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Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.® (NYSE: HOT) and Belfonti Capital Partners today announce the re-flagging of the 481-room Aruba Resort Spa & Casino as The Westin® Aruba Resort. The hotel has completed the first phase of its $24 million renovation, designed to offer guests a captivating resort experience, exquisite dining and dazzling ocean views. 

White sand beaches and clear ocean waters make Aruba the ideal escape for sun-bound vacationers seeking the perfect spot for relaxation and personal renewal. Located on 7.5 acres of beachfront property in the Palm Beach area north of Oranjestad, The Westin Aruba Resort is one of Aruba’s premier resort destinations, perfect for honeymooners, vacationing families and business executives.
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Interval International, a leading global vacation exchange company and operating business of IAC/InterActiveCorp (Nasdaq: IACI), announced the appointment of John A. Galea as its chief financial officer. In this role, Galea is responsible for the company’s financial planning and analysis, treasury, tax, and accounting divisions. He reports to Craig M. Nash, chairman and chief executive officer.
 

“We’re extremely pleased to promote John to this key position since he has been an important contributor to Interval’s finance team for the past six years,” Nash commented. “His proven leadership and experience will be invaluable as we move the company forward.”
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Festiva Resorts has unveiled the Festiva Adventure Club with the opening of a new 5,000 squarefoot sales center in Nassau, located on Providence Island in the Bahamas. 

The center, which opened in September, showcases the new points-based Festiva Adventure Club vacation program, which gives members easy access to the company’s nine resorts and its luxury yacht charters.
 

“The Festiva Adventure Club is the answer for those who want more flexibility and choice in their vacation-ownership program,” said Festiva CEO Don Clayton. “Instead of buying a fixed week at a specific resort, members purchase an allotment of points that they can use for vacations at any of our properties. Or, if they choose, they can use their points to experience one of our all inclusive yacht charters offered through Elite Island Yachts.”
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Nearly 500 children participated in this year’s City of South Miami Holiday Toy Fest co-sponsored by Miami-based vacation exchange company, Interval International. Each child was treated to a holiday gift, “fun foods” like hot dogs, popcorn and cotton candy, and face painting. 

A highlight at the event was a special appearance by Florida Marlins’ starting pitcher Scott Olsen, who had t-shirts for all the kids and signed some autographs. Also, two University of Miami football players – Randy Phillips, cornerback, and Chris Barney, offensive tackle, joined Scott in visiting with the kids.
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Hindustan Construction Company Ltd. (HCC) today announced that Accor Hotels and Resorts had been chosen as operator for the first two hotels within its pioneering Lavasa township near Pune. Accor is one of the world’s largest operators of hotels and resorts, with over 4000 hotels in 90 countries. 

The first hotel project to be developed by HCC in technical collaboration with Accor Hotels will be a 250-key Novotel Resort on a 12-acre waterfront site at Lavasa, while the second project will be an 80-key Grand Mercure Spa resort to be located on a 7-acre site.
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Hunt Realty Corporation and Sentry Financial Corporation Become Financial Partners with the Only “Member-Owned” Equity Destination Club in the Industry 

BelleHavens,the only member-owned, equity destination club, announces financial backing from two leading investment companies: Hunt Realty Corporation, based in Dallas, Texas, and Sentry Financial Corporation, based in Salt Lake City, Utah.
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Resort company Intrawest ULC dipped into its new owners’ deep pockets Tuesday and signed a deal to buy Colorado-based Steamboat Ski and Resort Corp. for US$265 million. 

Alex Wasilov, president and chief operating officer at Intrawest, said the acquisition marked a resurgence in the company’s strategy to grow through acquisitions.

