Perspective Magazine | Fractional Ownership, Leisure Property & Timeshare Business Magazine

Vacation Ownership Investment Conference A Success Once Again

The 11th annual event draws a decent crowd despite economy The 11th Annual Vacation Ownership Investment Conference (VOIC) was held September 14-17, 2009 at the Peabody Hotel in Orlando, Florida – a venue known for its quirky longstanding tradition of “marching” ducks in... [Read more...]

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Timeshare Stripped Bare

European Seminar Included Timeshare Professionals and Owners for Frank Discussions Late September 2009 saw Dial An Exchange host a controversial seminar titled Timeshare Stripped Bare. The venue was the picturesque Barnsdale Hotel & Country Club timeshare resort, located... [Read more...]

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Turkey Set For Tourism

George Sell explains how Turkey’s attractions and natural beauty put it in a strong position to go beyond a traditional reliance on domestic business and fully exploit the international vacation ownership market. Turkey has all the ingredients – including history, culture... [Read more...]

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Regaining Sales Momentum In The Affluent Market

As 2010 quickly approaches, most of us are hopeful, if not optimistic, that the recession and the worst of its consequences are behind us and that the target market, the affluent consumer, will be in a financial position that allows them to increase their spending. As you focus... [Read more...]

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Kilimanjaro Climb In Aid Of Ingane Yami Children’s Village

On December 8, 2009 a sponsored climb of Mount Kilimanjaro will begin. While countless other teams have ascended Kilimanjaro, this trek may be one of the most important ever. The “Kilimanjaro Climb” aims to raise muchneeded funds for the building of a village for homeless... [Read more...]

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Hurstfield Leads H10 Resorts To Shared Ownership Success

Bert Hurstfield left Original Resorts to focus his time and energy on growing the H10 Premium vacation club in the Caribbean. American-born Bert Hurstfield grew up in Vancouver, Canada. But he relocated to Mexico in 1995, and today he calls Cancun, Mexico home. From his base... [Read more...]

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Perspective’s A List – Denis Ebrill

An Interview with Denis Ebrill, executive vice president of Sol Meliá Vacation Club, about the company’s parent company, marketing in the United States, and what’s next for SMVC. You’ve been at the helm of Sol Meliá Vacation Club (SMVC) for a year now. What has that experience... [Read more...]

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World Travel Awards Highlight Host Resort And Region

Big Winners Include Fairmont, Marriott, American Airlines and Host Hacienda Tres Rios; Awards Help Traveling Public Find Best in Class Hacienda Tres Rios, an all-inclusive luxury resort in Mexico’s Riviera Maya, was the setting for the 2009 World Travel Awards’ North and... [Read more...]

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Perspective’s A LIST – David Clifton

An interview with David Clifton, managing director Europe, Middle East, Africa and Australasia for Interval International on his extensive worldwide experience in vacation ownership. Tell us about some of the roles you’ve had in the vacation ownership industry and the challenges... [Read more...]

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Upscale Orlando?

Previously, when people in the shared-ownership industry talked about upscale timeshare developments, Orlando didn’t always come to mind. Sure, there were nice resorts with roomy, fully appointed villas – but not high-end resorts with impressively appointed units. By Matt... [Read more...]

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The Future of Luxury Vacations

by Campbell Jefferys In just a few short years, Exclusive Resorts has gone from an idea born on a Hawaiian beach to being the world’s premier vacation club, now with over 3,400 members. Over 400 luxury vacation residences are available in prime locations around the world, from... [Read more...]

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The Westgate Resorts Foundation: “An Organization with a Heart”

In today’s economy with companies decreasing the human touch and replacing it with the bottom line, the Westgate Resorts Foundation continues to be a conscience for Americans. With so many people suffering on all different levels from major catastrophes to being downsized to... [Read more...]

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Group RCI Commissions Extensive Study to Measure Untapped Demand and Supply in the U.S. Resort Timeshare Industry

The world’s largest vacation exchange company continues legacy of innovation and leadership; shares key findings with its affiliates and business partners Global vacation ownership leader Group RCI, which is celebrating 35 years in the industry, has commissioned an in-depth... [Read more...]

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Just in: Executive Quest Announces Its 2009 Salary Survey Results

Since it was launched nine years ago by industry expert Keith Trowbridge, Executive Quest’s Annual Salary Survey has become the yardstick for the timeshare, holiday and fractional ownership industries. Out now, the 2009 results make for interesting reading… Compiled from... [Read more...]

