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Resort Condominiums International (RCI) Middle East’s managing director Nick Turner believes the time is right for timeshare.

So too does David Clifton, Interval International’s managing director for EMEA and Asia, the driver of the Vacation Ownership Investment Conference (VOIC) held last month in Dubai.

Dubailand Vacations have introduce timeshare developments within Dubailand, Al Futtaim Group and Marriott International have said that they will establish Marriott Vacation Club at the Dubai Festival City – the first Marriott Vacation Club resort in the Middle East – and the largest outside North America – and Starwood vacation club, Hyatt vacation club and Westgate resorts are among major players who have shown growing interest.

As chairman and CEO of Arabian Falcon Holidays, a Dubai based vacation ownership service provider says, “Vacation ownership will open the doors to a whole new class of buyers who want to holiday in Dubai and want a piece of the property market, but don’t want to stay here all year. Furthermore the introduction of regulations will enable this to come to life which is been approved and soon to be released by Dubai government.”

Jason Tremblay, president, CEO and co-founder of Sell My Timeshare NOW, a global leader in connecting timeshare buyers, sellers, and renters says, “Dubai has aggressively committed to becoming a global destination for luxury vacations and tourism, yet has embraced timeshare real estate in a cautious and deliberate manner.

“Dubai is in the enviable position of being able to observe the smart moves and the errors made by other countries in regulating timeshare sales and timeshare re-sales and avoid mistakes others have made in the past,” he continued.

“People who want to buy timeshare or who are already timeshare owners should keep their eye on timeshare sales in Dubai…it could easily become one of the world’s top timeshare vacation destinations in the near future.”

Turner explains what it can offer property developers and investors. Research conducted by RCI has indicated that residents within the Middle East will spend an estimated $1.2 billion each year on shared ownership properties by 2020, with top markets including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iran, Egypt and the UAE. One in three Middle East households said Dubai would be their first choice to purchase timeshare.

“The benefit of the timeshare model is clear; it will enhance the high occupancy rates in Dubai and increase the average length of stay from the current three days to seven night duration,” he said.

RCI were working with developers across most of the UAE. Their research also shows that Gulf Arabs are keen to buy into larger units of ownership, called “fractionals”. Typically these focus on upscale villas and luxury apartments bought in multiples of months rather than weeks.

Conventional timeshare is the tip of the iceberg with many derivatives available to help keep the leisure real estate market buoyant, with equally attractive business being generated for short term vacation rentals, condo hotels and rental and exchange programmes.

Both shared ownership and rental programmes offer a great incentive to developers. The worldwide timeshare and fractional market is estimated to be worth $13 billion per year in sales and continues to enjoy healthy growth in a backdrop of global economic slowdown.

Dubai based Ivory Grand, the property enterprise owned by Mohammed Ali Abdullah Al Shafar and Humaid Al Suwaidi Real Estate, has recently agreed terms with Group RCI to affiliate their new timeshare project in Al Barsha.

With the sharp increase in construction costs and corresponding rise in the price of land, developers had been looking for innovative ways to encourage investors and stimulate new sales. Construction prices are predicted to go up by 15 to 20 per cent this year, time share provides a highly profitable option to a developer’s project. In some cases developers can expect up to 300 per cent premium on the sale prices per foot versus traditional real estate.

“As new regulations for the industry are implemented the timing couldn’t be better for developers to capitalise on the opportunities. The new law requires developers or real estate companies looking to enter the market to apply for a time share license directly from the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA). At that stage they will need to supply detailed plans of the project, company profile, background and also pay a bond prior to marketing their developments,” Turner said.

Dubai RERA department will distribute licensing and it is expected that a self regulating working group including Group RCI will provide guidance and statistical data and consultation.

“As long as there is careful monitoring of sales and marketing practices in the emirates and tight controls of licenses issued by RERA then we feel the timeshare model will have a huge positive economic impact and support Dubai’s strategic plan to accommodate 15 million tourists by 2015.


Source: Travel & Tourism News Middle East

The vacation exchange and timeshare exchange group, RCI®, has launched RCI Cruise, the first cruise vacation exchange in Asia. RCI entered into an agreement with ICE Gallery Asia Pacific (ICE) to offer RCI subscribing members in Asia a choice of 10,000 cruise itineraries from among the world’s leading cruise liners.

“We are very excited about RCI Cruise as it allows us to offer a new dimension in vacation exchange to our members. In addition to offering holiday exchanges at over 4,000 RCI affiliated resorts globally, the launch of RCI Cruise will enable our members to enjoy the experience of a cruise holiday from among 10,000 itineraries available across the globe. The debut of RCI Cruise in Asia underlines our vision to identify innovative vacation exchange options and we will continue to explore opportunities that will enhance the vacation experiences of our members and their families,” said Kendall Oei, president and managing director of Group RCI, Asia Pacific.

Group RCI’s foray into offering cruise exchange in Asia is timely as cruise holidays are gaining popularity around the world. According to the UN-World Travel Organization (WTO), 1.4 percent of international arrivals are cruise passengers, generating rising revenues from all locations, and mainstream liners are extending their itineraries into Asia. The World Cruise Shipping Industry report for 2020 predicts that globally, world cruise passenger aggregate is expected to reach 18 million by 2010, 22.6 million by 2015 and 27 million by 2020.

“We are delighted to have ICE steer our first cruise exchange in Asia. In view of the growing demand for cruise holidays, working together with an international and experienced cruise organization like ICE is key to the success of RCI Cruise. We are confident that ICE’s expertise in cruise programs and their array of cruise offerings will be most appreciated by RCI members,” added Mr. Oei.

“The cruise market is growing rapidly in this region with the influx of new ships providing seasonal itineraries. ICE is committed to delivering the very best value in cruising across the world and working with the right companies. As RCI’s chosen cruise provider for Asia, we are very excited to be able to help convert the dream of cruise vacations into a reality for RCI members, with the ease of RCI Cruise,” said Stuart Ockenden, Chief Operating Officer for ICE.

ICE is one of the foremost worldwide cruise and leisure organizations specializing in value-added cruise programs, internet marketing solutions and unique technology solutions for a global portfolio of innovative travel alliances among top corporations, resorts, cruise lines and vacation suppliers.

ICE will manage and operate the RCI Cruise program and provide cruise products and benefits to RCI members. Through RCI Cruise, RCI members will have access to a vast network of renowned international cruise liners including Royal Caribbean International, Cunard, Holland-America Line, Princess, Norwegian, Celebrity, Disney Cruises and Carnival.

RCI members will be able to exchange their vacation week or RCI Points® towards the purchase of up to four cabins at cruise exchange pricing plus only one transaction fee on selected cruises, depending on the type of cruise, cabin, date and destination. Alternatively, RCI Members and their family and friends can avail themselves of member-only special rates should they opt to purchase a cruise holiday outright through RCI, instead of exchanging their week or RCI Points.

Award-winning air ambulance company, AirMed International (airmed.com), has announced its alliance with Exclusive Resorts as part of the luxury destination club’s enhanced member benefits. Colorado-based Exclusive Resorts, the world’s leading luxury destination club, has added five new premium offerings for its members, including a combined package of Mayo Clinic Preferred Response and AirMed air ambulance memberships.

Resort Club members who wish to add this new benefit will enjoy the security of knowing that AirMed International, the world’s premier air ambulance service, will provide global medical evacuation coverage for Exclusive Resorts members and their families. In addition, Exclusive Resorts members who wish to supplement their benefits will enjoy round-the-clock connection to the Mayo Clinic Preferred Response staff, whether they are traveling as part of their club membership or not.

“Through these alliances, our members may enjoy the security of knowing that the logistics of their travels will be as convenient, effortless and seamless as their Exclusive Resorts vacations always are,” said David Kallery, Exclusive Resorts senior vice president of business development.

About the AirMed Air Ambulance Membership Program (http://www.airmed.com?campaign=Apr08B):

If you’re ever hospitalized at home or abroad, an AirMed Traveler membership means you will be airlifted to the hospital of your choice – as long as it’s 150 miles away. Meanwhile, the most experienced and respected medical team in the air will treat you on one of our state-of-the-art jets. AirMed provides world-class transportation and the most experienced medical teams in the air–bedside-to bedside.

AirMed Traveler pre-paid memberships are available to anyone in the U.S. or Canada and plans start as low as $95. AirMed offers plans for individuals, families, students studying abroad and can even customize pricing for corporations who wish to cover their employees. For more information, see our website at airmed.com or call Sarah Hanley at 205-443-4840.

Melco China Resorts owns the largest ski portfolio in China, creating exceptional destination resorts and luxurious homes

Melco China Resorts (“MCR”), an associate of Melco International Development Limited (“Melco”) (HKSE: 0200) today announced the completion of structure, with fit-out remaining, of two hotels at the Yabuli Sun Mountain resort and broke ground for its first luxurious mountain home project which will be available for sale later this year in Heilongjiang Province. The luxurious mountain homes are designed by internationally acclaimed architects and were introduced to a limited number of potential buyers today.

“We are delighted to announce the strategic expansion of our business with MCR to develop, operate and manage world class mountain resorts in China,” said Lawrence Ho, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Melco, who officiated at the event and was accompanied by senior Heilongjiang Province government officials. “Our move into the burgeoning mountain resort business in China enables our expansion in the mainland and provides an exceptional range of new experiences to address the growing need for up-market recreational activities among the country’s fast growing middle and upper classes. This is consistent with our desire to attract and retain a discerning customer base that is actively seeking and willing to pay for a great leisure experience”.

According to the China Ski Association, the total number of ski visits in China increased at a CAGR of 109% to over 4 million between 1999 and 2004. The number is expected to increase to 10 million by 2010. Capturing this tremendous opportunity, MCR, the largest ski operator in China, is transforming five existing ski areas in the north eastern provinces of Heilongjiang and Jilin into unique, year-round luxury mountain resorts. The company has plans to secure additional areas and develop further resorts in the coming years.

Boasting the highest international standards, including an abundance of international standard on-mountain and resort activities for both accomplished skiers and beginners, and unique “four seasons” facilities and attractions, the result will be China’s premier network of year-round village centered, destination mountain resorts.

“Our commitment is to introduce standards that did not previously exist in China’s ski industry,” commented Graham Kwan, CEO of MCR. “Our portfolio of integrated resorts and luxurious resort homes represents a status and lifestyle pinnacle that was not available in Northern China until now.”

 “Buyers of our homes will have access to a lifestyle that allows them to escape the crowded, hectic urban city centers where they live and work. They can relax and indulge themselves amidst pristine, natural mountain scenery. We are feeding a growing demand for superior lodging and service excellence that snow sports and other outdoor sports enthusiasts seek”, said Kwan.

Sun Mountain Yabuli resort is the core focus of MCR’s immediate development plan with three premium hotels, including a luxurious 24 all-suite boutique mountain top hotel. Located approximately two hours south east of the city of Harbin, Yabuli is China’s most recognized destination ski resort and will host the World Winter University Games in early 2009.

