Africa and Pacific regions for Group RCI.

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For information on advertising and editorial opportunities with Perspective Magazine & Owners Perspective Magazine; the leading independent B2B & B2C magazines for the timeshare and fractional ownership industries visit www.perspectiverates.com

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Brand Tango Wins Four District ADDY Awards – Now Eligible For National Honors

Brand Tango, a Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.-based marketing and advertising firm, has been awarded four ADDY Awards in the District Four Competition of the American Advertising Federation. “This is one of the most gratifying competitions to win,” says Joe Russoniello, the firm’s president and co-founder. “We’re competing against the largest and most creative agencies in the nation, so the recognition is a real affirmation for us. Of course, the true test is the way our work performs in the marketplace, and that’s where our efforts really pay off.”

The District Addy Awards are for the following projects:
• Club Hacienda Tres Rios Print Advertisement for Tres Rios – Gold ADDY
• Royal Palm Vacations Member Kit for Royal Palm Vacations – Gold ADDY
• Great Escapes Member Kit for Advantage Travel – Silver ADDY
• GlobeQuest Brochure for GBS International – Silver ADDY

The 1,500 National ADDY entries have been winnowed from more than 60,000 entries from the American Advertising Federation’s 200 member advertising clubs and 15 districts. The awards ceremony will be held June 6 in Arlington, Va. Other recent honors for the Brand Tango include 10 Silver and five Gold ARDY awards from the American Resort Development Association.

Brand Tango is a comprehensive marketing, design, and technology company with clients in timeshare/real estate/hospitality, consumer products and services, and financial services. Relying on their decades of combined expertise, its principals and staff help clients define and achieve sales goals and return-on-investment objectives by addressing integrated marketing needs in an efficient, unbiased, and knowledgeable manner with a solid, multi-faceted, results-oriented strategy.

Brand Tango specializes in new-customer kits, loyalty programs, member-retention materials, and annual reports for vacation ownership, hospitality and leisure clients, and for other consumer-products companies. Selected clients include Pacific Monarch Resorts, Karisma Hotels & Resorts, FBGroup, InfinityTravel, GBS International, OPTX 20/20, Premier Estate Properties, Royal Palm Vacations, Tres Ríos Resort, Sunset Resorts, Premier Cancún Vacations, Grand Incentives, and Advantage Travel.

To view examples of Brand Tango’s recent work, visit www.brand-tango.com. For an online demonstration of Brand Tango’s Web 2.0 customer relationship management system, Tango, go to www.gettango.com.

For more information, contact Joe Russoniello at (954) 295-7879 or joe@brand-tango.com .

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For information on advertising and editorial opportunities with Perspective Magazine & Owners Perspective Magazine; the leading independent B2B & B2C magazines for the timeshare and fractional ownership industries visit www.perspectiverates.com

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SPI Orange Systems’ Reservations System Selected For Oyster Bay Beach Resort

Timeshare software company Systems Products International (SPI) Orange Systems’ reservations system was recently selected for Oyster Bay Beach Resort by its developers, Pearl Development, Inc. and sister company Ansley Associates, Inc.

“We turned to SPI because we wanted the best timeshare reservations system,” says Michael Dolente Esq., partner at Pearl Development. “Until this point, we had outsourced reservations, but when we decided to bring it in-house, we looked for software that would be flexible and timeshare-oriented. SPI’s system will enable us to easily track our members’ use of their resort privileges, record and retain their contact information and ensure they’ve paid their monthly mortgage and annual maintenance fees prior to leaving the property.”

“Oyster Bay Beach Resort is situated on a very picturesque and secluded promontory in St. Maarten and is a very popular destination, requiring a robust reservations system,” says SPI Director of Sales Matt Brosious. “We are very pleased to have been selected as their software provider.”

About Oyster Bay Beach Resort & Pearl Development, Inc.
Pearl Development, Inc. – developers of Oyster Bay Beach Resort (www.oysterbaybeachresort.com – was founded in 2003 by Partners Michael Dolente and Josh Gold, who are also principals of Ansley Associates, Inc., a lender specializing in niche financing, including real estate and timeshare development. Oyster Bay Beach Resort, located in St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles,Caribbean, is a timeshare resort of 138 units.

