Interval International, a prominent worldwide provider of vacation services and an operating business of Interval Leisure Group (Nasdaq: IILG), will host the 13th annual Shared Ownership Investment Conference from October 17 through19 at The Peabody Orlando. This forum will offer a thorough overview of shared ownership to real estate and hospitality professionals that are considering entering the business or converting an existing asset.

On the conference agenda are sessions led by top industry experts that will explore the business models of traditional timesharing, fractional development, and private residence clubs. Featured speaker Jeffrey Ma, who co-founded Citizen Sports, a visionary sports media company, will explain how Web 2.0 is changing business and revolutionizing branding. Attendees will also hear from Peter C. Yesawich, Ph.D., the widely quoted marketing strategist and trend-spotter, who will present findings from his agency’s 2011 Portrait of American Travelers^tm.

Among the hundreds registered for next week’s investment gathering are representatives of several large national financial institutions that are involved in shared ownership or have recently entered the business, as well as financiers evaluating the industry.

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Interval International, a prominent worldwide provider of vacation services and an operating business of Interval Leisure Group (Nasdaq: IILG), has added to its exchange network Jungle Bay Resort & Spa on Dominica in the West Indies. The mixed-use property has been featured in publications, including National Geographic Traveler, the New York Times, and Travel + Leisure as a model of ecotourism, while winning numerous awards for its sustainable development.

“Jungle Bay is recognized as one of the top ecotourism resorts in the Caribbean owing to its commitment to operate in an environmentally responsible manner,” said David Gilbert, executive vice president of resort sales and marketing for Interval International. “Our members will appreciate the care that was taken to develop this special retreat and enjoy the natural beauty of their surroundings.”

The resort’s 35 treehouse-style cabins are tucked away on a hillside on 55 acres near Morne Trois Pitons National Park, one of the 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Caribbean. It was built in accordance with the international sustainable tourism guidelines set by The International Ecotourism Society (TIES).

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Interval International, working with its Caribbean member resorts, has made a record-breaking donation to the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association Education Foundation (CHTAEF). David Gilbert, executive vice president of resort sales and marketing for Interval International, presented a $45,000 check, the largest contribution in the foundation’s history, to CHTAEF representatives at the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

“Interval commends its resort affiliates for their commitment to this important initiative,” noted Gilbert. “We’re proud that the vacation ownership industry continues to support educational programs such as this one, which are critical to the long-term success of regional tourism.”

Over the past five years, Interval and its member resorts have donated US$120,000 to the foundation.

Participants in the 2009 scholarship fund include:

•    Antigua – Jolly Harbour Beach Resort, Tranquility Bay Antigua.

•    Aruba – La Cabana Beach & Racquet Club, Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club, Marriott’s Aruba Ocean Club, Paradise Beach Villas, Playa Linda Beach Resort, Renaissance Aruba Beach Resort & Hotel, The Aruban Resort and Casino at Eagle Beach.

•    Bahamas – Island Seas Resort, Ocean Reef Resort, Woodbourne Resort.

•    Cayman Islands – Ramada Grand Caymanian Resort.

•    Curaçao – The Royal Sea Aquarium Resort.

•    Dominican Republic – Barceló Punta Cana, Cayena Beach Club, Coral Costa Caribe Resort, Sun Village Resort and Spa.

•    Mexican Caribbean – The Royal Cancun.

•    Puerto Rico – Aquarius Vacation Club® at Boquerón Beach and Aquarius Vacation Club® Dorado del Mar Beach and Golf Resort, ESJ Towers, Hyatt Hacienda del Mar.

•    St. Lucia – Bay Gardens Beach Resort and Bay Gardens Hotel, Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort & Spa.

•    St. Maarten – Flamingo Beach Resort, Pelican Marina Residences.

•    U.S.V.I. – Westin St. John Resort and Villas.

“The foundation administers one of the largest scholarship programs in the Caribbean hospitality and tourism industry. Applications are received from young people all over the region and reflect a wide variety of interests and backgrounds,” said Tom Pas, the foundation’s chairman. “One of the primary goals of the CHTAEF is human resource development and these funds will definitely assist us in reaching that goal.”

The CHTAEF was established in 1987 as a non-profit organization to provide scholarships and special assistance to Caribbean hospitality industry personnel and students pursuing hospitality and tourism careers.

To date, the Education Foundation has awarded more than US$1 million dollars in scholarships and grants. The application requirements include being a Caribbean national, having a high school or equivalent secondary school degree, pursuing a tourism-related education degree, and demonstrated financial need.

