Marriott Vacations Worldwide Recognized for Excellence in Customer Service

Marriott Vacations Worldwide's Owner Services was recently recognized with the inaugural American Resort Development Association (ARDA) Circle of Excellence "ACE" Award for Excellence in Customer Service at the annual ARDA Awards Gala at the 2012 Convention & Exposition held in Las Vegas. 

"Receiving the first-ever Excellence in Customer Service 'ACE' Award is a testament to our dedicated associates' commitment to and focus on our Owners," said Ron Essig, vice president of Owner Services for Marriott Vacations Worldwide. "It is this dedication that has enabled us to reach high levels of success operationally and to consistently increase our customer satisfaction scores."

Owner Services is home to more than 650 associates worldwide and focuses on providing excellent customer service to more than 420,000 Marriott Vacation Club, The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club and Grand Residences by Marriott Owners and Members in 14 languages around the globe. Last year, the team handled over a million in-bound calls and had a customer satisfaction rating of over 94 percent.

Owner Services prides itself in offering flexible work schedules that allow associates to balance their work/home life; internal advancement and career growth opportunities; and direct manager to associate relationships. Offices are located in Salt Lake City, Utah, with international offices in Mexico City, Mexico; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Singapore and Cork, Ireland.

Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation is the leading global pure-play vacation ownership company. Through a spin-off in late 2011, Marriott Vacations Worldwide was established as an independent, public company focusing primarily on vacation ownership experiences. Since entering the industry in 1984 as part of Marriott International, Inc., the company earned its position as a leader and innovator in vacation ownership products.

The company preserves high standards of excellence in serving its customers, investors and associates while maintaining a long-term relationship with Marriott International. Marriott Vacations Worldwide offers a diverse portfolio of quality products, programs and management expertise with more than 60 resorts and more than 420,000 Owners and Members.

Timeshare Industry Leaders Recognized for Top Achievements – Part 2


ARDA Announces 2012 Circle of Excellence (ACE) and ARDY Winners
The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) recognized their top industry leaders at the annual Awards Gala of the 2012 Convention & Exposition held last month in Las Vegas. 
The evening event, sponsored by Holiday Systems International (HSI), showcased the outstanding accomplishments among individuals, teams, resorts, and companies in a variety of categories.
6. The ACE Spirit of Hospitality Award went to Paulette Carter of Starwood Vacation Ownership, who began her career in housekeeping, and today she oversees operations at five resorts.  Her insistence on high standards has placed her resorts among the most requested by owners in her company’s network. This award recognizes an outstanding employee who has demonstrated commitment, loyalty, superior performance, and the willingness to go above and beyond.

7. The ACE Employer of the Year Award went to Welk Resorts, which has a long tradition of giving back to its employees, and treats its employees like family. This award recognizes an employer that has demonstrated exceptional commitment to its employees. 

8. The ACE Volunteer Award went to Ken McKelvey of Defender Resorts, Inc., who has been a leading advocate for the rights of timeshare owners everywhere throughout his career.  This award is given to a member of ARDA who consistently gives his/her time, energy, creativity, and talents to further ARDA’s goals and objectives. 

9. The Ingersoll and Bloch Industry Advocate Award went to Robin Suarez of Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., for her efforts in defending the business of timesharing and supporting the rights of timeshare owners.   This special award is designed to recognize individuals who have made extraordinary efforts on behalf of the timeshare industry in the legislative and regulatory arena. 

Timeshare Industry Leaders Recognized for Top Achievements – Part 1



ARDA Announces 2012 Circle of Excellence (ACE) and ARDY Winners

The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) recognized their top industry leaders at the annual Awards Gala of the 2012 Convention & Exposition held last month in Las Vegas. 
The evening event, sponsored by Holiday Systems International (HSI), showcased the outstanding accomplishments among individuals, teams, resorts, and companies in a variety of categories.
“It’s about recognizing the ‘best of the best’ in the vacation ownership industry,” said Howard Nusbaum, president and CEO of ARDA. “It’s an opportunity to take time and applaud the efforts of individuals who have been recognized by their peers for the impact and perseverance they have shown in their professional lives.”
1.The ACE Lifetime Achievement Award went to Frank Chapman, an international visionary since the 1960s. This award is given to an individual whose leadership, professionalism, creativity, reliability, and quality standards and ethics are demonstrated in an outstanding body of work. 

