Intrawest Appoints Charles Massicotte To The Position Of President And Chief Operating Officer For Its Mont Tremblant Resort
October 30, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Industry Veteran to Oversee all Resort Operations at Tremblant in Quebec, including Real Estate Development and Sales
Intrawest ULC a world leader in the development and management of experiential destination resorts, 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
Safety Harbor Resort And Spa Has Announced Plans To Expand By Incorporating Vacation Ownership
October 30, 2007 | Leave a Comment
“Located on Tampa Bay, Florida, the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa has announced plans to expand by incorporating vacation ownership into its existing mixed use environment. Initially built in the 1920’s, Safety Harbor Resort and Spa has served the west coast of Florida for decades and is the only natural spring spa in Florida. Under its new ownership, the Resort proudly boasts of its recent renovations of its 175 rooms, 50,000 square foot spa facility, and 35,000 square feet of convention and commercial space. With the ancillary amenities and existing clientele in place, a vacation ownership developer has a unique opportunity to align with the owners of the resort by building at least 75 timeshare or fractional units on the water. Brian Weaver of The Weaver Hospitality Group of Marcus & Millichap has been hired to attract the most suitable Vacation Ownership Developer to develop the timeshare parcel.” Read more
Timeshare Company Alerts Consumers to Real Threat of Internet Tax
October 30, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Sell My Timeshare NOW, a leading timeshare resale and timeshare rental advertising and marketing company, warns consumers that Internet taxation will do more than hit them in the wallet. If legislators fail to make the ban on Internet taxation permanent, many people could be priced out of Internet access entirely, stymieing the growth of the Internet as a powerful tool for education and communication.
Merely extending the moratorium on Internet taxation won’t solve the problem, according to Sell My Timeshare NOW, a successful dot-com that helps people rent or sell timeshare through Internet advertising. As Sell My Timeshare NOW’s founder and CEO, Jason Tremblay, explains, “Taxing Internet access is not only bad for businesses, it is worse for the individual consumer. If the Internet tax moratorium is not made permanent, we all face the potential for state and local taxes to be levied on Internet access, whether we are using cable modems, telephone lines, or a wireless transmission, like the BlackBerry.”
With less than two weeks to go until the Internet Tax Freedom Act of 1998 expires, the future of Internet taxation is still uncertain. On October 16, the House of Representatives approved H.R.3678 to extend the current expiration date of the Internet tax ban from November 1, 2007 to November 2011. The bill has been sent to the Senate for action, but the Senate has yet to vote on the measure.
Sell My Timeshare NOW has worked aggressively to bring the real issues of Internet taxation to the forefront and calls for the Senate to act to ensure that all aspects of the Internet remain tax-free . If the moratorium expires, local and state governments would be able to tax Internet access, as well as impose multiple taxes on goods sold online. Goods and services sold via the Internet could be treated differently, and taxed differently, than the same items sold in physical stores.
Steve Luba, Sell My Timeshare NOW’s Director of Communications explains, “If given the opportunity, there are more than 7,000 separate entities in the US that could, and probably would, levy discretionary taxation on the Internet. Action on the part of the Senate is needed to, at the very least, amend the legislation to continue the current ban on Internet sales taxes.”
New Hampshire’s Senator John Sununu, who has fought hard to make the Internet tax moratorium permanent, has described the problem as setting up the Internet—a global communications and business network—to be taxed by every state, city and county in the US.
The Washington Post’s blog quotes the National Small Business Association as saying that the policy of not permitting taxes on Internet access or taxes that discriminate against Internet transactions is key in enabling many small businesses to develop and grow. Sell My Timeshare NOW is a perfect example of an Internet based business that would be seriously impacted by Internet taxation.
By using Sell My Timeshare NOW’s online advertising services, individuals can use by-owner transactions to sell timeshare they do not use or can no longer afford. Yet this type of person-to-person direct commerce could quickly become unaffordable with Internet taxation on both the company that provides the service and the individual consumers who use the Internet to access it.
As Jason Tremblay explains, “Today’s Internet makes education, health information, financial services, business, and personal communication instantly available to millions of people. To do anything that makes it harder for people to access the Internet moves communication and productivity drastically backward in our country. Both as a businessperson and as an individual, I am truly appreciative of the work by New Hampshire’s representatives to Congress, Carol Shea-Porter and Paul Hodes to pass HR 3678, and by New Hampshire Senator Sununu and Senator Gregg for working to make the Internet tax moratorium permanent. ”
About Sell My Timeshare NOW, LLC:
Sell My Timeshare NOW is an industry leader in providing advertising and marketing for timeshare owners who want to sell timeshare or rent timeshare. For 2007, Sell My Timeshare Now is on track to present to its customers $282,900,000 in offers to buy or rent timeshares. Jason Tremblay, CEO, is available for interview at 603-516-0649.
LeisureLink Inc. and TimeShareWare Announce Partnership to Increase Revenues for Timeshare Companies
October 29, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Exploiting an Underutilized Sales Channel
LeisureLink Inc. and TimeShareWare have announced a strategic relationship that dramatically improves the ability of timeshare companies to list their properties on major travel websites.
The partners will combine their technology to give timeshare resorts effortless access to all major consumer travel sites, providing massive electronic distribution for their properties. LeisureLink’s system will directly connect with TimeShareWare’s software platform, automatically enabling property managers to accept bookings from all major travel websites. The joint offering eliminates time intensive use of extranets to update availability and prices by automatically feeding real time data directly from TimeShareWare into the LeisureLink system.
Rental guests not only produce immediate income for the properties, but are a valuable, and often underutilized, source of leads for timeshare developers. Rental guests experience the amenities of a property without the high pressure of the more traditional “mini-vac” sales approach, and tend to be more highly qualified than a guest who is staying at the property at a deeply discounted rate.
“Our relationship with LeisureLink opens up a powerful opportunity to create new revenue and a new source of sales leads for our clients,” said Timo Jones, CEO of TimeShareWare. “LeisureLink’s long-term focus on the vacation lodging industry made them a clear choice to serve our clients,” said Jones. “Our technology gives all of our TimeShareWare clients better access to major online channels than many major hotel chains,” he continued.