As a strategic partner of the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association and a board member of the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Education Foundation, Interval is committed to understanding the unique needs of the Caribbean region and providing products and programs tailored to this market.

Interval International operates membership programs for vacationers 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 34 years. Today, Interval has an exchange network of more than 2,500 resorts in over 75 nations. Through offices in 15 countries, Interval offers high-quality products and benefits to resort clients and approximately 2 million families who are enrolled in various membership programs. 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.

Interval International, a leading global provider of vacation services and an operating segment of Interval Leisure Group (Nasdaq: IILG), today announced that Dawn Beach Club in St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles, has joined its vacation exchange network. The project was developed by Babitbay Beach Development Corporation B.V., a related company of Columbia Sussex Corporation, one of North America’s leading independent owners and operators of resorts and hotels.

“We are very pleased that a hotelier of Columbia Sussex’s stature recognizes the opportunities that shared ownership offers, and has entered the industry with such a luxurious product in St. Maarten,” said David Gilbert, executive vice president of resort sales and marketing for Interval International.

Ideally situated on the island’s southeastern shore, the property includes three-bedroom, two-bath oceanfront condominiums with spacious floor plans. The 1,800-square foot units feature elegant contemporary furnishings and warm teak finishes. Each has a fully appointed kitchen with stainless steel appliances, satellite television and Wi-Fi, and an oversized patio or balcony.

“We are thrilled to be offering consumers an opportunity to purchase a vacation interest at our beautiful resort in one of the Caribbean’s most popular vacation destinations,” stated Joe Yung, director of development of Columbia Sussex. “When you combine ownership at Dawn Beach with Interval International’s high-quality programs and products, you have a very attractive value proposition.”

St. Maarten is the smallest island in the world to be shared by two nations, the Netherlands and France, creating a European vibe with a Caribbean flair. With more than 300 restaurants, the island offers a diverse cuisine that appeals to everyone. For water enthusiasts, scuba diving and snorkeling facilities are located throughout the island, which boasts an extensive marine biodiversity and unique underwater dive sites such as the H.M.S. Proselyte, a notable British frigate which sank in St. Maarten’s waters in 1801.

Further reinforcing the value of ownership, new purchasers will be enrolled as individual members of Interval International, as well as Interval Gold®, its upgraded membership program. This gives them the opportunity to exchange their accommodations for those at other resorts in Interval’s worldwide network, as well as the ability to relinquish their resort weeks toward the purchase of cruise, golf, and spa vacations. They also will enjoy an extensive menu of benefits, including discounts on resort Getaways, ShortStay ExchangeSM, access to a personal concierge service available 24 hours a day via phone and e-mail, complimentary Hertz #1 Gold® membership, and worldwide hotel and dining discounts.

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 approximately 2,500 resorts in more than 75 countries and offers its resort clients and about 2 million member families high-quality products and programs through offices in 26 cities 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.

Interval International, a leading global provider of vacation services and an operating segment of Interval Leisure Group (Nasdaq: IILG), today announced the addition of Grand Lodges to its vacation exchange network. Tucked into Oregon’s majestic Cascade Mountain Range a few miles from Mt. Hood, this new fractional resort offers four seasons of recreation, including year-round downhill and cross-country skiing.

“The central location of Grand Lodges adjacent to three ski areas is ideal for our upscale members, who will have the opportunity to visit this high-quality ski-in/ski-out resort,” said David Gilbert, executive vice president of resort sales and marketing for Interval International. “This destination offers a wonderful variety of recreational options, including an extensive night skiing area at Mt. Hood Skibowl and summer skiing at Timberline Palmer Snow Field.”

Today, owners of 1/16 shares at Grand Lodges can catch the Porch-to-Powder shuttle to Mt. Hood Skibowl, Timberline Lodge, and Collins Lake Resort and ski back from Timberline via the glade trail to within steps of their front doors. A proposed aerial tramway connecting the three ski areas promises to further expand ski-in options.

With panoramic views of Multorpor Mountain, Mt. Hood Skibowl, and Collins Lake, 16 open-plan units are designed for a cosmopolitan market coming from the Pacific Northwest’s large metropolitan hubs (Portland International Airport is 53 miles away). Three floor plans ranging from 1,800 to 2,300 square feet offer owners and guests three bedrooms, a gourmet kitchen, and a private balcony off the living room and master bedroom. In most units, Brazilian cherry hardwood floors and Cascadian stone fireplaces lend to an ambiance of rustic elegance.

