Aloft Arundel Mills Marks The Next Step On Starwood’s Journey To Open Its 1,000th Hotel in 2009

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. celebrates a key milestone today with the opening of the 25th Aloft® hotel worldwide – Aloft Arundel Mills in Hanover, Maryland. With the global growth of the Aloft brand, Starwood continues to progress on its journey to open its 1,000th hotel in 2009.

The Aloft brand debuted in Montreal in June 2008 and opened its first 17 hotels by year end. In 2009, Aloft will grow to more than 40 hotels, opening one new property every two weeks in markets like Phoenix, Denver, Austin, and Washington, D.C. Aloft currently operates hotels in three countries – Canada, China and the United States – and is poised to debut in the Middle East this fall with the Aloft Abu Dhabi. The steady and strategic expansion of Aloft has played a key role in driving Starwood’s growth. In 2009, Starwood expects to add 80-100 new hotels across its nine distinctive and compelling brands, while broadening its portfolio to include 100 countries.

“By focusing on opening the right properties in the right places with the right partners, we expect Aloft to continue to systematically grow in key domestic and international markets, even in the face of a weakened economy,” said Simon Turner, President of Global Development for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. “Aloft has attracted growing numbers of owners and developers, many of whom are developing multiple Aloft hotels, who appreciate the brand’s innovation and design, as well as the power of the Starwood network and its leading demand-driving programs like Starwood Preferred Guest®.”

With its loft-inspired rooms, atmospheric public spaces and electric social scene, Aloft hotels are already earning guest satisfaction scores that rival those of Starwood’s luxury hotel brands.

“The Aloft brand has successfully revolutionized the select service hotel category by meeting the needs of today’s travelers,” said Brian McGuinness, Senior Vice President, Specialty Select Brands, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. “With its emphasis on bringing boutique-style hotels to the traveling masses by offering a four star experience at a three star price, Aloft is rapidly gaining worldwide recognition as one of the industry’s most compelling lifestyle brands.”

Aloft Arundel Mills offers 142 rooms in an ideal location, just outside the Baltimore Beltway. A Vision of W Hotels, Aloft is a new destination sensation featuring loft-inspired design, accessible and intuitive technology and a stylish urban attitude. For more information on the Aloft brand, please visit www.alofthotels.com.

About Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc.
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 ElementSM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com or www.starwoodpressclub.com

Point to Point Destinations is pleased to welcome Gull Lake Residence Club (Nisswa, Minnesota) to the wonderful world of RCI Points and to our RCI Points Home Group.

Point to Point Destinations (http://www.ptpdestinations.com) is pleased to welcome Gull Lake Residence Club to the wonderful world of RCI Points and to our RCI Points Home Group.

Gull Lake Residence Club (http://minnesota.ptpdestinations.com/gull-lake-residence-club) in Nisswa, Minnesota adjoins sister Home Group property Causeway on Gull on the stunning Gull Lake Chain. Only a brief drive from Minneapolis-St. Paul, Gull Lake Residence Club brings complete luxury to Point to Point Destinations with large well-appointed townhomes for your enjoyment. Gull Lake Residence Club is a fractional ownership development with all the amenities of a five star resort. From the beautiful marina that houses your own personal boat slip to the indoor and outdoor pools and beautiful walking trails this resort has it all.

Many thanks to Jason Tollette and Randy Johnson and the team at Gull Lake Residence Club, Neal Narveson at Narveson Management in Breezy Point, Minnesota and his team and RCI’s Ron Jacquart for their efforts on behalf of all members of these resorts and the members of all 39 Resorts in Point to Point Destinations Home Group.

About Point to Point Destinations:
Point to Point Destinations (1999), a California-registered non-profit mutual benefit corporation, is an Association of timeshare members. All purchasers of Point to Point Destinations timeshare offered by West Coast Timeshare Ltd. (Canada) and West Coast Vacations Ltd. (USA) automatically become voting members of Point to Point and ultimately the benefactors of all urban and resort property registered to it by both West Coast entities. Membership in Point to Point is perpetual, allowing families to create a legacy of fabulous vacations for many generations.

Aloft and Element Arundel Mills Are The Newest Hotspots for Savvy Travelers

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. and LTD Management Company introduce two new hotel brands to Maryland today with the opening of Aloft Arundel Mills and Element Arundel Mills. Aloft is the stylish new select service lifestyle brand inspired by W Hotels, and Element, which is inspired by Westin Hotels & Resorts, offers a compelling new experience for longer-stay guests.

Aloft Arundel Mills is the 25th Aloft hotel to open worldwide and joins a robust portfolio that includes hotels in destinations like Chicago, Denver, Montreal, San Antonio and Beijing. Located just outside the Baltimore Beltway, Aloft Arundel Mills offers 142 spacious, loft-like rooms, intuitive technology and a hip, social atmosphere. The 147-room Element Arundel Mills, the brand’s fourth to open, is designed specifically for people who strive to maintain a sense of balance while away from home and their typical routine. Both hotels are minutes away from BWI Airport and Fort Meade and are easily accessible to Baltimore and Washington, DC.

