Textron Financial Arranges $400 Million Development Loan for Planet Hollywood Towers by Westgate Resorts
September 28, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Textron Financial Corporation, a subsidiary of Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) has finalized the arrangement of a $400 million construction and development loan for Westgate Resorts, a leader in the resort and timeshare industry. Textron Financial teamed with a co-lender and other participants to enable Westgate’s building plans for the Planet Hollywood Towers by Westgate in Las Vegas, Nevada. Planned for completion in fall 2009, the 50-story vacation ownership tower will become Westgate’s flagship property and is located on the Las Vegas strip with direct access to the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Read more
Intrawest Appoints Charles Massicotte to the Position of President and Chief Operating Officer for its Mont Tremblant Resort
September 27, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Industry Veteran to Oversee all Resort Operations at Tremblant in Quebec,
including Real Estate Development and Sales.
Intrawest ULC (”Intrawest”), a world leaderin the development and
management of experiential destination resorts, today announced
the appointment of Charles Massicotte to the position of President
and Chief Operating Officer for Mont Tremblant resort in Quebec. In this newly
created position, Massicotte will be responsible for all aspects of
Tremblant’s resort operations, including real estate development and sales.
Massicotte will report directly to Alex Wasilov, President and Chief Operating
Officer at Intrawest. Read more
TimeshareGiant.com Creator has Rich History in the Timeshare Industry
September 27, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Although TimeshareGiant.com launched on August 17th of this year, the dream that ultimately brought it to life started many years ago. Karen Phelan, creator of TimeshareGiant.com, started her career on a snowy January day in 1985 as a young, impressionable front desk clerk at a large Lake Tahoe timeshare resort.
Unbeknownst to her, when she came to work that snowy January day, she would ultimately choose the timeshare industry as her lifelong career. Read more
Tamarack Resort Introduces 22-Foot Olympic Sized Superpipe For 2007/2008 Season
September 26, 2007 | Leave a Comment
New runs, new snowmobile operations, and HUGE pipe top winter highlights.
Tamarack Resort is making another big commitment to freeriding this winter, by building and maintaining a 22-foot Olympic-sized SuperPipe for the upcoming winter season.
The truly ‘Super’ pipe will be one of only a half-dozen in North America to showcase the new Olympic standard—22-foot high walls.
“As the newest destination resort in the ski industry, we are constantly striving to stay at the forefront with all of our recreation amenities,” says Jean-Pierre Boespflug, Tamarack CEO. “By providing everything from excellent grooming to world-class freeride features; an exciting variety of snowshoeing and Nordic options, and 5,000 acres of extremely accessible backcountry—we are offering the ultimate multi-generational mix of winter adventure.” Read more
Captran Reunion Set for Nov. 4
September 26, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Captran, Inc. and Keith Trowbridge, one of Florida’s first major timeshare developers, is having a reunion of former employees and is inviting everyone who ever worked for or with the company to attend a party on Sunday, November 4, 2007 in Fort Myers, Florida. Read more
Festiva Management Group to manage Hampton Inn
September 26, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Palmetto Investment Group announces the near completion of the newest Hampton Inn in Columbia, S.C. The 80-room hotel will showcase the newest Hampton Inn design elements with a residential flare. All rooms will feature high speed internet access, 32-inch LCD TVs, Micro-Fridge units and the Hampton Signature Cloud 9 bedding package. Amenities include a state of the art fitness center, pool, Suite Shop, exterior courtyard areas ideal for private functions, meeting capacity for up to 100 people and a private boardroom. The smoke-free property is located in one of the most rapidly developing areas in South Carolina within close proximity to the area’s demand generators. The opening date is set for January 15, 2008. Read more
Disney Vacation Club Announces Westward Expansion
September 23, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Addressing a growing demand for guest accommodations and vacation ownership, The Disneyland Resort today celebrated an expansion of Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa that will increase accommodations by more than 30 percent and will include the first Disney Vacation Club villas in Anaheim.“We are excited to bring our hugely popular Disney Vacation Club to the West Coast for the first time,” said Jim Lewis, president of Disney Vacation Club. “Our member community has more than doubled since 2003, which illustrates families’ deep desires to enjoy quality vacations for years to come. Like most Disney fans, our members have great affection for the original Disney vacation destination, and we’re thrilled that this expansion project will allow our members to call the Disneyland Resort ‘home’ for the first time.”