MCR will also upgrade the Sky Mountain Beidahu and Star Mountain Beijing resorts, with minor works starting immediately and much larger development planned for the coming years. Meanwhile, work on MCR’s Adventure Mountain Changchun resort and development of the members-only Lotus Mountain Club will be well underway by 2009.


MCR’s World Class Mountain Resorts in China

State-of-the-art equipment
Significant investment has been made in the purchase of state-of-the-art equipment which adheres to international safety standards and introduces services and amenities that have never been seen before in China, including sophisticated snowmaking and grooming technology which will guarantee snow throughout the winter season, eight-passenger heated gondolas imported from Europe, and six-passenger high-speed chair lifts.

Luxurious resort homes
In addition to full service hotels and other facilities, MCR is developing for sale an unprecedented selection of luxurious resort homes and suites designed by internationally acclaimed architects.

Situated on prime, ski-in and ski-out slope-side sites, the homes take full advantage of the stunning natural surroundings and offer easy access to ski trails and other outdoor activities. They have been designed to capture the best views, take advantage of maximum natural light, and are fully furnished using premium materials and elegant finishes.

Year-round attractions
In addition to world-class skiing facilities and China’s first ski academy, which is being developed in close collaboration with the China Ski Association, MCR will introduce a complete suite of events, activities and attractions throughout the year. They range from tennis, zip lining, boating and water sports, equestrian, biking, luxury camping, performance driving schools, culinary arts to wine programs and live entertainment.


About Melco International Development Limited
Melco International Development Limited (“Melco”) is one of the companies with the longest history in Hong Kong. Founded in 1910, Melco was among the first one hundred companies established in the city and was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 1927. Today, under the leadership of its Chairman & CEO, Lawrence Ho, Melco is now a dynamic New Generation Asian Conglomerate that leads in the leisure and entertainment industry in Asia. Its promising performance and distinctive leadership in the industry are also well recognized worldwide. Melco International Development Limited is a constituent of the MSCI Hong Kong Index, part of the MSCI Standard Index Series. It was granted the Asia’s Best Managed Companies 2007 Award issued by FinanceAsia. For more information, please visit www.melco-group.com.


About Melco China Resorts
Melco China Resorts (MCR) is China’s single largest ski resort developer and operator with five premier destination resort properties. The portfolio includes Sun Mountain Yabuli, host for the 2009 World University Games; Sky Mountain Beidahu, host of the 2007 Asian Winter Games; The Lotus Mountain Club, to be developed as an ultra-exclusive and private mountain resort club; Adventure Mountain Changchun, an experiential mountain adventure centre retreat; and Star Mountain Beijing, MCR’s first ski area in the major Beijing market and home to MCR’s ski school headquarters, The Perfect Turn. MCR is committed to developing the five properties and transforming them into world-class, four seasons luxury mountain resorts with excellent real estate investment opportunities for discerning buyers.

MCR’s leadership team boasts a proven record of resort development success both internationally and in China. Several of its directors held key positions at the world’s leading resort and hospitality company, Intrawest – the developer behind Whistler Blackcomb and Mont Tremblant in Canada.

Travel Age West and Orbitz Honor One of Mexico’s Leading Resort Companies

The Villa Group, a leading privately owned real estate hospitality development company, has been awarded a group of prestigious awards this month.

Two of The Villa Group’s Cabo San Lucas properties have been nominated for the 2008 Travel Age West “WAVE Awards” (Western Agent’s Vote of Excellence). Villa del Arco Beach Resort and Spa (Cabo San Lucas) has been nominated as the best new property in Mexico and Villa del Palmar Resort and Spa (Cabo San Lucas) has been recognized in the category of Best Family Resort.

Recognizing the outstanding qualities and services of travel suppliers, the two-pronged awards program begins with the selection of the “Editor’s Pick” winners. These recipients are selected by careful review by the Editor-in-Chief (Ken Shapiro) and his team at Travel Age West. The review methods included product analysis, on-site visits, agent surveys and on-line research. Part two of the process consists of the formal WAVE balloting during the month of April inviting professionals throughout the 14 Western states and readers of TAW to vote for the best-of-the-best from the list of Editor’s Pick award recipients in all award categories. The final awards will be announced the first week in June at The Four Seasons, Beverly Hills.

In addition, Orbitz named Villa del Palmar Beach and Spa Resort Puerto Vallarta as the Top Hotel in Mexico for Year over Year growth; The Villa Group was named the top chain in Mexico for growth on Orbitz as well.

“These awards are a great source of pride for us,” said Alejandro De La Garza, Director of Corporate Sales for The Villa Group. “They are from the industry, but reflect on our growing popularity among consumers. Our guests enjoy breathtaking beach front locations, world-class service and excellent amenities. These awards demonstrate that we are one of Mexico’s finest hospitality entities!”

Founded in 1984, The Villa Group is one of Mexico’s leading privately owned real estate development companies. Its portfolio features beachfront timeshare resorts located in Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta, and Los Cabos, as well as well as fractional and full-ownership luxury real estate developments. Additionally, new timeshare and fractional properties are slated to open in Loreto and Cancun respectively in 2010.

Wayne Byers, a longtime veteran of the cruise industry, has been named senior vice president of global human resources for Miami-based Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK).

In this newly created position, Byers will be responsible for developing and implementing a corporate human resource management strategy across Carnival Corporation & plc’s worldwide organization, which includes offices in North America, Europe and Australia. He will report to Carnival Corporation & plc’s Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer Howard Frank.

“Wayne is the ideal candidate for this position, possessing a wealth of experience in all aspects of human resources and will serve as an excellent resource as we develop our new corporate human resources management strategy,” said Frank.

Prior to joining Carnival, Byers worked at the company’s Holland America Line unit, serving as vice president – human resources on two separate occasions, from 1983 to 1991 and from 2004 to present He also held the position of vice president – quality within Holland America for three years, as well as president of Greenwich Group, Inc., a travel agency management group, for seven years.

Byers holds an MBA from Babson College in Babson Park, Mass., and a bachelor’s of science from Bryant University in Smithfield, R.I.
Carnival Corporation & plc is the largest cruise vacation group in the world, with a portfolio of cruise brands in North America, Europe and Australia, comprised of Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, The Yachts of Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Ibero Cruises, Ocean Village, P&O Cruises and P&O Cruises Australia.

Sell My Timeshare NOW, a timeshare internet advertising and marketing company, has released their first quarter 2008 business synopsis. Despite the current US economy, this internet-based company shows growth in all areas, quarter-over-quarter from 2007 to 2008, with a noteworthy 141 percent increase in the number of offers to rent timeshare.

Sell My Timeshare NOW, a recognized leader in the advertising and marketing of timeshare resales and rentals, has released its 2008 first quarter business synopsis. The company shows growth and noteworthy increases in all areas of business compared to the same quarter in 2007.

Founded less than five years ago, Sell My Timeshare NOW has established itself as a pacesetter in the vacation ownership industry, building its business on cutting-edge internet marketing strategies and a strong commitment to customer service. The company recorded a quarter-over-quarter overall revenue increase of 25 percent and a website traffic gain of 13 percent.

CEO Jason Tremblay says, “Sell My Timeshare NOW saw a 22 percent increase in offers to buy or rent timeshare in the first quarter of 2008. More timeshare owners are learning how easy it is to use their property as a timeshare rental while more vacationers are recognizing the excellent values in renting timeshare.”

In 2007, Sell My Timeshare NOW launched a timely new program called Rental Assist, designed to facilitate the timeshare rental process for both owners and vacationers. As evidence of the success of this program, the company showed a 141 percent quarter-over-quarter increase from 2007 to first quarter 2008 in the number of offers to rent timeshare. Likewise, the dollar amount of the offers to rent timeshare increase by 102 percent during the same period.

Rosanne Luba, Sell My Timeshare NOW’s Director of Sales, says, “Our timeshare rental program is just one of several directions in which Sell My Timeshare NOW is expanding. 2008 will be a year of new services, new employees, and new avenues of growth.”

The full statistical business synopsis is available for download by clicking on http://www.sellmytimesharenow.com/media/pdf/2008-quarter-1-financial-report.pdf

Sell My Timeshare NOW is the recognized global leader in the advertising and marketing of timeshare resales and timeshare rentals via the internet. Jason Tremblay is available for media interviews at (603) 516-0649 or by emailing steveluba@sellmytimesharenow.com.


About Sell My Timeshare NOW, LLC:
Sell My Timeshare NOW provides advertising and marketing for timeshare owners who want to sell timeshare or rent timeshare. For 2007, presented its customers over $274 million in offers to buy or rent timeshares.

David Lloyd and Absolute Group announce the new innovative ‘Fractional Ownership’ program in the Thai property market – offering holiday home buyers an option to own property at their favourite destination; Phuket and Samui.

This Fractional Ownership program offered by Absolute Group and David Lloyd will be the first fractional program executed for the property market in Phuket. The program´s aim is to offer holiday home buyers from around the world an option to own a holiday home in famous destination like Phuket or Samui.

The program will also be available for the very popular centrally located – Bangla Suites Jacuzzi Condominiums, a luxury apartment complex located right in the heart of Patong, developed by Bangla Suites Co., Ltd, an associates company of the Absolute Group, and the two new joint venture projects between Absolute Group and David Lloyd; Absolute David Lloyd Beach Club at Nakalay on Phuket, and a new upcoming project in Thongkrut, Samui.

Bryan Lunt, Chairman of Absolute Group said that “Fractional Ownership program is designed to be an alternative ideal for buyers who are holiday maker or even Thai people to own property on the desired period of time for their holiday rather than buy the unit and use only a few times in a year.”

“It´s not a new program but it is new to the Thai market and we think it will generate more benefit to buyers and it will become an ideal for holiday home buyers in very near future. It´s an ideal opportunity to own top quality place, have someone look after for you 24 hours a day, and also pay you good money if you let them rent it out too. How many people would bother to buy a quality speed boat, learn to drive it as well as look after it – not many for sure. With our new fractional ownership the boat and caption is included”

Absolute David Lloyd Beach at Nakalay, Phuket, is a new boutique condominium project in Nakalay, one of the most beautiful beaches near Patong Bay, facing Andaman Sea and over looking Patong. It’s a joint venture between Absolute Group, David Lloyd, and A Plan company who is the land owner and developer. The project comprises 33 units and almost 80% have already been sold within 3 months since the soft launch – now only 7 units are remaining. These 7 units in the project will be available on a fractional ownership basis. Price for fractional ownership starts from 775,000 Baht for a 4 week or 28 night ownership period each year for LIFE*

The new project at Thongkrut, Koh Samui is a luxury resort with 17 exclusive units located at the one of the best locations on Samui, facing Five Islands nearby. The plan is to build a marina in front of the resort for exclusive use by the owners as well as, and the project is surrounded with leading international hotels. The project concept and design details will be finalized very soon and will be branded under the Absolute David Lloyd concept, targeting high-end holiday home makers and investors.