“We are thrilled to work with Starwood Hotels & Resorts to open the 25th Aloft hotel, as well as the eco-chic Element,” said Neel Desai, Managing Partner for LTD Management Company. “Both hotels offer innovative travel options for the tech-savvy and environmentally aware. This will be our second Aloft opening and first Element opening.”

“Opening these two hotels side by side, and on the same day, underscores Starwood’s ability to grow with best-in-class partners to develop quality hotels in key markets, even during challenging times,” said Brian McGuinness, Senior Vice President of Aloft and Element Hotels. “These two new hotels are not only meaningful additions to the brands; they are also critical to Starwood’s overall growth as we progress on our journey to open our 1,000th hotel and resort this year. “

Aloft brings a stylish urban attitude to Arundel Mills
A Vision of W Hotels Aloft is a new destination sensation featuring loft-inspired design, accessible technology and a stylish urban attitude. Guest rooms feature the brand’s signature nine-foot ceilings, oversized windows and the ultra-comfortable bed, as well as roomy walk-in showers and amenities created by Bliss® Spa. Each Aloft room is also a combination high-tech office and entertainment center equipped with complimentary wireless internet access and a one-stop connectivity solution for multiple electronic gadgetry all linked to a 42” flat-panel, HDTV-ready television.

Designed in conjunction with world-renowned David Rockwell and the Rockwell Group, Aloft offers atmospheric public spaces where guests can mix and mingle, read the paper, work on laptops, play a game of pool or grab a drink with friends at the re:mix communal lobby area and w xyz bar. The re:charge fitness center and splash pool give travelers options to de-stress and re-energize, while Re:fuel by Aloft offers sweet, savory and healthy food, snacks and beverages to grab & go, 24-hours a day.

Element Arundel Mills Awakens Guests to Eco-Chic Design
The Element brand’s unique design philosophy is evident the moment guests arrive. After passing through a signature portal that provides a literal bridge to the Element interior, guests will be greeted with streams of natural light from a multi-storied window wall. The vitality of the lobby will be matched by the energy of the hotel’s outdoor fire pit and barbecue, where weekly evening receptions allow guests to interact while enjoying a selection of savory food.

The smart design and clever use of space in the hotel’s guest rooms rejuvenates and energizes guests for work or play. Guests are able to customize their rooms to meet their needs with the multi-purpose, modular furniture, swiveling flat-screen televisions, large desks with open shelving and custom-designed closets. Rooms also offer a fully equipped kitchen that features modern, ENERGY STAR-rated appliances and all the utensils necessary to prepare a gourmet meal. Guests will rest soundly in the signature Heavenly® Bed, and wake up and recharge each morning in a sleek, spa-inspired Heavenly shower.

A signature complimentary breakfast offering, free wireless Internet access, state-of-the-art fitness center, chlorine-free pool and uninterrupted indoor/outdoor public spaces will deliver everything guests need to work, relax or socialize on their schedule. Intuitive staff will provide guests the personalized attention they need and the space they desire to maintain balance while away from home.

Element Arundel Mills will also feature 500 square feet of meeting space, an integrated technology center and library, as well as café seating, a workspace and a flexible lobby space.

The Element brand’s green features are cleverly designed to be as aesthetically appealing as they are eco-friendly, so guests never compromise on style and comfort. Element hotels are equipped with energy-efficient, stainless steel appliances and energy efficient lighting, amenity dispensers in the showers to reduce waste and water-efficient faucets and fixtures. Guests can continue daily routines such as recycling papers and plastics, as well as using green materials, while those driving hybrid cars are rewarded with priority parking. Even the ubiquitous “Do Not Disturb” sign has been replaced with an environmentally-friendly magnet.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
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 AloftSM, 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

About LTD Management Company
LTD Management Company, L.L.C., is an award-winning hotel development and management group headquartered in Chesapeake, VA. Since its inception in 1983, LTD has developed a reputation for creating an atmosphere “where distinction reigns.” The company currently operates 28 hotels throughout Virginia and Maryland. LTD has been ranked a Top 100 Management Company in Hotel Business in 2008 and 2009. With the highest possible standards in mind, LTD prides itself with developing quality hotels under the franchise brands of Starwood, Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt and InterContinental. For more information, please visit www.ltdmanagement.com.

Date: 15 June 2009
Location: Ealing Golf Club, Perivale, UK
Website: CHOpen.org

For more details of attending, playing and sponsoring this event email amanda.white@rci.com

This is one of many golf tournaments being held around the world to raise money for Christel House. Please see this press release for more information.

Date: 29-30 September 2009
Location: Barnsdale Hotel & Country Club, England
Website: Daeseminar.com

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.

Interval International, a leading global provider of vacation services, presented Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort & Spa in St. Lucia with the Interval International Premier ResortSM award for 2009 at a ceremony held recently at the property. The annual award recognizes resorts that provide outstanding vacation experiences with state-of-the-art conveniences, and modern features and appointments.