“Whenever a property like Steamboat comes on the market, if you’re in the business, you have to take a serious look at it,” Wasilov said in an interview.
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Sofitel, with over 200 prestige hotels worldwide, has been chosen by the readers of Business Traveler magazine as the “Best Hotel Chain in Europe” in it’s 2006 Best in Business Travel Awards, beating out frontrunners Marriott and Starwood Hotels for the top slot.
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Company Teams with UNIGLOBE Custom Travel andQuest for Time Personal Concierge

M Private Residences (MPR), a firm that provides shared ownership and usage of luxury vacation homes around the world, today announced its partnership with UNIGLOBE Custom Travel and Quest for Time Personal Concierge to further enrich Members’ experiences both prior to and during their vacation. By partnering with these leading customer-service organizations, Members will receive value added services that will provide remarkable vacation experiences that are more hassle-free than ever.
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Accor has launched its All Seasons hotel brand in Thailand with the rebranding of the All Seasons Pattaya. 

The All Seasons Pattaya enjoys a central location off Pattaya’s busy Second Road with the Gulf of Thailand, prime shopping and entertainment areas all only a short stroll away. The 260-room hotel is being rebranded after a multi-million dollar renovation that covered all guest rooms, public areas, spa, the Season’s Restaurant and newly renovated swimming pool with enlarged deck area.
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Interval International, a leading global vacation exchange company and operating business of IAC/InterActiveCorp (Nasdaq: IACI), recently recognized the government of St. Maarten’s support of the tourism and vacation ownership industries by presenting a plaque to the Honorable Theo Heyliger, Commissioner of Economic Affairs & Tourism, in St. Maarten.
 

“We are very appreciative of the government’s commitment to the growth of tourism and vacation ownership in St. Maarten,” said David Callaghan, vice president of resort sales and service for Internal International. “The island is a tropical paradise that features all the elements that provide our members with truly memorable vacation experiences.”
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Craig M. Nash, chairman and chief executive officer of Interval International, recently addressed several hundred students at the Florida International University School of Hospitality and Tourism Management as part of its Distinguished Hospitality and Tourism Leaders Lecture Series.

Interval’s commitment to FIU dates back to 2000 when the company endowed a scholarship fund to provide financial support to students in the hospitality and tourism fields. While at the university, Nash met with Andres Wong – the most recent Interval scholarship recipient – who received his master’s of science degree in hospitality management last semester.
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Company Teams with UNIGLOBE Custom Travel and Quest for Time Personal Concierge 

M Private Residences (MPR), a firm that provides shared ownership and usage of luxury vacation homes around the world, today announced its partnership with UNIGLOBE Custom Travel and Quest for Time Personal Concierge to further enrich Members’ experiences both prior to and during their vacation. By partnering with these leading customer-service organizations, Members will receive value added services that will provide remarkable vacation experiences that are more hassle-free than ever.
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Architectural Concepts, Inc. (ACI) a San Diego firm regarded as one of the Southwest’s top hospitality-oriented architectural and interior design firms announced design is complete for The Grand Colonial Hotel La Jolla, California; expansion to provide additional high end ocean view guest suites to meet the demand of this historic hotel. 

Architectural Concepts is creating sixteen one-bedroom and one two-bedroom suites in a three-story structure with 56 underground parking spaces. The new building will be located on Coast Boulevard South adjacent to and directly behind the hotel. The design reflects on La Jolla Craftsman cottages of the 1930s with splayed columns on a river rock base, wood siding and gabled rooflines.
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3,652-Passenger Vessel Set to Debut in Summer 2010 

Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE: CCL; LSE) (NYSE: CUK) today announced that it has exercised an option for a new 130,000-ton ship for its Carnival Cruise Lines brand. 

The new vessel, which will have 3,652 lower passenger berths, will be built by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri at its Monfalcone yard at an estimated all-in cost of 565 million euros. The ship is scheduled for delivery in summer 2010.
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Over the past 4 years the original www.timesharestaff.com website has grown significantly and created a strong presence in the timeshare and vacation ownership industry for its recruitment services of new and experienced sales, marketing, management and administration personnel… 

But in the past twelve months has expanded to embrace a total network of 183 recruitment websites for different regions globally all dedicated solely to the recruitment of sales, marketing, management and administration personnel for the Timeshare Industry, which has increased the number of applications made to advertisers to in excess of 18,000 per month from new and experienced candidates.
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Interval International, a leading global vacation exchange company and operating business of IAC/InterActiveCorp (Nasdaq: IACI), recently presented the management and staff of Oyster Bay Beach Resort (OBBR) with two prestigious industry awards. OBBR executives and staff members received the Interval International Five Star Award® and the Superior Service Award.
 

