2010 was a difficult year for the fractional and private residence club industry, but anecdotal evidence suggests that the market is rebounding in 2011 according to executives attending the Ragatz Fractional Interest Conference in San Francisco, CA, earlier this week.

Nearly 200 attendees heard information from speakers that, while the market continued to struggle last year, resorts are seeing an uptick in activity during the first quarter of this year.

Dr. Richard Ragatz revealed the results of his report, “The Shared Ownership Resort Real Estate Industry In North America: 2011” which highlighted the status of the fractional and private residence club market.

According to the report, there were 104 projects in active sales in 2010 – 68 fractionals and 36 PRCs – with 55% of the projects located in the U.S. 

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Ragatz Associates announces that Steve Mann, founder and CEO of AbleBrains, will be a speaker at the 11^th Annual Ragatz Associates Fractional Interest Conference, to be held at the Fairmont San Francisco Hotel during March 14-16, 2011.

In addition to his role at AbleBrains, Mann is also a consultant to Timbers Resorts on its social media and digital marketing strategies. Mann and his team are experts in creating scientifically sound social, segmentation and simulated buying strategies to exploit markets and gain advantages over competitors.  AbleBrains has helped its clients drive into new markets, dramatically improve marketing conversion rates and establish themselves as leaders in their market categories.

Mann will be speaking during the “Creating a Social Media Strategy for Fractional Interest Projects” and the “Prime Time Q and A: Ask Your Final Questions to the Experts” sessions on Wednesday, March 16.

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Perspective Magazine has received top Google.com rankings for its fractional news coverage. Updated several times per day and complemented by a digital magazine and social networking site, http://www.theperspectivemagazine.com is your port of call to find out what is happening in the world of fractional ownership.

Steamboat’s Most Desirable Year Round Neighborhood Boasts Six Sales in Only Six Months

The Porches of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, announced today that it is foremost in the luxury home market in Steamboat Springs, accounting for nearly half of whole and fractional sales of residences with square footages over 4,000 square feet and attracting interest from a multitude of second home buyers across the country.  Over the last six months, the Porches has made six sales; three fractional interests in the Private Residence Club and three whole ownership units, one of those being a preconstruction purchase. This level of activity is unparalleled in the current marketplace and reflects the Porches exceptional product offering.

“Our sales success this year is somewhat surprising given the tough economic climate,” said Bruce Shugart, developer of The Porches. “But we have remained true to our vision, emphasizing three core tenants: quality craftsmanship, exceptional service and attention to detail. Delivering on this promise has enabled us to remain viable during the downturn.”

The Porches is Steamboat’s premier community for families looking to create lifelong memories. Located at the base of the ski resort, The Porches redefines the term “luxury” in the area, offering  whole and fractional ownership as well as nightly rentals in one of the country’s hottest mountain destinations. Residences offer four to five bedrooms and bathrooms, large gourmet kitchens, personal game room, cozy fireplaces, flat screen TVs and a bunkroom for the kids.

As demand persists into 2010, The Porches plans to continue the construction of additional residences and is in the process of building additional units. Currently, there are two whole ownership opportunities available as well as fractional units in three floor plans: Cottonwood, Blue Spruce and Ponderosa.

For more information visit www.theporches.com or call 866.500.6673.

The consumer magazine that focuses on shared ownership products has today launched its highly anticipated Fractional Property Guide at http://www.fractionalpropertyguide.com

This standalone website is the first of a suite of directories planned by Owners Perspective Magazine which burst onto the market in January 2009 and already reaches nearly 50,000 consumers per month through an innovative mix of online and print subscriptions and distribution via more than 140 first class and business class airport lounges around the world; including global deals with British Airways and selected main routes for Virgin Atlantic, Emirates Airlines, American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines and many more. The publication is also available through a rapidly growing number of luxury hotels and resorts worldwide.

The Fractional Property Guide however is not just another portal. Six months of trialling content, design and functionality within a temporary part of the magazine’s website has resulted in the birth of an exclusive collection of fractional properties that consumers can contact directly.

The website is not designed to harvest other fractional listings in a bid to boast the most properties; instead it is exclusively available to Owners Perspective Magazine advertisers only and subject to approval.  Each fractional ownership property has a full page listing with essential information, images and the option for streaming video, plus a direct enquiry form where consumers can request anything from a brochure or availability of fractions, to requesting a sales call or arranging an inspection visit all with the confidence that these carefully selected properties have already featured in the leading independent shared ownership publication in the world.