“Windjammer Landing is the first resort in St. Lucia to earn the Interval International Premier Resort award, the highest level designation in our resort recognition program, owing to its extraordinary setting, caliber of accommodations, and the impeccable service it offers,” said David Callaghan, vice president, resort sales and service, Interval International. “This distinction identifies the property as exceeding Interval’s already high affiliation standards. We are delighted to present it to the Windjammer team.”

“We are very pleased to receive this award because it acknowledges the outstanding quality of our resort and the high level of service our staff provides,” said Anthony Bowen, vice president and managing director, Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort & Spa. “We offer all the amenities discriminating travelers would expect to ensure that they enjoy memorable vacations and experience all the wonders of St. Lucia.”

Set amongst 55 acres on the northwest coast of the island, Windjammer Landing is surrounded by lush tropical gardens and overlooks picturesque Labrelotte Bay. The luxury resort is designed in a Mediterranean style with tiled walkways, sloping roofs, and white buildings, and features 67 elegant villas with scenic views of gold-sand beaches and blue waters.

St. Lucia is a popular destination with a rich culture that has been influenced by African, French, and English heritage. A tropical paradise with a temperate climate, the island offers travelers the opportunity to explore multiple attractions, including rainforest preserves, secluded beaches, underwater reefs, small coastal fishing villages, and open-air markets.

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 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., a leading global provider of membership and leisure services to the vacation industry.

Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket has commenced its sponsorship of The Travel Channel on Sky TV,

Developers and marketers looking for new incentives for their timeshare products should look at the CONNEX program, offering free hotel stays throughout Europe – a perfect match for timeshare ownership.

Click here to request more information

Essential Protection for Potentially Unused Fees and Travel Costs

Vacation property owners can now protect their investment like never before. CSA Travel Protection (CSA), dedicated to providing value-driven travel insurance and emergency assistance services, introduces vacation ownership insurance that offers strong protection from the unexpected, including job loss that can result in unused fees and travel costs.

The new CSA ProtectME vacation ownership insurance policies protect vacation property owners from unused maintenance and exchange fees, as well as costs associated with additional travel arrangements, rental car damage, roadside assistance and more.

“Vacation ownership insurance is now more important than ever. Travel delays and cancellations due to unforeseen economic and weather situations make planning trips today risky,” said Frank Shellabear, president, sales division at CSA. “ Our goal is to remove that risk by protecting vacation owners’ maintenance and exchange fees, as well costs associated with additional arrangements.”

Given today’s economic conditions, coverage that includes involuntary termination of employment or layoff is essential. With CSA’s ProtectME plans, owners working continuously by the same employer for at least two years are covered from job loss that is not under their control.

Many travel costs are protected under the plans’ Additional Arrangements benefit, including pre-paid, non-refundable airfare to and from the property location or pre-paid, non-refundable activities, such as theater tickets, tee times or hot air balloon rides.

The ProtectME plans also include Rental Car Damage and Roadside Assistance coverage, as well as post-departure benefits like Identity Theft Resolution Services. If a policy is cancelled within 10 days of purchase, CSA will refund the policy price if the traveler hasn’t left on their trip or filed a claim.

Property owners and resort managers can find out more about the additional benefits of CSA vacation ownership ProtectME plans by visiting www.protectmyvacations.com or calling (800) 834-8438.

About CSA Travel Protection
CSA Travel Protection is dedicated to providing affordable travel insurance and emergency assistance services to protect travelers’ valuable investments and provide the peace of mind one deserves while traveling. Since its inception in 1991, CSA has developed a reputation for standing behind its customers and evolving products and services to meet their needs. Through superior customer service, extensive experience and industry-leading innovation, CSA is with its clients every step of the way whenever and wherever they are needed.

The Region’s Fastest Growing Hotel and Leisure Company Is On Track to Open Nearly 20 Best-in-Class Hotels by 2012

From the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC) in Dubai, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced today the signing of a hotel within The Luxury Collection brand in Ajman, United Arab Emirates. The new-build, 207-room property is expected to open in 2012, and is illustrative of Starwood’s market leading growth in the region and around the world.

With a focus on working with the right partners on the right properties in the right places, Starwood remains on track to increase its global portfolio by 40 percent over the next five years and is set to open its 1000th hotel worldwide this year. The Middle East plays a key role in the global expansion, with plans to open nearly 20 new hotels in the region by 2012. Of these hotels, 75 percent are in the Gulf, which is a priority market for the future growth of Starwood.

“Our presence in the region dates back to our first Sheraton in Kuwait in 1966,” said Roeland Vos, President, Europe, Africa & Middle East, Starwood Hotels & Resorts. “Today, we have an established footprint of 49 properties across 11 countries, and we look forward to continuing to build our presence with best-in-class hotels like The Luxury Collection Hotel in Ajman.”

“By working closely with our proven development partners, Starwood is able to sign and open high caliber hotels like The Luxury Collection Hotel in Ajman, even during challenging economic times,” said Simon Turner, President, Global Development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts. “We are building, opening, converting, renovating and innovating for the recovery and beyond.”

