The original heritage and charm that makes WorldMark Resort Ballarat one of Victoria’s grandest mansions has been enhanced with a million dollar refurbishment on all rooms and common areas.

The grand building, which has been operating as WorldMark Resort Ballarat since 2003 is set on 55 acres and one of 23 WorldMark South Pacific Club by Wyndham vacation ownership properties managed by Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific. It was built in 1878 and the old-war manor Federation and Victorian inspired architecture has attracted the property a heritage listing. In the early 1900s the building was used for the St Joseph’s Boys Home and has significant historical importance to the area.

Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific’s $1.3 million upgrade on the resort is designed to offer a heritage retreat escape from bustling city life while seamlessly integrating all of the modern conveniences of today. The elegance and heritage of the property was maintained throughout the renovations with many features including a historic tulip motif on the tiles that was integrated into the new design theme in the architraves, stained glass and fabrics.

All rooms now have a new vibrant colour scheme, timber furnishings and modern fixtures which complement the heritage culture of the property. The accommodation now features new LCD televisions and upgraded modern kitchen appliances.

Barry Robinson, Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific CEO and Managing Director said, “Our company prides itself on providing quality accommodation to our owners and invests significant resources into high standard refurbishments. The WorldMark South Pacific Club in the last 12 months has invested almost $4 million in property updates and additionally has $16.5 million reserved in its sinking fund for
future refurbishments.”

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Wyndham Vacation Ownership (WVO), the world’s largest vacation ownership company and member of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies (NYSE:WYN), today announced it has completed the purchase of the remaining unsold inventory in a 22-unit building at Dye Club Villas in North Myrtle Beach, SC, an existing upscale vacation community, home to a number of private fractional owners. The inventory will be rebranded as Wyndham Dye Villas at Myrtle Beach and will continue to be managed by the original developer, Dye Club Villas, LLC.

“The Myrtle Beach area continues to be a highly sought after vacation destination, and we are pleased to not only increase our presence in this market, but continue offering exceptional products and services to our prospective owners,” said Travis Bary, executive vice president of Sales and Marketing, Wyndham Vacation Ownership. “This acquisition allows us to expand our portfolio of Presidential Reserve SuitesSM and introduce new buyers to the exclusive benefits and first-class amenities we are known for.”

The inventory will be part of the CLUB WYNDHAM® Presidential Reserve product, where buyers will own a deeded undivided interest in a three- bedroom, luxurious  Presidential Reserve Suite at the resort. Through this exclusive product, members will benefit from presidential accommodations every time they travel to this resort, including exclusive on-property services and amenities, customized stays, designated reservation assistance and priority reservations. Sales are anticipated to begin later this year, with first owner arrivals beginning in late December 2011.

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Continuing its notable growth in the South Pacific, Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific and Wyndham Hotel Group, both part of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies (NYSE:WYN), today announced the purchase of a combination of hotel rooms, holiday apartments and penthouse suites together with the management rights for Wyndham® Resort Torquay.

The beachfront property located at 100 The Esplanade, Torquay, near Melbourne, Victoria was developed by Massey Pty Ltd as OnShore Torquay and formerly carried the Crowne Plaza flag. It will operate as Wyndham Resort Torquay starting today.

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Wyndham Vacation Ownership (WVO), the world’s largest vacation ownership company and a member of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies, today announced it has completed renovations on its 15th resort in Hawaii – Wyndham Vacation Resorts Royal Garden at Waikiki.

The 140-room property was acquired by WVO in late 2007 and was previously named The Royal Garden Hotel and Spa. The property has remained operating while major interior renovations and other redevelopment as a vacation ownership resort occurred, with rentals offered through Extra Holidays by Wyndham, a subsidiary of WVO that specializes in resort condominium rentals. It is anticipated that in the fall the resort will welcome Wyndham’s timeshare owners and vacation ownership interest sales will commence.

“With the addition of our 15th resort in Hawaii we are solidifying our position as the industry’s largest and most successful timeshare developer in Hawaii,” said Franz Hanning, president and chief executive officer, Wyndham Vacation Ownership. “We are very proud to provide yet another world-class property in this highly desirable destination for our more than 800,000 owners and guests.”

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International hospitality company, Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific celebrated the launch of its new sales office and education centre to great response from over 80 West Australian “Owners”.