The 2.5-acre expansion on the hotel’s south side will add more than 200 new hotel rooms and 50 two-bedroom-equivalent Disney Vacation Club vacation villas. Those vacation villas will mark the California debut of Disney Vacation Club.
This expansion will follow the traditions of offering guests an immersive environment, original entertainment and imaginative programs. Other elements planned for the project include a new swimming pool and about 300 underground parking spaces. Peter Dominick of 4240, architect for Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, as well as Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, is designing the ambitious expansion. The expansion will reflect the same California Arts & Crafts architecture of the existing hotel, which immerses guests in a turn-of-the-20th-century California experience.
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa currently features 745 guest rooms, including 44 suites. Upon completion of the expansion project, the hotel will feature 945 guest rooms, including 44 guest suites, and 50 Disney Vacation Club two-bedroom-equivalent vacation villas.
Construction is already underway on the south side of the hotel, with completion scheduled for late 2009.
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is an architectural and artistic celebration of California’s renowned Arts & Crafts style of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
One of three hotels at the Disneyland Resort (others include Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel and the Disneyland Hotel), Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel is home to the nationally renowned and award-winning Napa Rose restaurant, where Wine Country Cuisine tempts taste buds and expert sommeliers help guests make selections from one of the world’s finest collections of California wines. The nearby Storyteller’s Café, meanwhile, lets kids and adults alike enjoy a one-of-a-kind dining experience with Disney characters.
These dining experiences, coupled with three hotels, a luxury spa, onsite shopping and other amenities, helped the hotel earn the No. 3 spot on Travel & Leisure Family magazine’s list of the top family-friendly resort destinations.
Disney Vacation Club
The development of 50 two-bedroom-equivalent vacation villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa represents the first dedicated Disney Vacation Club accommodations in California. Disney Vacation Club helps families enjoy flexibility and savings on vacations for decades to come. Through the program, families enjoy flexible vacations at Disney destinations worldwide, as well as more than 500 other popular vacation locations around the globe.
Disney Vacation Club, currently celebrating its milestone 15th anniversary, has grown to serve more than 350,000 individual members from more than 100 countries and all 50 U.S. states. The expansion project marks the latest growth for Disney Vacation Club, which recently opened the first phases of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. The new Disney Vacation Club resort, located at the popular Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, is scheduled to open in phases through late 2009.
The Disney Vacation Club family of resorts also includes five other Walt Disney World properties, as well as resorts in Vero Beach, Fla., and Hilton Head Island, S.C. Disney Vacation Club has sold out of inventory at its first six resorts, and sales remain ahead of schedule at its seventh property, Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, which opened in May 2004 near the Downtown Disney area at the Walt Disney World Resort, as well as at the aforementioned Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas.
Brand Tango Expands Agency Services to Island One Resorts
September 20, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Brand Tango Expands Agency Services to Island One Resorts
Brand Tango, a Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.-based marketing and advertising firm, has expanded its services for Island One Resorts of Orlando, Fla. Under terms of the agreement, Brand Tango will support the developer and operator of timeshare resorts by providing strategic and technology solutions, including access to its new “Tango” system, an advanced lead-management system, as well as marketing and creative support for numerous projects. Read more
Grand Pacific Resorts Selects SPI Software
September 20, 2007 | Leave a Comment
SPI recently announced its software has been selected by Grand Pacific Resorts, located in southern California.
“We have installed SPI’s sales module, which is interfaced to our internally-developed marketing program,” says Grand Pacific Resorts’ Director of Information Technology Sabrina Locke-Maston. “The marketing program feeds data into SPI’s sales system, which automatically customizes and prints new owners’ documents onto desktop printers. We are delighted with the various reporting and commission tracking capability afforded to us by our new system.”
SPI Director of Sales Matt Brosious says, “We’re glad to be helping Grand Pacific Resorts manage the various procedures incurred during the sales process, including producing documentation, tracking commissions and providing reports. We are excited to be part of the growth of a phenomenal company.”
Systems Products International, Inc. (SPI), located in Miami, Florida, was founded in 1978 to address the specific software needs of the timeshare industry in the U.S. and around the world. For more information, contact Systems Products International at 305-858-9505, sales@spiinc.com or visit www.spiinc.com.
