Trading Places International (TPI) today announced that the 4 Seasons at Desert Breezes Resort has been awarded the prestigious RCI Gold Crown Resort property designation by RCI, the worldwide leader in vacation exchange.

A select number of RCI affiliated resorts meet RCI’s requirements for recognition and have earned the RCI Gold Crown Resort award. These resorts have attained high levels of excellence in resort accommodations, hospitality and member experience as measured by RCI.

“4 Seasons at Desert Breezes Resort is honored to have achieved this prestigious RCI designation,” said Tom Newman, director of Resort Operations at TPI. “The association’s board of directors, through diligent planning and oversight and working with its managing agent, Trading Places International, plan to maintain this Gold Crown status by providing owners and guests the quality accommodations and services we are known for.”

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RCI, the worldwide leader in vacation exchange, and The Registry Collection program, the world’s largest luxury holiday exchange program, will organize and co-sponsor three Shared Holiday Ownership Workshops in 2012. The workshops provide essential information for those involved in the shared holiday ownership industry or anyone interested in entering the field. The first workshop takes place in Istanbul, Turkey, on February 6, followed by workshops in Edinburgh, Scotland (April 25) and Vienna, Austria (May 22).

“We are proud to be organizing and co-sponsoring the Shared Holiday Ownership Workshops in 2012,” said Sean Lowe, managing director, EMEAI, RCI. “At RCI, we value education and lively discussion surrounding industry topics, and the interactive programs for these three workshops will provide new information and perspectives to all attendees.”

Topics covered at these workshops will include:

• Why shared holiday ownership?
• The range of shared holiday ownership options including timeshare, fractional and mixed-use models
• How shared holiday products work
• Legal structures
• Efficient and effective sales and marketing
• Customer care

The workshops boast an impressive lineup of speakers who will make appearances in at least one of the workshops, including: Dimitris Manikis, RCI; Paul Mattimoe, Perspective International; Philip Bacon, HVS; Christopher Allen, Hutchinson & Co Trust Company; Eric Gummers, Howard Kennedy; Piers Brown, Fractional Life; Lisa Migani, FNTC; Philip Broomhead, FNTC; and Ioannis Verdelis, Best International.*

The co-sponsors of the workshops are HVS, FNTC, Howard Kennedy, Best International and Citadel.

Visit www.SHOWorkshops.com for more information and booking forms.

*  Speakers may be subject to change

About RCI
RCI is the worldwide leader in vacation exchange with over 4,000 affiliated resorts in approximately 100 countries. RCI pioneered the concept of vacation exchange in 1974, offering members increased flexibility and versatility with their vacation ownership experience. Today, through RCI^® Weeks, the traditional week-for-week exchange system, and RCI Points^®, the industry’s first global points-based exchange system, RCI provides flexible vacation options to its 3.7 million RCI subscribing members each year. RCI is part of Wyndham Exchange & Rentals and the Wyndham Worldwide family of brands (NYSE: WYN). For additional information visit our media center, rciaffiliates.com or The RCI Blog. RCI also can be found on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

About The Registry Collection program

The Registry Collection program is the world’s largest luxury exchange program comprising over 33,000 members and more than 160 affiliates on six continents. More than 180 properties are available through The Registry Collection program and are either accessible for exchange or under development. From condo hotels and high-end fractional resorts to private residence clubs and fractional yachts, The Registry Collection program provides members with access to an elite network of the finest vacation properties at some of the world’s premier destinations, as well as personal concierge services that are available 24 hours a day. The Registry Collection program is offered by RCI, the worldwide leader in vacation exchange and part of the Wyndham Worldwide family of brands (NYSE: WYN). For additional information visit our media center or theregistrycollection.com.

RCI, the global leader in vacation exchange and part of the Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE: WYN) family of brands, recently announced an agreement with Divi Resorts that gives members at all five of its RCI^®-affiliated resorts in Aruba and St. Maarten the opportunity to opt for RCI Points Platinum memberships.

“RCI Platinum is a premium-tier membership option that opens up a world of vacation opportunities for our members,” said Gordon Gurnik, president, RCI. “Since its debut last year, the RCI Platinum membership has been met with positive responses from members who notice that their vacation experiences have been taken to a whole new level, which adds value to the products that affiliates like Divi Resorts offer vacationers.”

RCI members who join the RCI Points Platinum membership tier receive benefits including:

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RCI, the global leader in vacation exchange and part of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies (NYSE:WYN), is slated to host the Shared Ownership Conference on Jan. 10, 2012 at JW Marriott, Mumbai. The conference aims to help audiences discover the key to turning assets into opportunities as it delves into the shared ownership industry in detail.

The day-long conference will be an essential forum for hoteliers, resort owners, real estate developers, investors and hospitality consultants to understand and explore the benefits of shared ownership and the ways in which it can be successfully integrated into leisure real-estate developments to maximize the revenue potential of available assets.