Owners Perspective Magazine’s print and online educational and research platform is revolutionizing traditional lead generation methods for developers by putting the consumer in the driving seat, spending anything from several minutes to several months, perhaps even years to educate themselves at their own pace in what they are looking for from a vacation home or vacation product, rather than being sold to. Then when the consumer chooses to contact the developer / advertiser that are selling a specific product, it is because that consumer is ready and wants to discuss a potential purchase at that development.

For the developer, this regular stream of sales enquiries are simply delivered instantly to their sales / marketing departments in a clear easy to use and easy to file format, complete with full contact details of the prospective buyer and additional information such as whether or not they already own a vacation property or vacation ownership product.

Owners Perspective Magazine also offers a number of enhanced products and services for developers and marketers of Fractional Properties.

For more information call +1 407 792 2343 (USA) or +44 191 250 3501 (UK), email advertising@perspectiveinternational.com or visit their online media centre at http://www.perspectiverates.com

Perspective International Ltd, publishers of timeshare and fractional ownership trade publication Perspective Magazine and consumer publication Owners Perspective Magazine are proud to confirm that exchange company, Dial An Exchange have confirmed their advertising package for 2010.

“This is the 5th consecutive year that Dial An Exchange have advertised with us and we are very pleased to see that they have once again increased their level of exposure with us for the coming year as we continue to expand and provide even wider coverage, products and services” Said Paul Mattimoe, CEO, Perspective International Ltd.

Perspective Magazine, the shared ownership industry’s leading independent trade publication globally now reaches more than 20,600 registered industry professionals monthly and is media sponsor of 18 major industry conventions, officially distributing to all delegates at each event.

On Perspective Magazine Francis Taylor, CEO of DAE International said, “In order to meet the expectations of the modern timeshare consumer, it’s vital for the timeshare and holiday exchange industry to update our thinking, be unified, informed, and professional. Perspective has become the official ‘voice of the industry’, providing a genuine forum through which industry participants globally can stay in touch with the latest industry news, developments and innovations. Quite simply, for us at Dial An Exchange, Perspective is essential reading.”

Owners Perspective Magazine has taken the whole timeshare and fractional industry by surprise in under a year. This consumer driven publication has arranged strategic marketing deals with leading industry companies, and distribution deals with supermarkets, resorts, hotels and more than 140 first class and business class airport lounges around the world with leading airlines such as British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Emirates Airlines and American Airlines promoting shared ownership for the first time to consumers on a mass market level.

On Owners Perspective Magazine, Mr. Taylor said, “Dial An Exchange has had the pleasure of watching the development of Owners Perspective from concept to powerful reality. Their growth and success has in many ways mirrored our own. Participation in the magazine has helped us maintain a competitive advantage and there is absolutely no question of its value to the timeshare consumer. Truly independent, the magazine informs, and gives them a voice, one which the industry cannot ignore. Owners Perspective can proudly stand as a pioneer in educating and informing owners worldwide, and the magazine should become the ‘standard’ for any owner looking to get the most value from their vacation investment.”

About Dial An Exchange
Dial An Exchange (DAE) is a full-service, worldwide exchange company that operates a direct-to-consumer business model. It supplies an easy-to-use, low-cost exchange service for timeshare owners, and has a strong track record of dependable customer service. With offices in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Asia, Europe and North America, DAE has been in the business of supporting timeshare owners for over eleven years. Please visit http://www.www.daelive.com for more information.

About Perspective Magazine
Perspective Magazine is the most read independent B2B publication for the shared ownership industry globally, offering exclusive interviews, news and reviews on all aspects of timeshare, fractional ownership, private residence clubs and resort real estate. Winner of two Innovative Marketing Awards and Media Sponsor of 18 major industry conventions around the globe with official distribution to all delegates at each event just adds to the highly targeted print and online subscription base of more than 20,600 industry professionals and the additional online exposure offered through its network of news and press release sites.

