FESTIVA SELECTS SPI SOFTWARE
January 29, 2007 | Comments Off
Resort Developer Festiva Resorts recently entered into an agreement to purchase Systems Products International (SPI)’s software for deployment throughout its timeshare resorts, vacation club and yachting facilities.
“I just had Systems Products International (SPI)’s system installed on my PC and I believe it is an excellent tool,” says Festiva’s CEO Donald Clayton, RRP. “SPI’s software automatically updates me with sales and marketing information in real-time. I can see who is touring, who has purchased, which marketing programs are bringing in the results and which members of our sales teams are having the greatest success.”
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Wyndham Vacation Ownership Acquires Grand Beach Palace Resort in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
January 27, 2007 | Comments Off
Wyndham Vacation Ownership, the world’s largest vacation ownership company and a member of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies (NYSE: WYN), today announced that it has acquired the Grand Beach Palace resort (formerly the Renaissance Grand Hotel) located on the northeast side of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, with plans to convert the property into its flagship Caribbean timeshare resort. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
The beachfront property, which has remained vacant for more than two years, will undergo a $40 million renovation including the conversion of its 290 existing hotel rooms into 143 fully furnished condominium-styled timeshare units. The resort is expected to welcome its first guests in late 2008 and will operate within Wyndham Vacation Ownership’s FairShare Plus portfolio of resort properties.
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NORTHCOURSE(SM) TO HOST ONLINE SYMPOSIUM FEATURING FRACTIONAL INDUSTRY RESEARCH
January 27, 2007 | Comments Off
Free Webinar Will Focus on the Latest Industry Facts and Trends
NorthCourse Leisure Real Estate Solutions will host its 7th Annual Fractional Interest Symposium in a free online format. On Tuesday, February 27, registered participants will hear highlights of NorthCourse’s comprehensive study and insights on the outlook for the industry.
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Festiva Resorts managing Orlando property
January 26, 2007 | Comments Off
Festiva Management Group (FMG) is proud to announce its newest property, the Blue Heron Beach Resort in Orlando, F.L. FMG is a subsidiary of Festiva Resorts, an innovative and active vacation ownership sales and hospitality development organization.
The Blue Heron Beach Resort is located in the heart of central Florida and is only minutes to Disney World and other Orlando theme parks and entertainment. The resort’s concierge service assists guests with booking tickets with nearby theme parks, Mini-Golf courses, Buena Vista Water Sports, and other exciting entertainment and activities in the area.
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WYNDHAM VACATION OWNERSHIP ACQUIRES HOTEL IN TAOS, NEW MEXICO
January 26, 2007 | Comments Off
Hotel to be developed as a Timeshare Resort
Wyndham Vacation Ownership, the world’s largest vacation ownership company, today announced the acquisition of the Fechin Inn in Taos, New Mexico from Taos Lodging Associates Limited Partnerships. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The hotel, located near the historic Taos Plaza, will be developed as a timeshare resort and will undergo renovations in the coming months. Once complete, the resort will become the second New Mexico property in the company’s portfolio. Wyndham Vacation Ownership entered the New Mexico market in the summer of 2006 by opening its first sales center in Albuquerque and also recently acquired 22 units at the Riverside Lodge and Cabins in Red River that will be converted into timeshare units.
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PALACE RESORTS unveils THE NEWLY RENOVATED SUN PALACE Cancun’s First “Couples Only” Resort
January 23, 2007 | Comments Off
Palace Resorts is pleased to announce the grand reopening of Sun Palace as the first “Couples Only” property in Cancun. Located at the southern end of Cancun’s famous Hotel Zone, the refurbished property was closed in October 2005 following damages sustained during the passage of Hurricane Wilma.
“We are overjoyed to add another of our beautiful resorts to the ‘reopened’ list,” said Roberto Chapur, President of Palace Resorts. “With the reopening of Sun Palace, couples who visit Cancun can take pleasure in knowing that now there is a breathtaking all-inclusive resort that was designed specifically with their needs in mind.”