“We already have a number of joint clients, and are delighted to formalize our relationship with the world leader in property management software for the timeshare industry,” said Erik Hovanec, President and CEO of LeisureLink. “Our relationship with TimeShareWare will drive an important new source of revenue for timeshare companies, as well as providing consumers with alternatives to a typical hotel stay,” said Hovanec.
Leisurelink and TimeShareWare work with timeshare properties in hundreds of locations throughout the globe.
About LeisureLink
LeisureLink makes unique vacation lodging widely available through online travel sites and traditional travel agents. LeisureLink delivers broad distribution, property marketing services and pricing assistance to increase rental bookings and maximize property managers’ profitability in all market conditions and seasons. Our clients include vacation rental, timeshare, and condohotel properties. For more information visit www.LeisureLink.com and to view properties go to www.Vatopia.com.
About TimeShareWare
TimeShareWare is the industry standard software platform for shared-ownership resorts. Since 1993, TimeShareWare has served all sizes and types of vacation ownership associations, fractional ownership properties, and timeshare resorts including multi-site, single-site, and points-based clubs. The TimeShareWare software platform includes software to service all of the specific needs of developers, management companies, and home owner’s associations throughout the world.
For more information, visit their website at www.timeshareware.com.
Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc. Launches Sales at New Westin Vacation Ownership Resort in Palm Desert, California
October 29, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Starwood Vacation Ownership (SVO), the fractional and vacation ownership division of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT), has launched sales at The Westin Desert Willow Villas, Palm Desert. During construction, sales will take place at a new state of the art sales gallery located adjacent to the resort in Palm Desert.
This will be SVO’s second Westin-branded vacation ownership resort in the region with the first being the Westin Mission Hills Resort & Villas located nearby in Rancho Mirage, California. Construction of the new Westin Desert Willow Villas is scheduled to commence later this month with occupancy currently scheduled for late 2009.
“We are excited to extend our presence in southern California with The Westin Desert Willow Villas. Desert Willow is a magnificent community with two of the best public golf courses in the country, providing the perfect backdrop for our second Westin-branded vacation ownership resort in the area. We had been searching for some time for a site suitable as a sequel to our highly successful resort at Mission Hills. Palm Desert is the ideal location for another resort in the Valley providing our owners and guests an opportunity to vacation in one of the premier destinations in the country,” said Dave Broderick, senior vice president, sales and marketing, Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc.
The Westin Desert Willow Villas will include 300 two-bedroom lock-off villas with luxurious features and amenities. Guests will delight in the separate living and dining rooms, balconies, flat-panel televisions, dvd players, stereos, hi-speed wireless internet, convection ovens, and jet tubs. The resort will also feature a clubhouse and reception building, two lavish swimming pools, a water slide, hot tubs, a kiddie pool, tennis courts, a game room and expansive landscaped grounds, and a WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Facility. The design of the villas and sales center will complement the existing architecture and style of Desert Willow.
The sales gallery will be located at 39810 Portola Avenue, Buildings C&D, Palm Desert, CA. For more information about The Westin Desert Willow Villas, please call (866) 458-8189.
Starwood Vacation Ownership is an award-winning company with more than 25 resorts in some of the most sought after vacation destinations in the world. The Westin Desert Willow Villas, Palm Desert will be the eleventh Westin Vacation Ownership resort either completed or in development including resorts in Maui, Kauai, California, Arizona, Colorado, Cancun, Los Cabos, St. John, USVI and Aruba. In addition to Westin, SVO is developing vacation ownership resorts under the Sheraton brand and high-end fractional residences under the St. Regis and Luxury Collection brands.
About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 890 properties in more than 100 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, Sheraton®, Westin®, Four Points® by Sheraton, W®, Le Méridien® and the recently announced AloftSM and ElementSM Hotels. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.
Once upon a time there were travel agents…
October 26, 2007 | Leave a Comment
…now there’ll be a new breed of agents -introducing leisure agents!
UK based company, Love 4 Leisure, completed their exciting business launch on Saturday 20th October.
The new company will promote a unique concept that harnesses the Internet with the power of personal recommendation… a formula that promises to delight customers and extends a new breed of earning opportunity for British adults.
Despite the appeal of the Rugby World Cup Final, over 100 people attended the launch event in Sheffield to witness five presentations. The presentations explained why Love 4 Leisure is tipped to become a favourite amongst leisure seekers.
The Northampton based business, which is being steered by executives David Lilley and Charles Low, offers customers an opportunity to become members of a club where leisure activities of all types will be served up.
The business will launch with four membership types… ranging from totally free of charge through to £799 for family membership. Two of the memberships include holiday apartment accommodation from a selection of attractive destinations.
Luxury extras such as Moet Champagne, Airport Transfers and Molton Brown toiletries compliment the packages.
Love 4 Leisure’s exciting Privilege Card, which comes as part of the Premium Plus and Premium membership but can be purchased on its own, promises to become a “must have” accessory for leisure seekers.
Matthew Moody former inventory manager of RCI, a company executive and one of Love 4 Leisure’s first agents said “Some franchise opportunities in this country command a £30,000 entry cost and suggest a first year profit of £20,000. In sharp contrast, it costs a tiny £200 to become a Love 4 Leisure agent and an income of £20,000 should be easily achievable for any agent who runs a serious business. The great thing about Love 4 Leisure is the focus on promoting products that people want to consume”
Love 4 Leisure promises to offer a growing suite of leisure related products and services to its customers and aspires to become a household name inside the next twelve months.
For more information visit www.love4leisure.com
The Élan Collection Agrees to Purchase Prime Real Estate Site at Tamarack Resort
October 25, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Tamarack Resort continues to show strong momentum in the destination resort market; highlighted by the signing of a letter of intent by luxury developer The Élan Collection to purchase a prime resort pad site.
The site showcases one of the unique elements that continues to drive demand at America’s newest all-season destination—rare slopeside ski-in/ski-out real estate.
Élan Collection LLC—led by well-known industry veterans David M. Disick (Park City, Utah), and Don and Andrew Pitarre (Santa Barbara, California)—has entered into an agreement to purchase land on the north end of Tamarack’s Village Plaza for more than $17.2 million.