“Our vision was to create the ultimate balance between a getaway retreat and a comfortable home,” says Kirk Hanna, managing member of Mt. Hood LLC II, the developer of Grand Lodges. Hanna also owns Mt. Hood Skibowl. “Units are acoustically engineered to give owners a quiet appreciation of the stunning panoramas. The on-site recreation center and full-service concierge and spa will provide first-class pampering. And, our affiliation with Interval International completes the picture by expanding our owners’ vacation options to other quality locations worldwide.”

Planned on-site amenities include a fully equipped fitness center, heated outdoor pool, hot tub and sauna, wireless Internet access, and shuttle service for skiers. Situated in the slope side village of Government Camp, the resort also offers visitors easy access to the surrounding Mt. Hood National Forest, with more than 1,200 miles of hiking and biking trails, as well as world-class rafting, fishing, canoeing and kayaking.

Further reinforcing the value of ownership, new purchasers will be enrolled as individual members of Interval International, as well as Interval Gold®, its upgraded membership program. This gives them the opportunity to exchange their accommodations for those at other resorts in Interval’s worldwide network, as well as the ability to relinquish their resort weeks toward the purchase of cruise, golf, and spa vacations. They also will enjoy an extensive menu of benefits, including discounts on resort Getaways, ShortStay Exchangesm, access to a personal concierge service available 24 hours a day via phone and e-mail, complimentary Hertz #1 Gold® membership, and worldwide hotel and dining discounts.

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 approximately 2,500 resorts in more than 75 countries and offers its resort clients and about 2 million member families high-quality products and programs through offices in 26 cities 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.

Interval International, a leading global provider of vacation services and an operating segment of Interval Leisure Group (Nasdaq:IILG), today announced the addition of Gold Coast Aruba, to its vacation exchange network. The master-planned resort community will feature 270 whole ownership villas and townhouses in the island’s Malmok area. It is the only development of its kind in Aruba that offers purchasers Interval’s upgraded membership program, Interval Gold®.

“Gold Coast Aruba will be selling its whole ownership product to an upscale clientele and we’re glad to be able to support them with our enhanced membership benefit product, which is specifically tailored to an affluent consumer,” said David Gilbert, executive vice president of resort sales and marketing for Interval International.

The resort community is located on 26 acres just a few minutes away from the scenic northwest coastline, and its architecture and interior design reflect a Mediterranean style with a contemporary Caribbean touch. It includes two- and three-bedroom townhomes and three-bedroom villas with well-appointed, spacious living and dining areas, state-of-the-art kitchens and bathrooms, large balconies, and secluded patios. The two-story townhomes range in size from approximately 900 to 1,600 square feet, while the villas have around 1,800 to 3,200 square feet of space.

“Gold Coast Aruba is situated in a very desirable area and features quality accommodations as well as a wide array of amenities that one would expect to find at a luxury resort,” said Fito Croes, director of sales and marketing for the property. “All owners will gain access to Interval’s valuable membership benefits, and those who participate in the rental program also will have the ability to trade their time for a comparable vacation experience at one of hundreds of quality resorts worldwide.”

Scheduled for completion in 2010 and 2011 is an amenity complex anchored by a multi-million-dollar clubhouse with a full-service spa, water feature, and infinity pool; a state-of-the-art fitness center; and two lighted tennis courts. The Tierra del Sol championship golf course, designed by Robert Trent Jones II, is conveniently located across from the property.

Membership in Interval Gold® further reinforces the value of ownership by giving new purchasers the opportunity to exchange their accommodations for those at other resorts in Interval’s worldwide network, as well as the ability to relinquish their resort weeks toward the purchase of cruise, golf, and spa vacations. They also enjoy an extensive menu of benefits, including discounts on resort Getaways, ShortStay ExchangeSM, access to a personal concierge service available 24 hours a day via phone and e-mail, complimentary Hertz #1 Gold® membership, and worldwide hotel and dining discounts.

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 approximately 2,500 resorts in more than 75 countries and offers its resort clients and about 2 million member families high-quality products and programs through offices in 26 cities 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.

Interval International, a leading global provider of vacation services and an operating segment of Interval Leisure Group (Nasdaq: IILG), announced the addition of Grand Laguna Beach in the Dominican Republic to its vacation exchange network. Currently under construction, the purpose-built, mixed-use resort is being developed by Inversiones Internacionales del Caribe, S.A., which is led by president Tim Neeb, a well-respected developer in Canada.