“These awards are given to resorts that deliver outstanding products and services to our discerning members when they visit,” said David Callaghan, vice president of resort sales and service for Internal International. “Oyster Bay not only offers an extraordinary location and a wealth of amenities, its commitment to excellence in all aspects of its operation is evidenced by the fact that it has met the rigorous standards for Five Star status year after year.”
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Two years after opening its Orlando corporate offices in 2004 with three international properties and a small staff, Sol Meliá Vacation Club has made great strides in achieving its aggressive goal to become a leader in leisure lifestyle real estate with its internationally-branded club experience. The company has now achieved more than $100 million in revenues and a sales increase of 98 percent over the first nine months of 2006, a result of outstanding sales in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Spain. Read the rest of this entry →

World’s Fastest Growing Luxury Hotel Brand’s Second Property in Dubai, and Third in the Middle East, to be Developed and Owned by Al Sharq Investment
 

In its continued demand to select only the best in world class destinations around the globe, W(R) Hotels Worldwide announced today plans for a new hotel on The Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. Scheduled to open in late 2009, W(R) Dubai-The Palm is W’s second hotel in Dubai and the third hotel in the Middle East following W Dubai-Festival City and W Doha. 
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Starwood Named the Exclusive Hotel Sponsor of the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games
 

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. (NYSE:HOT) and Special Olympics announced today the launch of a three year, global partnership naming Starwood Hotels as the exclusive hotel sponsor of Special Olympics and the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China. The sponsorship includes financial and in-kind support from Starwood. In addition, Starwood will broadcast Special Olympics public service announcements on its internal television channel in its hotels.In connection with the new partnership, Starwood has launched a cause-related marketing campaign with Special Olympics. Starwood will donate $50 dollars to Special Olympics for every Westin Heavenly Bed, Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Bed and Four Points by Sheraton Four Comfort bed sold through Starwood retail channels, up to $150,000, until June 30, 2007.
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OLIVER, BC: Co-operators Development Corporation Limited (CDCL) and Bellstar Hotels & Resorts Ltd. are pleased to announce their initiative to co-develop the Oliver Wine Village. CDCL named Bellstar as its hotel partner in the downtown Oliver riverfront re-development.
 

Matthew McKechnie, CDCL’s Chief Operating Officer said, “The partnership between Bellstar and CDCL delivers the experience and financial strength required to create the Okanagan’s next great tourist destination. We plan to complement Oliver’s ‘wine capital’ designation with an integrated village that will extend their downtown commercial district.”
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The Westin Brand Continues its Global Expansion, Offering a Respite for Travelers in Lakeside Surroundings
 

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.(R) (NYSE: HOT) and Peninsula Road Limited, a fully owned subsidiary of Melview Developments Limited, today announced The Westin(R) Queenstown, located in the heart of New Zealand’s most popular and beautiful tourist destination. Scheduled to open in 2009, The Westin Queenstown will be the fifth Westin in the Asia Pacific region, joining Westin hotels in Auckland, Melbourne, Sydney and Denarau Island, Fiji. Starwood(R), the Westin brand’s parent company, will manage the hotel.
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Hilton Hotels Corporation (NYSE:HLT) will discuss with institutional investors and security analysts in New York today the company’s earnings growth and global unit growth expectations through 2009. 

Assuming compound annual RevPAR growth of 7 to 9 percent, the company anticipates Adjusted EBITDA to increase at a compounded annual growth rate of 11 to 14 percent through 2009; operating income to increase 12 to 17 percent, and recurring diluted earnings per share (EPS) to increase 16 to 22 percent.
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Fractionalize to Maximize” is the first to cover fractional ownership, a new trend in vacation home real estate sales. 