2.The ACE Project of Excellence went to Grand Lodge on Peak 7, Breckenridge, CO. This award is given to a successful project that represents months and years of cooperation between all parties involved and is considered a success not only by investors but by owners and the local community. 

3.The ACE Community Service Award went to Interval International for its help in bringing vacations to deployed and wounded soldiers and their families. This award recognizes outstanding community contributions by an ARDA member individual or organization.

4.The ACE Women on their Way Award went to Mandi Weigel of Grand Pacific Resorts, who worked her way from administrative assistant to resort area general manager.  Along the way she proved to be an innovative leader through goal-oriented employee programs, employee safety, and green company initiatives. This award recognizes the outstanding achievements of women who continue to excel and advance in the industry.

5.The ACE Philanthropic Award went to Christel House Open Tournament Host Companies, who help run a benefit golf tournament organized by a host committee of 14 different companies across the timeshare industry. Proceeds from the tournament go toward ending childhood poverty. This award recognizes the outstanding philanthropic effort for a humanitarian cause by an individual or company. 


Two Resorts for Interval International in Argentina


Interval International, a prominent worldwide provider of vacation services and an operating business of Interval Leisure Group, now includes Pinamar Family Resort and El Aljibe Casas de Campo in Argentina in its exchange network.

The properties are situated in the exclusive beach resort town of Pinamar, in the Buenos Aires Province, and the scenic Traslasierra Valley, in Cordoba.

“These resorts offer memorable vacation experiences in two popular Argentinean destinations and we are very pleased to have them in our global network,” said Marcos Agostini, Interval’s vice president of resort sales and service for Latin America..”

Located in a lush wooded area, Pinamar features three-bedroom villas with beamed ceilings, paned windows, tile floors, and private patios. Onsite amenities include an indoor swimming pool, gym, sauna, and clubhouse. Among the area attractions are miles of unspoiled beaches, sand dunes, and acres of forests. Nature and sports enthusiasts can engage in bird-watching, horseback riding, water sports, golf, and tennis.

El Aljibe Casas de Campo has one- and two-bedroom adobe houses designed in a traditional country ranch style. Distinctive architectural elements consist of a pitched roof, lodge pole columns, and patio with open oven. Amenities available at the resort are a swimming pool, mini-golf course, tennis, soccer and volleyball courts, gym, and solarium. Food tastings, folkloric dance, and equestrian shows allow guests to take part in authentic “gaucho” cowboy activities. Visitors can also schedule trips to natural parks or Nono city and its Rocsen Museum.

“We look forward to hosting Interval members at our resorts and invite them to experience the cultural richness and beauty of Argentina,” said Mariano Astoreca, president of A. Cumbres Condominio S.A. and Pinamar Resort S.A. “Both properties are family oriented and ideally suited for guests to spend time with relatives and friends, either relaxing or participating in a wide range of outdoor activities.”

Interval International operates membership programs for vacationers and provides value-added services to its developer clients worldwide. Based in Miami, Florida, the company has been a pioneer and innovator in serving the vacation ownership market for 35 years. Today, Interval has an exchange network of approximately 2,600 resorts in over 75 nations.

Photo Credits: internvaworld.com

Melia Puerto Vallarta Receives RCI Gold Crown Resort Award for 9th Consecutive Year

Orlando-based Club Meliá by Meliá Hotels International, a leading international vacation membership club with locations in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and Europe, has announced that its member resort in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, has received the prestigious RCI Gold Crown Resort® Award for its ninth consecutive year. RCI,
the global leader in vacation exchange, presents awards annually to the top RCI affiliated resorts.

“We take great pride in the continual high service levels demonstrated by our staff at Meliá Puerto Vallarta. It’s their ongoing commitment to excellence that has enabled them to earn this prestigious award year after year,” said Denis Ebrill, Club Meliá Executive Vice President.

Club Meliá is an internationally-branded membership club, with more than 27,000 members, 15 member resorts and 27 associated resorts, focusing on leisure lifestyle experiences that include exotic destinations, designer-appointed luxury suites, exclusive services and unforgettable amenities.

The Orlando, Florida based company is part of Spain-based Meliá Hotels International, a 55-year-old international hospitality company with more than 350 hotels in 35 countries on five continents.

Featured Club Meliá locations include Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen and Puerto Vallarta in Mexico; Puerto Rico and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic in the Caribbean; Panama in Central America; and the Canary Islands, Marbella and Costa del Sol, Spain, in Europe.

Photo Credit: melia-puerto-vallarta.com