Élan Tamarack is envisioned as a Private Residence Club comprised of 60 condominium residences. The development is situated on a snowfront knoll just above the Tamarack Express lift, providing the ultimate in ski-in/ski-out access. These luxury properties combine a fractional ownership structure with club-level services and amenities.
The Élan Collection will be distinctive in the luxury second-home ownership field, combining the fractional fee-simple concept of Private Residence Clubs with the flexibility and variety offered by Destination Clubs. Key to the attraction of Élan properties will be a high-caliber lifestyle club incorporating benefits and amenities such as a private wine label, exclusive Élan jewelry and clothing, lifestyle concierge, and Harley Davidson motorcycles for touring Idaho’s Payette River Mountains and the surrounding countryside.
Élan co-founder David Disick is considered a pioneer in the Private Residence Club market, having developed the iconic Franz Klammer Lodge in Telluride, Colorado.
“The driving principles in my work have been to craft pleasure into people’s lives, and to do everything, always, with quality,” says Disick. “In choosing Tamarack Resort for Élan’s newest Residence Club, we were attracted by the quality of life offered here - the result of spectacular all-season recreation and the boutique nature of the development.”
“David is a true innovator in this market segment, and is respected nationally for his knowledge of the business and operational elements essential for a successful Private Residence Club,” says Jean-Pierre Boespflug, Tamarack CEO. “By bringing the Élan Collection to Tamarack, we are seeing yet another validation from leaders in our industry that living and playing in the Payette River Mountains provides a unique experience – one that is in high demand among second-home buyers.”
Élan Tamarack is projected to break ground in 2008 and will be designed by OZ Architecture, whose previous work has involved projects for The Ritz Carlton, The Broadmoor, Westin Hotels and Resorts, and Exclusive Resorts.
About Élan Collection LLC
The Élan Collection is envisioned as a portfolio of Private Residence Clubs (PRC) in signature destinations located throughout the U.S. Led by principals David M. Disick, Don Pitarre and Andrew Pitarre, the Élan Collection brings together individual fractional real estate ownership of elegant properties, combined with the freedom and flexibility of multiple vacation residences in the Élan network. David Disick, an innovator in this market segment, has been referred to as “personally a brand in this industry” conducting “pioneering work in the Private Residence Club Market, essential in establishing the Private Residence Club as a nationally recognized product, and helping establish the prominence of that segment in vacation ownership generally.”
About Tamarack Resort
Tamarack Resort, the first all-season resort to open in the U.S. in more than two decades, has received national attention for its world-class mountain for skiing, hiking and mountain biking; Osprey Meadows, a Robert Trent Jones, Jr., signature golf course named America’s Best New Course in its category for 2006 by Golf Digest; and beautiful Lake Cascade, ideal for swimming, sailing, fishing, sea kayaking, and boating. A key element of the Tamarack community is The Club at Tamarack for homeowners, their families and guests. Nestled in Idaho’s Payette River Mountains, Tamarack is a luxury boutique resort with a variety of lodging options all within walking distance of the four-season amenities. Call 877.TAM.RESORT or visit www.tamarackidaho.com for more information about Tamarack Resort.
Diamond Resorts International® Joins the ICE Portal Network
October 25, 2007 | Leave a Comment
ICE Produces & Distributes Rich Content for Diamond Resorts International
Diamond Resorts International® has chosen ICE Portal, the industry leader in visual content production and distribution, to create and distribute rich media for North American resorts. The filming for the Diamond Resorts International destinations will be produced using ICE’s latest photo technology and will be distributed to their network of over 30,000 travel sites. New virtual tours will be showcased via ICE Portal’s new hi-resolution super-sized virtual tours show in customized digital brochures.
Diamond Resorts International’s decision to select ICE Portal as their content management and distribution partner is consistent with the choice made by other major hotel brands, including Sheraton, Sandals, Ocean Properties, World Hotels, and the Interstate Hotels. With more and more travelers choosing to research and book trips online, the need to display rich content on as many major travel sites and search engines as possible is clearly evident.
Stephen J. Cloobeck, Chairman and CEO of Diamond Resorts Internatinal, speaks positively about the partnership with ICE. “We’ve selected ICE because of their ability to showcase our resorts with great visuals and because of the valuable exposure that ICE Portal can provide for our resorts through their distribution network.”
In addition to receiving unparalleled production and distribution services, Diamond Resorts International will also have access to ICE’s intuitive and user-friendly Content Management System (CMS). ICE’s CMS system allows hotels to easily view and manage their content and obtain reports on content distribution. Hotel representatives using ICE’s CMS system will also be able to update photos, have their property indexed by Google, turn seasonal images on and off, and rearrange the order that their content appears on the digital brochure.
Hoteliers that choose ICE Portal for their rich content production also get a custom-branded digital brochure of their property that can be created using photos, virtual tours, web shows, and information. This digital brochure is then made available to thousands of third-party travel websites, including Orbitz, Travelocity, Priceline, and Google. Properties with updated virtual tours also have the option of appearing on Expedia.
ICE Portal’s President Henry Woodman notes, “ICE is a one-stop shop for hotels to enhance their visibility online and dramatically improve their look-to-book ratios. The fact that they can customize and manage their content in multiple languages is an added bonus.”
About ICE | ICE Portal is the industry leader in the production, management, and distribution of rich visual content. With a global e-marketing network, ICE Portal technology helps travel suppliers, like hotel chains, tourism boards, and cruise lines, manage and deliver rich visual content to 1,000s of distributors, like Orbitz, Expedia, and Travelocity. The company either produces or acquires visual media from hotels or other travel suppliers, and then formats, sizes, brands, and delivers this content to travel sites and tour operators. In total, ICE Portal’s content can be seen globally on over 30,000 travel-related websites and can be displayed in seven different languages. For more information, please visit ICE Portal online at www.ICEportal.com or call 1-954-893-6778 in Hollywood, FL USA.
About Diamond Resorts International® | Diamond Resorts International is one of the world’s largest vacation ownership companies with nearly 100 branded or affiliated resorts in key vacation destinations throughout North America, the Caribbean and Europe. With more than 24,000 guest beds and 5,000 team members worldwide, Diamond Resorts International provides owner members with THE ClubSM, a flexible points-based internal exchange system designed to provide members with the greatest variety of vacation choices including resort stays and a range of vacation benefits enabling each member to enjoy a lifetime of vacations in unique destinations around the world.