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New RCI Affiliate Offers Extravagant Blend Of Moorish Architecture And Malaysian Culture

Palace Vacation Club, one of Asia’s most innovation brands in the vacation ownership industry, recently announced a multi-year affiliation with RCI that makes RCI the exclusive third-party exchange provider for Palace Vacation Club. Palace Vacation Club was designed to provide... [Read more...]

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Accor Vacation Club’s Winning Ways At ATHOC Awards

Recognition for star employees at Timeshare Industry’s “Night of Stars” The Timeshare Industry held its 18th Annual National Industry Awards last night, at a gala function to recognise its star employees and Accor Vacation Club was a stellar performer, taking four of the... [Read more...]

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More Timeshare Articles...

VOASA Conference, South Africa

Deon Viljeon, Director of Operations, Southern Sun & Chairman of VOASA The Vacation Ownership Association of Southern Africa (VOASA) held its first conference in South Africa on 24th May and 26th May 2009. Once known as the Time Share Institute of South Africa (TISA), this... [Read more...]

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Group RCI Christel House Open 2009

Nearly 2,000 golfers and hundreds of volunteers gathered for the seventh annual Group RCI Christel House Open international charity golf tournament the week of June 8. The Open is actually a series of individual tournaments spanning the world. This year, golfers at 19 individual... [Read more...]

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Venice On Water Has Arrived

The industry has just seen the launch of one of the most unusual timeshare properties yet – Venice on Water. This operation is based around a small fleet of custom-built luxury Houseboats that will be moored in a strategic and central location within very close proximity of... [Read more...]

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Huge Demand For Vacations In China

A Profile on Tianlun Vacation Development Co. Ltd Tianlun Vacation Development Co. Ltd was registered in the State Administration of Industry and Commerce in Sep. 2000 and is the first timeshare / vacation ownership company which is authorized to operate nationwide in China. In... [Read more...]

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From Midtown To Downtown – Wyndham Vacation Ownership Leading The Way In Urban Resort Development

What comes to mind when you think of a vacation? Heading to the beach for some sand and sun? Or perhaps driving into the mountains in search of hidden hiking trails? While the cornerstones of the classic vacation are still alive and well, a new vacation trend has begun to emerge... [Read more...]

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Ragatz Fractional Interest Conference Attracts Nearly 400 Attendees

By Marge Lennon When experts talk, wise people generally listen and pay careful attention to their advice … especially in today’s turbulent times. Imagine how you’d benefit from listening to over 60 experts from all phases of your industry as they gathered in one location... [Read more...]

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ARDA 2009: Things Aren’t So Bad, After All

Yes, the economy is bad. Yes, credit is hurting. But the shared-ownership industry is optimistic. By Matthew McDaniel. Given the current global economy and it’s effects on the credit market, a lot of timeshare industry professionals went to this year’s annual American Resort... [Read more...]

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Spotlight On The TATOC Conference

Since taking over the consumer HelpLine in January 2008, TATOC has helped scores of timeshare owners save or recoup thousands of pounds. The success of the service was a highlight of the annual conference, staged by the Timeshare Association in Warrington, Cheshire. A report... [Read more...]

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Orange Lake Growing Steadily Despite Economy

Alliance with IHG and Acquisition of New Resorts Expand Offerings Across U.S. and Globally By Matt McDaniel Something is definitely going right at Orange Lake Resorts. The flagship Orange Lake property, located near Walt Disney World, has more than 140,000 owners, including 10,000... [Read more...]

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The Right Time And The Right Solution For Timeshare

For timeshare resale and rental advertising and marketing leader Sell My Timeshare NOW, it usually comes down to the same question: “Does your website really attract buyers the way you claim it does?” The answer reverberates throughout the timeshare industry. Sell My Timeshare... [Read more...]

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RCI: 35 Years Strong, This Innovator Keeps Leading The Way

Now in its 35th year of leadership in worldwide vacation exchange, Group RCI is also celebrating many years of innovation in the vacation ownership industry. Steve Hawco As the world’s largest timeshare exchange company, with over 3.7 million members worldwide and more than... [Read more...]

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Developers Embrace Timeshares Only

In the early days of Timeshares Only, developers did not embrace the timeshare resale industry. All that has now changed as a new period of cooperation between developers and resales has begun. To understand why these relationships have grown in this positive direction, you have... [Read more...]