Grand Pacific Resorts Inc. is headquartered in Carlsbad, California, and is known as the oldest and largest California-based vacation ownership company. Grand Pacific Resorts manages 12 properties throughout the state of California, including the Grand Pacific MarBrisa property, opening in early 2008, in Carlsbad.
CONCORD SERVICING’S COLLECTIONS TEAM ASSISTING PENSACOLA-BASED HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT COMPANY
September 20, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Concord Servicing’s Default Collections Team is pleased to announce their significant success in recovering delinquent maintenance fee assessments during the first year of partnering with their newest client, Pensacola-based Condominium Management Services, Inc. (CMS). Concord was retained by CMS last year to focus on delinquent accounts at the timeshare properties they manage in Biloxi, Mississippi, and Destin and Pensacola Beach, Florida. Read more
Wyndham Vacation Ownership Welcomes Guests To New Resort In Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
September 20, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Company Opens Wyndham Vacation Resorts at Glacier Canyon.
Wyndham Vacation Ownership, the world’s largest vacation ownership company and a member of Wyndham Worldwide’s family of companies (NYSE: WYN), today announced the opening of Wyndham Vacation Resorts at Glacier Canyon in Wisconsin Dells, Wisc. The new, 102-unit resort is the only vacation ownership property located within the complex. It will operate in the company’s Wyndham Vacation Resorts portfolio. Read more
Reduction in timeshare complaints leads to restructure of consumer processes
September 19, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Following a fall in complaints made about timeshare companies, the Organisation for Timeshare in Europe (OTE) and The Association of Timeshare Owners Committees (TATOC) have taken the decision to restructure their consumer facing elements to create a UK based service dedicated to timeshare owners.
VOICE, a joint venture between OTE and TATOC, created in 2002 to form a bridge between the industry and its consumers, will close as of 31 December 2007. Following this the general enquiries and complaints handling function for resorts that are not members of OTE will be taken over by TATOC and OTE’s free of charge complaint handling system and dispute resolution scheme will continue to operate unchanged. Read more
Ultimate Resort And Private Escapes Sign $200 Million Merger Agreement And Create Industry’s Second Largest Destination Club
September 19, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Merger is Largest in Industry’s History
Ultimate Resort®, the industry’s second largest destination club and Private Escapes®, the industry’s third largest destination club, announced today the signing of a definitive agreement to merge and create the industry’s fastest growing and second largest destination club by a large margin. Approximately 1,200 club members will have access to hundreds of exclusive club properties located in nearly 50 of the world’s best resort destinations in the US, Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe, as well as exclusive access to a select collection of over 60 luxury hotels in dozens of major cities in the US, Europe, Asia, Middle East, South America and Central America.
The combined company will operate three distinct destination clubs targeting the $1 million, $2 million and $3 million average home value club categories. The new combined club, led by the strongest and most seasoned management team in the industry, will account for more than 25 percent of the total market share and boast a global resort real estate portfolio with a fair market value of $200 million.
With the closing of this milestone agreement, the new combined company becomes:
First American’s Vacation Ownership Services Division Names Mike Dalberth to the Position of Operations Manager
September 18, 2007 | Leave a Comment
First American Title’s Vacation Ownership Services Division has named Mike Dalberth to the position of Operations Manager for the Western Region. The Vacation Ownership Division of First American Title Insurance Company provides a wide range of services and specialized expertise to meet the unique and individual needs of vacation ownership transactions.
With more than seven years of timeshare back office management operations experience, Dalberth comes to First American from Sunterra Corporation (Las Vegas) where he managed escrow, portfolio, payment processing, inventory and data servicing divisions.
“We welcome Mike Dalberth to our team with great enthusiasm,” said Chris Hermann, Vice President, First American Title. “His extensive background on the developer side of our business gives him great insight into customer service, the core of our business. His unique expertise in the combined components of timeshare, title and escrow and loan servicing make him a perfect fit to lead our Operations Team.
Mike Dalberth, a graduate of Medaille College, Buffalo, NY is a long time resident of Las Vegas. He is headquartered in the company’s Operations Office in Las Vegas and reports directly to Chris Hermann.
The Vacation Ownership Division provides the complete spectrum of title and escrow services to timeshare and fractional developers for deeded and non-deeded clubs. These services include Inventory Management, Resale Title and Escrow Services, Rental Escrow and Non-judicial Foreclosure Services.