A new e-book called “Fractionalize to Maximize” is the first to cover a new trend in vacation home real estate sales. Enterprising homeowners and real estate agents are turning traditional, wholly-owned vacation homes into “fractional” properties where ownership is shared by 4-12 people. Fractional ownership has become a popular vacation ownership alternative over the last ten years — particularly in high-end luxury vacation areas across the globe.
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Gary Mano, General Manager of Wyndham Waikiki Beach Walk™, is pleased to announce the appointment of key management positions for Waikiki’s newest vacation ownership property. Located in the center of Waikiki Beach Walk™, Outrigger Enterprises Group’s $535 million redevelopment that is transforming nearly eight acres in the heart of Waikiki into a new and vibrant pedestrian-friendly gathering place, the Wyndham Waikiki Beach Walk held a grand opening on December 1, 2006. 

The management team is comprised of new employees as well as veteran members of Outrigger Enterprises Group, which is managing the property. Joining Gary Mano are Neil Murakami, newly named Assistant General Manager; Ismile “Smiley” Espaniola, Chief Engineer; Marsha Kapu, Hospitality Manager, Sharon Pudiquet, Executive Housekeeper and Rie Burson, Guest Service Manager.
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THINKFilm and FWE Picture Company partner with Consolidated Resorts — the largest timeshare operation in Hawaii for an unprecedented multi-million dollar indie film promotional campaign for “Funny Money,” starring Chevy Chase, Penelope Ann Miller (“Carlito’s Way”), Armand Assante (“The Mambo Kings,” “Gotti”), Christopher McDonald (“The Perfect Storm,” “Happy Gilmore”), and directed by Leslie Greif (exec. producer for “Gene Simmons: Family Jewels”). 

Radio and television spots featuring Miller are airing across the country, promoting the film’s release on January 19, 2007, and a free getaway at Consolidated’s five-star Las Vegas property, Tahiti Village Resort, as well as a chance to win a million dollars
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Boom in Mega Yacht Production Leaves Yachters Clamoring for SpaceCelebrities may seem to have it all in life, but space to dock their 100 foot plus yacht doesn’t come easy. The Meridian Development Group (MDG), developer of the world-class “Porto Hussong” mega yacht marina and resort coming to Ensenada, Baja California, is reaching out to millionaire mariners – starting with artists of the 2006 Latin Grammy Awards – with news of Baja California’s first mega yacht marina.

MDG tipped its hat to the recording artists of this year’s Latin Grammys, hosted for the first time in New York City’s famed Madison Square Garden in November. As a sponsor of the event, 150 celebrity attendees each received a Porto Hussong hat, donated by MDG.
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Bluegreen Corporation (NYSE: BXG), a leading provider of Colorful Places to Live and Play?, today announced it has acquired a seven-acre parcel of land adjacent to the Treasure Island Water and Theme Park Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wis. Bluegreen? also purchased 24 unsold existing vacation ownership units at the Resort and established a strategic marketing partnership with Treasure Island, LLC, the Resort owner/operator. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
 

Bluegreen currently plans to develop approximately 75 two- and three-bedroom vacation ownership units on the seven-acre parcel of land estimated for phased delivery in 2008 and 2009. Bluegreen plans to reconfigure and renovate the 24 acquired vacation ownership units with new furnishings. Construction on the existing units is currently planned to begin in the fourth quarter of this year with occupancy estimated in the third quarter of 2007.
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Skiers and snowboarders who cut tracks when Durango Mountain Resort (DMR) opens this weekend may notice townhomes near the base and a hole where the ticket and administrative offices once stood.
 

But the mountain itself, coated in fresh powder from a winter storm this week, remains essentially unchanged. Snow fans gearing up for Benefit Day on Saturday and Opening Day on Sunday don’t need to worry about construction affecting their runs on the slopes, said Loryn Kasten, DMR spokeswoman.
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Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN – News) today announced that its first Investor Day is scheduled to be held Dec. 12 in New York City beginning with management presentations at 9 a.m. EST, and continuing through 4 p.m.
 
The morning session will include a general business review and outlook featuring Stephen P. Holmes, Wyndham Worldwide chairman and chief executive officer; Virginia M. Wilson, executive vice president and chief financial officer; Franz S. Hanning, Wyndham Vacation Ownership president and chief executive officer; Kenneth N. May, RCI Global Vacation Network president and chief executive officer; and Steven A. Rudnitsky, Wyndham Hotel Group president and chief executive officer.
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