A number of positive trends that reinforce the appeal of the Caribbean market to both existing and potential vacation owners are being shared with delegates at the annual Caribbean Marketplace conference by Interval International, a leading global provider of vacation services.

First and foremost, members are visiting the region in increasing numbers and U.S. resident leisure travelers who have indicated an interest in purchasing some form of shared ownership in the next two years also chose this market as a top destination of interest.

“Member demand for vacation exchange and resort rentals in the Caribbean is strong and we continue to affiliate new projects throughout the region,” said David C. Gilbert, executive vice president of resort sales and marketing for Interval International. “In today’s environment, shared ownership offers resort developers a compelling business model with multiple profit centers and higher occupancy levels than hotels. In the case of mixed-use projects, it also provides the potential for cost-saving operating synergies and reduced marketing costs.”

Interval reported that bookings into the Caribbean increased approximately nine percent from January through November 2009, as compared to the same period in 2008. This is particularly encouraging in light of the global economic downturn that adversely affected overall arrivals to the Caribbean over the past year.
Additionally, interest in the region among U.S. resident leisure travelers considering a shared ownership purchase is significant. According to the Future Timeshare Buyers: 2009 Market Profile, the Caribbean is one of the preferred international destinations of choice among U.S. resident leisure travelers interested in purchasing vacation time in the next two years, as approximately eight in 10 (78 percent) indicate they want to vacation in the region.

In 2009, Interval expanded its resort network in the region through numerous affiliations, including Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort & Spa in St. Lucia, Gold Coast Aruba, Dawn Beach Club in St. Maarten, and Grand Laguna Beach and Los Altos in the Dominican Republic.

Los Altos, a residential resort located within Casa de Campo —a 7,000 acre mixed-use development considered one of the finest resort communities in the Caribbean — has affiliated with Preferred Residences™, Interval’s hospitality branded membership and exchange program for luxury shared ownership resorts.

Dawn Beach Club marked the entrance of Columbia Sussex Corporation, one of North America’s leading independent owners and operators of resorts and hotels, into the shared ownership industry.
Interval International is a longstanding supporter of the region through its strategic alliances with the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association and the Caribbean Tourism Organization, as well as through its conference sponsorships, including the Caribbean Marketplace in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

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.