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The Middle East Vacation Ownership Pioneers

Established in 1999, Arabian Falcon Holidays is today the largest independent timeshare sales and marketing company in the Middle East. The company has thousands of satisfied vacation owners spread primarily throughout the MENA region. Led by its Chairman, Al Mohannad Sharafuddin,... [Read more...]

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Perspective’s A LIST – Jim Lewis

An exclusive interview with Jim Lewis, president of Disney Vacation Development, Inc., on Disney Vacation Club’s most far-reaching expansion to date and the company’s new relationship with exchange giant RCI. Interviewed by Matt McDaniel in February 2009. Perspective Thanks... [Read more...]

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The Recession And The Recovery

By Steve Pentland, Generator Systems Anyone noticed how banks are suddenly a bit short on umbrellas when it starts raining? – Or more pointedly, want the ones back that they lent when it was sunny? Which kind of begs the question – “When will the sun come out again?”... [Read more...]

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Perspective’s A LIST – Edward Kinney

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

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Dial An Exchange In Asia Pacific Thinking Globally – Working Locally

Dial An Exchange is justifiably proud of its pioneering history in the Timeshare industry in the Asia Pacific region. Founded in Australia over a decade ago, Dial An Exchange (DAE) has grown an impressive membership base, and established locations to service all corners of the... [Read more...]

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Disney Vacation Club Expands on an Icon

Newly announced Bay Lake Tower complements themes of beloved icon, Disney’s Contemporary Resort When Disney Vacation Club began scouting locations for its next resort, it turned to one of Walt Disney World Resort’s first and most iconic resorts for inspiration. The result... [Read more...]

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OTE Launches New Timeshare Website – www.gotimeshare.org

Organisation for Timeshare for Europe launched a new website earlier this year with the specific aim of countering negative publicity about timeshare on the internet. The objective is to achieve a high ranking on search engines such as Google or Yahoo so that when people search... [Read more...]

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A Day in the Life of…Elizabeth Brock, Wyndham Vacation Ownership

Spending most of her career in sales, Elizabeth Brock, business unit regional trainer for Wyndham Vacation Ownership (WVO), jumped at the opportunity to transition into training. “Wyndham has been so good to me. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to teach, give back and... [Read more...]

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Convention Review – The Voice Of Optimism In Challenging Times

Annual Vacation Ownership Investment Conference Covers the Do’s and Don’ts For Uncertain Economic Times By Matt McDaniel Given the recent economic horror that has descended upon the United States and rest of the world, the robust and eager attendance at the Vacation Ownership... [Read more...]

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Emerald Vacation Group Launch First Ever Vacation Ownership Property In The Maldives

Maldivian Minister of Tourism gives seal of approval for Turtle Cove On 13th March Perspective Magazine attended the official launch party for Emerald Vacation Group’s new and first ever vacation ownership resort in the Maldives, the Turtle Cove Resort & Spa, held at the... [Read more...]

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What You Really Need To Know About Resort Development In 2009

by Lawrence Hefler Where is the resort development and shared ownership industry headed in 2009? One thing for certain is it will be at least as tumultuous as 2008. If there ever was an industry that has its year of dramatic change, this is it. Perhaps because after forty years... [Read more...]

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Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Club

I was first invited to be part of the Lifestyle Group to assist with the organization of the ARDA convention in Orlando 2005. We had implemented a booth to launch our new VIP World and the VIP product that came with it. This was the beginning of an amazing journey. From the launch... [Read more...]

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Val On Everest

A man climbs a mountain and a child gets the chance to go to school… It may not seem the most natural cause and consequence but in the case of Vladimir Sucevan, a property developer from Moldavia, he succeeded by climbing up to Everest base camp and in the process he has raised... [Read more...]

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Hacienda Tres Ríos Resort, Spa and Nature Park on the Riviera Maya

Endless Luxury and True Sustainability Come Together with the Opening of the Hacienda Tres Ríos Resort, Spa and Nature Park on the Riviera Maya. After years of rigorous environmental studies and painstaking eco-friendly construction, Hacienda Tres Ríos resort, spa and nature... [Read more...]

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New Name And Brand Unveiled For OTE

Resort Development Organisation is the new name for the European trade body to be launched early in 2009. The announcement was made at the OTE Business Forum in Madrid. BRIAN FOLLEY reports on highlights from the conference. Plans to re-launch the Organisation for Timeshare in... [Read more...]