The Absolute David Lloyd concept is based on modern contemporary designer units in high demand locations. The target market is a discerning clientele looking for a combination of high quality units and excellent service. The concept also brings financial benefits in terms of the ability to lease unused nights via the resort management company, as well as benefit in future capital appreciation when or if the units are resold in the future” Lunt commented.

The Fractional Ownership program is also available for the Bangla Suites project – a luxury apartment which is located right in Soi Bangla, the most famous tourist area in the heart of Patong, surrounded by a variety of entertainment options. The project comprises 53 units and is already 85% sold since the soft launch 6 months ago. The Fractional Ownership program is offered for all 7 Penthouse units. Prices for fractional ownership start in the Penthouse at Banla Suites starts at 1.75 million baht for a 4 week or 28 night ownership period each year also for Life*. Owner can use these nights any time they want subject to owning in that seasons.

Owners in all projects will receive first class concierge services including complementary use of one of the speed boats three days a week, complimentary luxury airport transfer, as well as privilege membership for other special benefits such as dining, spa, and other holiday activities. The owner will have real ownership certificates issued in conjunction with a reputable law firm and be able to re-sell in the future.

David Lloyd comments that “Asia is getting more and more popular. We chose Phuket as the very first of our branding resorts because it’s a popular destination for tourists from around the world, as well as remaining in high demand with strong growth in holiday home purchases. Absolute are well established in Phuket and this is an excellent market to promote worldwide. There are many more plans coming soon in Thailand and Asia and we are very excited about this region.”

* Actually, life in this case is a series of renewable 30-year leases

Holiday Travel of America promotes Mr.Randy Fish from Marketing Manager to Vice President of Operations.

Randy joined HTOA in 2001 as Marketing Manager to implement the timeshare marketing arm of the company, primarily focusing on Mini Vacation packages. In his new capacity, his responsibilities will be increased to include, product development, exit program management, contract negotiation and management, account management, risk management, customer service management and assisting in client and consumer relations.

“From the day Randy first joined Holiday Travel, he has been a valuable contributor to the growth and success of the company. In his expanded role, Randy will provide leadership, direction and management of the company’s critical operating functions and serve as a member of the executive management team where his vision and industry experience will be a driving force in the company’s continuing growth and success” said Kelly Romanello, Executive Vice President for HTOA, Inc.

Randy began his career in Sports Marketing after graduating from the University of Arizona with a B.S.B.A in Marketing in 1996. In 1997, while working at a sporting event, Randy was approached by one of the sponsors and offered a position with the Shell Vacations Club at the Starr Pass Golf Suites in Tucson, AZ as OPC Supervisor. He continued with Shell Vacations and was promoted to Marketing Manager in 1998. In 1999, he accepted a position as Marketing Director with a Shell Vacations’ broker, Tait, Ltd. to oversee marketing operations at the Peacock Suites Resort in Anaheim, CA.

Randy earned his ARP (Associate Resort Professional) designation in 2005 at the annual American Resort Development Association (ARDA) conference in Orlando, FL (www.HTOAARDA.com).  He has served as an ARDA Awards Judge in the Sales and Marketing category from 2003 – 2008.

Holiday Travel of America (HTOA, Inc.), established in 1988, has continually developed high perceived value travel incentives and is a recognized leader and standard-setter in the incentive travel industry. Featured travel incentives available from HTOA include: “A Suite Week” (www.aSuiteWeek.com); “A Holiday Adventure” (www.aHolidayAdventure.com); “A Holiday Adventure, Land, Sea and Air” (www.HolidayAdventuresLSA.com); “Holiday Passports” (www.HolidayPassports.com) and; “A FASTTRACK Promotion” (www.aFASTTRACKpromotion.com).  Also check out VIP Travel 4 Less (www.VIPTravel4Less.com) where you can visit luxurious Orlanda, Florida for 3 days and 2 nights at an amazing cost of only $49. Additional travel incentives and “specials” can be reviewed online at www.htoa.com.

‘Indian business leaders are realising that a business aircraft is not a luxury but contributes directly to the bottomline by enabling them to use their time more productively and respond to opportunities with agility, whether within the country or across the world.’ – Shubhra Tandon

Aviation in India is an evolving story. When low-cost carriers made an entry into the sector, it touched a new high with the changing profile of the passengers, and the sheer volume of people for whom air became the preferred mode of travel.

Off course, the boom in the economy had a significant role to play as well. As businesses moved beyond the confines of Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, etc., to tier-two and tier-three cities, aviation expanded further. Now with 35 non-metro airports in the pipeline, the Indian aviation story is only going to get more interesting.

However, as increasing numbers of people take to air travel and the number of aircraft grows in the country, travel through scheduled carriers is becoming time-consuming for business and first-class travellers. And that’s where another era in Indian aviation begins — that of general aviation.

India forms 12 per cent of the worldwide business jets market, says an Ernst & Young report “Indian Aviation Sector Competition — Consolidation — Efficiency,” quoting Embraer, the Brazil-based executive jet manufacturer. According to the report, the demand for private or business jets in India is expected to grow at 50 per cent on an annual basis over the next few years.

The main reason for this sudden spurt is that “Indian business leaders have begun to realise that a business aircraft is not a luxury but a productivity tool that contributes directly to the bottomline by allowing them to use their time more productively and respond to opportunities with agility, whether they are across the country or across the world,” Mr Edward T. Smith, Senior Vice-President, International Affairs of the US-based General Aviation Manufacturers Association, told Business Line.

Growing Opportunities
North America has been the key market for charter aviation traditionally; but recent slowdown in the US economy and growing business opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region has led to a transition of the market towards the latter.

As part of the regional boom, India will also see quite a lot of activity in the area. “This growth in general aviation will be backed by the increasing number of global business jet players entering India. Consolidation and some tie-ups will be witnessed soon,” said Mr Kapil Arora, Partner, Ernst & Young.

Tata Group recently picked up a significant stake in Bjets — a business jet operator that plans to start aircraft charter and fractional ownership programmes in the country.

Last year, 30 business jets were delivered in the country and another 45 are likely to be delivered in 2008, he said.

In March, Aerion Corporation, the US-based company developing supersonic business jets, said that it expects $640 million worth of orders from India by mid-2008. The company has already received letters of intent from five Indian customers worth $400 million.

Fractional Ownership
The fractional aircraft market has also witnessed a strong demand in recent years, as customers (owners) have the option of buying a fractional ownership of the aircraft, which ensures cost-effectiveness as well as convenience of a private jet. As per the Ernst & Young report, owners have a guaranteed access to 50-400 aircraft hours annually, depending on their share size.

Charges are levied only when the owner or guest is on board, and not when the aircraft is flying to a pick-up point, or returning to base after completing a trip.

In the Indian context, Mr Arora said that fractional aircraft ownership a very novel concept and will take sometime to catch up. Club One Air, a Delhi-based private jet company is the only Indian player operating in the market.

Although NetJets, owned by Berkshire Hathaway, the investment arm of Warren Buffet also announced its foray in the Indian market as it appointed a local partner last month.

Another interesting aspect that the experts in general aviation highlight is that this upswing in the sector will not be limited to large Indian business houses alone.

“As we have seen elsewhere in the world, business aviation is booming because dynamic businesses of all types and sizes and in all sectors have come to appreciate the efficiencies, flexibilities and other benefits it brings in terms of productivity to any company.

Hence, business aviation growth in India will be fuelled not only by likes of Mittals, Tata, Reliance, and so on, but by the hundreds of other dynamic, globally-oriented new businesses coming up in India in many fields,” said Mr Smith of GAMA.

Fragmented Market
However, despite favourable prospects for growth, the charter aviation market in India is fragmented. There are around 32 aircraft charter companies operating in the country, most of them having less than two aircraft each, says the E&Y study.

Infrastructure snarls in the form of access to the airports, congested air space and crunch for parking bays in big hubs of Mumbai, Delhi and other places would be impediments in the long run. Also, the shortage of technical staff and pilots would add to the problem, just like in the overall aviation sector.

Experts say a lot would depend on how the tier-two and secondary airports come up in the country.

On the regulatory side, there are some obstacles that are constraining growth, said Mr Smith. A countervailing duty of 16 per cent on the importation of general aviation aircraft for personal use, on top of other import duties, is a big dampener, he said.

“Some may respond that those who can afford to purchase a business jet can most likely afford the higher tax. However, this argument ignores the fact that this excessive taxation, in particular, makes the importation of the less expensive general aviation aircraft for pleasure prohibitive for the enthusiast or beginning aviator that has always formed the core of a strong aviation community.”

However, these obstacles do not seem a deterrent. Numerous private sector players are entering the air-charter business to leverage the opportunities offered.

The E&Y report says that Raymond, Mesco, Sahara, and Jindal Steel and Power have applied for charter service licence from the Director General of Civil Aviation.

Aircraft Profile
Aircraft in the general aviation include business jets, turbo-props and pistons. There are over 3,20,000 general aviation aircraft worldwide, ranging from two-seat training airplanes to intercontinental business jets, are flying today; 2,21,000 of those planes are based in the US.

General Aviation contributes more than $150 billion to the US economy annually and employs more than 12,65,000 people.

General Aviation billings reached an all-time high of $21.9 billion in 2007, a 16.5 per cent increase from 2006 worldwide.

Worldwide shipments of general aviation aeroplanes totalled 4,272 units in 2007.

This is a 5.4 per cent increase over the previous year’s total of 4,053 units and the strongest since 1981.


Source: General Aviation Manufacturers’ Association

Four Points by Sheraton Tempe Provides Travelers with Comfortable Rooms, Great Extras and Convenient Access to Shops, Dining and Entertainment

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announces the opening of a new Four Points(R) by Sheraton in Tempe, Arizona in the heart of the Phoenix Metropolitan area. The Four Points by Sheraton Tempe, which is owned and operated by Twenty4Seven Hotels Corporation, underwent an extensive eight month renovation. The newly upgraded 187-room hotel will offer guests just what they’re looking for – great beds, a social atmosphere and a resort pool experience,
Walking distance from Arizona State University’s main campus, Four Points by Sheraton Tempe is minutes from the more than 100 shops, galleries and restaurants in Tempe’s popular Mill Avenue district and not far from Arizona Mills, the state’s largest mall. Additionally, the Four Points by Sheraton Tempe is within walking distance of two light rail stations, providing transportation to Mill Avenue, the Airport, downtown Phoenix and many other locations within the greater Phoenix Metro Area. Guests can catch a college football game at the nearby Sun Devil Stadium or enjoy a round of golf at one of several nearby courses. Other popular area attractions include the ASU Arboretum, the Desert Botanical Garden and the Phoenix Zoo. Just one mile from Tempe St. Luke’s hospital, the hotel is also close the offices of Google, US Airways, Wells Fargo and Federal Express.