For more information visit http://www.perspectivemagazine.com, http://www.ownersperspective.com, call +1 407-792-2343 (USA) or +44 191 250 3501 (UK) or visit our online media centre at http://www.perspectiverates.com

(source: http://www.perspectivemagazine.com/dial-an-exchange-increases-presence-in-perspective-international%e2%80%99s-industry-publications-for-2010-01309)

After nearly ten months of planning Perspective International Ltd prepare to launch www.fractionalstaff.com and today release it for viewing by prospective advertisers.

Carefully structured around specialised print and online marketing, www.fractionalstaff.com will attract sales, marketing, management and administration staff with experience within the fractional ownership, or real estate markets as well as high calibre new candidates from similarly related industries.

“To many, it would seem natural for us to have produced a recruitment website for the fractional industry because of our hugely successful www.timesharestaff.com website but we first needed to spend considerable amounts of time researching how and where we would generate the type of candidates required for this niche industry which has a different sales and marketing approach to that of the timeshare industry. We needed to be able to differentiate clearly between the demographics of the two sites, and are pleased with the strategic framework we have put in place that achieves this.” Says Paul Mattimoe, CEO of Perspective International Ltd.

Perspective International Ltd, are a rapidly growing company who in a few short years have produced and propelled two award winning magazines to become the most read independent publications in their fields globally, providing both trade and consumer marketing channels for developers, marketers and suppliers of the shared ownership industry.

Perspective Magazine (http://www.theperspectivemagazine.com) is a trade publication specialising in connecting companies around the world for collaborations, marketing deals and inventory exchange; promoting new products and services to the industry and recruiting from within the industry at the highest level.

Owners Perspective Magazine (http://www.ownersperspective.com) is the only global consumer publication for the shared ownership industry available to the general public via more than 140 first class airport lounges worldwide with companies such as British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Emirates Airlines and American Airlines; through selected hotels and resorts, and leading UK supermarkets, offering the most direct and targeted advertising channel available for fractional property developers to generate quality sales enquiries.

These publications complete with their phenomenal online presence and lead generation capabilities, plus the new recruiting platform make Perspective International Ltd one of the largest players in the fractional ownership arena globally, with a larger, more affluent target market reach across print, online and social media.

After nearly ten months of planning the new recruitment website has been released for viewing today with an official launch on 18th August.

Companies interested in using the service should contact Perspective International Ltd on +1 407 792 2343 (USA) or +44 191 250 3501 (UK) or email advertising@perspectiveinternational.com

“Escape the stress of your daily life and retreat to the peace and tranquility of your ranch. Nestled down a quiet country lane among the vineyards and wineries of Alexander Valley is The Ranch on Soda Rock. Be a part of one the first fractional ownership homes in the world to include a boutique winery with winemaker and a biodynamic and organically farmed vineyard, vegetable and flower garden.”

For more information on The Ranch At Soda Rock visit the Fractional Property Guide

The Fractional Property Guide is an exclusive collection of developments around the world available for purchase on a fractional ownership basis. The guide offers the ability to browse each property and then to request more information, brochures, request inspection visits and availability and prices of the fractions on offer.

The newly completed Hyatt Siesta Key Beach luxury fractional resort is now open. The resort is located on one of the top beaches in the world, Siesta Key Beach, Florida. Owners of Hyatt Siesta Key Beach have travel opportunities to 14 other Hyatt Residence Club and Hyatt Vacation Club properties as well as over 380 Hyatt hotels worldwide with Hyatt Gold Passport™.

Mark Schoenfeld, Managing Director for The Carlyle Group, owners of Hyatt Siesta Key Beach, today announced that the resort has been completed and is now open. Hyatt Siesta Key Beach is the first purpose-built luxury fractional beachfront residences in the Sarasota area. The resort is the 15th property in the Hyatt Residence Club and Hyatt Vacation Club portfolio. Other resorts are in Key West and Bonita Springs, FL; Carmel, CA; San Antonio, TX; Aspen, Beaver Creek and Breckenridge, CO; Lake Tahoe, NV; Sedona, AZ and Dorado, Puerto Rico with Fifth Avenue, New York City coming soon.