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

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For information on advertising and editorial opportunities with Perspective Magazine & Owners Perspective Magazine; the leading independent B2B & B2C magazines for the timeshare and fractional ownership industries visit www.perspectiverates.com

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Intrawest Enhances Marketing And Sales Leadership At Its Colorado Mountain Resorts

Industry Veterans Assume Key Leadership Positions At Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation, Winter Park Resort and Copper Mountain

Intrawest, a leader in the development and management of experiential destination resorts, today announced new marketing and sales leadership appointments at three of the premier mountain resorts in Colorado – Steamboat, Winter Park and Copper Mountain. The appointments involve existing senior management team members and all will be effective on June 1, 2009.

Andy Wirth has accepted the newly created position of Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Steamboat and he will have direct responsibilities for all aspects of marketing and sales at the resort. Previously, Wirth served as Intrawest’s Chief Marketing Officer based in Vancouver, and prior to this he spent 23 years in various senior marketing leadership positions at Steamboat. In addition to his new responsibilities at Steamboat, Wirth will maintain direct oversight and management of Intrawest’s enterprise-wide strategic partnerships and coordination of the Intrawest Hospitality Management marketing platform. In addition, Wirth will continue to work in close coordination with Intrawest’s real estate sales and marketing division, Playground. Wirth commented: “I am genuinely thrilled to be returning to Steamboat Ski Town USA(R) while still maintaining my overarching responsibilities on behalf of Intrawest.”

“We are extremely pleased to see Andy return to the senior leadership team at Steamboat,” said Chris Diamond, president and chief operating officer at Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation. “Andy is an industry veteran with a strong track record of building the brand value and customer programs that have defined Steamboat’s reputation as the leading family resort in the West. He is an enthusiastic leader and accomplished community representative and we welcome him back to Steamboat.”

With this, Rob Perlman will transition from his role as the Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Steamboat to his new position as the Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Winter Park Resort. Prior to joining Steamboat in June 2008, Perlman served as the Chief Executive Officer for Colorado Ski Country USA, a role in which he represented the ski industry as the Chairman of the Board of the Colorado Tourism Office. Perlman’s extensive industry experience also includes roles at Winter Park, Vail Resorts and Mammoth Mountain in California.

“Rob has done an outstanding job at Steamboat and he has made very positive contributions to the company, the resort brand and the local community over the course of the past year. We wish him all the best in the future as he begins this wonderful new opportunity at Winter Park,” added Diamond.

“Rob began his career in Winter Park and his vast experience with the City of Denver and the Colorado Legislature through his leadership of the Colorado Tourism Office will greatly benefit Winter Park,” said Gary DeFrange, president and chief operating officer at Winter Park Resort. “His exceptional work at Steamboat coupled with his background at Colorado Ski Country USA will greatly enhance our efforts to evolve Winter Park’s position as a true destination resort.”

“A significant opportunity presents itself to leverage two talented executives within our company to drive business opportunities in Colorado,” said Bill Jensen, chief executive officer at Intrawest. “Steamboat and Winter Park are two of our core resort properties and they remain a central focus for Intrawest’s long-term success. I am confident that under the sales and marketing leadership of Andy and Rob we will continue to deliver exceptional experiences for our guests, homeowners and employees at these two great resorts.”

In addition to the new appointments at Steamboat and Winter Park, Jesse True will continue his role as the Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Copper Mountain. True will focus exclusively on brand management and enhancing the guest experience at Copper Mountain. Previously, True oversaw the marketing and sales disciplines at both Copper Mountain and Winter Park.

About Intrawest
Intrawest is a leader in the development and management of experiential destination resorts. The company has interests in ten resorts at North America’s most popular mountain destinations including Whistler Blackcomb, a host venue for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The Intrawest network also includes Canadian Mountain Holidays, the largest heli-skiing operation in the world, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Florida and Club Intrawest – a private resort club with locations throughout North America. In addition, Intrawest develops, markets and sells real estate at its resorts and at other locations across North America and in Europe. Intrawest is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia and is a portfolio company owned primarily by private equity funds managed by affiliates of Fortress Investment Group LLC.

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For information on advertising and editorial opportunities with Perspective Magazine & Owners Perspective Magazine; the leading independent B2B & B2C magazines for the timeshare and fractional ownership industries visit www.perspectiverates.com

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SCS Interactive Treehouse Enhances Great Wolf Resorts’ Newest Indoor Waterpark

Continuing to build upon SCS Interactive’s long standing relationship with Great Wolf Resorts, Inc.®, SCS Interactive has provided a dramatic iconic attraction for Great Wolf Resort’s newest resort waterpark in Concord, NC.
 