Along with The Luxury Collection, each of Starwood’s compelling and distinctive brands continues to grow in the region. W Hotels, the lifestyle hotel innovator, marked its entry into the Middle East with the recent opening of the W Doha Hotel & Residences. With 10 years of proven success, W Hotels will double its footprint to 60 hotels by 2011, adding new properties in vibrant destinations around the world including Amman, Barcelona, Paris and Shanghai.

St. Regis, recognized globally as the preeminent luxury hotel brand, is developing world-class hotels in Doha, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi. And the Le Méridien brand, which Starwood acquired in 2005, continues to grow its established presence of 21 hotels in the Middle East with a new hotel scheduled to open in Doha in 2011.

Within the upper-upscale segment, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts is growing in both established and emerging markets with new hotels and important renovations such as the Sheraton Oman. This hotel is undergoing a $57 million renovation and is set to reopen December. Westin is expected to open new properties in Abu Dhabi and Aqaba, Jordan by 2012. These new hotels build on the momentum of the 2008 opening of the Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi.

Starwood’s new and established select serve brands are seeing growth in the region as well. Four Points by Sheraton is slated to open hotels in Doha, Tripoli, Tartous (Syria), Jeddah and Dhahran in the next three years. This year, the Aloft brand will open its first hotel in the region with the Aloft Abu Dhabi. And Starwood’s green trailblazer, Element, which also launched in 2008, will soon expand with the recent signing of a new hotel also in Abu Dhabi. Upon the opening of this hotel, the Middle East will become the second region in the world to have Starwood’s complete portfolio of nine brands represented – each of which is backed by the power of Starwood Preferred Guest®.

About Starwood Hotels & Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 960 properties in approximately 97 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, and the recently launched AloftSM, and ElementSM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

Christel House International today announced that Group RCI, the global leader in vacation exchange and one of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies (NYSE: WYN), will return for the third year as the Title Sponsor of the Group RCI Christel House Open International Charity Golf Tournament.

Now in its seventh year, the global tournament will begin on Monday, June 8, 2009 and take place at 19 courses spanning five continents. One hundred percent of the worldwide proceeds will go to programs and services that directly benefit the more than 3,000 children of Christel House.

“We are absolutely delighted to again sponsor the Group RCI Christel House Open and are proud to continue the tradition of working with this great organization,” said Geoff Ballotti, president and CEO, Group RCI. “Working with Christel House on this event and others throughout the year allows us to help improve the lives of the children, families and communities that make up the incredible Christel House programs throughout the world.”
Approximately 2,000 golfers will tee off from sites in:
• Bangalore, India
• Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa
• Mexico City, Mexico
• Perivale, Middlesex, The United Kingdom
• Caracas, Venezuela
• The United States, including sites in: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, New York, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin

“We are deeply grateful to Group RCI for its generous support of Christel House and the tournament. RCI has a long history of giving back in the communities where it does business and it is to be commended for its strong commitment to social responsibility.  We could not ask for a more engaged, dedicated Title Sponsor,” said Christel DeHaan, Founder.

DeHaan, the co-founder of Group RCI, founded Christel House in 1998 with the goal of helping children around the world break the cycle of poverty and become self-sufficient, contributing members of their societies. Since then, Christel House has expanded its programs and locations to serve nearly 3,000 students, their families and communities, and employ more than 250 dedicated professionals who help the children optimize their potential and achieve productive, self-sufficient lives.

As the charity of choice for the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), Christel House and the Group RCI Christel House Open are largely supported by developers, resorts and vendors in the timeshare industry.  Christel House is also one of the four signature charities of Wishes by Wyndham, the philanthropic program of Wyndham Worldwide. Founded in 1974, Group RCI is the worldwide leader in vacation exchange and is recognized within the industry for its longstanding history of social responsibility. For more information on the Group RCI Christel House Open, please visit www.chopen.org.

About Group RCI
Group RCI, part of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies, (NYSE: WYN) is the worldwide leader in vacation exchange and the European leader in vacation rentals, with exclusive access for specified periods to more than 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

About Christel House
Christel House International is a 501(c)3 public charity helping children around the world to break the cycle of poverty and become self-sufficient, contributing members of society. Christel House learning centers — located in India, Mexico, South Africa, the United States and Venezuela — provide education, nutrition, health care and character and life-skills development for children. For additional information, please visit www.christelhouse.org.

Barceló Hotels and Resorts has appointed Marcus Priestly as Head of Association Sales.

Marcus joins Barceló from De Vere Venues where he worked as National Account Manager, successfully developing the association and education markets and also coaching on-property teams regarding communication and new business processes and initiatives.

Prior to working at De Vere, Marcus was National Account Manager for the corporate market at Marriott International where he managed 16 national accounts.  Before that he was National Account Manager for Sodexho Prestige, and UK Government Development Manager at Intercontinental Hotels Group where he developed and implemented a new UK market specific rate programme within the market and agency community.