“The opening of Four Points by Sheraton Tempe extends the brand’s presence in the dynamic Phoenix metropolitan area and provides comfortable lodging at a great value for both business travelers and leisure customers,” said Sandy Swider, Vice President, Four Points by Sheraton. “Four Points by Sheraton gives travelers just what they want and need – comfortable accommodations, free Internet access and the space they need to work or relax.”

The hotel’s 187 guest-rooms and suites offer private balconies overlooking the pool and patio area. Rooms come equipped with wireless Internet access, 32-inch LCD flat screen televisions, free bottled water, and signature amenities including the Four Points by Sheraton Four Comfort Bed, a multi-layered, cozy ensemble designed for comfort. In addition to a duvet in a rich palette of colors, the bed features a plush mattress and a welcoming array of pillows, including two feather/down sleeping pillows and two oversized lounging pillows.

Through the brand’s Simple Pleasures(SM) program, such as hot coffee and freshly baked pie are served in the lobby throughout the day. Guests can also choose from a wide selection of North American and imported beers at the lobby lounge, thanks to the Four Points by Sheraton Best Brews(R) program. Four Points by Sheraton Tempe offers all-day dining including a breakfast and lunch buffet at the lobby restaurant as well as tasty snacks at the grab-n-go coffee bar.

The hotel provides nearly 5,000 square feet of state-of-the-art flexible meeting space, which can accommodate groups of up to 200 people. Professional planning and catering services are also available to ensure the success of each event. Additional facilities include a 24-hour hour gym and business center.


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 900 properties in more than 100 countries and 155,000 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.

aloft (SM) HOTELS and PUMPONE Forge Exclusive Partnership Launching Portable Personal Trainers for Road Warriors

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–April 28, 2008–aloha! Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) and its much anticipated new lifestyle brand, aloft hotels, today announced an industry-exclusive partnership with PumpOne. The partnership–designed for the tech-savvy aloft hotel guest–is the new tWist (SM) in on-the-road fitness programs.

aloft hotels, Starwood’s eighth hotel lifestyle brand, opens its doors to guests this summer. All aloft hotels feature re:charge (SM) –a purpose-built fitness facility with state-of-the-art equipment from Life Fitness (R). The 650 square foot space is designed to combine fitness and fun.

PumpOne provides convenient, customizable workout programs for use with image and video-ready handheld devices such as the iPod, iPhone, Blackberry, Treo and others. Created in 2005 by Craig Schlossberg, a pioneering software engineer, and Declan Condron, an exercise physiologist and exclusive New York personal trainer, PumpOne designs personal training programs which make it easy for guests to take their routines with them when they travel on the road.

“Our guests tell us that fitness is a priority and that while traveling, it can be challenging to stay on track” said Robin Korman, Vice President of Marketing for aloft hotels. “PumpOne is the ideal fitness partner, with technology at the foundation of their workouts. We are working closely with them to design workouts specifically for aloft guest rooms and re:charge, as well as workouts that utilize everyday travel items such as suitcases and water bottles.”

The aloft hotels / PumpOne partnership features “a-workout”–PumpOne’s downloadable fitness programs–complimentary to guests; menu items endorsed to promote healthy living from aloft hotel’s grab-and-gourmet pantry –re:fuel by aloft (SM); and exclusive entertainment content for SPG TV, the aloft in-room TV channel. In addition to content already available from PumpOne, the fitness company will develop 21 customized workouts, three workouts for each of seven fitness programs from cross training to yoga.

aloft hotel guests can download aloft-customized, introductory workouts from each of seven fitness categories to their computers, PDAs, iPods and iPhones. These devices can then be linked to the aloft plug and play device which links to the 42″ LCD television screen in each guest room. Guests will also be able to purchase full-length customized aloft / PumpOne workouts through the aloft broadband channel while visiting and through www.alofthotels.com.

“Starwood’s aloft brand is the perfect partner for on-the-go workouts,” says Craig Schlossberg, President of PumpOne. “We know it is difficult to maintain a fitness regimen on the road. aloft hotel’s unique sensibility of offering affordable high design and tech-savvy experiences while traveling matches PumpOne’s mission of providing clear concise personal training guidance in the most portable and affordable format.”


About aloft hotels
In the same way that W hotels broke through the clutter of conformity in the upscale hotel arena, aloft – A Vision of W Hotels will raise the bar in the select-service category, delivering urban-inspired, loft-like guestrooms, enhanced technology services, landscaped outdoor spaces for socializing day and night and an energetic lounge scene. Guests can book directly through www.alofthotels.com which features the best rate guarantee or through local travel agents. Guests can also book via local travel agents. In addition to taking part in Starwood’s new tWist(SM) in travel hotel experience, all aloft guests have the option to participate in and earn points in Starwood’s award-winning, industry leading Starwood Preferred Guest(R) program. Members at the Preferred level earn two points for every eligible US dollar spent at over 860 participating hotels and resorts worldwide. Rates for aloft hotels are market-driven, and on average, prices are $150/night.

An instant hit in the development community, the first aloft hotels are scheduled to open in summer 2008. The aloft brand has already announced more than 60 development projects, in more than 10 countries.

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 900 properties in more than 100 countries and 155,000 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

About PumpOne
Headquartered in New York, PumpOne, LLC was created by Craig Schlossberg, a pioneering software engineer, and Declan Condron, an exercise physiologist, to provide convenient, customizable workout programs called PumpOne Trainers to image and video-ready handheld devices. PumpOne is like having an elite personal trainer that fits in your pocket and goes where you go. From TotallyPumped to Pumped(6)Pack, each PumpOne Trainer is a collection of videos, images and audio coaching that make up a progressive 4-6 week exercise program. The Simple instructions show you how to perform exercises properly and effectively for better results. For more information, visit www.PumpOne.com.

MULTIMEDIA AVAILABLE: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=5669984

High-end vacation club buys energy-efficient duplex

Steamboat Springs — Some of the most affluent travelers in the world have begun staying in one of the most energy-efficient vacation homes in the Rockies during visits to Steamboat Springs.

A multimillion-dollar duplex completed by Mike Roberts of Habitat Construction this year just blew the doors off the blower door test.

“It’s one of the tightest stick-built homes we’ve ever seen, if not the tightest,” Megan Gilman said.

Gilman is president of Active Energies, a consulting firm in Avon that works with builders, architects and home­owners on green building. She conducted a blower door test on the Habitat Construction-built home on Ski Trail Lane on Feb. 22 to determine if it was leaking precious energy. She found it didn’t leak much at all.

Homes that leak to an extent that they turn over their air volume less than 0.35 times an hour are considered to be very tight, Gilman said. The Habitat duplex scored a 0.16.

“I was really impressed,” Gilman said. “Mike used closed-cell foam insulation throughout the house. It makes it tight.”

Both halves of the duplex sold last winter for $4 million each. The buyer was Quintess, Leading Residences of the World. It is an ultra-high-end vacation ownership club that maintains a network of 70 homes around the globe on behalf of its members. For a one-time, refundable deposit that starts at $210,000 plus annual dues, members gain access to vacation homes with an average value of $4 million.

Former longtime Steamboat resident Ben Hambleton is a partner in Quintessa, Roberts said. He worked with Pam Vanatta of Prudential Steamboat Realty. The ski-in, ski-out duplex, located almost directly beneath the Steamboat gondola, was listed by Arlene Zopf of Steamboat Village Brokers.

Roberts credited architects Tim Stone and Keith Kelly of Kelly & Stone Architects in Steamboat with becoming full partners in the green systems of the luxury duplex.

The driveway for the duplex alone cost $300,000 to build. However, a mechanized ventilation system that pulls heat out of the air and returns it to the home added just about $6,000 to the cost of each half of the duplex.

Habitat has been an advocate for green building here for decades — since before the term became a buzzword. Roberts has become a strong advocate of third-party testing to verify the green qualities of a home.

“You never know what you’ve got in a house until you test,” Roberts said. “Even the most well-intentioned builder is going to overlook something. And with 20 different subcontractors, there will be leaks you can’t see when you walk through the house.”

Roberts said he set out to make the Ski Trail Lane duplex virtually airtight. A mechanical ventilation system with a heat exchanger was a critical part of the plan. It allows the home to breathe without sacrificing energy.

Gilman said even a tight house needs to be properly ventilated for soil gases, humidity and carbon monoxide.

“Mike has just about better mechanical systems in that house than I’ve ever seen,” Gilman said. “He has timers on every ventilation fan so they don’t run too long.”

Her company worked on the 2008 Mountain Living Dream Home in the exclusive Cordillera neighborhood near Beaver Creek.

Ideally Active Energies likes to begin working with homeowners, architects and contractors at the planning stage so they can maximize the green building potential of the home. They run computer models to help clients understand, for example, how long it will take various types of insulation to reach the break-even point and achieve a return on investment.

Roberts thinks Steamboat has lagged behind some mountain communities in terms of setting green standards, but he is encouraged that the community’s Green Team is starting to catch up.

“Ultimately, the market is going to dictate” green practices, Roberts said. “I predict that within five years, a certified green home will appreciate at a greater rate.”

Third-party testing provides him with a verifiable certificate confirming the homes he builds have those advantages.

Roberts is forthright about the green-ness of the large luxury homes his company builds here. A large vacation home consumes more natural resources than more modest homes.

“I’ve not been true to a lot of those principles myself,” he said. “If you’re talking green, you have to talk about building small before you talk about anything else.”


Source: Tom Ross

David Sullivan has been appointed as the new General Manager for the Pan Pacific Seattle. Sullivan assumed his position on April 1, 2008.

“We are pleased to welcome David to the Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts family. He is an accomplished hotelier with vast knowledge of the Pacific Northwest hotel industry. With his extensive experience and skills, we are confident that he will create great success for the Pan Pacific Seattle,” said Mr Scott Swank, Senior Vice President Operations of Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts.

With over 20 years of international and domestic hospitality experience, David has held executive management positions in operations and human resources with 16 years of rooms division experience with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts in Canada. He also held executive and management positions at Four Seasons Hotel, Las Vegas; Four Seasons Resort & Club, Dallas; Four Seasons Resort, Nevis, Caribbean; Four Seasons Hotel, Vancouver. David also spent nearly two years at the Regent Hotel, London as Assistant Executive Housekeeper.

Most recently, David was Vice President of Operations for Intrawest Resort Group and prior to Intrawest, David was the Vice President of Human Resources for Abercrombie & Kent Destinations, the pioneer in the Destination Club industry.

A native of Vancouver, B.C., David received his college degree in Commerce and Business Administration from University of British Columbia.

Global Software Applications/SurferQuest has installed secure, self maintained and privacy protected internet kiosk center software into Celebrity Resorts’ business centers. SurferQuest will allow the resort guests to have access to the desktop and applications such as Microsoft Office, Instant messangers and media players.

Global Software Applications, an innovator in the self service hospitality industry, is proud to announce Celebrity Resorts’ adoption of SurferQuest self contained kiosk software into their business centers. The software will enable them to offer a computer solution free of common public computer side affects such as left over content, viruses and objectionable content. SurferQuest protects the user privacy and maintains the computer to the extent that no IT staff needs to check, clean or update the systems.