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SHELL MANAGEMENT HAWAII, INC. NAMED ONE OF BEST PLACES TO WORK IN HAWAII
January 23, 2007 | Comments Off
Shell Management Hawaii, Inc. was recently named one of the Best Places to Work in Hawaii in a highly prestigious annual competition.
The third annual event honored Hawaiian businesses in its “Best Places To Work In Hawaii” program, sponsored by Hawaii Business Magazine, the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, and Best Companies Group. This was the first year that Shell Management Hawaii entered the competition.
Twenty businesses were winners in the small/medium-size category and there were 15 winners in the larger group, as determined by the number of employees. With 300 employees, Shell Management Hawaii was honored in the large category. The actual ranking of the companies will be profiled and published in a special April 2007 issue of Hawaii Business Magazine. The organization does not release the total number of participants who entered to maintain the anonymity of the companies who do not make the final list.
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GATLINBURG VACATION HOME DEVELOPMENT AHEAD OF SALES PROJECTIONS
January 23, 2007 | Comments Off
While general real estate is experiencing a serious slowdown in most parts of the country, one residential development in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is happily exceeding its sales projections by over 50%.
White Oak Lodge and Resort is an enclave of 60 vacation log cabins situated near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Developed by Global Connections, Inc., sales of the homes began in September 2006 with projections for 20 units to be sold during the first year. Within four months, however, over half of the projection had been sold, with contracts completed on 15 homes. This was done without the benefit of a model for the first few months and without reducing prices, which range from $259,000 to $320,000 for the two- and three-bedroom fully furnished vacation log cabins.
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RAGATZ ASSOCIATES NAMES DIRECTOR OF CONSULTING
January 23, 2007 | Comments Off
Like many second generation timeshare professionals, Tracy Ragatz is following in the footsteps of her father, veteran international timeshare consultant and market researcher Dick Ragatz, who recently announced Tracy’s promotion to Director of Consulting with Ragatz Associates.
Added firm president and founder Dick Ragatz, “Tracy has worked with us for over 15 years as a subcontractor consulting in the resort industry and is now with us on a full-time basis. Since she joined Ragatz Associates last spring, she has contributed to over 50 highly specialized reports and feasibility studies.”
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SHELL VACATIONS HOSPITALITY PROMOTES KONA EMPLOYEE TO MANAGER’S POSITION
January 23, 2007 | Comments Off
Shell Vacations Hospitality has announced the recent promotion of Cintia Dutra from Assistant General Manager to General Manager of the Kona Coast Resort.
Dutra has been with Shell Vacations Hospitality for the past 14 years, serving in guest services, reservations, owner services and as owner services manager, rising with each promotion to increasing levels of responsibility.
As the resort’s new General Manager, Cintia Dutra directs the management of a total staff of about 100 full and part-time employees at the Big Island property.
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Interval International was recognized for its excellence in training and development
January 23, 2007 | Comments Off
Interval International was recognized for its excellence in training and development by the University of North Florida with its “Excellence in Employee Development Award” and by the Ft. Lauderdale Chapter of the American Society for Training and Development with a “Champions of Workplace Learning” award.
Pictured are the employee development team members, which include Mary Cheddie, senior vice president, human resources; Cedric Dozier, program manager; Mory McDaniel, administrative assistant; Chris Collie, director of employee development; Kathy Lally, assistant vice president, human resources; Janelle Hogan, training specialist; and Ronnie Bembry, training specialist.
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“the new tWist in travel” breaks ground in Rancho Cucamonga, California for world’s first franchised aloft hotel
January 23, 2007 | Comments Off
aloha! Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.(R) (NYSE:HOT) and its much-anticipated new lifestyle brand, aloft(sm) hotels, announced today the groundbreaking of the world’s first franchised aloft hotel, aloft Rancho Cucamonga.