“I am delighted to join Barceló Hotels as it has a dynamic and diverse portfolio of hotels in the UK and a strong global brand image.  With many superbly equipped country house properties and hotels located close to major business hubs, we have a strong proposition to offer associations and I am looking forward immensely to further developing Barceló’s presence in this sector as a significant player,“ says Marcus.

Barceló’s 21 UK hotel properties range from established country house hotels to contemporary venues in vibrant city centres and spectacular coastal resorts. Barceló Premium Hotels include some of Britain’s most historic houses such as the 17th Century Barceló The Lygon Arms in the Cotswolds, Cheshire’s Barceló Shrigley Hall Hotel Golf and Country Club, the Elizabethan Barceló Billesley Manor Hotel in Stratford-Upon-Avon and the Barceló Troon Marine Hotel.

With over 2800 bedrooms and over 220 conference and meeting rooms, plus Health & Leisure Clubs and spacious grounds for team building and outdoor events in many locations, the hotels offer extensive facilities to both corporate and leisure guests.

The Barceló Group, a privately-owned Spanish hospitality and travel company, operates over 185 quality hotels & resorts, including nine convention centres in 15 countries across 3 continents.
Barceló UK’s dedicated web portal, www.barcelo-hotels.co.uk  offers global access to its hotels and events services.

Timeshare Owners Share Vacation Experiences in Video, Photo and Story Contest

As part of the travel industry’s efforts to promote the power of travel during National Travel and Tourism Week, the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) is encouraging timeshare owners to share the secret of better vacationing through its annual contest. Timeshare owners will have a chance to win $1,000 by entering a vacation photo, story or short video depicting a memory of a timeshare vacation that impacted their health, family or overall enjoyment of life.

ARDA points to studies that show there are undisputed, long-term benefits associated with taking regular vacations that contribute to better health, relationships and job performance. However, while vacations are fast becoming recognized as a critical component of wellness and healthy living, Americans are trying to grapple with how to afford a vacation during these tough economic times.

“Vacation ownership products continue to offer a tremendous value for the consumer, both economically and emotionally,” said ARDA president and CEO Howard Nusbaum who said that the timeshare industry has long promoted the need to take time to vacation at least once a year. According to ARDA, timeshare owners continue to travel to their timeshare destinations despite smaller travel budgets and less discretionary income. In fact, vacation ownership properties are experiencing more than 80% occupancy rates as of March 31, 2009.

The real value of timeshare ownership comes from the discipline of better vacation planning and consistent quality accommodations. Creating lasting memories year after year should be viewed as a necessity, not a luxury.

Purchasing and essentially pre-paying for your future vacations at today’s prices take the stress out of planning for one while guaranteeing that you get away at least once a year. Today, there are 76 million baby-boomers that are extremely compelled by the value proposition of better vacationing with timeshare.
“Timeshare owners are our industry’s biggest advocates and we hope the stories, pictures and videos submitted throughout this contest will help give other travelers a glimpse into a better vacation experience,” said Nusbaum.

Winners in each of the three categories – story, photo and video – will receive $1,000 and the runners-up will each receive $250. Additionally, the winning story, photo and video will be featured on www.VacationBetter.org, www.arda.org, and in ARDA’s Developments magazine. Timeshare owners can visit www.VacationBetter.org for further submission details and prize information.

About VacationBetter.org
The American Resort Development Association’s (ARDA) on-line resource informs consumers on the importance of taking a vacation and the overall benefits of enjoying one – regularly – through shared vacation ownership. VacationBetter.org is a comprehensive, educational tool for consumers to learn about this travel option and to demonstrate a way for travelers to vacation better.

New luxury resort set to open May 1, 2009

The Lake House at Chelan, a luxury family-friendly resort located three hours east of Seattle, just steps from Lake Chelan and across the street from the city park, is pleased to announce it will officially open to owners and resort guests on Friday, May 1, 2009.

With unobstructed views of Lake Chelan, The Lake House features 40 fully-furnished, luxury one- and three-bedroom residences as well as a 4,000 square foot Pool House with amenities including a fitness center, recreation room with pool table, poker table, flat-screen TV’s, indoor/outdoor kitchen and living room.  Additionally, The Lake House has a year-round heated outdoor swimming pool, large hot tub, kid’s splash zone water feature and a gas fire pit.

The Lake House at Chelan offers full-share ownership, quarter-share fractional ownerships and luxury vacation rentals.  Owners and resort guests have access to all amenities and first-rate services including pre-arrival grocery shopping and pre-arranged dining reservations, golf tee times at any of the area’s award-winning courses and wine tours at one of the 13 neighboring wineries.

“We’re excited to introduce The Lake House as the premier luxury destination resort in Lake Chelan to the community and its visitors,” said Brian Merrill, general manager of The Lake House at Chelan.  “Our upscale amenities and high-end services will enable The Lake House to customize each owner and guest’s experience; we call this experience The Lake House Lifestyle.”