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Building Better Holidays Since 1984 Club La Costa Resorts & Hotels

A bird’s eye view across the vast tract of land that is Club La Costa Resorts & Hotels in southern Spain, reveals a dramatically different scene to the one existing when the company began in 1984. The radical transformation is the result of phenomenal growth and something... [Read more...]

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35 Years Of Innovative Vacationing With Group RCI

Group RCI celebrates its 35th anniversary this year and, as the market leader in the vacation exchange business, it has a fantastic story to tell The Group RCI story is one of more than three decades of exciting innovation during which Group RCI has introduced a range of new... [Read more...]

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Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket – Growing Relationships Between Resale Companies & Developers

By Phil Watson Since our last appearance in Perspective Magazine we have built new relationships with even more developers and so felt that looking forward at 2009, it would be an opportune moment to touch upon some of the topics covered in our previous interview again. Developer... [Read more...]

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The Making Of Club Intrawest

The evolution of the Club’s boutique collection of special accommodations ON A WARM DECEMBER DAY IN 2000,  Jim Gibbons stepped off a plane onto the tarmac at Zihuatanejo’s international airport. Surrounded by travelers eager to start their vacation in the Mexican resort,... [Read more...]

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Introducing Nassima Tower

Located on Dubai’s prestigious Sheikh Zayed Road, Nassima Tower will be part of a luxurious twin tower development housing a five-star hotel, offices, serviced apartments and timeshare apartments. Property ownership in Dubai is still a relatively new concept, with the first... [Read more...]

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World’s Best Fly In For ATHOC Annual Conference

Timeshare Tourism heavy weights from around the globe descended on Denarau Island in Fiji for the Australian Timeshare Industry’s Annual Conference and Awards. The Progressing Together in the Pacific conference brought together more than 130 from Australia, New Zealand, Fiji,... [Read more...]

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Hapimag Has An Unique Approach To Timeshares

Hapimag is a European timeshare company based in Switzerland. Kurt Scholl has been at the helm of the group as CEO since early 2003. In the years prior to his appointment, Scholl worked for Hapimag as head of an external consulting team in his capacity as Deputy Director of Financial... [Read more...]

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Our Vision To Develop Resorts And Capture New Markets

Previously we have focused on the proposed expansion of the Lion Resorts Vacation Club through the formation of a joint venture with Kouroushi Bros Ltd, a well established construction and development company, to create Kouroushis Lion Resorts (KLR). Here we try to summarize... [Read more...]

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Hilton Vilamoura Continues Club’s Success With Mixed Use Resorts

When the elegant and inspiring Hilton Vilamoura as Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa opened for business in the Algarve last year, it not only became the first hotel resort to fly the Hilton International flag in Portugal, it also marked another significant step in rolling out the... [Read more...]

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Riding Out The Storm With The Karma Royal Group

When entrepreneurial Chairman John Spence founded what is now the Karma Royal Group, 15 years ago, he made 2 vows to himself. Firstly that the company should remain independent and secondly it would not rely on outside finance. KRG operates a thriving timeshare, real estate... [Read more...]

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Lote Joins The Club … Just In Time For A Walk In The Park

Accor Vacation Club is proud to announce the addition of Lote Tuqiri as an Official Club Ambassador, sharing this pivotal promotional role with current Ambassador Ernie Dingo. Lote’s signing means that Accor Vacation Club now has two of Australia’s most recognisable faces... [Read more...]

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Celebrity Resorts Invites Owners To Return To The Days Of The Great Vacation

The history of Celebrity Resorts dates back nearly 30 years to the start of the vacation ownership industry – back to a time when vacations were annual events that were cherished as opportunities to spend valuable time with loved ones. Through the years Celebrity Resorts has... [Read more...]

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Australian Timeshare and Holiday Ownership National Awards 2008 – Gold Coast Australia

What a terrific year for nominees with over 60 nominations received for the 16 awards run under five different categories for the 17th Annual National Timeshare Industry Awards in Australia. This year is the first year that the awards have run on a National basis. In the past... [Read more...]

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Developer Thrives Without NQing Any Prospects

By Matthew McDaniel By all accounts, InnSeason Resorts is your typical vacation ownership success story. The growing company, which has seven resorts in the United States’ New England region – as well as agreements with several others to create a wider-area mini exchange... [Read more...]