“Carlyle enjoyed working with Hyatt to develop this splendid property on one of the most pristine beaches in the country,” said Schoenfeld. “Its coming to fruition validates our shared vision for choosing Crescent Beach for Hyatt Siesta Key Beach.” The resort features 44 fully furnished residences with thirteen different floorplans and living space ranging from 1,865 to 2,920 square feet. Each residence features extraordinarily high-end finishes — including Wolf, Sub-Zero and Fisher & Paykel appliances. Other furnishings include custom furniture and décor, lavish linens and Lube Italian cabinetry throughout.

Hyatt Siesta Key Beach was built by Sarasota-based Tandem Construction. Over 500 construction workers, craftsmen, tradesmen, landscapers and laborers contributed to building the resort. The project was completed with equity provided by private equity firm The Carlyle Group. Hyatt Siesta Key Beach was completed in thirteen months and infused approximately $100 million into the local economy.

Luxury fractional ownership at Hyatt Siesta Key Beach provides owners with as much time as is typically spent at a wholly-owned second home, but with the added benefits of on-site property management by a luxury brand, the style of service and amenities luxury buyers expect and travel opportunities to 14 other Hyatt Residence Club and Hyatt Vacation Club properties* as well as over 380 Hyatt hotels worldwide with Hyatt Gold Passport™**.

For a limited time, pricing at Hyatt Siesta Key Beach begins at $135,700 for a 1/16 share (three weeks). Also available are 1/8 shares (six weeks). Ownership at Hyatt Siesta Key Beach includes Cabana Club privileges which provide owners 365-day access to resort amenities (subject to Cabana Club rules and regulations). Residences are deeded and may be passed along to future generations. Hyatt Siesta Key Beach should be seen in person to fully appreciate the experience. Visit at www.HyattSiestaKeyBeach.com.

http://www.fractionalownershipmagazine.com/fractional-ownership-resort-opens-in-florida-hyatt-siesta-key-beach/

Iconic Lakefront Cottage-Country Resort Is Only Two Hours’ Drive From Toronto

Preferred Residences™, a hospitality branded membership and exchange program for luxury shared ownership resorts offered by a subsidiary of Interval Leisure Group (Nasdaq: IILG), today announced that The Cottages at Windermere House has joined its exchange network. The historic Windermere House Resort, located on Ontario’s renowned Lake Rosseau in Canada’s Muskoka Region, has been welcoming visitors for 140 years. 

Now, it is being transformed into a mixed-use property with a fractional component comprising new waterfront cottages.  A wealth of on-site amenities, including three restaurants, fitness center, beach, boat slips, spa, and golf at the adjacent Windermere Golf Course, completes the upscale experience.        
The Cottages at Windermere House will feature two- and three-bedroom units with living space ranging from 1,500 to 1,900 square feet. Residences will be furnished with an eye toward maintaining the high-end lake-house experience, with hardwood flooring, heritage-style lantern lighting, beamed ceilings, and stone-façade gas fireplaces. Fully equipped, state-of-the-art kitchens are planned to complement the over-sized dining room tables, which are designed for entertaining. The Cottages also will have screened-in three-season Muskoka rooms and large, open-air lakeview decks to maximize enjoyment of Lake Rosseau, where noted celebrities have vacation homes.

“This luxury resort is an impressive property and wonderful addition to the Preferred Residences network,” said David Gilbert, executive vice president of resort sales and marketing for Preferred Residences. “Its discerning owners and guests will appreciate the high-quality accommodations, first-class services and amenities, and spectacular setting.”

 “Muskoka is an incredibly beautiful and scenic part of Canada that reminds visitors of the gracious vacation styles of another era. Our iconic resort is very much a part of that tradition and now, with the addition of The Cottages at Windermere House, a
broader clientele also can take ownership in this special experience,” said Paul Jeffrey, chairman of Windermere House Resort. “We’re excited to be affiliating with the exclusive Preferred Residences program, so that our owners can enjoy additional vacation experiences and leisure and lifestyle benefits.”

In addition to the sales and marketing opportunities for developers, Preferred Residences offers owners “high-touch” exchange services and year-round leisure and lifestyle benefits tailored especially for sophisticated, affluent travelers. These include preferential pricing at participating Preferred Hotel Group affiliated properties worldwide, complimentary Prestige membership in Priority Pass™ airport VIP lounge program, personal concierge services accessible 24/7 online and via phone, discounts on the Delta AirElite private jet program, and complimentary annual membership in Hertz #1 Club Gold®.