The Lake House is offering the first 40 Charter Owners one year of waived homeowner’s dues.  In addition, North Cascades National Bank is offering financing for buyers with interest rates starting as low as 3.75%.  Prices for a quarter-share residence at The Lake House range from $119,900 to $349,900.

Conveniently located in downtown Chelan, The Lake House is surrounded by award-winning golf courses including Bear Mountain Ranch and Desert Canyon.  The region also boasts award-winning wineries including Tsillan Cellars and Lake Chelan Winery.  As an all-season destination, there are a variety of activity options including swimming, boating, beach volleyball, bicycle tours, basketball, tennis, walking paths, a skateboard park, water park, skiing, snowmobiling, tubing and more.

The Lake House was developed by Jon Jones; architecture was designed by Olympic Associates; interior design was completed by JM Design; and the general contractor was Lydig Construction.  For more information about The Lake House at Chelan, please visit http://www.TheLakeHouseChelan.com.

About The Lake House at Chelan
Located in the heart of downtown Chelan with stunning lake views, The Lake House at Chelan offers fully furnished, richly appointed residences and vacation rentals.  The Lake House is just steps away from Lake Chelan at 402 West Manson Highway, close to award-winning wineries, golf courses, and outdoor activities including beach volleyball, basketball courts, tennis courts, skateboard parks, walking trails and a water park.  The Lake House features a unique combination of services and amenities with team members handling everything from housekeeping and grocery shopping to renting recreation equipment, arranging wine tours and making golf tee times or dinner reservations.  The adjoining Pool House is a 4,000 square foot activity center for owners and guests, offering a year-round pool and hot tub, Splash Zone, fitness room, game room, indoor/outdoor kitchen and more.  Experience The Lake House Lifestyle, as an owner or a resort guest.  For more information, please call (509) 293-5982 or visit http://www.thelakehousechelan.com.

New Web Functionality Offers Even More Vacation Rental Options and Flexibility

Endless Vacation Rentals (EVR), one of the Wyndham Worldwide family of brands (NYSE: WYN), today announced adding the availability of nightly rentals to their inventory, giving customers the opportunity to search and book a variety of short stay vacations through advanced search capabilities on EVRentals.com.

“We realize that travelers want the flexibility to get away for a long weekend or a few days at a time, in addition to the traditional weeklong vacation,” said Geoff Ballotti, President and CEO, Group RCI. “The new search functionality on EVRentals.com will allow customers to tailor their vacations based on specific needs — including budget as well as length of stay — further enhancing our ability to provide access to the quality vacations and services that Endless Vacation Rentals already provides to thousands of vacationing families every year.”

The advanced search filter functionality will allow users to search all available vacation rentals on EVRentals.com and refine their search based on preferred check-in date, length of stay, unit size, rating, price, amenities and activities. In addition to the more than 200,000 weeks available, customers can now search and book more than 35,000 nights available for shorter stays. Short stays are backed by a Best Price Guarantee and, customers who book a short stay will also receive the 24-hour check-in assistance and complimentary concierge service that are offered by Endless Vacation Rentals.

Endless Vacation Rentals® by Wyndham Worldwide, available online at www.EVRentals.com, offers one of the largest global selections of more than 200,000 vacation rental accommodations including homes, villas and resort condos in desirable destinations in over 100 countries. EVRentals.com is not a rental listing company — it is a true hospitality provider allowing consumers to search and book a wide variety of vacation rentals around the world as easily as reserving a hotel room online. Unlike rental listing companies, EVRentals.com allows customers to search in real time and pay by credit card in U.S. currency. With few exceptions, reservations are backed by a Best Price Guarantee and are 100 percent refundable if cancelled at least three days before check-in date.

Endless Vacation Rentals recently launched the YourFatChance.com contest and has already received more than 600 entries since it began on Tuesday, March 17, 2009. Geared toward generating laughter and optimism, while emphasizing the lighter side of potentially embarrassing moments, YourFatChance.com invites participants to enter their funniest bad luck story in 100 words or less. In May, EVR will feature the top 25 funniest stories on their website where people can then cast their votes to determine the three top prize winners and possibly win some prizes themselves. The grand prize includes a one week vacation rental for a value of up to $2,500 USD, plus a $2,000 USD Visa® gift card.

About Endless Vacation Rentals
Endless Vacation Rentals, one of the Wyndham Worldwide family of brands (NYSE: WYN), provides access to one of the largest collection of global vacation rentals in the industry, allowing travelers to browse from more than 200,000 accommodations. At www.EVRentals.com it’s as easy and convenient to search for, view availability, and book vacation rentals as booking typical hotel accommodations online. For more information on Endless Vacation Rentals or to book a vacation rental, visit www.EVRentals.com or call 1-877-STAY-EVR (1-877-782-9387).

Contest will recognize significant contributions of RCI affiliates’ sales teams

RCI, the global leader in vacation exchange and one of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies (NYSE: WYN), today announced the launch of the “RCI’s Envision Your Success Sweepstakes!” resort salesperson incentive with a grand prize of a home theater system or $10,000 USD in cash. The goal of the program, which will run though September 6, 2009, is to reward resort sales staff for their efforts and to recognize the important contribution they make to the vacation ownership industry.