“Celebrity Resorts is committed to providing guests using our business center kiosks a safe and reliable experience. SurferQuest software will help us to achieve this goal,” said C. Craig Lewis, Chief Operating Officer at Celebrity Resorts.

Scott D. Zane, Sr. Director of Support Services/IMS at Celebrity Resorts, stated, “After the initial deployment of our business center kiosk, we discovered the software we had originally chosen was not providing us with the full desktop experience that our end users were demanding. Upon finding SurferQuest and testing its capabilities, it was clear to me that this was going to be our product of choice. Support for deployment has been phenomenal and user feedback has been great.”

As a result of Celebrity Resorts’ implementation of SurferQuest software into their business centers, their guests will now be able to access the computers and internet at their resorts with the guarantee that everything they do will be erased from the computers at the sessions end. This ensures that no credit card, personal or business information may be viewed by other guests. SurferQuest will also provide 24/7 live technical support to the users of the Celebrity Resorts’ business center machines.

“We pride our selves in excellence of customer service and our flexibility toward our customers. Our goal is to offer easy to use dependable public computer solutions with the best interest of every guest in mind. We care about the protection of a guest’s personal information and their satisfaction,” said Ron Koning, VP of GSA/SurferQuest. “SurferQuest is dedicated to each and every hotel and is very excited about this new opportunity with Celebrity Resorts.”


About Celebrity Resorts
Founded in 1974, Celebrity Resorts has developed and managed numerous successful vacation ownership and property management projects throughout the nation and in the Caribbean. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida the Celebrity Resorts brand encompasses more than 60 companies, has ac¬tive interests in over 30 states and services more than 80,000 families on an annual basis. For more information about Celebrity Resorts, please visit www.celebrityresorts.com  or call 1-800-423-8604.

About SurferQuest
Since 2001, SurferQuest has placed self contained business center software and privacy protected public computers in over 750 hotel/resort locations world wide. SurferQuest’s installed locations include many of America’s 4 and 5 star and 5 diamond luxury properties. SurferQuest is proud to offer easy to use, in demand guest amenities for the hotel industry and others. SurferQuest’s products range from self contained public computer software and pay-per-print solutions to way finding directional kiosks.

SurferQuest is determined to meet the demands of the self service industry with fresh, convenient, easy to use and dependable solutions. SurferQuest is pleased to offer the best customer service possible, with knowledgeable and friendly staff available 24/7.

“If there is a demand for a self service guest amenity, we will meet it; if there is already a solution out there, we will beat it.” Ron Koning VP SurferQuest/GSA

The Chief Executive Officer at Marriott International said that the company is scheduled to add an additional 39 hotels to its portfolio of 26 in the Middle East, Gulf News reported.

The Marriott International has two new development deals in the UAE. The initial development is the Aldar Properties PJSC for a 411-room Renaissance hotel and 195-room Courtyard hotel in Abu Dhabi with both slated to open in 2011, he later added.

The Marriott International is represented by six brands including the Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Renaissance Hotels and Resorts, Courtyard by Marriott and Marriott Executive Apartments.

It is worth mentioning that Marriot International is in a joint venture with Al Futtaim Group. The company is hoping to open a 320 unit Marriott Vacation Club International resort targeted for 2011 in Dubai Festival City.


Source: MENAFN

Meriwether Ranch Direct Mail Design and Campaign Wins National Award

Star Resort Group, leading developer, marketer and seller of luxury fractional ownership real estate, private residence clubs, condo-hotels, timeshares, and whole ownership resort real estate products in The Americas has been awarded a coveted design award by the American Resort Development Association (ARDA). Announced at the trade association’s national convention on April 9 in Las Vegas, Star won the top honor (ARDY) for its direct mail campaign for Meriwether Ranch, the first Private Residence Club for outdoorsman and families who enjoy the nature of Southwest Montana.

Selected from a field of international entries, Star’s award winning efforts for Meriwether Ranch received accolades for creativity and results. The visual impact of this package was tied into the ambiance of the destination. It included a folder with a map of the area, a letter, brochure and business-reply postcard. Intending to appeal to outdoorsmen, with dedicated photography and an earthy texture with an “Old West” antiquing effect both the direct mail piece and the fulfillment booklet were received as “something to keep and/or pass along,” according to one recipient.

According to Mac MacEwan, Vice President of Marketing, Star Resort Group, “We crafted a character named “Jack Wisdom” to serve as the narrator and host of the direct mail piece. Jack’s “back story” was developed on the outside of the envelope. We were very pleased to work with The NootGroup (Boise, ID) who made the concept come to life with their creative talent.”

Respondents to the direct mail solicitation received a hard-cover, booklet-brochure, entitled “Embracing the Outdoorsman’s Life on the Banks of a Legendary River” (by Jack Wisdom) with 60 pages of photography showcasing the natural beauty of Montana’s Big Sky Country, with “down home” meanderings on the joys of ownership at Meriwether presented in a hand-written font. The book itself also received a Best of Show Award in the Idaho Advertising Federation “Rockies” Awards Silver. Star Resorts provides sales and marketing, development and management expertise to developers throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and Central America. The Company also develops resort projects for its own account, and is unique in that aspect.

Meriwether Ranch, the dream project of outdoorsmen and conservationists Dave and Emilie Ellingson (Lincoln NE) is 724 acres of a one-of-a-kind of destination for the avid outdoorsman. On the legendary Big Hole River outside Melrose, Montana, nestled between the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest and the wide wonder of the Big Hole Valley, Meriwether Ranch brings incredible fishing, hunting, riding, hiking, skiing and golf to your doorstep. Meriwether is one of number of Star Resort Group projects. For more information visit www.meriwetherranch.com


For more information about Star Resort Group visit www.starresortgroup.com
For more information about ARDA, visit www.arda.org

The interior design for Emerald Grande at HarborWalk by Maitland-based Helman Hurley Charvat Peacock/Architects in collaboration with Winter Park’s Raleigh Design has received a 2008 ARDA Gold Award from the American Resort Development Association. Developed by Legendary, Inc., of Destin, Florida, Emerald Grande’s 281 resort residences include both fractional and whole ownership units – a new concept for the Destin area.

ARDA (www.ARDA.org) is the Washington D.C.-based professional association representing the vacation ownership and resort development industries. The ARDA Awards Program recognizes professional excellence in the resort industry. A jury of industry peers reviewed over a thousand entries in thirteen main categories that included management, advertising, marketing, and design. The Legendary-HHCP-Raleigh Design team won top honors – the Gold Award for interior design of the common areas of the Emerald Grande Hotel & Resort.

Nestled along 14.7 acres on the Destin Harbor, Emerald Grande offers a luxurious vacation-home experience with hotel-style services and amenities, all in a beautiful, relaxing setting. Opened in the summer of 2007, the resort’s design reflects Legendary President Peter Bos’ vision to create a landmark structure that would celebrate Destin’s natural beauty and rich heritage as a fishing village. Interiors, which reflect a turn-of-the-century southern yacht club, are eclectic, warm and inviting, with furniture full of character. According to John M. Purdy, AIA, Vice President and Senior Designer for HHCP, the resort’s grand lobby exemplifies this vision and offers a compelling public space with solid hardwood floors, custom world globe chandeliers, oil paintings depicting the flora and fauna of the area, and a 15-foot compass rose floor inlay of exotic woods, granite, and polished brass. Emerald Grande anchors the evolving HarborWalk Village, which is destined to become the northern Gulf Coast’s most exciting retail and resort complex.


About HHCP
An innovator in architecture and a major player in Central Florida’s growth and development for more than three decades, HHCP has evolved into an international design leader with diverse projects in 30 nations worldwide. Founded in 1975 by four partners, HHCP today has more than 95 talented, diverse team members located in Orlando, Florida, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Beijing, China. The architectural design firm offers clients a unique breadth and depth of expertise through wide-ranging practice areas, including planning/mixed use, themed entertainment and hospitality, health facilities, residential community and retirement resort. For more information, visit www.HHCP.com.

About Raleigh Design
Raleigh Design is a commercial interior design firm based in Winter Park, Florida. Founded in 1973, the firm designs well-detailed, hand crafted and romantic interiors for restaurants, clubs, hotels and resorts throughout the US and the Caribbean. The technical and creative staff at Raleigh Design creates theme-specific environments for companies that strive for unique brand identity and broad market appeal.

For many years Raleigh Design has been providing consulting services to the Central Florida leisure, entertainment and hospitality markets. Their client list contains such industry leaders as Disney, Universal, Hard Rock, Warner Bros., Marriott Hotels and Darden Restaurants. Raleigh Design has completed over 550 projects totaling over six million square feet. They have taken the skills learned from many years of working with the theme parks, movie studios, and attractions, apply this knowledge to the design of interiors to create a memorable guest experience. Visit www.RALEIGHDEIGN.com
About Legendary
Legendary, Inc. is headquartered in Destin, Florida and holds a diversified portfolio including a Resorts Division, a Realty Division and a Marina Division. With enterprises such as Emerald Grande, Legendary Marine, HarborWalk Village, Regatta Bay Golf and Country Club and Destin Commons, the company’s diversity and expertise has produced numerous successful Destin area projects. The company stands strong behind its mission to provide “legendary experiences which exceed the expectations of visitors and residents along the North Gulf Coast.”

Bluegreen Corporation (NYSE: BXG) (“Bluegreen”), a leading provider of Colorful Places to Live and Play®, today announced that on April 17, 2008 it signed a new, $75 million revolving acquisition, development, and construction (“AD&C”) credit facility with Textron Financial Corporation, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company. Bluegreen® intends to utilize this new facility to fund its vacation ownership expansion initiatives utilizing project-specific loans under this master facility. The facility expires in April 2010. Certain existing Bluegreen obligations to Textron Financial and its affiliates count against the facility capacity, with current availability totaling approximately $37.0 million, subject to customary terms and available collateral.

John M. Maloney Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “This new facility provides Bluegreen with additional flexibility as we continue to expand our portfolio of vacation destinations. We have appreciated our relationship with Textron Financial over the years and we believe that this new facility demonstrates their continued support of Bluegreen Resorts’ business.”


ABOUT TEXTRON FINANCIAL CORPORATION
Textron Financial is a diversified commercial finance company with more than $11 billion in managed receivables. It has core businesses in Aviation Finance, Asset-Based Lending, Distribution Finance, Golf Finance, Resort Finance, and Structured Capital. Textron Financial also provides financing programs for products manufactured by its parent company, Textron Inc. Additional information about the company is available at www.textronfinancial.com.

ABOUT BLUEGREEN CORPORATION
Bluegreen Corporation (NYSE: BXG) is a leading provider of Colorful Places to Live and Play® through two principal operating divisions. With more than 185,000 owners, Bluegreen Resorts markets a flexible, real estate-based vacation ownership plan that provides access to over 40 resorts and an exchange network of over 3,700 resorts and other vacation experiences such as cruises and hotel stays. Bluegreen Communities has sold over 56,300 planned residential and golf community homesites in 32 states since 1985. Founded in 1966, Bluegreen is headquartered in Boca Raton, Fla., and currently employs over 6,000 associates. More information about Bluegreen is available at www.bluegreencorp.com.