The hotel is owned by a joint venture between The John Buck Company (TJBC), a Chicago-based real estate firm, and Interstate Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: IHR), one of the nation’s largest independent hotel management companies. The joint venture recently announced plans to build five to ten aloft hotels over the next several years, which will be managed by Interstate under long-term management agreements. The aloft property is expected to open in the first quarter of 2008.
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SEASONS HOLIDAYS UNVEILED AS QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE SPONSOR
January 22, 2007 | Comments Off
Cheltenham Racecourse announces today that Seasons Holidays Plc is the first-ever sponsor of the Queen Mother Champion Chase, which takes place on Wednesday, March 14, 2007, day two of The Festival.
The announcement took place at trainer Alan King’s Wiltshire stables and he paraded ante-post favourite Voy Por Ustedes. The race is to be run as the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase.
The ground-breaking new sponsorship by Seasons Holidays sees the total prize fund for the season.
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RESORTCOM INTERNATIONAL NAMES STEVEN HICKS VICE PRESIDENT, RESORT DIVISION
January 22, 2007 | Comments Off
ResortCom International LLC has named Steven Hicks as Vice President, Resort Division. The San Diego-based ResortCom International provides the vacation ownership and resort industry with financial and resort operations services.
Steven Hicks comes to ResortCom from Shell Vacations, LLC where he was President of the Hospitality Division. He directed all aspects of the Hospitality Management Division for Shell including its 22 vacation ownership resorts, 1500 employees and more than 30 homeowner associations. His management responsibilities included 100,000 owners and members.
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Chalet High Management Installs TimeShareWare at Two Locations
January 18, 2007 | Comments Off
Chalet High Management recently installed TimeShareWare’s property management software solution at both its Chalet High Resort and its Creekside Resort. In addition to the basic software install, the two resorts also installed a custom credit card processing interface and a call posting interface. TimeShareWare replaced a CRS software system at the resorts.
Chalet High Resort and Creekside Resort are companion resorts and first heard about TimeShareWare via a mail piece. The two resorts have 167 units currently, and are in the process of building more units at their Creekside location.
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Welk Resorts Installs TimeShareWare
January 17, 2007 | Comments Off
Welk Resorts, the resort company founded by the famous band leader Lawrence Welk, recently installed TimeShareWare at two of its locations. Initially, the software was installed at the corporate headquarters in San Marcos, California and at its main resort in Escondido, California. This vacation ownership resort is split into three different resort neighborhoods: Lawrence Welk Resort Villas (286 keys), Villas on The Greens (290 keys) and Mountain Villas (296 keys, with the first phase of 80 keys now under construction). Next, the software was installed at another resort in the Palm Springs area, California called Lawrence Welk’s Desert Oasis Resort (162 keys). Construction is also underway at two new resorts; a 170 key beach-front resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico named Welk Resorts Cabo Villas, and a phased development of up to 363 keys in Branson, Missouri at the Welk Resort - Branson property, a resort with 160 resort hotel rooms, restaurant, theatre, and retail center. Welk Resorts now operates as a multi-site non-specific timeshare company, selling vacation points in its Welk Resorts Platinum Program.
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INTERVAL INTERNATIONAL SPONSORS CARIBBEAN MARKETPLACE CONFERENCE IN ARUBA
January 17, 2007 | Comments Off
Interval International, a leading global vacation exchange company, was a sponsor of the Caribbean Hotel Association’s (CHA) annual Caribbean Marketplace conference and business meetings that took place January 14-16, 2007 in Aruba, Dutch West Indies.
“Interval continues to support CHA Caribbean Marketplace because it is recognized as one of the most important tourism marketing events of the year for the region,” said David Callaghan, vice president of resort sales and service for Interval International. “The conference brings together tourism officials and hoteliers with incentive buyers, tour operators, and wholesalers from around the world interested in purchasing Caribbean vacations.”