Building on the great success of the 2008 “RCI® Road to Success,” this is the second year that RCI is recognizing the contributions of its affiliates’ sales teams in celebration of the mutual success of the resort and RCI.
 
“We are excited to once again showcase our appreciation to the very talented and very successful sales associates of our 2,000+ North American affiliates through this year’s incentive program,” said Geoff Ballotti, President and CEO, Group RCI. “Their commitment and hard work are crucial to the success of their resort. We’re glad to have the opportunity to recognize the importance of their efforts and say ‘Thank You!’ for everything they do.”

Each week for 20 consecutive weeks, qualifying RCI-affiliated resorts will submit the name of their top salesperson for that week. Each Monday, RCI will hold a random drawing where one lucky salesperson will be selected to win a state-of-the-art 42” high-definition flat panel TV. At the end of the 20 weeks, the 20 weekly winners, along with his or her sales manager, will be invited to an event as guests of RCI. During the event, one of the weekly winners will be selected randomly as the grand-prize winner and receive a fabulous new home theater system or an alternate cash prize of $10,000 USD. 

The “RCI’s Envision Your Success Sweepstakes!” is open to qualifying affiliates in the United States, Canada (excluding Quebec) and Mexico. Affiliated resorts can ask their RCI account executive for more information. No purchase is necessary; to view complete rules log in to www.rciaffiliates.com. Only affiliated resorts, which submitted 50 or more enrollments to RCI in a defined 12-month period, may participate.

About Group RCI
Group RCI, part of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies, (NYSE: WYN) is the worldwide leader in vacation exchange and the European leader in vacation rentals, with exclusive access for specified periods to more than 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.

San Diego PR and Marketing Firm to Relocate

GBG & Associates, a marketing and public relations firm specializing in the resort, hospitality, retail services and travel industry is relocating from its downtown San Diego location to the San Diego’s Point Loma, Liberty Station area.

“GBG & Associates continues to provide innovative and focused public relations and marketing strategies for our local, national and international clients,” said Georgi Bohrod-Gordon, GBG President. “With our extraordinary group of writers, designers and creative marketing experts, we are able to bring fresh ideas and incorporate the ever changing social networking landscape into our methodology. We understand which market base supports our client’s core targets.  We are proud of a documented ROI on PR that few firms can rival.”

With niches in industries that include vacation ownership, resorts, professional services, retail services and tourism, GBG & Associates offers more than a quarter century of expertise in public relations and marketing. The firms’ clients include San Diego-based companies It’s All About the Girl, A Fair Way Mediation Center, ResortCom International, Architectural Concepts Inc. (ACI), and Resort ProSource.  In addition GBG works with Star Resort Group (Scottsdale, AR), Customer Count (Indianapolis, IN), Mobius Vendor Partners (Indianapolis, IN), See Your Game (Las Vegas, NV) and Stewart Vacation Ownership (Palm Desert, CA) to name a few.

About GBG & Associates
GBG & Associates specializes in the seamless integration of multiple marketing and public relations strategies for the effective fulfillment of client business goals.  Founded in San Diego in 1978 by Georgi Bohrod, the company has created and implemented a wealth of strategic marketing, advertising and public relations programs for hotels, timeshare resorts, resort developers, small businesses, service providers and travel industry corporations. Under the leadership of Georgi Bohrod-Gordon, the company has won countless awards for collateral material design, interactive media design and public relations. For more information on GBG & Associates, visit http://www.gbgandassociates.com  www.twitter.com/GeorgiBG

GBG & Associates. 2726 Laning Road. Suite 201. San Diego, CA 92106
619-255-1661

Trading Places International, celebrating 35 years, recently installed TimeShareWare Professional at its three newest resort locations. Barefoot Resort, Seaside Resort, and Park Regency Resort are all up and running on TimeShareWare Professional. The software manages all mortgage, reservation, and accounting processes at the new sites.

Mike Kizerian, Chief Financial Officer for Trading Places International, said the resort developers have been pleased with the functionality and feature set of TimeShareWare Professional. “TimeShareWare has been our software of choice for many years.  When we began management at these three new locations, installing TSW was a priority. The installations went smoothly and both sides worked hard to make the implementations successful. TimeShareWare was able to meet our expectations and even exceed them in many cases. The end result was a seamless transition at all three locations.”
 
Stephani Snyder, Manager of Resort Services and Inventory Control at Trading Places International, said TPI chose TimeShareWare because it provided TPI with critical information and features. “Owner demographics, reporting capabilities, owner records, A/R, and reservations are all handled within one single software solution,” Snyder said.   

Allen Rice, Chief Marketing Officer of TimeShareWare, says the two companies have a great history together. “Trading Places International has been an important partner in helping us develop and improve our software over the years. TPI is an innovative voice within the industry and has been instrumental in helping us to make the software into what it is today – the industry leading technology platform.”