Cityscape Dubai 2007 Gets Off the Ground
October 23, 2007 | Leave a Comment
The World’s largest business-to-business real estate investment and development event Cityscape Dubai 2007 was opened on 16th October at Dubai World Trade Center by Mohammad Al-Gergawi, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs of the UAE.
The three-day event has a display of a spate of spectacular international projects worth more than $200 billion.
Organizers told Arab News that the event is set to welcome more than 45,000 investors, property developers, senior professionals and other officials from 120 countries.
“The progress of Cityscape as an event underscores the growth of Middle Eastern companies as formidable players in the global real estate industry,” Al-Gergawi said while addressing the media at the opening ceremony. Read more
AIF Study by PricewaterhouseCoopers Reports Robust Financial Indicators In Multibillion Dollar Timeshare Industry
October 23, 2007 | Leave a Comment
The AIF annual benchmark study by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) of the financial performance of the timeshare industry released today by the ARDA International Foundation (AIF) underscores the ongoing, robust financial performance of the multibillion dollar vacation ownership industry. The study, which focused on an industry subset of 40 companies encompassing 298 timeshare resorts in active sales1, showed key financial ratios such as sales and marketing costs remained in-line as companies posted 14.3 percent growth in 2006. Each year, PwC surveys a group of timeshare resort development companies to take the industry’s financial pulse—analyzing industry trends and setting benchmarks on product pricing, sales, marketing costs, financing, and other financial indicators. This year’s findings reveal a 14.3 percent year-over-year increase in net sales of timeshare resorts in active sales, as the industry subset reported $5.8 billion in U.S. net originated sales. Average net sales per active resort were $19.6 million. Read more
GBG & Associates Selected by Mobius Vendor Partners
October 23, 2007 | Leave a Comment
GBG & Associates, a marketing and public relations firm based in San Diego has been engaged by Mobius Vendor Partners, LLC (Indianapolis, IN) as its public relations agency. GBG & Associates specializes in strategic marketing and public relations services particularly in the area of shared vacation ownership, resort real estate and business to business services. According to Georgi Bohrod, Principal, GBG & Associates will provide PR services to support the ongoing growth of MVP in the areas of business process management and market research services to companies, associations and non-profit organizations.
“Over the years, we have grown to respect Georgi Bohrod as a colleague in ARDA (American Resort Development Association) and through her highly effective campaigns for various companies within the industry,” said Bob Kobek, President of MVP. “We are confident that her company will provide the same exceptional benefits to our group and heighten our visibility as we continue to expand our services.”
“MVP and GBG are in tune with each other’s business philosophy,” says Bohrod (pictured). “Our organizations share synergies that focus on process and assessment with the key goal always being client success. I initially became aware of MVP through its excellent research for AIF (ARDA International Foundation). Bob Kobek and I have had the opportunity to work together on ARDA’s Meeting Committee as well. We are proud to have this alliance with them as we both move forward. “
With niches in industries that include vacation ownership, resorts, professional services, health care and tourism, GBG & Associates offers more than a quarter century of expertise in public relations and marketing. The firm has recently added Roffé Paraíso (Manzanillo), ResortPro Source (San Diego) and First National Title Company (Concord, NH) to its roster. Other clients include Aviatech Integrated Marketing (San Diego), McCullough Landscape Architecture (San Diego), Playa Grande Resort (Cabo San Lucas), ResortCom International (San Diego), Architectural Concepts Inc. (ACI), and A Fair Way Mediation Center (San Diego), as well as Simplicity International LLC (Kimberton, PA), Star Resort Group (Scottsdale, AZ) and Royal Holiday Vacation Club (Mexico City), to name a few.
About GBG & Associates
GBG & Associates specializes in the seamless integration of multiple marketing and public relations toward the effective fulfillment of client business goals. Founded in San Diego in 1978 by Georgi Bohrod, the company has created and implemented a wealth of strategic marketing, advertising and public relations programs for hotels, timeshare resorts, resort developers, small businesses, service providers and travel industry corporations. Under the leadership of Georgi Bohrod, the company has won countless awards for collateral material design, interactive media design and public relations. For more information on GBG & Associates, visit www.georgibohrod.com.
Perspective Magazine Wins Innovative Marketing Award At OTE European Timeshare Business Forum 2007 in Portugal.
October 23, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Launched just two years before at the same event in Prague, this year saw the hard work of the Perspective Magazine team recognized by around 400 representatives of the European Timeshare Industry at the OTE10 Forum in the Algarve last week.
The award was humbly accepted by the creators of the independent publication, Paul & Sharon Mattimoe, who have grown their small business of four years ago into a globally recognized suite of products and services; Perspective Magazine, Timeshare Staff Network, Timeshare Suppliers Guide and The Timeshare Blog news site.
Sharon Mattimoe commented “We know our regular advertisers like what we do, but to have a large proportion of the European Industry also vote for us, lets us know that we are on the right track for the future and delivering what we set out to deliver – a credible independently global B2B industry magazine. We are delighted to have won the Innovative Marketing Award for 2007 and very much thank OTE and all its members for their support.” Read more
Holiday Equity Site Enhances Resort Sales
October 23, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Little has changed in the timeshare industry over the last twenty-five years. While the way timeshares are managed and sold has remained virtually the same, the rest of the business world has been revolutionized by technology and globalization. So says David Skinner, president of Holiday Equity, a division of the Holiday Group, in Seattle. “It’s catch-up time for the timeshare business if we hope to remain relevant,” Skinner said.
Holiday Equity today announced the inaugural edition of “Front to Back & Top To Bottom,” a new Web-based newsletter designed to ready developers, managers, and salespeople to meet the unique challenges that face today’s timeshare resorts. Please visit http://www.resortfronttoback.com/ for more information.
Front to Back will be published monthly, and is available, free of charge, to readers who sign up either after the preview emailing, or at the Web site. It will provide readers with the latest thinking in timeshare management, marketing, and sales skills.