Great Wolf Lodge® Concord, NC officially opened its doors on April 23rd, 2009. This is the eleventh Great Wolf Lodge indoor waterpark to feature SCS Interactive’s multi-level treehouse structure as its cornerstone attraction.
 
The treehouse waterfort attraction called Fort Mackenzie™ stands four stories tall, houses a magnificent nearly 1,000 gallon tipping bucket and a suspension bridge. It also features a northwoods-inspired theme, two body slides, and variety of exciting interactive spray pool elements. Visitors to the waterpark will enjoy more than 60 guest activated water features that squirt, spray, and blast.
 
“The treehouse concept has given Great Wolf Resorts an enormous amount of flexibility to customize the attraction, giving each resort its own unique identity, while creating a distinct and recognizable feature that links each property together,” said Steve Wagner, vice president of marketing and sales, SCS Interactive.
 
The Great Wolf Lodge indoor waterpark in Concord, NC also features 11 waterslides including an exciting Howlin’ Tornado™ ride, a family raft ride and four-lane mat racer waterslides, and four pools including a wave pool.
 
SCS Interactive’s hallmark waterplay structures are featured at Great Wolf Lodge resorts in Wisconsin Dells, WI; Sandusky, OH; Traverse City, MI; Kansas City, KS; Williamsburg, VA; the Pocono Mountains, PA; Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada; Mason, OH; Grapevine TX; and Grand Mound, WA; and Blue Harbor Resort & Conference Center™ in Sheboygan, WI. 

SCS partnered with aquatic design build firm, Neuman Group, and slide manufacturer, ProSlide, to complete this project and worked with The Weber Group, the brand architect for Great Wolf Resorts, to integrate SCS’s custom-themed attraction with the resort’s overall theme. 

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.

About Great Wolf Resorts, Inc.
Great Wolf Resorts, Inc.®, Madison, Wis., is North America’s largest family of indoor waterpark resorts, and, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, owns and operates its family resorts under the Great Wolf Lodge® and Blue Harbor Resort™ brands. Great Wolf Resorts is a fully integrated resort company with Great Wolf Lodge locations in: Wisconsin Dells, Wis.; Sandusky, Ohio; Traverse City, Mich.; Kansas City, Kan.; Williamsburg, Va.; the Pocono Mountains, Pa.; Niagara Falls, Ontario; Mason, Ohio; Grapevine, Texas; Grand Mound, Wash.; and Concord, N.C.; and Blue Harbor Resort & Conference Center in Sheboygan, Wis. Through Great Wolf Resorts’ environmental sustainability program, Project Green Wolf™, the company is the first and only national hotel chain to have all US properties Green Seal™ Certified – Silver.
 
The company’s resorts are family-oriented destination facilities that generally feature 300 – 600 rooms and a large indoor entertainment area measuring 40,000 – 100,000 square feet. The all-suite properties offer a variety of room styles, arcade/game rooms, fitness rooms, themed restaurants, spas, supervised children’s activities and other amenities. Additional information may be found on the company’s website at www.greatwolf.com.

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For information on advertising and editorial opportunities with Perspective Magazine & Owners Perspective Magazine; the leading independent B2B & B2C magazines for the timeshare and fractional ownership industries visit www.perspectiverates.com

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Holiday Inn Club Vacations At Orange Lake Resort Hosts Christel House Tournament To Benefit Global Community

Tournament to be Held at Orange Lake Resort for 7th Consecutive Year

Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake Resort is celebrating its seventh year as the Central Florida host of the Group RCI Christel House Open on Monday, June 8. This is the first year that the tournament will be hosted under Orange Lake Resort’s new timeshare brand, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, and will take place at the resort’s 18-hole, Arnold Palmer-designed Legends golf course. Sponsorship and player opportunities are still available for participating in this event for a great cause.  

Considered the largest single-day, charity golf tournament in the world, the Group RCI Christel House Open is spread out across 19 tournament sites spanning five continents. Approximately 2,000 golfers will tee off on this day for the charity—and 100% of the worldwide proceeds will go to programs and services that directly benefit the more than 3,000 children of Christel House.

Don Harrill, President and CEO of Orange Lake Resorts, said, “We’re very pleased that so many of our timeshare industry friends are joining us once again in this year’s tournament to benefit Christel House—as well as several of our local attraction partners and vendors. Last year was a great success and we hope to continue this important tradition year after year here at Orange Lake Resort.”