“We are proud that Inversiones Internacionales has chosen to affiliate its first Caribbean resort with our company,” said David Gilbert, executive vice president of resort sales and marketing for Interval International. “Our members will be able to vacation at this high-quality property while visiting Puerto Plata, one of the most popular destinations in the region.”

The resort is being built on one of the few remaining beachfront sites on the north shore of the island between the towns of Sosua and Cabarete. Current plans call for both whole ownership and vacation ownership units, ranging in size from studios to three-bedrooms. The unit design is a simple, elegant style patterned after the old-world ambience of colonial architecture and will include gracious living and dining areas; a state-of-the-art kitchen equipped with stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops; and a spacious terrace.

“We are very pleased to be working closely with Interval because its commitment to delivering the highest quality service and products parallels our corporate philosophy,” noted Neeb.  “We have taken great care to ensure that our product is built using the finest materials and craftsmanship and that our owners and guests receive personalized attention. Whether staying at Grand Laguna or exchanging their vacation through Interval, they will have access to first-rate accommodations and a wide range of valuable services.”

Resort amenities are anticipated to include a fine-dining restaurant with a cigar lounge and wine bar, an outdoor bar, beachside casual dining, two pools, an on-site grocery store, a fitness area, a 24-hour concierge, and the In-Sense Spa.
Grand Laguna Beach has retained Coral Hospitality Corporation (CHC) in the Dominican Republic to provide resort management and sales and marketing services. CHC has been operating resorts and hotels in the Caribbean for nearly 20 years.

The Dominican Republic’s diverse history, rich heritage, and extraordinary natural setting attract numerous visitors to the island every year. The spirit and charm of this vibrant vacation destination is captured in its music, food, and national pastimes. It is renowned for its  unique cultural events, exotic cuisine, annual music festivals, handcrafted cigars, and baseball. Visitors also enjoy the balmy year-round temperatures, sandy beaches, tropical forests studded with spectacular waterfalls, and breezy tropical winds.

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 approximately 2,500 resorts in more than 75 countries and offers its resort clients and about 2 million member families high-quality products and programs through offices in 26 cities 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.

With increased consumer interest and more and more exciting products coming on line, 2009 has been the year of the fractional. However, writes Sarah Lee, in developing the perfect product there’s much fractional developers can learn from timeshare.

Many fractional developers would concur that when marketing their product they try to cut any associations with timeshare, believing there to be vast differences between the products in terms of structure, quality, buyer profile, legal requirements and their inherent nature. But for those prepared to accept such linkages there is much fractional developers could learn from up to 40 years of timeshare history.

It’s said that hindsight is a wonderful thing and many timeshare professionals with decades of experience would agree that they would have done things differently – despite the fact that the industry that has matured to offer a popular global product.

From length of ownership to size of fraction, structure and target market, industry professionals offer their suggestions for a bright fractional future.

A Small Matter of Size
A major area highlighted as proving challenging for timeshare is the length of ownership, with developers finding that the in-perpetuity model has not been without its difficulties.

Lisa Migani, director of business development at First National Trustee Company (FNTC), says: “Early on in timeshare’s history developers were persuaded to produce a product that would be there forever – in perpetuity, something that consumers could pass on to their children.

“But time has taught us that this doesn’t work. Today, our consumer-driven society doesn’t want something that lasts forever, nor do they want to leave something to their children as children really don’t want to do the same thing as their parents.”

Nick Turner, vice president and head of new business, The Registry Collection, Europe, agrees: “Although a Spanish villa next to a championship golf course may appeal to many people, it’s unlikely that their 20-something children will want to visit it as well. Today young travelers are more likely to want to go backpacking around the world on a gap year.”

“You often find that timeshare properties that have been there for 30 years or more are really starting to show their age and require an unfeasibly large investment to update them,” adds Migani, who also spent ten years as Interval International’s account manager for Italy. “The in-perpetuity model works for sales and marketing people as they believe it adds value on the sales decks and can help them shift large volumes, but it can cause problems for the end user in the long run.”

According to information presented by Ragatz Associates at this year’s Fractional Summit, the most popular size of a fractional share is 1/6 to 1/4, and the average price per is US$162,000 or US$18,600 a week – suggesting that the highend, longer-term products have been the industry’s leading light.

But many professionals are now pointing to the fact that there is a burgeoning middle market that fractional developers would benefit from aiming their product toward.