The newsletter is written by David Skinner and Rick Fernandez, Holiday’s Director of Resort Services, who together have over 40 years of timeshare industry experience. “As the Front to Back part of the name implies,” Skinner noted, “we will target every facet of the sales process, from business concepts to customer service.” Read more
Sol Melia Vacation Club Exclusive Leisure Lifestyle Experience Now Offered At New ME By Melia Resort In Cancun
October 22, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Sol Meliá Vacation Cub (The Club) an international leisure vacation membership club with locations in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and Europe has added a brand new location in Cancun, Mexico to its growing portfolio of luxury resorts. This exciting new Sol Melia Vacation Club Resort at ME Cancun, shares facilities with the new ME by Meliá hotel that exemplifies a modern style and personalized service with 1 and 2 bedroom accommodations located on the concierge level of the hotel. Read more
Innseason Resorts Announces Newly-Appointed Business Operations Managers
October 22, 2007 | Leave a Comment
InnSeason Resorts®, creators of the Northeast Experience ® and leading providers of resort vacation and ownership opportunities, recently announced the promotion of Al Rosa at InnSeason Resorts HarborWalk, Falmouth, MA; Amy Waddell at Sea Mist Resort, Mashpee, MA; Ken Lord at The Falls at Ogunquit, ME and Joyce Ives at the Pollard Brook sales office in Lincoln, NH to the position of business operations manager. Rosa, Waddell, Ives and Lord were promoted from within the company and selected for their broad base knowledge and capabilities in the areas of sales, administration and customer service.
The newly appointed managers’ responsibilities include supporting hiring, rewards and training initiatives packaged in the company’s Careers in Motion™ program, assisting in the provision of excellent customer service and coordinating the documentation and communications processes.
Mr. Rosa formerly performed HarborWalk Resort’s customer service sales. Ms. Waddell worked as in-house marketing coordinator at the Falls at Ogunquit, Maine, prior to her promotion at Sea Mist. Ms. Ives, who formerly owned her own accounting firm, was promoted from her post behind the front desk of Pollard Brook Resort and Mr. Lord was quality assurance manager for The Falls at Ogunquit.
InnSeason Resorts,® creators of The Northeast Experience, ® is a leading provider of resort vacation and ownership opportunities in the northeast U.S., and delivers “best-in-class” management, advisory and marketing services to resorts and developers nation-wide. For more information, visit www.InnSeason.com.
Interval International Affiliates Goldstar Resort
October 22, 2007 | Leave a Comment
New Vacation Ownership Resort in the Heart of Nice
Interval International, a leading provider of vacation services and an operating business of IAC (Nasdaq:IACI), has announced the affiliation of Goldstar Resort, a contemporary-style development located in the heart of Nice on France’s Côte d’Azur.
This modern resort has a total of 54 spacious and well equipped suites, including studio, one- and two bedroom apartments. The interiors of the apartments are designed to ensure both a high level of comfort and convenience. Each apartment is equipped with state-of-the-art technology including satellite flat screen television, air conditioning and an electric shutter system on the windows. Read more
Interval International Affiliates Urban Timeshare In Centre Of Prague
October 22, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Club Resort Boheme Joins Quality Exchange Network
Interval International, a leading provider of vacation services and an operating business of IAC (Nasdaq:IACI), has announced the affiliation of Club Resort Boheme, an urban timeshare development in the centre of Prague, the Czech Republic’s historic capital city.
Club Resort La Boheme is located near the picturesque St Wencelas Square and only 15 minutes walk from the famous Charles Bridge. The resort is currently being renovated and will be opened and available for exchange in November 2007. The resort will comprise of 22 apartments being a mix of studio and one-bedroom units. The project is being developed by Boheme Invest, an established real estate investment company based in Parma, Italy. The apartments in Club La Boheme will be sold on a fixed week, fixed unit basis with a right-to-use until 2040. Read more
TimeShareWare Hosts International Client Conference
October 22, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Fifty-eight TimeShareWare users gathered together in Park City, Utah August 28-30, 2007 to participate in the “Rise to the Top” TimeShareWare Client Conference. Conference attendees from as close as Colorado and as far away as Spain attended general sessions, education sessions, and client panels.
Speakers for several panels were selected from among TimeShareWare clients including Daily Management, Gold Point Lodging, InnSeason Resorts, RCI, Trading Places International, and Welk Resort Group. These panelists presented topics ranging from how they have integrated TimeShareWare with the Internet to getting the most out of their partnership with TimeShareWare.
Steve Furrer, VP of Operations InnSeason Resorts, was one of the panelists that spoke about TimeShareWare’s web integration. “Using TimeShareWare’s web functionality has allowed us to provide beneficial customer services while profiting from huge cost savings for our company.”
Steve Branscum, Director of IT for Daily Management added, “Integrating web functionality has significantly reduced accounting errors and owner service issues. In addition, our ability to track, understand, and market to our customers has dramatically improved. In the next couple of years I would like to see 80% of our owners participating online.”
Jeff Yamaguchi, representing AsGuard Facility Asset Control System, pointed out how TimeShareWare clients could benefit from an integration perspective. He illustrated how third-party systems can be seamlessly plugged into the new TimeShareWare platform so that resort operations can customize and expand their functionality. He said, “When you capture the true relevance, as AsGuard has, of what TimeShareWare is doing, it opens opportunities that were never before possible. This is exciting, and far outreaches the vision of any application in the industry today.”
Allen Rice, Vice President of Operations TimeShareWare commented, “One of great benefits of these conferences is it allows our customers direct access to the people responsible for developing the core technology behind their resort operations. Customer feedback is a priority for us because they’re the ones who actually use it every day to operate their resorts.” Rice continued, “Most, if not all, of the features in TimeShareWare are a direct result of customer input.”
The after-hours highlight of the conference was a private tour, dinner, and high-energy entertainment at Utah Olympic Park, a venue for several events at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. The entertainment was provided by Flying Aces, a group of former and aspiring ski jumping Olympians.
Timo Jones, Chief Executive Officer and President of TimeShareWare commented, “Every year I look forward to our client conference as an opportunity for us to get to know our clients on a more personal level, and for our clients to get to know each other. The event serves as a valuable forum to exchange best practices and to showcase the latest technologies in the industry.”
TimeShareWare Client Conference III will be held in Salt Lake City, Utah in January 2009.
