Copper Point Resort at Invermere, British Columbia, Part of RCI Network

RCI, the global leader in vacation exchange and part of the Wyndham Worldwide family of brands, has an affiliation agreement with Copper Point Resort, Ltd. that adds the Copper Point Resort in Invermere, British Columbia to RCI’s network of affiliated resorts.

Copper Point Resort is an award-winning luxury mountain resort that opened its doors in May 2011 in the Columbia Valley of British Columbia, Canada. Visitors will find this sleek modern alpine retreat amongst breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains and The Ridge at Copper Point golf course, one of nine championship golf courses in the area.

This four-season mountain resort’s amenities include indoor and outdoor pools, hot tubs, multi-use sport court, a playground, a marked walking trail, fire pits, fitness facility, business center, onsite market, 24/7 reception, high-end concierge service, conference facilities and Elements Grill. A full-service spa is also set to open in early 2012.

“RCI introduced the exchange business over 35 years ago and has been the industry innovator and leader in both timeshare and fractional properties ever since,” said Rohit Gupta, CFO of Rohit Group of Companies. “Through our relationship with RCI we are able to provide added value to our existing owners while also expanding our international market for both whole and fractional ownership and vacation getaways.”

“Copper Point Resort is a great addition to our growing network of affiliated resorts,” said Gordon Gurnik, president of RCI. “This beautiful resort will give our RCI® Weeks members an opportunity to experience the best that British Columbia has to offer.”

Copper Point Resort is the newest four season luxury resort located in Invermere, British Columbia, where area attractions and activities include premier golf courses, world renowned skiing, natural hot springs and the stunning Lake Windermere.

RCI is the worldwide leader in vacation exchange with over 4,000 affiliated resorts in approximately 100 countries. RCI pioneered the concept of vacation exchange in 1974, offering members increased flexibility and versatility with their vacation ownership experience.

Today, through RCI® Weeks, the traditional week-for-week exchange system, and RCI Points®, the industry’s first global points-based exchange system, RCI provides flexible vacation options to its 3.8 million RCI subscribing members each year. RCI is part of Wyndham Exchange & Rentals and the Wyndham Worldwide family of brands.

Photo Credit: toqueandcanoe.com

Interval International and Welk Resorts Enhance Long-Term Relationship

Interval International, a prominent worldwide provider of vacation services and an operating business of Interval Leisure Group, and Welk Resorts, a well-established leader in the vacation ownership industry, have announced the renewal of their master affiliation agreement.

The multi-year contract extends the relationship established in 2004 and comprises six existing properties in four sought-after markets, as well as future development.

“Our commitment to excellence is seen in everything we do at our resorts, beginning with the design and amenities to delivering the best service to our owners,” said Jon Fredricks, president of Welk Resort Group.

“Renewing our partnership with Interval ensures that we will also be able to continue providing industry-leading programs and benefits to members, including the opportunity to exchange their vacations through Interval’s renowned resort network to some of the most highly demanded destinations around the world.”

“We’ve greatly enjoyed working with Jon and the Welk team, who are among the most respected professionals in the shared ownership industry,” added Craig M. Nash, chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Interval Leisure Group. “We’re very proud to enhance our relationship and offer our members many more years of exceptional experiences at the outstanding Welk locations.”

The resort portfolio includes Welk Resort San Diego, where it all began in 1964 with legendary bandleader Lawrence Welk’s purchase of hundreds of undeveloped acres in Southern California. Today’s high-quality vacation community spans 450 acres and contains three projects: Welk Resort Villas (see photos), Villas On The Greens, and Mountain Villas.

Designed in a low density, suburban style, the flagship resort offers one- and two-bedroom units with high-end features and finishes, each with golf course or mountain views. Owners appreciate an array of on-site amenities: rounds of golf on two 18-hole courses, both listed on Golf Digest magazine’s list of “Best Places to Play”; five recreation centers with pools, water slides, and splash pads; tennis courts; and a restaurant, market, and deli.

True to Welk’s entertainment heritage, visitors can also take in live Broadway-style shows at the 300-plus seat theater.

Founded in 1955 by Lawrence Welk, the late entertainment icon, Welk Resorts is one of the most respected independent brands in the vacation ownership industry today. Welk remains a privately held, family-owned company led by President Jon Fredricks, who is the grandson of Lawrence Welk.

The company has developed and/or operated more than 1,100 luxury vacation units, villas, and hotel rooms in San Diego; Maui, Hawaii; the Palm Desert area; Branson, Missouri; and Cabo San Lucas. The corporate offices are located in San Marcos, California.

The mission of the company, “Our family creates vacation memories to cherish for a lifetime,” is reflective of the strong company values that promote both tradition and family

Bluegreen Wilderness Club At Big Cedar Wins Green Initiative Award

Bluegreen Vacations, a leading provider of “Colorful Places to Play,” has announced that its Missouri resort, Bluegreen Wilderness Club at Big Cedar, was presented the City of Branson’s 2011 Green Initiative award for its eco-friendly practices. Bluegreen Corporation is honored and proud to receive the award.

While Bluegreen Wilderness Club is decidedly focused on rustic luxury, with 18 Concierge and Presidential villas, slate and hardwood floors, flat-screen TVs, exquisite fireplaces, stainless steel appliances and soft, comfortable and inviting furniture and bedding; it is also diligent about remaining energy conscious and eco-friendly. While we continue to evolve our practices to become as energy efficient and eco-friendly as possible, we have already accomplished many great things.

“We are honored to receive this award, as we believe instilling a culture of environmental respect and sustainability is an important part of living and working in The Ozarks,” explained Howard Kitchen, General Manager of Wilderness Club at Big Cedar. “As a Bluegreen Corporation resort, we are proud to represent the timeshare industry with a positive, environmentally friendly award.”

Bluegreen Wilderness Club at Big Cedar is diligent about the following:

1. Landscaping practices to reduce use of water and fertilizer to guard against runoff into Table Rock Lake, and to recycle organic materials into the soil by composting and mulching.

2. The living ‘green’ roof at Indian Creek Swimming pool Pump House and the emphasis on sustainability throughout the newly constructed Indian Creek Lodge.

3. Recognition by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Certified Green Lodging Program.

4. Participating Property, “Clean the World” Program to recycle soap products for distribution to needy, third-world countries to provide sanitizing cleansers to combat infection transmission and to reduce the impact of these cleaning products on our landfills and groundwater.

5. Encouragement to all guests to participate in our resort-wide commitment to recycling by providing convenient containers for collecting recyclable materials. The resort’s recycling programs divert and transport an estimated 128.5 tons of recylcable material that would otherwise be sent to a landfill.

6. Use of energy efficient and solar lighting fixtures where practicable.

7. Use of water/energy conserving fixtures where practicable.

“These aspects of our green culture were recognized by the City of Branson during the 2011 Green Initiative award ceremony,” stated Kitchen.

Founded in 1966 and headquartered in Boca Raton, FL, Bluegreen Corporation is a leading timeshare sales, marketing and resort management company. Bluegreen Resorts manages, markets and sells the Bluegreen Vacation Club, a flexible, points-based, deeded vacation ownership plan with more than 160,000 owners, over 59 owned or managed resorts, and access to more than 4,000 resorts worldwide.