Orange Lake Resorts has partnered with the non-profit organization for the Group RCI Christel House Open since its inception in 2002 as the charity’s major site host. Last year, the company’s dedicated efforts helped to raise over $125,000 for the Christel House mission. This year’s tournament will be graced with the presence of two very special guests: Christel DeHaan, founder of the Christel House International foundation, and Gordon Gurnik, President of Group RCI North America.

For sponsorship opportunities and more information on how you can play in this tournament, contact Cathy Duncan, Manager of Corporate Events for Orange Lake Resorts, at 407-239-0000, ext. 1979.

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., Panama City, Fla. Brownsville, Vt., Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Gatlinburg, Tenn.  Holiday Inn Club members enjoy access to Holiday Inn Club Vacations resorts and IHG’s network of more than 4,200 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.

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For information on advertising and editorial opportunities with Perspective Magazine & Owners Perspective Magazine; the leading independent B2B & B2C magazines for the timeshare and fractional ownership industries visit www.perspectiverates.com

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Paris Residence Club Introduces Trial Ownership Program To Encourage Prospective Fractional Ownership Buyers To Evaluate Its Paris Residences

Paris Residence Club announces “I Love Paris — Trial Ownership Program”, to encourage prospective buyers to book an Inspection Trip for up to four people at a 50% discount. The Program is for anyone interested in acquiring a property in Paris, allowing them to evaluate the quality of the Club’s services and amenities, and to get better acquainted with its fractional ownership offer.

Paris-based fractional ownership company, Paris Residence Club, and Paris Pied-à-Terre, a Paris and Provence vacation rental company, have joined efforts to introduce I Love Paris — Trial Ownership Program. The Program offers prospective buyers a unique opportunity to book an Inspection trip for four at a 50% discount. It is aimed at anyone interested in either acquiring a Parisian property or in Paris Residence Club’s fractional ownership apartments for sale. “We want our prospective buyers to experience our team’s hospitality and efficiency, and to explore and get better acquainted with the Club’s fractional offer prior to progressing to full Fractional Ownership,” says President and CEO Walid Halabi.

3-Bedroom Fractional Ownership in Paris
At the reduced, all-inclusive Inspection Trip price of $150/night, I Love Paris — Trial Ownership Program allows up to four guests to experience first-hand one of the Club’s Paris apartments for sale. “Owners of Paris Residence Club shares are VIPs in our eyes. Inspection Trip guests will be treated in the same manner and will have access to the entire range of Club services, including 7-days-a-week English-speaking concierge, pre-arrival grocery shopping, fresh flowers at arrival, car service, daily English newspaper delivery, and much more,” declares Walid Halabi.

“Many people dream of owning a second home in Paris, but most are put off by the high cost and complexity of owning property abroad, especially in France. And they’re right,” adds Walid Halabi. “But with Paris Residence Club’s fractional ownership program, owning your own Parisian pad is now a very realistic option. Even people who could easily afford an entire property are now seriously considering fractional ownership because of the significant advantages.”

“Hassle-free maintenance, efficient luxury services, and lower costs than the price of similar apartments for sale in Paris are just a few of the advantages that Paris Residence Club offers,” says Walid Halabi. “Best of all, you are not only investing in one of the world’s healthiest real estate markets, but you also get to enjoy every minute of it. This is like having your cake and eating it too. Frankly, I don’t know anyone else out there who can say the same thing today.”

Ownership in one of Paris Residence Club’s apartments starts at $145,000 for a 1/13th interest. Buyers who participate in this offer and proceed with purchasing an ownership interest in one of the apartments for sale in Paris will have their Inspection Trip investment deducted from the total acquisition price.

Paris Residence Club (www.parisresidenceclub.com) is the only fractional ownership company in Paris to offer a full residence club program with an extensive range of premium services and amenities. The fractional apartments for sale in Paris consist of one, two, and three bedrooms, located in the most sought after districts of Paris. Each 1/13th ownership interest allows owners four weeks of usage every year, plus a bonus week in either the Club’s Provence property or its yacht, based in the South of France.

Paris Pied-à-Terre (www.parispiedaterre.com) was founded in 2000 and has been successfully involved in upscale Parisian vacation rentals. The company boasts a long list of positive testimonials concerning the quality of its services and applied hospitality. Its Paris apartments for rent are tastefully appointed and are located in the best districts of the city.