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Promoting A New Kind of Paradise

Bringing an evolved Cancún and a thriving Mayan Riviera to new markets. Erika Garcia Erika Garcia has been a part of the Cancún, Mexico hotel, vacation ownership and real estate industry for over 22 years. During that time, she’s witnessed tremendous growth and maturity in... [Read more...]

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Timeshare: Same Concept, Totally Different Experience – TradeWinds Cruise Club

As we know, the timeshare concept in its barest bones form is relatively simple, you vacation in different resorts in different locations, but one company offers a different experience altogether – a week onboard a private catamaran complete with crew which members can either... [Read more...]

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The Comrades Marathon For The Children Of Christel House And Whizz-Kidz

Some of you may have read my appeal for sponsorship in the May edition of Perspective and I thought you may be interested in hearing a little more about the run itself! So here goes! The Comrades Marathon was first run in the early 1920’s to commemorate the comrades of the... [Read more...]

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Standing On The Shoulders Of Dragons: Asia Pacific Vacation Ownership Today And Tomorrow

Long seen as a sleeping dragon, Asia is again preparing to soar. But this time round, instead of launching the next dynasty, one of the fastest developing segments of the international hospitality industry, vacation ownership, is set to soar with it. As the leading vacation ownership... [Read more...]

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Perspective’s A LIST – Jonathan Back

An Interview With Jonathan Back, Managing Director of Group RCI UK & RCI Europe, on his new position and future plans for further development of the company’s products and services and his views on the future of the industry including a resurgence in all shared ownership... [Read more...]

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Seasons Holidays: Success Built On Responding To Customer Needs In The 21st Century

The Seasons story started in the early 1990s as the Laugharne Park Partnership. In 1996 Knocktopher Abbey and Burn Park were purchased to form the multi-destination timeshare club, Seasons Holidays plc. The Seasons portfolio now includes eight owned or managed Seasons resorts... [Read more...]

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Arabian Falcon Holidays – The Pioneer’s Of Timeshare In Dubai

With year-round sunshine and exceptional infrastructure, Dubai is the fastest growing city in the world. Here is a city where breathtaking architecture, high-tech business parks, championship golf courses, modern exhibition centres, indoor ski slopes and fabulous shopping malls... [Read more...]

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Luna Runtun – The Adventure SPA

Ecuador’s natural beauty, immensely diverse population, and fascinating history make it an unparalleled travel destination. It is incredible that one small country spans from the Galapagos Islands to the Pacific Coast, up to the Andes Mountains and down to the world’s largest... [Read more...]

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The Comrades Marathon

By Peter Hutchinson “55 brutal miles! 5 torturous climbs! 1 ruthless clock! The Comrades Marathon is considered by some, to be the world’s greatest long distance race! Some races are humbling! But this one stripped me bare!” Not my words, but those of Amby Burfoot, after... [Read more...]

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Resale Companies: Friend or Foe?

An interview with Phil Watson, Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket Q. So that we can get a feel for both sides of the story regarding resale companies, can you tell us why some developers are so anti-resale’s? The largest concentration of developers who dislike the resale marketplace... [Read more...]

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Our Perspective… Vacation Ownership Investment Conference Dubai

The Vacation Ownership Investment Conference 2008 welcomed more than 160 industry professionals to the Arabian Court, One & Only Royal Mirage on March 11-12 this year. They were all interested to learn more about this unique market and area and to help understand the concept... [Read more...]

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Scotland – A World Class Product

Scotland is a modern and ambitious country with a dynamic economy and a rich heritage. It is setting the pace in the UK with regard to hotel and resort development. It has also been at the forefront of timeshare development in Europe with over 20 resorts offering high-quality... [Read more...]

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Maldives An Exceptional Vacation Paradise

The Maldive Islands attract visitors with its silver sun kissed beaches and vast clear turquoise lagoons. Sun, sea, sand, exquisite coral reefs and the warm welcome you receive from the local people when you arrive here all make the Maldives an exceptional vacation paradise. Located... [Read more...]

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Disney Debuts African-Inspired Villas

“Oh give me a home, where the river hogs roam, where giraffes and the wildebeests play.” Clearly, that’s not how the song goes, but don’t tell that to the folks at Disney. Thousands of miles from the great plains of the Serengeti, Disney Vacation Club Members at the Walt... [Read more...]

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