“Today’s consumer wants high perceived value and low perceived entry-level costs, so it’s important that developers don’t only focus on high-income groups,” says Turner. “They need to strike a balance between the facilities and additional services they offer, such as a golf club, spa and global exchange partnership by backing this up with value. It is a fact that in today’s world debt is high and fractionals allow people to buy a second home without re-mortgaging. Fractionals that will appeal to consumers will offer a low entry level, low risk and low on-going costs.”

David Gilbert, Interval International’s executive vice president of resort sales and marketing for the Americas, explains that affordability is becoming key to fraction size: “A lot of developers are going for smaller increment sales – marketing eighth, 10th and 12th fractions to make their product more affordable.”

Migani however, believes fraction size could yet be transformed further: “Timeshare was built on the principle of a week’s ownership and fractional developers would do well to offer a shorter, twoweek, low entry level, mid-market product. They could really see some success in offering a midpriced property to families looking for somewhere to take their children each year.

“Though there are some people who can travel for up to three months of the year, this is quite a niche group – the mainstream will only have two weeks a year for their main holiday so fraction sizes need to be better tailored to reflect this.”

For Sale
Something that timeshare professionals put high on the list of priorities for fractional developers is offering owners an exit route – ensuring the property really does have a resale value.

While Gilbert suggests a fractional should be purchased as a holiday product and not with investment in mind; both Turner and Migani recommend developing products that will last for 15-20 years before being sold, with each owner gaining a share of the proceeds from the sale.

“From a north European perspective, it’s important for consumers to see a fractional as an alternative to a second home so they need to feel like they own it but that they can also exit the investment,” says Turner. “One of the strongest consumer pulls is the ability for the asset to be disposed of for them to receive a return on their investment and a share of the capital growth.

“With the second-home market floundering in many countries, consumer trends point to them wanting the
alternative to ownership that fractionals give them, but people can’t think beyond 25 years these days – so unlike timeshare, there must be an exit route.”

Migani, whose company offers developers a free consultation service, adds that “this is something sorely lacking in timeshare – there has not really been a successful resales program. Successfully selling a fractional will be largely dependent on where it is, how much it costs and how the local property market is likely to grow,” she says.

“Another view strongly held by fractional developers and some consultants is that their product, unlike timeshare, is based on a deeded interest while timeshare is not a real right,” Migani continues. “But timeshare has often been sold with a title deed in the U.S. and several European countries, for example Italy and Scandinavia, and many ran into difficulties due to unpaid maintenance fees.

“Critical to the success of a deeded development is having an efficient means of collecting annual maintenance fees. Consumers who own a title and don’t pay their dues could jeopardize the whole project, and taking them to court to retrieve the unpaid fees is a process that may take years. To avoid this situation a more flexible club structure could see owners’ struck off the membership if fees went unpaid.”

Adjusting the Focus
Gilbert, who has 22 years industry experience, highlights the fact that some timeshare developers have created unstable customer bases by stretching to make sales. “Many of them have sold biennial and triennial memberships or have taken smaller payments to stretch things for cash-strapped consumers,” he says. “For the long term stability of a project it is far better to have the right customer for the product than to stretch to make a sale.”

Gilbert also highlighted a problem that has been prevalent in the U.S. timeshare market and recommends fractional developers focus on the sale of their main product.

“Over the years, developers kept building better and better products without worrying about selling them,
as they were making more money on the consumer credit agreements entered into by buyers than the product itself,” Gilbert says. “As the economic crisis has deepened, consumer credit has become difficult to obtain, and we’re now seeing timeshare developers with a renewed focus to ensure their products are profitable on sale.”

Timeshare developers are now less reliant onincome from ancillary products, instead viewing  them as a bonus – a characteristic Gilbert advises fractional developers heed.

The overriding sense from professionals is that the fractional market is likely to go from strength to strength – and if developers take note of timeshare’s at-times rocky path, they will be well armed to make the fractional industry well respected and profitable.

The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association Education Foundation (CHTAEF) and Interval International, a leading global provider of vacation services, presented college students Roderick Beazer and Koran Kong with the 2009 Interval International Scholarships. They were chosen by the CHTAEF selection committee as part of the review process of more than 90 applications from 18 Caribbean destinations.

(L to R) Hon. Ian Sweeney, Consul General Antigua & Barbuda; 2009 Interval International Scholarship recipient Roderick Beazer; Tom Pas, Chairman CHTA Education Foundation; 2009 Interval International Scholarship recipient Koran Kong; and David Gilbert, Executive Vice President, Resort Sales and Marketing, Interval International.