About TimeShareWare
TimeShareWare is the industry standard software platform for multiple-ownership resorts. Since 1993, TimeShareWare has served all sizes and types of vacation ownership associations, fractional ownership properties, condo-hotels, and timeshare resorts including multi-site, single-site, and points-based clubs. The TimeShareWare software platform includes solutions for lead management, sales and marketing, owner accounting, property management, reservations, and on-line owner servicing. For more information, visit the website at www.timeshareware.com.
Vacation Ownership Investment Conference
October 19, 2007 | Leave a Comment
More than 730 delegates joined senior hospitality executives at the Ninth Annual Vacation Ownership Investment Conference held on October 1 – 4th at The Peabody Orlando. The event educates attendees about the tremendous potential of the vacation ownership industry, one of hospitality’s most vibrant sectors with $10 billion in annual
The conference featured panel discussions, networking opportunities, and resort tours. The “Meet the Leaders” panel included industry experts who shared their knowledge on current issues and future trends.
Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc. Launches Sales at New Westin Vacation Ownership Resort in Palm Desert, California
October 19, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Starwood Vacation Ownership (SVO), the fractional and vacation ownership division of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT), has launched sales at The Westin Desert Willow Villas, Palm Desert. During construction, sales will take place at a new state of the art sales gallery located adjacent to the resort in Palm Desert.
This will be SVO’s second Westin-branded vacation ownership resort in the region with the first being the Westin Mission Hills Resort & Villas located nearby in Rancho Mirage, California. Construction of the new Westin Desert Willow Villas is scheduled to commence later this month with occupancy currently scheduled for late 2009.
“We are excited to extend our presence in southern California with The Westin Desert Willow Villas. Desert Willow is a magnificent community with two of the best public golf courses in the country, providing the perfect backdrop for our second Westin-branded vacation ownership resort in the area. We had been searching for some time for a site suitable as a sequel to our highly successful resort at Mission Hills. Palm Desert is the ideal location for another resort in the Valley providing our owners and guests an opportunity to vacation in one of the premier destinations in the country,” said Dave Broderick, senior vice president, sales and marketing, Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc.
The Westin Desert Willow Villas will include 300 two-bedroom lock-off villas with luxurious features and amenities. Guests will delight in the separate living and dining rooms, balconies, flat-panel televisions, dvd players, stereos, hi-speed wireless internet, convection ovens, and jet tubs. The resort will also feature a clubhouse and reception building, two lavish swimming pools, a water slide, hot tubs, a kiddie pool, tennis courts, a game room and expansive landscaped grounds, and a WESTINWORKOUT(R) Fitness Facility. The design of the villas and sales center will complement the existing architecture and style of Desert Willow.
The sales gallery will be located at 39810 Portola Avenue, Buildings C&D, Palm Desert, CA. For more information about The Westin Desert Willow Villas, please call (866) 458-8189.
Starwood Vacation Ownership is an award-winning company with more than 25 resorts in some of the most sought after vacation destinations in the world. The Westin Desert Willow Villas, Palm Desert will be the eleventh Westin Vacation Ownership resort either completed or in development including resorts in Maui, Kauai, California, Arizona, Colorado, Cancun, Los Cabos, St. John, USVI and Aruba. In addition to Westin, SVO is developing vacation ownership resorts under the Sheraton brand and high-end fractional residences under the St. Regis and The Luxury Collection brands.
About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 890 properties in more than 100 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis(R), The Luxury Collection(R), Sheraton(R), Westin(R), Four Points(R) by Sheraton, W(R), Le Meridien(R) and the recently announced Aloft(SM) and Element(SM) Hotels. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.
Club Mahindra - Ten Glorious Year
October 19, 2007 | Leave a Comment
A new beginning
In September 1996, one of the leading Industrial Houses of India, Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd., having gained a stronghold in the infrastructure business, decided to focus on resorts. The decision was based on the fact that the group saw timeshare as a catalyst for the growth of family holidays. And so was born Mahindra Holidays and Resorts India Ltd.
A decade later, Club Mahindra, the flagship brand of Mahindra Holidays and Resorts India Ltd. has emerged India’s dominant successful holiday company in the organized vacation ownership market and has left an indelible mark on the world’s hospitality market. During these ten years, Club Mahindra has strived every day to provide unique holiday experiences to its members and their families. By bringing families together and closer through holidays, Club Mahindra continues to fulfil its mission of “enriching and enlivening people’s lives by making family holidays a part of their lifestyles”.
Commenting on its 10th anniversary celebrations, Mr. Arun Nanda, Chairman, Mahindra Holidays and Resorts India Ltd. said: “In the last 10 years we travelled on a difficult journey, but today we can proudly claim we have brought credibility to this category through our Vision, Commitment and Focus on the customer. We are the fastest growing family holiday company across Asia and Europe. Our continuing focus on the processes and quality has been one of the drivers of our growth in the Hospitality industry.”
Looking ahead
In its 11th year, Club Mahindra celebrates its success by announcing the locations of upcoming resorts. Four new resorts would be added soon into the Club Mahindra resort bouquet. Kumbalgrah in Rajasthan, Lonavala in Maharashtra, Kollam in Kerala and Corbett in Uttaranchal. Once these are operational, Club Mahindra will offer its members 19 resorts.
Club Mahindra’s property at Kumbalgarh will include 53 well appointed rooms with a Rajasthani theme from the Mewar region. The Lonavala resort will consist of 125 fully furnished rooms with a village setting theme in its décor and architecture. The resort at Kerala will be set against the impressive backwaters and rich foliage of the region, and will be designed to reflect the flavours and character of Kerala. At Corbett, a 50-room resort set amid the sights and sounds of wildlife will bring one back to nature. All the resorts will boast facilities such as a swimming pool, ayurvedic spa, conference rooms, indoor and outdoor games, restaurants and a bar.
Reiterating Club Mahindra’s commitment to its members, Managing Director, Mr. Ramanathan said, “We are proud to set a benchmark in vacation ownership and this has been possible only due to our total focus on the changing holiday needs of our member families. Our new resorts will continue to offer the unique brand of Club Mahindra’s fun-filled family holiday experiences.”