The opening of the new site located at level 1, 46 Ord Street West Perth, marks the beginning of a new chapter in Western Australia for this global hospitality company that is part of the Wyndham Worldwide group of companies (NYSE:WYN).

Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific launched the Vacation Ownership club, WorldMark South Pacific Club by Wyndham, in 2001 with one resort located at Coolangatta, Queensland. Today, the company has a network of 14 sales sites and 22 resorts located across Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, including two resorts in Western Australia and more than 44,000 owners in the WorldMark South Pacific Club.

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Richard R. Kelley, M.D., Board Chairman of Outrigger Enterprises Group, Inc., since 1986, announced today that the family-owned company’s board of directors has accepted his initiative to step aside as Chairman in favor of his son, Charles Roy “Chuck” Kelley, M.D. W. David P. Carey III continues as Outrigger’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Richard Kelley now assumes the role of Chairman Emeritus. The changes took effect immediately following the board’s meeting on August 4. The board comprises four family members, including the two Drs. Kelley and Carey, and four outside directors.

“After 25 years as Chairman, I felt it was time to follow the example of my father (company founder Roy C. Kelley) and continue the evolution of our company’s leadership by passing the reins to the next generation. However, no one should imagine I’m retiring,” said the 77-year-old Kelley, who has long maintained a whirlwind schedule of meetings, nationwide speaking engagements, leadership involvement on professional and nonprofit boards, writing and international travel.

“I plan to keep doing most of what I’ve been doing since stepping down as CEO in 1993,” said the new Chairman Emeritus, “but I’m asking Chuck to take over the considerable governance work involved in chairing the board. Outrigger’s management remains in the proven, capable hands of David Carey. David has brilliantly led the transition that I began from the successful mom-and-pop business my parents created to one of the Asia-Pacific region’s largest, fastest-growing, privately held hospitality companies. He has also led our highly successful and continuing energetic expansion from Waikiki to the neighbor islands, the Pacific and Asia.”

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Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific’s Wynnie the Wallaby’s Green Adventure initiative has received a prestigious accolade at this year’s Australian Timeshare and Holiday Ownership Council (ATHOC) National Industry Awards.

The Wynnie the Wallaby activity, specially designed to educate children and their families at Wyndham managed resorts on the importance of being environmentally friendly, received the Industry Innovation Award. The initiative, which included an activity booklet for children to complete by finding clues around the resort, addressed the Wyndham Green policy in a fun and informative way.

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Wyndham Hotel Group today announced its entrance into New Zealand with the opening of two Ramada® hotels on the country’s North Island.

The properties include the beachfront Ramada Suites Paihia, formerly Edgewater Palms Apartments, and the Ramada Suites Nautilus Orewa just north of Auckland, formerly Nautilus Orewa Beach. Both properties are owned by Marsden Asset Management Ltd.

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Wyndham Worldwide Corporation announced today the closing of a new $1 billion revolving credit facility to replace its existing $980 million facility, which had been scheduled to mature in October 2013. The maturity date of the new facility is July 15, 2016. There is no change to the Company’s overall corporate debt balance as a result of this transaction.

“This financing extends the credit facility to a five year term, which strengthens our liquidity profile further and decreases our ongoing interest expense through more favorable pricing terms,” said Tom Conforti, chief financial officer of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation. “All current relationship banks participated in the financing and several new participants were added. This demonstrates the banking community’s confidence in Wyndham Worldwide.”

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Bank of America Merrill Lynch acted as Joint Bookrunners for the new revolving credit facility. Bank of America Merrill Lynch will be acting as administrative agent for the new revolving credit facility. [/member]

Adam Schwartz accepts the Best Management Company Award

Wyndham Vacation Ownership (WVO), the world’s largest vacation ownership company and a member of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies (NYSE: WYN), was recently recognized for excellence in property management services at the inaugural Global Networking Expo (GNEX 2011) Awards Gala dinner organized by Perspective magazine in May.

The GNEX 2011 Best Management Company Award was given in recognition of the comprehensive management services the company provides which span the entire resort lifecycle including resort management and operations, reservation and rental services, comprehensive financial services, and association and club administration, among other services.

“Providing world-class vacation experiences and delivering exceptional service to our owners and guests is the foundation of our business,” said Geoff Richards, chief operations officer, Wyndham Vacation Ownership. “Providing best-in-class management services will continue to be a primary focus and an area of growth for our business. We are honored to be recognized for our commitment to continually exceed the expectations of our owners and guests.”

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