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RCI to Sponsor AIF Open at ARDA 2007 Convention
January 17, 2007 | Comments Off
For the sixth consecutive year, RCI Global Vacation Network will be the presenting sponsor of the AIF Open Golf Tournament, the primary annual fundraiser for the ARDA International Foundation (AIF). One of the highest-profile and anticipated industry events of the annual ARDA Convention & Exposition, the golf tournament will take place at the Orange Lake Resort and Club in Orlando on March 25.
Last year’s AIF Open raised more than $90,000. Thanks to its sponsorship over the last five years, RCI Global Vacation Network has helped raise over $430,000 for AIF. The AIF Open typically draws more than 250 competitors and over 20 corporate sponsors each year.
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Timeshare Lead Generation Enters A New Era With The Luxury Timeshare Guide
January 17, 2007 | Comments Off
The Luxury Timeshare Guide www.luxurytimeshareguide.com which will be launched officially next week is the first of its kind.
It offers a consumer the chance to learn about timeshare and its benefits, but then lets them compare some of the best companies side by side, and then gives them the opportunity to request brochures, DVD’s, Arrange Inspection Visits, Book Discounted Holidays, Request a Telephone call and more, all prior to making any decision to purchase and of course totally on a “no obligation” basis.
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Liberty Bank and Wellington Financial Help Growth at Villas at Flying L
January 17, 2007 | Comments Off
Liberty Bank and Wellington Financial recently announced an increase on Breakaway Resorts’ inventory loan as the developers complete Phase II of their timeshare project, Villas at Flying L Guest Ranch, located in Bandera, Texas. In addition to the inventory loan, Liberty Bank also provides receivables financing for the resort, through Wellington Financial.
Long-time timeshare professional and Chairman and CEO of Breakaway Resorts T.L. Spencer comments, “Our conversion rates are in excess of 20 percent after the rescission period. Our philosophy is that being selective in our marketing pays the biggest dividends. Our sales people are more confident and relaxed, knowing they are more likely to close the sale. And our new owners are treated well throughout the sales process and are telling their friends and neighbors about us, too.”
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Timeshare for One Day in Lebanon’s Palace
January 13, 2007 | Comments Off
Time4sharing.org, the charitable movement that has empowered more than 12,000 children in its 6 year history by creating fun days for less fortunate children, recently added the Presidential Palace of Lebanon as its latest venue for one its special ‘fun’ days.
The hallmark mission of this charity is to “share time” with children that matter. Over 500 children were on hand to meet Boomerang, the Happy Kangaroo, the timeshare charities’ mascot, ever present, in every event. Boomerang greeted the President and First Lady of Lebanon and sang yuletide carols together with the First Lady.
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VACATION FINANCE Announces Spec and Lot Loans up to 90% LTV
January 12, 2007 | Comments Off
The media is filled with articles about the housing market slowing, bubbles bursting, and a glut of new construction. Further articles bemoan rising interest rates and tightening of loan criteria. We simply don’t see it. We consider this ‘adjustment’ a ‘reversion to the mean.’ Sure the market has slowed, but the last 5 years have been record setting year-after-year. With a historical view, we remain confident that there are great loans to be made in this market, with strong borrowers and fantastic projects to be financed.
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Marriott’s St. Kitts Beach Club Opens
January 12, 2007 | Comments Off
Marriott Vacation Club International (MVCI), the recognized worldwide leader in the vacation ownership industry and a division of Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR - News), announced today the opening of its first resort in the West Indies on the island of St. Kitts — Marriott’s St. Kitts Beach Club.
Uniquely located on-property with the AAA Four Diamond — St. Kitts Marriott Resort & The Royal Beach Casino, the vacation ownership resort opens with 22 two- and three-bedroom villas, and will ultimately include 88 upon build-out. Pricing starts at $17,500 per deeded week, depending on season and floor plan selected.