Crowning glory
Several resorts under the Club Mahindra network are accredited with globally established standards in hospitality ~ PCMM 3 (People Capability Maturity Model), BHC (Branch Hygiene Code) and ISO (International Standards Organisation) 9001 and RCI (Resorts Condominium International). Resorts at Munnar, Coorg, Goa and Binsar have been receiving the prestigious RCI Gold Crown certification ever since their inception. This year Ooty is the proud recipient of the RCI Silver Crown. These awards are entirely based upon members rating their holiday experiences at Club Mahindra resorts, across parameters such as resort quality, service delivery and overall vacation experience. Unbeatable proof of the exemplary and consistently high levels of service. Mr. Nanda adds, “We are proud to proclaim that we are the first Hospitality company ever to have been assessed for CMM level 3 certification.”
Caring club
Apart from being a gracious host, Club Mahindra takes its commitment towards corporate social responsibility very seriously. Our resorts are actively engaged in service and development efforts in their local communities in areas of education for the under privileged.
Club Mahindra is also an active participant in the Mahindra Group’s “Nanhi Kali” initiative for the development of the under privileged girl child.
Club Mahindra has gotten behind the Bombay Natural History Society’s efforts to save endangered bird species in India, by promoting their “Adopt a Bird” program amongst its’ members.
Product Offers
Recently, Club Mahindra introduced ‘Fundays’ for Corporates, a unique, new holiday product that offers a points-based membership benefit to employees; giving them access to 15 Club Mahindra resorts in India and abroad. It has been specially designed to be anti-inflationary and is extremely flexible and scalable. Companies that join as members can access 15 luxurious resorts of Club Mahindra at destinations such as Goa, Manali, Coorg and Bangkok and 3,700 RCI resorts worldwide. Mr. Nanda said, “Club Mahindra will partner corporates by enabling them to offer different holiday plans to their employees. The in-built flexibility in the product will allow companies to offer it across all management levels. With challenges such as high attrition rate and stress, corporates shall benefit through improved productiveness and retention.” ‘Fundays’ will be launched in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai and other cities shortly.
As we proudly celebrate our tenth anniversary, we hope to have the opportunity to welcome you and your family many times in the years to come…
45,000 satisfied members
Rs. 220 crores turnover in the financial year 2005-06
60% growth in topline year after year, since 2001
15 resorts spread across a wide range of destinations
4 resorts awarded the prestigious RCI Gold Crown award ever since their inception
3,700 resorts in over 90 countries accessible to members through RCI exchange
Gooderson Leisure turns 50 in the hospitality industry
October 18, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Gooderson Leisure Corporation was established in 1957, when Mr. R.H Gooderson acquired the first of his hotels in Durban, the Lonsdale Hotel, only one block from Durban’s Golden Mile. Today, the Gooderson Leisure Corporation who own, manage and provide accommodation and restaurant services to the leisure, international, and conference visitors in KwaZulu Natal celebrate 50 year’s within the hospitality industry.
Through the acquisition of a number of hotels, the company grew from one hotel to thirteen hotels in 1970. The company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in 1968 as Gooderson Hotels Limited (Goodtel). When Alan Gooderson purchased the business from his family in 1979, he pursued a new strategy which included delisting the company from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the sale of non-profitable hotels and entering into the timeshare industry.
The company entered into a partnership in the timeshare industry in 1981, which allowed its management team to gain extensive knowledge of timeshare development, sales and management. The success that the company achieved with the development, sales and management of timeshare properties resulted in the establishment of Goodfin, which offers finance to prospective timeshare owners.
Gooderson Vacation Sales (Pty) Ltd was formed in January 1996 to handle the in-house marketing, sales and letting of all the self-catering and timeshare properties. The ownership and management of these units, along with the three hotels under management provided the company with the infrastructure to not only survive the changing demographics but to accommodate for tourists demand for a variety of holiday destinations.
In March 2006, the shareholders of Gooderson proposed a listing of Gooderson on the Alternative Exchange (AltX) of the JSE Limited. The company converted to a public company on the 26 September 2006, Gooderson listed on AltX.
Hotels and lodges under the Gooderson Leisure banner include the Tropicana and Beach Hotels, both situated on Durban’s famous Marine Parade; the Drakensberg Gardens Golf & Leisure Resort, nestled in a tranquil valley on a 860-acre estate offers spacious accommodation and a choice of 2 conference function venues seating up to 200 delegates.
The 29-bedroomed Bushlands Game Lodge offers the ultimate African bush experience; the DumaZulu Cultural Village & Lodge, which provides day visitors and overnight guests with an authentic African cultural experience; and the Natal Spa Hot Springs Resort & Conference Centre situated on the historic battlefields route, which specialises in providing the ideal corporate conference getaway which can accommodate up to 120 people cinema style, as well as the family can take time out to relax and enjoy the 9 hot natural mineral springs!
Calderon Textiles Study Focuses on Products and Services Most Sought After by Timeshare Industry
October 18, 2007 | Leave a Comment
MVP Strategic Research Services Ascertains Market Penetration for Indianapolis Based Company
Calderon Textiles, an Indianapolis-based company with an extensive line of linens, bed and bath products serving hotels, upscale healthcare facilities, resorts and cruise lines has just completed a comprehensive study of textile opportunities in the vacation ownership industry . The study was administered by MVP Strategic Research Services to ascertain market penetration potential for Calderon Textiles’ products within the Timeshare and Resort Industries. It was also designed to assist the company in designing optimum product lines to meet current needs, along with understanding future expectations and trends, in order to become a leader in providing textile-related products to the resort industry.
“We’ve been in business since 1983 and have been growing steadily year after year,” said Sam Calderon, Chief Operating Officer and partner. “With a national company like Mobius right in our own backyard, we are fortunate to have an expert in both the timeshare field and market research. It was an ideal combination for us to get the information we need to make headway in this huge market niche.”
“Resorts associated with the vacation ownership industry place a great deal of emphasis on quality,” suggested Randy Stone, Executive Vice President of MVP Strategic Research Services. “In terms of bed and bath linens, this emphasis translates into more than simply thread count; the impact these products have on the resort brand image and product durability score high in importance.” He continued, “Calderon Textiles is well positioned to serve this industry. It was a pleasure administering this study on their behalf.”
For more information about Calderon textiles call 888-742-1998 or visit www.calderontextiles.com.