The Division employs 34 employees in the Western Region to service clients throughout the United States and Mexico including Hyatt, Wyndham, Marriott and Starwood Resorts. Western Region Headquarters are located in Palm Desert, California with Operations offices in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information call: 760-340-7200 or visit www.firstam.com/vacation.
Levitin Group Introduces its “Timeshare University” on iPod
September 18, 2007 | Leave a Comment
A Revolution in Timeshare Sales Training & Development Introduced at ARDA Trustee’s Retreat
Levitin Group, the largest sales training company in the timeshare and fractional industry, announced an agreement with Apple, Inc. to offer the “LG iPod,” the new iPod Classic released earlier this month preloaded with more than $4,000 worth of timeshare sales training content. This personal training tool comes complete with previously unreleased video training featuring sales icon Shari Levitin, president and CEO of Levitin Group, as well as other Levitin Group trainers. It will also include the entire 26 set Levitin Group audio and video training library. Since less than 10 percent of the iPod’s 80 gigabyte storage is taken, users can also load their LG iPods with all their favorite music and videos. The entire package of all training materials, including the iPod itself, is priced at $999.00. Read more
TruCa$h Gifting Program Unveiled for Timeshare Industry Captures Lost Leads and Decreases Tour Incentive Costs
September 12, 2007 | Leave a Comment
DCR Marketing Inc., a subsidiary of DCR Strategies Inc., a leading provider of customized loyalty and prepaid programs under the TruCa$h name has launched one of the most comprehensive timeshare gifting programs on the market.
At the centre of this unique program is the TruCa$h Prepaid Card. The Card, which replaces or enhances traditional gifting methods, allows the timeshare company to give monetary or points rewards to tour attendees, timeshare guests and owners as well as timeshare staff. The timeshare company has endless marketing opportunities long after the tour or resort stay is over by using the TruCa$h Prepaid Card and Rewards Platform. In addition, the program creates a new revenue stream for the timeshare company.
The program has been developed with industry professionals and includes incredible features such as real time card loading, fraud and inventory control systems and faster gifting processes. Designed to decrease tour incentive and marketing costs the TruCa$h gifting solution reduces the need to keep money tied up in inventory. In addition to the many other benefits, all card holders become members of the TruCa$h Rewards program which allows them access to savings on prescription medication, the exclusive TC Marketplace and lets them collect TruCa$h points which are convertible to cash . By giving timeshare guests and tour attendees the TruCa$h Prepaid card, the timeshare company has an abundance of marketing and communication opportunities with the card holder to re-capture the lead or to encourage upgrades.
Enlisting the advice of industry veteran Bert Blicher, TruCa$h has created a truly unique program to address the many opportunities and challenges within the Industry and as such has already signed numerous Timeshare Developers.
Diana Fletcher, President of DCR Strategies Inc. stated “DCR Marketing has ensured that we fully understood the industry and all of its challenges and opportunities.” Adding “every company needs a different solution and TruCa$h can create a truly customized program for all of them.”
For more information about TruCash® go to www.trucash.com or call Betty Hutton at 1-800-624-6171 ext 224.
About DCR Strategies Inc.
Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, with an office in Boca Raton, Florida, DCR Strategies Inc., authorized user and licensee of TruCash, is a privately owned relationship marketing company. The Company provides dynamic and cost-effective loyalty, stored value, payroll and gift card solutions for B2B and B2C applications.
Media Contact:
Patrick Lister
Director of Marketing
1-800-624-6171 ext 225
patrickl@trucash.com
Bentley Leverages Racing Experience to Support Local Charity
September 9, 2007 | Leave a Comment
This summer Bentley Zionsville will be supporting a local charity by auctioning off a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to be driven in a Bentley Speed 8 racecar by five time Le Mans winning race car driver and legend, Derek Bell.
Bentley Zionsville, along with Christel House International, unveiled the online charity auction on August 1, 2007 at the Indianapolis Children’s Museum. 100% of the proceeds from the online auction will support the 2,600 children of Christel House whose mission is to help children around the world break the cycle of poverty and become self-sufficient, contributing members of society. To bid please visit http://Christelhouse.cmarket.com.
In explaining the importance of supporting local charities to their dealership, Bentley Zionsville Principal Owner, Greg Albers states, “We share our customers’ interest in this cause and are honored to participate in this small, but meaningful way.”