Global hotel group Accor today announced an innovative towel-re-use programme that aims to reduce use of water, energy and chemicals across its 4,000 hotels with the savings contributing to the funding of up to three million trees annually by 2012.

The announcement was made on Accor’s Earth Guest Day, where staff at all of the group’s hotels, including over 136 hotels in Australia, focus on environmental and community social responsibility projects.

Funds raised by the towel re-use initiative will be donated to the “Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign” administered by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)*.

Giving incentive to guests to re-use their towels
Many hotels have towel re-use programmes in place, but often these programmes are not as successful because of a lack of promotion to guests, a lack of training for housekeeping staff or cynicism about how savings will be used by the hotel. To counter these issues and encourage greater participation, Accor has introduced a formula to determine how much savings can be made through towel re-use and pledged to donate funds to UNEP’s reforestation programme.

The programme will be rolled-out progressively across the Accor network after a current pilot programme involving 52 hotels (including nine hotels in Australia) is completed and reviewed.

To prepare for the full-scale introduction, Accor is offering special training for housekeepers and is planning a campaign to build awareness among guests, who will be personally encouraged to take part in the program through a message posted in their bathrooms informing them that “Here, your towels plant trees.”

Planting 3 million trees by 2012 in 7 of the world’s forest regions
“The project should enable us to finance the planting of three million trees by 2012,” said Gilles Pélisson, Accor Chief Executive Officer. “I am very proud that the Group is actively supporting the United Nations Environment Programme in this reforestation project, which involves operators and customers of all our hotel brands, from economy to luxury.”

Accor will take part in projects in seven of the world’s forest regions, working closely with seven associations chosen for their ability to manage planting programs while also developing local business opportunities.

In France, for example, through Forestour’s Forestavenir program, Accor will help to combat the greenhouse effect by supporting planting initiatives in forests in the southeastern part of the country. With SOS Sahel in Africa, Accor will help reforest coastal areas in Senegal by planting casuarina shrubs in the Niayes region to restore the natural surroundings, prevent sand from invading low-lying farmland and, over the longer term, create local revenue sources. In Asia, Accor will work with Plant A Tree Today (PATT) to protect a drainage basin in Thailand and set up an environmental education center. In Brazil, in cooperation with Nordesta Reforestation & Education and ten local communities, the Group will help replant the banks of the Rio Soa Francisco to promote the return of natural ecosystems and improve water quality.

One Billion Tree Campaign
The UNEP launched the Plant for the Planet: One Billion Tree Campaign under the sponsorship of Prince Albert II of Monaco and Wangari Maathai, winner of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize, whose Green Belt Movement supports reforestation projects in Africa. Thanks to this global initiative, more than 1.6 billion trees were planted in 2007.

“All countries are concerned by deforestation,” said Achim Steiner, Executive Director of UNEP. “With this reforestation project, Accor is also helping to combat global warming, restore ecosystems, wipe out epidemics and preserve the planet’s fresh water.”

Mobilising Accor’s 150,000 employees on Earth Guest day
Accor’s involvement in “Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign” is fully in line with the Earth Guest program, launched by the Group in 2006 to guide its sustainable development policies in all its host countries and all its businesses. Through the program, Accor supports EGO projects to protect children, support local development, promote balanced nutrition and eliminate epidemics as well as ECO projects to control energy use, limit water consumption, manage waste and preserve biodiversity.

Earth Guest day is being held this year on April 22 and for the occasion Accor is once again mobilising its 150,000 employees to demonstrate support for the principles of sustainable development. For the second year in a row, the Group is holding its own Earth Guest day, with employees in Accor’s 100 host countries scheduled to take part in local development, health and environmental initiatives. In Australia the focus this year is on energy conservation.
(* a percentage of the funds will be used to administer the scheme)


Accor, the European leader and a major global group in hotels, as well as the global leader in services to corporate clients and public institutions, operates in nearly 100 countries with 150,000 employees. It offers to its clients over 40 years of expertise in two core businesses:

– Hotels, with the Sofitel, Pullman, Novotel, Mercure, Suitehotel, Ibis, all seasons, Etap Hotel, Formule 1 and Motel 6 brands, representing 4,000 hotels and nearly 500,000 rooms in 90 countries, as well as strategically related activities, such as Lenôtre.

– Services, with 30 million people in 40 countries benefiting from Accor Services products in human resources, marketing services and expense management.

Diamond Resorts International® (DRI), a global leader in the vacation ownership industry, has hired Doug Kinsey as Senior Vice President, Resort Acquisition & Development. Kinsey’s primary responsibilities will be the acquisition, planning, design and development of DRI properties to support the company’s aggressive growth strategy. Kinsey will report to Stephen J. Cloobeck, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DRI.

“We have a responsibility to both our investors and our owners and members to ensure our growth is well planned and well-managed,” says Stephen J. Cloobeck, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DRI. “Doug has a proven track record in identifying and leveraging strategic acquisition and development opportunities that will support our plans for sustained growth and ongoing profitability.”

Prior to his engagement at DRI Kinsey served as Senior Vice President of Acquisitions and Development at Bluegreen Corporation where he developed the company’s product standards, construction processes and procedures and led an acquisition and development team that developed over 1200 units in 31 locations with a capital development budget of over $250 Million. During the time Kinsey was with Bluegreen, annual sales volumes grew from $200M to over $600M. Prior to Bluegreen, Kinsey served as Senior Vice President of Real Estate Acquisitions for Fairfield Resorts. Under his direction, Fairfield acquired three vacation ownership companies and 17 new projects representing over 2,700 condominium units, with acquisition and development costs of approximately $870 million and over $3.5 billion in timeshare inventories. During this same period Fairfield’s sales volume grew from less than $70 million to over $600 million annually.

Prior to Fairfield, Kinsey served as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at NACO/Thousand Trails, Inc. In this position, he was responsible for leading 370 management, sales and support staff at 9 full-service resorts and 29 RV Parks in eighteen states.

“Doug’s expertise in all areas of resort development is key to the Diamond Resorts International® growth strategy,” says Simon Crawford-Welch, Ph.D., RRP, President and COO of DRI. “His insight and ability to understand the big picture make him the ideal addition to the team. Our goals are aggressive and Doug is the perfect candidate to meet and exceed them.”

Mr. Kinsey holds a B.S.B.A. in finance from Western Carolina University.

Diamond Resorts International®, based in Las Vegas, Nev., is one of the largest vacation ownership companies in the world with more than 110 branded and affiliated resorts in 14 countries with destinations throughout the continental United States and Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe. Offering simplicity, choice and comfort to its more than 360,000 owners and members through the branded service of more than 5,000 team members worldwide, Diamond Resorts International® is dedicated to providing its guests with effortless and relaxing vacation experiences every time, for a lifetime.

For more information, please visit DiamondResorts.com

TAN traveler receives pleasant surprise as free vacation knocks at the door

Travel Advantage Network (TAN), a leading national wholesale vacation accommodation provider, surprised Kevin and Sarah McCollum at their home in Hummelstown, PA, with eight free vacation weeks in celebration of the company reaching its 75,000th traveler milestone. The McCollums, along with their five-year-old daughter Rachel, were met at the door by TAN employees carrying vacation certificates and balloons, all partaking in the excitement of this momentous occasion. View TAN’s surprise visit on YouTube at http://youtube.com/watch?v=ce8YBd0fOBo.

The McCollums were all smiles when they received the news. “Wow!” Ms. McCollum said, as she received their prize, presented to the family by TAN’s President, Brad Callahan. “This is so exciting!” She added, “We knew when TAN called us to ask if we’d be home today it must be something special.” Her husband added, “We’ve always wanted to go to Hawaii and now we can.” Relatively new clients to TAN, the McCollums said what they love best so far about the program are the high quality accommodations and extensive selection of vacation destinations.

Every traveler who reserved a vacation with TAN between February 1, 2008 and April 15, 2008, when TAN signed its 75,000th traveler, was entered into a drawing for the Grand Prize of eight weeks of vacation, one for them to keep and seven to be shared among family and friends. All shared packages include a free week of vacation condo accommodations to be used at any of TAN’s properties, which are located in the most popular travel destinations throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. When asked who they planned to share the free vacation weeks with, Ms. McCollum replied, “Probably first our parents and then with friends who have not been able to afford to take a vacation in a while.”

The McCollums’ package includes airfare for two and a week of free accommodations at their choice of one of TAN’s premier resort destinations, Hotel Molokai in Hawaii or Tuscany Manor in Palm Springs, CA.

TAN’s 75,000th client promotion highlights the spirit of giving, an important part of the company’s corporate culture, and an element of TAN’s significant growth.

“We really enjoyed this promotion because it combines our core passions of great vacations, family fun and philanthropy,” Callahan said. “In addition, the 75,000th traveler milestone symbolizes our explosive growth. We have grown 50% since 2005 and expect to gain even more travelers as word spreads about our wholesale vacation packages.”

In the spirit of sharing, all of TAN’s travelers can give pre-paid weeks of vacation from their own packages, which are transferable, to friends and family as gifts.

TAN resorts are located in sought after vacation destinations throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Families have a wide range of travel options in places like Hawaii, Las Vegas, Cancun, the Dominican Republic, the Outer Banks, the Grand Tetons, Myrtle Beach and much more.


For more information about TAN, visit www.planwithtan.com.

Just four weeks after the first announcement by Perspective International Ltd that they will be publishing a consumer version of their successful B2B publication Perspective Magazine, and the support is already flooding in from across the globe.

After successfully negotiating marketing campaigns with key players in Europe and Asia (to be announced), Sell My Timeshare NOW have become the first confirmed supporter from the United States.

Sell My Timeshare NOW is an internet based advertising and marketing company that offers timeshare owners a way to advertise their timeshare for sale or rent to a global marketplace. At the same time, people who want to rent timeshare or buy timeshare visit the Sell My Timeshare NOW website to search its extensive inventory of timeshare resales and timeshare rentals.

Averaging over 2 million visitors each month and more significantly with over 400,000 of those visiting for the first time, Sell My Timeshare NOW will be able to promote and generate a substantial and continual amount of new subscribers for the new consumer magazine.

Jason Tremblay, President & CEO of Sell My Timeshare Now says:
“We are very happy to be the first US based company to support this new magazine. It is essential for the global timeshare industry to have such a credible, independent voice and allow all aspects of the industry to be discussed in a fair and equitable manner.

We have been subscribers of the business publication, Perspective Magazine, for a number of years and know the high quality and standards that this company will bring to this new consumer project. We wanted to get involved as soon as we heard about the consumer publication because we know it will be a big success and allow consumers to become better informed about the industry. This will give owners a better understanding of the industry and the great value of timeshares as a vacation option, which will lead to better overall awareness of the product and hopefully bring new people into ownership.”