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For information on advertising and editorial opportunities with Perspective Magazine & Owners Perspective Magazine; the leading independent B2B & B2C magazines for the timeshare and fractional ownership industries visit www.perspectiverates.com

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Online Community of Fractional & Timeshare Owners Thriving

Whilst Owners Perspective Magazine continues to attract new potential buyers of timeshare and fractional property through its print distribution via UK supermarkets, selected hotels and resorts, travel and property shows and soon airport lounges throughout Europe, the online version of the magazine along with its members area full of hundreds of news items, resort reviews and destination guides is continuing to attract thousands of existing timeshare and fractional property owners.

Recent statistics released by publisher Perspective International show that more than 76% of online subscribers have indicated an interest in buying timeshare or fractional products within the next 12 months.

Owners Perspective Magazine offers an independent guide to the shared ownership marketplace and all online content is accessible via FREE Subscription.

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

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For information on advertising and editorial opportunities with Perspective Magazine & Owners Perspective Magazine; the leading independent B2B & B2C magazines for the timeshare and fractional ownership industries visit www.perspectiverates.com

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Monarch Grand Vacations Installs TimeShareWare’s Revolutionary Resorts4Rent Reservation Product

TimeShareWare (TSW), the leading technology provider for the shared-ownership resort industry, announces the successful installation of Resorts4Rent (R4R) at Monarch Grand Vacations.

Monarch Grand Vacations, an industry leader since 1980 and offering more than 1,550 luxury villas across nine Pacific Monarch Resort locations in Mexico and the United States, recognized the need to increase inventory utilization while lowering inventory expiration. TSW’s Resorts4Rent technology provides real-time rental bookings from third-party aggregators and consumer travel sites all over the world. Third-party partners bring agents, global distribution systems (GDS), and other networks together to form a massive electronic resort exchange and rental community to individual resorts.

Teri Boyle, Vice-President, Reservations/Guest Services of Monarch Owner Services, Inc., commented on the recent Resorts4Rent launch using the Direct Connect interface with LeisureLink. “With our rental reservations coming directly into TimeShareWare, we eliminate virtually all manual intervention. Using LeisureLink’s live connection into our real-time inventory, we eliminate managing inventory on the extranets of each reseller. We also reduce potential for user errors, lost e-mails, and save on personnel hours.”

At Monarch Grand Vacations, the Resorts4Rent product has been configured to work with LeisureLink, Inc., the leading distribution and revenue management platform for specialty lodging suppliers, fully automating their rental program across a broad array of channels. The Resorts4Rent interface allows LeisureLink to instantly query real-time availability from TimeShareWare and then confirm the reservation. Confirmation details are then transmitted immediately and sent to the appropriate reservation distribution channel. The entire process occurs in real-time while giving Monarch Grand Vacations the flexibility to expose specific inventory segments.

“The real-time information from TimeShareWare allows us to maximize rental income and the flow of new prospective owners for Monarch Grand Vacations,” said Steve Reich, Senior Vice President of Sales for LeisureLink. “Monarch Grand Vacations has always had an aggressive rental program, but this degree of automation will give them a sustainable competitive advantage across all distribution channels,” Reich added.

For TimeShareWare’s Chief Information Officer, Dane Ashworth, this value-added product will greatly reduce the workload of employees managing the distribution of rental inventory. “TimeShareWare has been able to automate a process that has traditionally taken substantial manual labor. Inventory can be easily designated in TimeShareWare for distribution, which automatically exposes the inventory to the distribution partner. Since the interface works with real-time information, resorts are able to book down to the very last unit without dealing with ‘hard blocks.’”

About Monarch Grand Vacations:
Monarch Grand Vacations, an industry leader for 19 years, offers 1,550 luxury villas at nine different Pacific Monarch Resort locations to more than 100,000 guess each year. With their headquarters in Laguna Hills, California, they boast the Pacific Monarch Resorts’ new flagship property, Cabo Azul Resort and Spa in Los Cabos, Mexico, a 332 all villa resort development built on 12 acres with 600 feet of white-sand beach. Other locations include exciting resorts in Cancún, Mexico, South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV, and multiple properties in California and Utah. For more information about Monarch Grand Vacations, visit their website at www.monarchgrandvacations.com.

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 and tour 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.

About LeisureLink:(TM)
LeisureLink powers global distribution and demand for the vacation rental and specialty lodging industry. Their distribution platform and proprietary Demand Management System™ enable property managers to increase bookings and optimize revenue across thousands of distribution channels. For more information visit www.LeisureLink.com and to view properties go to www.ABetterStay.com.

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For information on advertising and editorial opportunities with Perspective Magazine & Owners Perspective Magazine; the leading independent B2B & B2C magazines for the timeshare and fractional ownership industries visit www.perspectiverates.com

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