About MVP Strategic Research Services
MVP Strategic Research Services is the research division of Mobius vendor Partners. Related to the vacation ownership industry the company has completed extensive surveys for such clients as RCI, ARDA (American Resort Development Association), Royal Aloha Vacation Club and TeleDirect International. MVP provides a range of marketing studies capabilities ranging from extensive marketing studies to competitive assessments and market research without the in-depth analysis component some companies require.
For more information visit www.mobiusvp.com or call 317-816-6000.
Grand Nirvana Resort In India Joins RCI
October 11, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Group RCI, a global leader in leisure real estate, has announced the latest affiliation to RCI, The Grand Nirvana, a new resort in Allepey, Kerala. With this addition, Group RCI, the worldwide leader in vacation exchange, now has 72 affiliated resorts in India, providing its exchange members a variety of holiday experiences from heritage holidays, beach holidays, and wellness holidays, to wildlife and hill station destinations.
Basking on the western banks of Lake Vembanad, Grand Nirvana offers mesmerizing and tranquil lake front views. Vying for attention with the beauty of the surroundings is the colonial style of architecture and craftsman details, such as sloping roofs and oversized windows, adding to the overall experience. Read more
Christel House Announces Estimated Results of 2007
October 10, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Christel House International announced today estimated worldwide revenues of $1.1 million for its fifth annual international charity golf tournament. The 2007 tournament boasted 23 sites spanning 6 continents and 7 countries with more than 2000 golfers teeing off to raise awareness and funds for Christel House. The majority of tournaments took place on Monday, June 11. Due to weather and international holidays, a few tournaments took place on different dates. Two tournaments are yet to be played.
Highlighting this year’s event were global co-hosts and legendary golf course architects Pete and Alice Dye who made a special appearance at the Indianapolis, Indiana tournament. Additionally, Group RCI, an event-wide sponsor since the inception of the tournament, served as Title Sponsor in 2007.
The majority of tournaments were hosted by corporate supporters and volunteers from the timeshare industry. Sites and hosts included:
United States:
Boca Raton, FL: Bluegreen Corporation
Breckenridge, CO: Grand Timber Lodge; The Christie Lodge
Caguas, Puerto Rico: Aquarius Vacation Club; Dorado del Mar Golf Club
Daytona Beach, FL: Bluegreen Corporation
Dorado, Puerto Rico: Aquarius Vacation Club; Dorado del Mar Golf Club
Hummelstown, PA: Bluegreen Corporation
Indianapolis, IN: Christel House International
Kissimmee, FL: The Family of Orange Lake Resorts
Myrtle Beach, SC: ARDA Carolinas; Bluegreen Corporation; Burroughs & Chapin Company; Defender Resorts; The Noble Company; Sun Hospitality Resort Services
Phoenix, AZ: Scottsdale Camelback Resort
Vista, CA: Grand Pacific Resorts
Williamsburg, VA: GOODMANagement; The Rotary Club of Oyster Point; Virginia Resort Development Association
Wisconsin Dells, WI: Bluegreen Corporation
10 W. Market St., Ste. 1990, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 Phone (317) 464-2009 Fax (317) 464-2039
www.chopen.org
Australia
Queensland: Australian Timeshare & Holiday Ownership Council, Ltd.
India
Bangalore: Christel House India
Delhi: Christel House India
Mumbai: Christel House India
Mexico
Mexico City: Christel House Mexico
South Africa
Cape Town: Christel House South Africa
Johannesburg: RCI South Africa
United Kingdom
Newbury: Christel House Europe
Venezuela
Caracas: Christel House Venezuela
Contributing to the success of the tournament were hundreds of sponsors and volunteers. Special recognition also goes to the 2007 tournament event-wide sponsors:
Title Sponsor: Group RCI
Gold Sponsors: Eli Lilly & Co.; JPMorgan Private Bank;
St. Vincent Children’s Hospital
Silver Sponsors: FedEx Express; Kite Realty Group; Morgan Stanley
Bronze Sponsors: American Resort Development Association; Northern Trust
The 2008 Christel House Open will take place on Monday, June 9. For more information, please visit our special tournament web site at www.chopen.org.
About Christel House
Christel House is an international 501 (c)(3) public charity helping impoverished children around the world to break the cycle of poverty and become self-sufficient, contributing members of society. Christel House learning centers - located in India, Mexico, South Africa, the United States and Venezuela - provide education, nutrition, health care, life-skills training and character development for children. For more information, please visit us at www.christelhouse.org.
Strong Third Quarter Results for Timeshare Resale Advertising Company
October 10, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Despite the soft economy overall, timeshare resales and timeshare rentals at Sell My Timeshare NOW are thriving. This online timeshare company has released a strong third quarter earnings report and has not been hurt by the US dollar’s decline in the foreign market or a weak housing market and the crisis of sub prime mortgages.
Sell My Timeshare NOW, LLC reports strong third quarter earnings. The online timeshare resale and rental advertising and marketing company reported being 33 percent ahead of last year’s revenues at the end of the third quarter of business. Although they are a privately held company and as such do not release earnings reports, the Dover, New Hampshire based timeshare resale and timeshare rental company has issued a corporate summary of economic stability and year-end projections for the company. The report includes a synopsis of each of the following areas of the company’s business:
(1.) Sell My Timeshare NOW’s website traffic, now averaging over 1.8 million visitors per month.
(2.) Offers to buy timeshare or rent timeshare received for properties advertised on Sell My Timeshare NOW. Offers totaled $209 million through the third quarter and include over 53,000 offers made for purchase or rental.
(3) Revenues for Sell My Timeshare NOW, through the third quarter, which totaled $5.1 million.
Company founder and CEO, Jason Tremblay says, “Our website has seen a 42 percent increase in traffic during the past twelve months. As a result of the increased traffic and our excellent inventory of timeshare resales and rentals, we are 50 percent ahead of where we were this time last year in the number of offers to buy timeshare or rent timeshare.”
While many timeshares today are held through deeded ownership as real property, much like residential homes, timeshare resales are not suffering from the types of problems that have hurt the real estate market across the country, nor have sub prime mortgage issues affected them. Instead, timeshare vacation ownership remains one of the fastest growing segments of the vacation and tourism industry. Both the sale of new timeshare and timeshare resales continues in a growth mode with Sell My Timeshare NOW reporting a 20 percent increase in