Owners Perspective will be launched in July 2008 online and on a free subscription basis. From January 2009, as well as the free online option there will also be a paid for print subscription option as the publication moves towards inclusion in newsagents, resorts and other outlets.

For more information visit www.ownersperspective.com


About Sell My Timeshare NOW, LLC
Sell My Timeshare NOW provides advertising and marketing for timeshare owners who want to sell timeshare or rent timeshare. For 2007, SellMyTimeshareNOW.com presented its customers over $274 million in offers to buy or rent timeshares.


About Perspective International Ltd
A specialised PR & Media company for the timeshare and shared ownership industry, Perspective International produces a number of publications both in print and online as well as a collection of industry resources that span a wide and diverse network across the globe.
For more information visit www.perspectiveinternational.com

Brand Tango, a Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.- based marketing and advertising firm, was awarded three Gold ARDY Awards at the American Resort Development Association’s 2008 convention recently in Las Vegas. “We appreciate the trust our clients have placed in us and are thrilled to bring them this recognition,”. says Joe Russoniello, the firm’s president and co-founder. “Our goal is always to use our expertise, technology and innovation to deliver high-quality, creative projects that generate measurable results. This shows that our work is of the highest quality, and our clients confirm that it also brings the return on investment they seek.”

Brand Tango was awarded Gold ARDYs for the following projects in the Advertising and Promotion category:
Brochure: More than Eight Pages: Sunset Group Corporate Brochure
Specialty Marketing Piece: Navigo Explorer for Island One Resorts
New Owner/Member Package: Grand Getaways for Coast to Coast/ Grand Incentives
Previously, Brand Tango had been awarded ARDY Silver Awards in three other Advertising and Promotions awards, as well as a technology team award in the Management and Administration category.

Recently, Brand Tango was awarded “Best of Show” honors at the Advertising Federation of Greater Ft. Lauderdale (Fla.) 2008 Addy Awards for the Sunset Group Corporate Brochure. The firm also won a Gold and three Silver Addy local awards. The Sunset Group brochure went on to win a Gold Addy at the District level and is now eligible for a national Addy award. Brand Tango is a “timeshare/real estate/hospitality” specialty group composed of marketing, design and technology experts with decades of combined expertise. The agency helps its clients define and achieve sales goals and return-on-investment objectives by addressing integrated marketing needs in an efficient, unbiased, and knowledgeable manner with a solid, multi-faceted, results-oriented strategy. Along with Vice President, Creative Services James Kluetz and Vice President, Technology Development Larry Talley. Russoniello engages leading writers, designers, and project managers appropriate to each client.

Selected Brand Tango clients include Island One Resorts, Pacific Monarch Resorts, Club Intrawest, Grand Incentives, Sunset Resorts, and Premier Cancun Vacations.


For more information, contact Joe Russoniello at (954) 295-7879 or joe@brand-tango.com. The firm’s Web site, http://www.brand-tango.com, features examples of recent work.

The “Stouty” Student Hopefuls are Pouring in from Ivy League and State Schools Around the Globe

What do a former NFL player, MIT student, a member of the Blue Man Group, a Central Park Landscaper and a talk show host have in common? They are all vying to become the Four Points by Sheraton Best Brews Summer Intern! Although Four Points and the brand’s Chief Beer Officer announced the frothy search only a few weeks ago they have already received more than 1,000 applications from 15 countries, 36 states, five Ivy League schools, three branches of the military and hundreds of beer lovers from around the world and still counting. The lucky lad or lass will assist the CBO with his duties including beer tasting, trend research and touring breweries to find new suds for Four Points Best Brews Program.

Corporate America was changed forever a year ago when Four Points by Sheraton appointed the world’s first-ever Chief Beer Officer (CBO), Scott Kerkmans. After a year in office, the resident CBO has realized that a dream job can come with a big work load. Scott is seeking a little sudsy help by kicking off a world wide search for a summer intern who will assist the CBO with his Best Brews duties including beer tasting, trend research and brewery relations.

Do State Schools have more Hoppy Hopes than Ivy Leagues Yeasty Yearnings?
“I never expected to see so many candidates from such different walks of life passionate about the Best Brews program and craft brewing industry,” said Kerkmans of the more than 1000 applicants that have applied to be his summer intern. In addition to a large number of applications from college and grad students from 235 schools, many former scholars also want their chance at the dream internship including a former NFL player, a member of the Blue Man group, a Central Park Landscaper, a United Nations Volunteer, a talk show host and even a Whale Rescuer. Investment bankers, Veterans and golfers alike are ready and willing to put their careers on hold hoping for a frothy summer of tasting, toasting and researching the world of the craft beer industry under the Four Points by Sheraton brand’s Chief Beer Officer, Scott Kerkmans.

As Kerkmans and team at Four Points sort through the hundreds of applications certain trends seem to be appearing. Of the 36 states represented California is leading the pack with the largest number of applicants, many coming from San Diego. Cornell, Emory and UCLA are home to the most number of applicants even though MIT, Harvard and Georgetown are well represented. And, Greek life has Ta Kappa Epsilon as the proudest of their beer knowledge so far but Sigma Xi, the Scientific Society is following closely behind.

The simple pleasure of a Good Beer
As part of the application process beer enthusiasts are asked to list their four favorite simple pleasures in life and so far, music is the most popular. “I am thrilled with everyone’s enthusiasm for our Best Brews program and fascinated to see what the candidates list as their simple pleasures,” commented Sandy Swider Vice President of Four Points by Sheraton. “Music seems to be the most popular but the beer lover who listed Grandma’s spaghetti is my favorite so far.” Applicants have listed everything from the obvious like beer, the smell of fresh pie baking and the sound of rain to the unexpected like the smell of a campfire and finding the perfect parking spot and hearing your favorite song on the radio. The Four Points Simple Pleasures(SM) program offers little indulgences such as tasty pie, a great cup of coffee and of course, premium craft beers from around the world.

Keep the applications pouring in!
Even with all these hoppy applicants Four Points has not found their Best Brews Intern yet so it’s not too late! Those interested in applying for the position should email their barley resume to Four Points Chief Beer Officer, Scott Kerkmans at cbo@fourpoints.com along with a cover letter. The letter should include some frothy facts about the applicant and tell us their four favorite simple pleasures in life. The deadline for applicants is April 30th. Four finalists will be chosen and again the beer loving community will be called upon to help select the first ever Four Points by Sheraton Best Brews intern!

Best Brews
Four Points by Sheraton offers a wide selection of brews featuring imports and North American craft beers, each chosen for their unique flavors, popularity and quality ingredients. Through Best Brews, each participating Four Points hotel around the world provides a selection of local, regional and imported craft beers from the extensive list of almost 300 available brews in bottles, and on tap. Participating properties offer a minimum of four draught beers and a selection of up to 20 bottled beers, including imports representing Belgium, Germany, England and the Czech Republic, as well as regional craft beers.

True to its dedication to uncomplicated comfort, Four Points makes choosing the best brew as easy as pie. All hotel beer selections are broken down by style, character and body, so guests can easily identify the perfect brew for their taste. Can’t decide? Beer sampler “flights” with four 4oz pours of draught beer with story cards make it easy to sample the best brews on tap while learning about the art of the pour.

For additional information on Best Brews and Four Points by Sheraton, including room rates and availability, and the search for the Best Brews intern please visit www.fourpoints.com/cbo. Four Points by Sheraton, with more than 130 properties in 22 countries, offers the self-sufficient traveler a new kind of style and comfort combined with a spirited “can-do” service — all at an honest value.


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 900 properties in more than 100 countries and 155,000 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.

Wyndham Vacation Ownership (WVO) has been honored by the American Resort Development Association(ARDA) with the prestigious Circle of Excellence Employer Award. This award is given to a company that throughout 2007 demonstrated a commitment to its employees through training, flexibility, individual development, benefits and unique programs for its staff.

ARDA is the Washington D.C.-based professional association representing the vacation ownership and resort development industries. The ARDA Circle of Excellence (ACE) Employer Award is one of only eight ACE Awards presented annually, recognizing those that have attained the highest level of excellence in the industry, whose accomplishments and dedication help spur new heights. The company received the award during the ARDA’s annual convention held in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 9th, 2008.

“Receiving this award is a wonderful testament to our commitment to recruiting, orienting, training, developing and retaining the best and the brightest associates in the vacation ownership industry,” states Franz Hanning, President and CEO. “As a company, we recognize that our success is a result of the achievements of our employees who are showcasing the Wyndham brand and providing exceptional service to our more than 800,000 owners and their guests each and every day.”

With the introduction of iGoWVO – the company’s new on-boarding program and the program for which Wyndham won the ACE Employer Award – WVO is cementing its commitment to not only giving employees the skills and knowledge to perform their job responsibilities but also to share the company’s culture of service and excellence. In addition to its comprehensive on-boarding program, the company offers many programs and opportunities for career growth and professional development.


About Wyndham Vacation Ownership
Wyndham Vacation Ownership, a member of Wyndham Worldwide’s (NYSE: WYN) family of companies, is the world’s largest vacation ownership business, as measured by the number of vacation ownership resorts, individual vacation ownership units and owners of vacation ownership interests. Wyndham Vacation Ownership develops, markets and sells vacation ownership interests and provides consumer financing to owners through its three primary consumer brands, Wyndham Vacation Resorts, WorldMark by Wyndham and Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific. As of December 31, 2007, Wyndham Vacation Ownership had developed or acquired approximately 145 vacation ownership resorts throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and the South Pacific that represent more than 17,500 individual vacation ownership units and more than 800,000 owners of vacation ownership interests. Wyndham Vacation Ownership is headquartered in Orlando, Florida, and is supported by more than 17,700 employees globally.

Dubai Festival City raises bar on Arabian hospitality as UAE plans to set guidelines for growing sector.

In a defining moment for the high growth hospitality sector in the UAE, Omar Al Futtaim, CEO of Al-Futtaim Group and J.W. Marriott Jr., Chairman and CEO of Marriott International, Inc., announced a Joint Venture agreement today to launch Marriott Vacation Club, Dubai Festival City, the first Marriott Vacation Club resort in the Middle East – and the largest outside North America.

This is a landmark agreement to be signed in the UAE by heads of globally respected, family-led institutions, with combined experience of more than 160 years. It is also the first significant equity investment in a hospitality development in Dubai by a U.S.-based global hospitality brand and the only equity based Joint Venture entered into by Al-Futtaim with a hospitality group at Dubai Festival City.

Dubai Festival City LLC, flagship of Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate (AFGRE) and key division of Al-Futtaim Group, and Marriott Vacation Club International (MVCI), a division of Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR), which develops and operates Marriott’s vacation ownership resorts world-wide, are the Joint Venture parties holding equal stakes in this new venture.

Mr. Al-Futtaim said: “This partnership is the realization of a vision and ideals backed by long-term performance, and Dubai Festival City is a natural choice for this timeshare resort which matches our established brand values.