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Region’s leading timeshare conference to gather key players at investor forum with Middle East focus
January 11, 2007 | Comments Off
Vacation Ownership Investment Conference (VOIC) Arabian Court, Royal Mirage, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, March 6 2007.
www.vacationownershipinvestment.com
Dubai, January 2007: More than 150 leaders representing the main players in the region’s burgeoning timeshare and fractional ownership sector are set to meet at the industry’s foremost action-driven, networking event, Vacation Ownership Investment Conference (VOIC) at the Arabian Court, Royal Mirage, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, March 6 2007.
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Slovak Kids Discover a Kangaroo in a Supermarket
January 11, 2007 | Comments Off
Surprised Children were in awe as a Kangaroo suddenly appeared in a ‘Hypernova’ Supermarket on the 14th of December in Kosice, Slovakia.
These children were in fact from the Orphan House Kosicka Nova Ves and visiting the supermarket for a Christmas party sponsored by charity organization.
Suddenly in the middle of the party, a 2 Meters tall kangaroo appeared in the shopping centre and the children began to chase after it. Shoppers on hand were awestruck as the official mascot of Time4sharing, Boomerang the Kangaroo, armed with Christmas sweets in its pouch, began to treat the children to an afternoon of fun and games.
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What Consumers Should Know About Shared Vacation Ownerships Star Resort Group Clarifies Differences in Products
January 11, 2007 | Comments Off
Carl Berry, CEO of Star Resort Group and pioneer in the shared ownership resort industry, acknowledges that consumers are still “baffled” by the various vacation opportunities offered in today’s changing second home/vacation club marked. To simplify matters, Berry’s Star Resort Group (Scottsdale, AZ), a leading developer, marketer and seller of resort real estate in North America, offers a concise question and answer platform to help consumers decide what kind of product best suits their needs.
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Le Meridien Makes its Debut in the Mediterranean
January 10, 2007 | Comments Off
Dynamic Global Growth Continues for Le Méridien under Starwood’s Stewardship
Starwood Hotel & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.® (NYSE:HOT) announces that Le Méridien® Lav has opened its doors in the stunning Mediterranean port of Split. The resort, previously known as Hotel Lav and regaled as the ‘best address in Split,’ has undergone a $150 million renovation and is the first Le Méridien hotel in Croatia, as well as the latest addition to Le Méridien’s growing portfolio since Starwood acquired the brand in November 2005.
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SHELL VACATIONS NAMES REGIONAL HR DIRECTOR FOR HAWAII
January 9, 2007 | Comments Off
Hal Bonta has recently been promoted to Regional Director of Human Resources for the Hawaii Region of Shell Vacations, according to Sheli Jones, Executive Vice President of Human Resources for Shell Vacations.
Bonta brings to his new position over 15 years of Human Resources experience, having spent the past eight years with Shell Vacations.
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VACATION FINANCE Announces Over 50 Projects Approved for Financing
January 9, 2007 | Comments Off
No U.S. Lender has reviewed more condo hotel, fractional and resort projects. Vacation Finance has just approved our 50th Project for our end loan financing products. Is your project approved for the best end loan financing for your buyers? Are you buying at an approved project or will finding a good mortgage be a hassle?
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Starwood Vacation Ownership Extends Its Presence in Mexico with the Westin Los Cabos Ocean Villas
January 9, 2007 | Comments Off
Starwood Vacation Ownership(R) (SVO), a division of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.(R) (NYSE: HOT), today announced plans for its third property in Latin America, The Westin(R) Los Cabos Ocean Villas. The property will be the first vacation ownership resort in Los Cabos, Mexico developed by a major U.S. lodging company.
The vacation ownership resort is adjacent to The Westin Resort & Spa, Los Cabos overlooking the Sea of Cortez. Owners of the Villas will have full access to the hotel’s signature amenities, including multiple restaurants, pools, spa and golf, as well as access to the Villa amenities including pools, restaurants and The Westin WORKOUT(R) Powered by Reebok(R) fitness facility. Construction and sales of the resort will begin in 2007.
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