The Barefoot Resort, located in the old “Little Barefoot” mining claim in South Dakota, sits at an elevation of 6,500 feet and is located directly across from South Dakota’s major ski area– Terry Peak. High in the Northern Black Hills, guests can take in spectacular views of the forest while enjoying mild weather patterns.

The Park Regency Resort, an 84-unit resort located amidst Park City, Utah’s legendary ski slopes, allows guests to enjoy first-rate cross-country and downhill skiing as well as popular summer activities.

The Seaside Resort, a 70-unit condominium project located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is part of the Seaside condominium Horizontal Property Regime. The resort boasts indoor and outdoor pools, a landscaped deck, two spa hot tubs, a lazy river, a fitness room, private parking, and private beach access.

For more information about Trading Places International, please visit their website at www.tradingplaces.com. You can also visit Barefoot Resort’s website at www.barefootresort.com or Park Regency’s website at www.parkregencyparkcity.com.
 

About Trading Places International:
Trading Places is a 35-year veteran of the travel and vacation ownership industries. It is the only vertically integrated, independent timeshare company that provides exchange and rental services, full-service resort management, as well as a full-service travel agency.

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.

Contact:
Candace Vigil
Business Development Manager
TimeShareWare
(801) 444-3113 x104
sales@timeshareware.com
TimeShareWare Website – www.timeshareware.com

Premium Rental Inventory Will Be Distributed

LeisureLink, Inc., the leading distribution and revenue management platform for specialty lodging suppliers, today announced a new distribution agreement with Orlando, Fla.-based Sol Meliá Vacation Club.  The company chose LeisureLink’s Demand Management System to distribute premium rental inventory to consumers and travel agents.

“We look forward to bringing Sol Meliá Vacation Club resorts in Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean  and Europe, to a new audience of consumers and travel agents”, said Erik Hovanec, President and CEO of LeisureLink, Inc.  “Consumers are rapidly adopting timeshare rentals for their spaciousness, intimacy, and value.  Sol Meliá’s strong global brand reassures the consumer that they will have a high quality experience”, Hovanec continued.

“Bringing rental guests to our Sol Meliá Vacation Club resorts is a great way to attract new club members.  After they have personally experienced the services and amenities offered to members at our resorts, they clearly see the benefits of club membership to meet their long-term vacation needs with endless choices world wide,” said Denis Ebrill, Executive Vice President of Sol Meliá Vacation Club.

“We also see great value in LeisureLink’s revenue management capabilities,” he added.  “LeisureLink’s revenue management tools will help us to price appropriately and increase revenue over time.”

LeisureLink will distribute Sol Meliá Vacation Club properties through web partners, travel agents, and its’ own consumer channel, ABetterStay.com.

About LeisureLink(TM)
LeisureLink powers global distribution and demand for the vacation rental and specialty lodging industry. Our 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.

For more information please contact:
Steve Reich
Senior Vice President, Sales
LeisureLink Inc.
626-696-4530
Slreich@LeisureLink.com

About Sol Meliá Vacation Club
Sol Meliá Vacation Club, part of Spain-based Sol Meliá Hotels & Resorts, is an internationally-branded membership club that focuses on providing leisure lifestyle experiences that include exotic destinations, designer-appointed luxury accommodations, exclusive services and unforgettable amenities.  The lifestyle concept is designed to provide members with an entire lifetime of leisure experiences to meet their ever changing needs.  All members have access through Sol Meliá Vacation Club to stay at any of the Sol Meliá hotels and resorts worldwide, including those in destinations such as Paris, London, Madrid, Rome and more.  Sol Meliá Hotels & Resorts is a 50-year-old international hospitality company with 350 hotels in 30 countries on five continents.

For more information on Sol Meliá Vacation Club, go to: www.smvc.com.

Wellington Financial recently announced its president, Ron Goldberg, has been invited to serve on the Board of Directors of the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), based in Washington, DC.

ARDA President and CEO Howard Nusbaum later discussed the appointment. “We are excited to have Ron Goldberg’s expertise on our resort developer association board,” says Nusbaum. “The present economic environment especially as it relates to the sluggish credit markets is a problem for any business which must access the capital markets for operational funds.  Both Mr. Goldberg’s and Wellington’s expertise in this arena will add value to our Association dialogue as we work to secure more funding for timeshare.”

The exclusive resort finance lending correspondent for Liberty Bank, Wellington Financial (www.wellington-financial.com) has been assisting in the financing of receivables, as well as the provision of acquisition and development financing, for timeshare resorts for more than 28 years. Because of his relationships with most of the major timeshare resort developers in the US, as well as his acuity in understanding and articulating trends, issues and developments in the resort industry, Goldberg is frequently sought out for interviews, speaking engagements and is, himself, a published writer.

The American Resort Development Association is the Washington DC-based professional association representing the vacation ownership and resort development industries. Established in 1969, ARDA today has over 1,000 members ranging from privately held firms to publicly traded companies and international corporations with expertise in shared ownership interests in leisure real estate.