“We believe Marriott Vacation Club will singularly raise the bar and change the landscape of the hospitality sector in Dubai. This belief stems from the proven global track record demonstrated both by Al-Futtaim Group and Marriott International for providing sophisticated, trustworthy services and products.”

The proposed 320 two-bedroom and three-bedroom unit resort will be located in Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate-developed Dubai Festival City’s elegantly chic, bustling waterfront urban community, already recognised as a market leader which captures the ground breaking 21st century spirit of Dubai.

The timeshare resort will be constructed in four phases along the Dubai Creek and will be designed, built, and operated in a manner consistent with the world-class architectural standards and service levels within Dubai Festival City. Marriott Vacation Club, Dubai Festival City will fully comply with UAE legislations for timeshare properties which are currently being put in place by the Government of Dubai.

Mr. Marriott said: “The Middle East traditions and culture have always generated interest among people all over the world and, at Marriott, we are delighted to be able to provide a window to this culture through Marriott Vacation Club, Dubai Festival City. By collaborating with the widely respected Al-Futtaim Group, we are confident this resort will deliver the standards of excellence in value and hospitality for which Marriott is recognised.”

“Our experience from operating timeshare resorts worldwide shows good legislation fosters a healthy and robust business environment that benefits both developers and customers long-term. Sound regulation and professionalism in operating timeshare resorts and their programmes are paramount in this high-growth sector. The Government of Dubai is planning to introduce balanced legislation in line with global standards and we applaud and support its efforts.”

Owners of timeshare weeks will be eligible to exchange their week at other Marriott Vacation Club resorts around the world. Timeshare is the concept of purchasing and using a resort unit and its associated amenities for recurring periods of time.

Each villa is typically sold in intervals of one week up to 51 times a year with one week held for maintenance. The value proposition is derived from the opportunity for Owners to purchase one or more weeks and enjoy all the amenities of a larger vacation unit.

Dubai Festival City’s hospitality portfolio will comprise over 3,500 rooms and suites and has the largest hospitality cluster connected to a regional shopping centre in the UAE. In addition to timeshare, there will be a total of eight world renowned hotel brands along the Creek and throughout the city and two boutique hotels conveniently located within the residential communities.

Timeshare visitors to Dubai Festival City will be able to enjoy its many facilities and amenities which include Festival Centre, a 200,000 m2 (2.1 million sqft) shopping and entertainment centre with leading international and regional brands, a choice of over 100 restaurants, cafes and bistros, the luxury Festival Marina and 18m (60 ft) wide cornice which will stretch along 3 kilometres (2 miles) of Dubai Creek and a 18-hole championship golf course.


About Al Futtaim Group Real Estate
Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate (AFGRE), a key division of Al-Futtaim group based in Dubai, is responsible for the development and operations of the Group’s real estate businesses across the MENA region. AFGRE is responsible for the conception, development, procurement and construction of a number of mega projects as well as the leasing and operation of these projects after completion.

The two current flagship mixed use city developments under the Festival City brand include Dubai Festival City and Cairo Festival City. Al-Futtaim group has an impeccable reputation as a provider of value and quality with more than 80 years of experience operating over 40 diverse businesses in the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Europe.


About Dubai Festival City
Dubai Festival City is a 3.3 million m2 (35.5 million sqft) premier waterfront mixed-use urban community. It is a visionary, self-contained metropolitan community that has been designed to capture the ground-breaking 21st century spirit of Dubai, set upon 526 hectares (1,300 acres) of prime waterfront land extending more than 3 kms (2 miles) of the historic Dubai Creek.

Dubai Festival City offers a rich and vibrant living experience that encompasses the finest and easily accessible shopping, dining, entertainment, homes, schools, hotels, offices and leisure in one place.


About Marriott Vacation Club International
Marriott Vacation Club International, the interval ownership division of Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR), is the recognized worldwide leader in vacation ownership with a programme highly regarded for its quality and unique flexibility. In 1984, Marriott became the first branded hospitality company by nearly a decade to enter the timeshare industry.

MVC continues to expand with a diverse portfolio of 47 resorts representing over 9,300 timeshare resort villas throughout the USA, Caribbean, Europe and Asia. Today, more than 350,000 vacation owners around the globe own their vacations “the Marriott way,” offering options to exchange weeks with priority within the Marriott Vacation Club portfolio or within Interval International’s global system of more than 2,200 resorts in over 75 countries, trade their weeks for Marriott Rewards points, or rent their weeks.


About Marriott International, Inc.
Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR), is a leading lodging company with about 3,000 lodging properties in the United States and 67 other countries and territories.

Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Bulgari brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club, Horizons by Marriott Vacation Club, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Grand Residences by Marriott brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers.

The company is headquartered in Bethesda, Md., and had approximately 151,000 employees at 2007 year-end. It is ranked as the lodging industry’s most admired company and one of the best companies to work for by FORTUNE®, and has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with the 2007 Sustained Excellence Award and Partner of the Year since 2004. In fiscal year 2007, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of US$13 billion.


Source: ArabianBusiness.com

Escondido, CA (April 23, 2008)— Welk Resorts a nationally acclaimed vacation ownership, hospitality and entertainment organization announced today that Ann Ellis, Director of Owner Services at Welk Resorts San Diego and Rosa Rodriquez, Executive Housekeeper at Welk Resorts Desert Oasis earned the respected ARDY award. In addition Valerie Fields also from Welk Resort San Diego was a finalist in the Resort Department Manager award category.

Ellis won the ARDY award in the category of Owner/Customer Relations Manager/Team and Rosa earned her ARDY in the Housekeeping Manager category.

The ARDY awards were comprised of over 500 entries and were given out during the recent 2008 American Resort and Development Convention and Exposition held in Las Vegas.

“This is a wonderful honor for these dedicated, loyal professionals for being recognized by such a renowned national award such as the ARDY,”said David Rice, VP Operations Welk Resorts. “Both Ann and Rosa certainly deserve this recognition for their “above and beyond” attitudes that are a reflection on our entire company customer friendly attitude.”

ARDA is the Washington, D.C.-based trade association representing the vacation ownership and resort development industries. Established in 1969, ARDA has over 1,000 corporate members with expertise in shared ownership interests in leisure real estate.

Welk Resorts offers three great vacation ownership options including Welk Resorts San Diego, Welk Resorts Desert Oasis (Palm Springs) and Welk Resorts Branson. All three resorts offer first-class amenities, exciting activities like golf and entertainment, each Welk Resort destination has something special to offer for a unique vacation experience.

Surrounded by towering mountain panoramas, The Welk Resorts San Diego offers the ideal place to relax, rejuvenate, and enjoy some quality family time. This peaceful haven was designed specifically for the comfort and enjoyment of its guests. There are two fabulous vacation resorts located at Welk Resorts San Diego: Lawrence Welk Resorts Villas and Villas On The Greens. Both properties offer luxurious, tastefully appointed one or two-bedroom villa accommodations. In addition, later this year, Welk Resorts will be opening their new Mountain Villas resort.Welk Resorts San Diego also features two, 18-hole executive courses named Fountains (par 62, 4,031 yards) and Oaks (par 54, 1,764 yards). Both courses open to the public.

Welk Resorts San Diego also has an intimate 339 seat Welk Theatre featuring live Broadway style musicals along with the Canyon Grille restaurant with both indoor/outdoor patio dining seating offering numerous unique and creative dining options.

 Welk Resorts Desert Oasis in Palm Springs, California is a first class destination resort offering luxurious one-bedroom villas and much, much more. Welk Resorts Desert Oasis Resort has many vacation options including swimming, adult and kids activities, and golf, with tennis nearby. Complimentary parking, fitness room, business services, concierge, security and laundry facilities are just a few of the extras at Welk Resorts Desert Oasis Resort. Set in the heart of Palm Springs, the hotel is also close to many Palm Springs hot spots. Nearby on Palm Canyon Drive are art galleries, antique and specialty shops, and trendy restaurants. Welk Resorts Desert Oasis also features golf, tennis and dining opportunities at the adjacent Welk Resorts owned and managed Cathedral Canyon Golf & Tennis Club offering 27 holes of championship golf, tennis and restaurant on its property.

Welk Resorts Branson is nestled in the breathtaking Ozark Mountains, offering a first class destination resort including the recently opened Timber Ridge Lodges one and two bedroom vacation villas, full service hotel, Stage Door restaurant, live entertainment, exceptional amenities and the perfect location to provide guests with the full resort experience. Banquet facilities and conference rooms are ideal for family and military reunions, meetings, conferences, banquets and parties, and gatherings. In addition, Welk Resorts Branson is home to live theatre show at an onsite 2,300 seat theatre with some of the best live theatre entertainment in the country.

For further information on the recent ARDY award, please call 760 749-3253 or visit their website at www.welkresorts.com  or contact Rick Schloss at 619 682-3407 or via email at rickschlosspr@aol.com

CLC creates new management roles as part of ongoing expansion in Eastern Europe

George Robertson has been promoted to Managing Director, Russia, to further develop Club La Costa’s rapidly expanding Eastern European operations in both timeshare and real estate sales. Currently there are two sales offices in Moscow and Krasnodar (Southern Russia) and 250 staff, with plans for new offices to be phased in.

At the same time, Claire Westhead joins Club La Costa’s UK division as Deputy Sales and Marketing Director.
Robertson has been with Club La Costa since 2003 and worked in the industry for 12 years. Chairman Roy Peires says, “George has done a fantastic job here in the UK developing new and sustainable marketing programmes that have consistently delivered results. I have every confidence that his thorough and astute knowledge of the business will pay huge dividends in the very exciting Russian marketplace.” Previously Robertson was Sales and Marketing Director with Thurnham Leisure Ltd.

Claire Westhead has a wealth of industry experience having joined LSI – which became Signature and then Sunterra (now Diamond Resorts) – 19 years ago. Former managing director of Prime Overseas Property, a CLC subsidiary, she now joins the parent company to head up special projects for the UK sales and marketing division.

Ms. Westhead commented, “No-one in the industry can have missed Club La Costa’s very impressive and dynamic development. To become fully involved in this leading European business is a challenge I’m really looking forward to. What appeals most is that Club La Costa is a company that really delivers what it sells and does so to such a high quality standard”.

Eran Revivo, UK Director of Sales and Marketing, added, “Club La Costa is always searching for proven industry talent and in Claire we have someone to help consolidate and improve our standing across all our operations.”


About Club La Costa Resorts & Hotels
Founded in 1984, Club La Costa Resorts & Hotels is one of Europe’s leading resort developers, with 22 fully-owned resorts in Spain, the Canary Islands, Austria and the UK.

Other divisions of the CLC group include CLC Estates, real estate and property development and its newest venture, the Club La Costa Yacht Club, celebrates its second season in Mallorca this year, with a brand new destination, the Aegean Coast of Turkey, scheduled for summer 2009.

For more information visit: www.clublacosta.com, www.clcestates.com, www.clublacostayachtclub.com