“Roderick and Koran received scholarships because of their academic achievements, strong commitment to the hospitality industry, and great potential for future success. We wish them both the best of luck in their studies and future endeavors,” said CHTAEF Chairman Tom Pas.

The Interval International Scholarship Fund was created in 2004 when the company made a commitment to the CHTAEF to benefit Caribbean students interested in pursuing careers in hospitality and tourism. Interval and its member resorts have donated $120,000 over the past five years to the Foundation.

“Interval International and its member resorts are involved with the CHTAEF because we recognize the powerful impact that education has on the continued growth of the hospitality industry in the region,” commented David Gilbert, executive vice president of resort sales and marketing for Interval International. “Through our collective contributions to the Foundation, we are able to support the development of skilled tourism professionals who provide better service and a higher quality vacation experience for visitors.”
“These exceptional students serve as examples to other young people in the Caribbean of what can be achieved through hard work and dedication,” said Hon. Ian Sweeney, Consul General, Antigua & Barbuda. “Roderick and Koran are trailblazers who showcase our island nation’s talent. Although they are still attending school, their work experience already includes positions at two prestigious resorts.”

Roderick is studying culinary arts management at the Art Institute of Atlanta. He is the first student from Antigua’s sister island of Barbuda to receive a CHTAEF scholarship and will become the first Barbudan to earn a degree in culinary arts.

Koran, a two-time scholarship winner, continues to maintain a 3.65 GPA at Johnson and Wales University in Miami, while working toward a bachelor’s degree in culinary arts. She is originally from Trinidad and later moved to Antigua.

About the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association Education Foundation
The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association Education Foundation (CHTAEF) was established in 1987 as a stand-alone non-profit / tax-exempt organization, through which scholarships and special assistance would be made available for the education of Caribbean hotel industry personnel and students pursuing careers in tourism. As part of its mission, the Education Foundation provides people throughout the Caribbean region with an awareness of the industry’s varied career opportunities, as well as technical and professional development. To date, the Education Foundation has awarded over a US$1 million in scholarships and grants to applicants who demonstrate a strong commitment to the hotel and tourism industry. For more information  www.caribbeanhotelandtourism.com

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 approximately 2,500 resorts in more than 75 countries and offers its resort clients and about 2 million member families high-quality products and programs through offices in 26 cities 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.

Offers developer clients one-stop design and purchasing services

Interval International, a leading global provider of vacation services, announced it has formed an alliance with Robb & Stucky Resorts, a division of Ft. Myers, Florida-based Robb & Stucky Interiors. The highly acclaimed interior design and furnishings firm now will make its one-stop shopping and turnkey design services available to Interval International member resorts.

This is the newest benefit in Interval’s Interval Affiliate Advantage program, a collection of value-driven products and services offered exclusively to Interval member resorts to enhance marketing and sales efforts and to improve operational efficiencies.

“The alliance with Robb & Stucky will give our developer clients and homeowners associations access to an exceptional level of service and value,” said David Gilbert, Interval’s executive vice president of resort sales and marketing. “We are confident that resorts that take advantage of Robb & Stucky’s design and marketing services will be very satisfied with the process and the results.”

One of the largest privately held residential design firms in the country, Robb & Stucky manufactures, warehouses, delivers, and installs all of its own products. “Because of our vertical integration, we can save developers time, money, and headaches,” said Dan Lubner, president of Robb & Stucky Resorts. “At the same time, we’re giving them access to a better-quality product than what has been previously available.”

The company also maintains an active database of more than 2.5 million consumers, as well as real estate and design professionals, and receives 75,000 visits to its Web site daily. Its in-house public relations and marketing agency allows Robb & Stucky to conduct awareness campaigns for developers, host in-store events, feature selected properties on its Web site, and more.

“Our national presence and affluent client base create the perfect opportunity for developers to tap into the right clientele and build brand identity,” Lubner added. “This can result in leads and sales.”

Robb & Stucky offers attractive incentives to Interval member resorts that engage its services, including a complimentary review of current or proposed furniture, fixture, and equipment selections. If contracted to assist on new projects or refurbishments at resorts with more than 25 units, clients can receive at no charge two computer perspectives; clients with resorts comprising 50 units or more are eligible to have free customized rack brochures produced for their sales center. For clients who have projects with more than 100 units, Robb & Stucky will create a complimentary customized presentation book.

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 approximately 2,500 resorts in more than 75 countries and offers its resort clients and about 2 million member families high-quality products and programs through offices in 26 cities 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.