“RCI was early to advance the case for timeshare development in India,” said Geoff Ballotti, CEO, RCI. “And the tremendous success that RCI’s affiliates have experienced across the country over the past 20 years confirms the opportunity for all developers of real estate to explore the many benefits that shared ownership has to offer. Our operations, marketing and business development teams in our offices across India remain more committed than ever to helping our developers capitalize on the significant demand for their vacation offerings and services that is growing in India today.”

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Summer Bay Resorts and RCI, the global leader in vacation exchange and part of the Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE: WYN) family of brands, recently announced a multi-year renewal of their affiliation agreement. With the renewal of this agreement, Summer Bay Resorts’ high-quality group of properties continues to be a part of the RCI^® network of affiliated resorts.

“We have enjoyed a long-standing and successful relationship with Summer Bay Resorts, and are pleased to be continuing that relationship,” said Gordon Gurnik, president, RCI. “We are also glad to continue offering these quality properties to our 3.7 million subscribing members, many of whom have enjoyed memorable vacations in Florida, Tennessee and Missouri at these world-class resorts.”

The affiliated resorts that are a part of this agreement are: Summer Bay Resort, Villas at Summer Bay Resort and Houses at Summer Bay Resort of Orlando, Fla.; Gatlinburg Town Square and Gatlinburg Town Village of Gatlinburg, Tenn.; Mountain Meadows Resort of Pigeon Forge, Tenn.; Crown Pointe Links of Farmington, Mo.; and Vacation Villas at the Summit of Clarksville, Mo.

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RCI, the global leader in vacation exchange and part of the Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE: WYN) family of brands, recently announced updates to its RCI Travel program, a well-established service that aims to assist members with non-timeshare related vacations. RCI Travel is a full-service travel provider through which members can book airfare, rental cars, hotels, cruises and more, often at discounted rates.

“As the innovation leader in the industry, we wanted to make RCI Travel even faster, easier and more valuable for members than ever before,” said Gordon Gurnik, president, RCI. “We believe they will be very happy with these enhancements that will deliver a comprehensive and accessible vacation planning experience.”

In addition to a new website look and feel that is more convenient and user-friendly for members, the enhanced RCI Travel now offers a Best Rate Guarantee that allows members to receive the best rates possible on flights, car rentals, hotels and other travel purchases available through RCI Travel. Now members can use RCI Travel as a one-stop shop for their travel needs with the assurance that they are getting favorable prices and making the most of their RCI memberships.

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New resort information and vacation recommendations make the vacation planning experience almost as much fun as the vacation itself

RCI, the global leader in vacation exchange and part of the Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE: WYN) family of brands, recently made new enhancements to the online searching and booking process to improve the member experience and make planning a vacation faster and easier.

“We know that our subscribing members are savvy consumers who like to do their research before choosing a vacation option,” said Gordon Gurnik, president, RCI. “To make this process easier, more immersive and fun, we have updated and expanded the information and tools available on our website in order to better showcase the high-quality resorts in RCI’s unparalleled network.”

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Cyprus Retreats today announced that its two resorts Akamas Hills and Alexandria have affiliated with RCI, the global leader in vacation exchange and part of the Wyndham Worldwide family of brands.

The two resorts are comprised of villa-style units that offer tranquility, privacy, freedom and the ultimate in luxury vacation, and are available to purchase as whole ownership or fractional properties in half, quarter, twelfth and twenty-fourth fraction options. Affiliating with RCI also means that owners can now enjoy access to more than 4,000 resorts worldwide through the exchange company’s global portfolio of affiliated properties.

Akamas Hills Resort is ideally located in one of the most unspoilt areas of Cyprus, near the Akamas Peninsula—a World Heritage site—but close to the beach and a variety of amenities and facilities. The resort is split into two phases, Akamas Hills and Akamas Views.

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Global vacation exchange leader signs two new affiliations in Vietnam and Thailand bringing Asian portfolio to 158 properties

RCI, the global leader in vacation exchange and part of the Wyndham Worldwide family of brands (NYSE: WYN), today announced two new affiliation agreements with Hon Tam Resort & Spa in Vietnam and Patong Bay Garden Resort in Thailand.

The signing of these agreements expands RCI’s Asian portfolio to 158 properties.

Earlier in the year, another two new properties were welcomed into the program. Both in China, the Shining Star Vacation Club, Xing Yao Shui Xiang Resort and Huangshan Grandview Resorts Hotels offer high-quality vacation experiences to the 3.8 million members in RCI’s network.

“These four new affiliation agreements not only show a growing interest for timeshare travel throughout Asia but evidence that we’re offering an innovative and appealing timeshare exchange product,” said Adrian Lee, managing director, RCI Asia. “Adding new resorts in China, Thailand and Vietnam reaffirms our commitment to offering great vacations in highly-desirable destinations in Asia and throughout the world. We’re happy to have them on-board.”

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RCI offers affiliates the new RCI® Presenter, a touch-screen sales tool, to enhance presentations and garner interest and intrigue in potential owners

RCI, the global leader in vacation exchange and part of the Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE: WYN) family of brands, recently introduced its latest innovation, RCI® Presenter. This new touch-screen sales tool adds thrills and intrigue to sales presentations to help RCI affiliates in their efforts to educate and interest consumers about timeshare and the benefits of exchange.

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