The paring of a Christel House International with a Bentley racing experience is an excellent benefit for all parties and a natural fit given Bentley Motors storied racing history, Joe Ashworth, North America Marketing Operations Manager explains:
“This charity auction is one of numerous activities our retailers hold that demonstrates their commitment to the communities in which they live and work. Furthermore, given Bentley’s history of racing and success at Le Mans, this opportunity allows individuals to experience the Bentley brand in a way that is relevant, while raising money for worthwhile causes.”
For more information please visit www.christelhouse.org or www.bentleyzionsville.com For more information about the auction please visit http://Christelhouse.cmarket.com or contact Becky Arnett at 317.464.2009.
Timeshare Giant Makes a Giant Impression on the Timeshare Industry
September 9, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Karen Phelan is no stranger to timeshare. She’s been a timeshare industry professional since 1985, having worked her way up from a front desk clerk at a large timeshare resort, to off-premise marketing for resort developers, on-site developer sales, and even started her own timeshare resale company 11 years ago in 1996. Developing TimeshareGiant.com is her latest accomplishment in her multi-faceted timeshare career.
Equipped with her 22 years of timeshare experience, Karen set out to develop a website that would provide an interesting, feature-rich platform in which individual timeshare owners, fellow timeshare industry brokers, and timeshare property owner associations can showcase their timeshare listings in a ‘Giant’ way.
“When I started the Timeshare Giant project, I was determined to offer more than just another place to post timeshare listings. It had to be head-and-shoulders above that. It had to be extra special, with great features to draw visitors and advertisers back over and over again,” said Phelan.
There are approximately 4,500 timeshare resorts around the globe. On TimeshareGiant.com, users will find a feature slideshow for almost every resort in the world. And the features go on from there. Read Industry News, Browse through Timeshare Promotional Offers, Buy books and magazines about Timesharing, and even Arrange all your travel; flights, car rentals, cruises, and even hotel stays through Timeshare Giant Travel. Every feature on TimeshareGiant.com gives timeshare advertisers more ‘Giant’ opportunities to expose their listings.
Timeshare Giant has 3 different timeshare advertising programs, one of which is absolutely free. That’s right – no cost, obligation, or credit card required. For those who desire more exposure, additional surprisingly affordable advertising packages are available. Using Timeshare Giant’s simple automated system, timeshare listings can be crafted and posted in a matter of minutes.
Log on to www.TimeshareGiant.com and see what all the buzz is about!
Cruise & Vacation Reward Program Is Perfect Thank-You for Prompt Payments
September 9, 2007 | Leave a Comment
ICE Product Expresses an “Attitude of Gratitude” to Valued Owners
The Cruise & Vacation Reward program from International Cruise & Excursions, Inc. (ICE) makes it possible for resorts, management companies, HOAs, vacation club managers and others to say “thank you” in a big way to owners for the prompt and/or paperless payment of maintenance fees, renewals, referrals and more. Read more
Travelers to Rise, Shine and Thrive in Las Vegas, Nevada
September 9, 2007 | Leave a Comment
ELEMENT Hotels to Wake Up Extended Stay Options for Travelers
Waking up in the Village of Summerlin, Las Vegas, Nevada’s premiere Master Planned Community, never felt so good thanks to a new outlook on extended stay travel. Today, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT), announced an agreement with LaPour Partners, Inc. to open an ELEMENT hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada in October 2008. Inspired by Westin Hotels & Resorts, ELEMENT Las Vegas Summerlin will mark the beginning of construction with a “Ground Awakening” event on September 24, 2007. Summerlin’s newest hotel will offer a one of a kind extended stay experience that combines smart design, nature-inspired, eco-friendly touches, and modern amenities. After a perfect night’s sleep on the Westin brand’s renowned Heavenly Bed(R), guests can guarantee that they will leave ELEMENT Las Vegas Summerlin knowing what it truly means to wake up and thrive.
Divi Resorts Update On Properties In Aruba
September 9, 2007 | Leave a Comment
No Damage sustained reported from Hurricane Felix
Divi Resorts announced today that their properties in Aruba sustained no damages as a result of Hurricane Felix. All guests at Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort, Divi Village Golf and Beach Resort, Divi Dutch Village Resort continued with their holiday stays without interruptions. Read more
Growing Baymont Brand Seeks To Enhance Guest Experience
September 9, 2007 | Leave a Comment
After just a year and a half in the Wyndham Hotel Group portfolio, the Baymont Inn & Suites® chain is poised for a major systemwide upgrade with new bedding, bathroom amenities and free wireless Internet service.
By next year, franchisees of the limited-service, midscale brand will have installed Sealy®, Serta® or Simmons® mattresses and box springs, improved bed linens and a triple-sheet bed-topping in guest rooms and multifunction shower heads, curved shower bars, hookless shower curtains and upgraded terry in bathrooms. Read more
Senior Management Team for the Aruban Resort & Casino At Eagle Beach Announced
September 6, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Team to Re-Launch the Former La Cabana Villas and Royal Cabana Casino
KL International, LLC, a closely held international resort and casino development company and the parent company of KL Holding Company, N.V., today announced its senior management team for its recently acquired timeshare resort and casino — The Aruban Resort & Casino at Eagle Beach. Read more
Architectural Concepts Inc.’ Principal Named to San Diego Habitat for Humanity Board
September 6, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Margit E. Whitlock, AIA Takes Position in September
Margit E. Whitlock, AIA, Principal of San Diego-based Architectural Concepts, Inc. (ACI) a company regarded as a top international hospitality-oriented architectural and interior design firm, has been named to the local board of directors for San Diego Habitat for Humanity.
“Our work with Habitat is a perfect extension of our commitment to build extraordinary experiences,” said Ms. Whitlock. “It is a wonderful honor to be selected for this important role. Our association with Habitat for Humanity has been very rewarding. We can think of no better way to give back to a community that has been so good to us “ Read more
Divi Tiara Beach Resort In Cayman Brac Focuses On Timeshare Market
September 6, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Divi Resorts ceased Divi Tiara’s resort operations as of September 2006-
The Divi Tiara Beach Resort in Cayman Brac ceased resort operations for the general public in September 2006, but continues to operate a boutique collection of 12 newly renovated timeshare suites.
“The Divi Tiara has an amazing beach and quiet atmosphere perfect for a timeshare owner looking for an island escape,” says EJ Schanfarber, President of Divi Hotels Marketing Inc. “We want to continue to service the timeshare market, and begin cross-selling timeshare vacations into the Divi Tiara from our other eight Caribbean resorts.”
The one-bedroom suites feature fully equipped kitchens, full ocean views, and private balconies and are located in two unique buildings with classic Polynesian inspired architecture. Owners of the timeshare suites enjoy diving from a private Divi dock with dive operations provided by In Depth Water Sports.
“While it is no longer financially feasible for Divi to act as a dive resort operator, we do recognize the incredible value of this destination. We intend to shift our focus to the timeshare market, and future timeshare development,” says Mr. Schanfarber.
Owners of timeshare vacations at the Divi Tiara Beach Resort join a family of over 30,000 timeshare owners in the Divi Resorts network; and enjoy vacation exchange opportunities at Divi Resorts in Aruba, Barbados, Bonaire, St Croix, and St Maarten.
The Divi Tiara Beach Resort previously operated almost exclusively as a dive vacation destination, with significant group travel from the United States. The resort ceased operations for this market due to the difficulty of getting groups traveling together to and from the island.
Divi Resorts operates eight resorts on five Caribbean islands including the Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort & Casino in St. Croix; Divi Little Bay Beach Resort in St. Maarten; Divi Southwinds Beach Resort and Divi Heritage Beach Resort in Barbados; Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino in Bonaire; and Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort, Divi Village Golf and Beach Resort and Divi Dutch Village Resort in Aruba. As of the first quarter 2007, Divi Aruba Phoenix Divi Village Golf and Divi Dutch Village Beach Resorts in Aruba have been awarded the AAA’s prestigious 3 Diamond Rating. From relaxing on white sand beaches and indulging in spa services to embarking on amazing scuba diving adventures and trying your luck in the casino, Divi Resorts has it all…and more.
For more information on Divi Resorts, call 1-800-367-3484, or visit www.diviresorts.com
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Names Frits Van Paasschen, Former CEO of Coors Brewing Company, Chief Executive Officer
September 6, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Bruce Duncan to Continue as Chairman
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) announced today that Frits van Paasschen, former President and Chief Executive Officer of Coors Brewing Company, will join Starwood as Chief Executive Officer, effective September 24. Mr. van Paasschen, who will relocate to the White Plains area, succeeds Bruce W. Duncan, who has served as interim CEO since April and will continue as Starwood’s Chairman. Read more
Wyndham Hotel Group Announces Second Asian Expansion Initiative
September 6, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Announcing the second agreement for the expansion of its economy brands in Asia this week, Wyndham Hotel Group, a subsidiary of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN), of Parsippany, N.J., today said a major construction firm has committed to develop at least 38 Super 8® and Days Inn® hotels throughout India by 2011.
Gammon India Ltd., a leading Indian construction and engineering firm based in Mumbai, signed a nonexclusive, seven-year agreement yesterday to develop Wyndham Hotel Group’s Days Inn and Super 8 brands to India. Gammon committed to build and open at least 12 hotels in 2009, 13 in 2010 and 13 in 2011. Read more
Franz Hanning - Perspective’s A-List July 2007
September 6, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Franz Hanning, president and CEO of Wyndham Vacation Ownership, recently reached a major milestone by celebrating his 25th anniversary with the company. Hanning has witnessed the tremendous change both Wyndham Vacation Ownership and the timeshare industry have undergone since he joined the company in 1982. He recently shared with us his memories of the past quarter century and the future outlook of the industry.
You joined the company in 1982. What was your progression from sales representative to CEO?
I started with the company when it was a land development company in Arkansas known as Fairfield Communities, Inc. After several years there, I moved to Fairfield Williamsburg, our company’s first timeshare resort. I led our East Coast sales, in particular, Myrtle Beach and Williamsburg, for the next few years before moving to the Orlando corporate headquarters in 1996 to become Regional Vice President of Sales.
I then served as Chief Operating Officer for Fairfield Resorts and became its president and CEO in 2001 when Fairfield was acquired by Cendant Corporation. In 2004, I was appointed president and CEO of Wyndham Vacation Ownership and was given the wonderful opportunity to lead all operations of Wyndham Vacations Resorts, WorldMark by Wyndham and Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific.
Is there one specific factor Wyndham Vacation Ownership provided that made you stay with the company?
My progression would not have been possible without the many people I have met in the company and throughout the industry. I have learned so much about the industry, business and management from many of those who I have met along the way, including our owners who have helped shape the company into what it is today. Read more
Simon Crawford-Welch - Perspective’s A-List June 2007
September 6, 2007 | Leave a Comment
An Interview with Simon Crawford-Welch, Ph.D., RRP, Executive VP, Sales & Marketing, Shell Vacations LLC.
By Marge Lennon
How did an Englishman find his way into the US timesharing industry?
I was born in England but as a child I traveled the world with my parents (my father worked in developing third world countries) living and going to school in places like Ethiopia, Djibouti French TFAI, Singapore, Indonesia
and Australia. After completing an undergraduate degree in England, I worked for what was then the largest leisure corporation in the United Kingdom running various nightclubs and entertainment piers in Blackpool, a large vacation destination in Northern England. I then came to the United States to complete my Ph.D. at Virginia Tech with an emphasis in Hospitality and Strategic Management; upon completion I went on to teach at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. In hindsight, I learned more through traveling the world than I ever did burying my head in books. Living in several different countries really furnished me with a sixth sense of how to “read” people in a relatively short period of time. One thing led to another and I entered the residential real estate business and stumbled into timeshare, beginning my timesharing career in the late 80’s in the OPC marketing arena. I remember calling my father and telling him: “Dad – thanks for all the help while I was getting my Ph.D. – I’m going to Las Vegas to sell timeshare!” It is a call he never let me forget! Read more
Wyndham Vacation Ownership Debuts In Panama City Beach
September 4, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Beachfront Resort Becomes Company’s Fifth Property in Florida Panhandle
Wyndham Vacation Ownership, the world’s largest vacation ownership company and a member of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies (NYSE: WYN), today announced the acquisition of 100 vacation ownership units at the Emerald Beach Resort in Panama City Beach, Fla. from Emerald Beach Resort, LLC. The company also entered into a contractual agreement to purchase 156 additional units. The acquisition is the company’s first in Panama City Beach and will become Wyndham’s fifth vacation ownership property in the Florida Panhandle. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Read more