Showing posts with label occidental vacation club. Show all posts
Showing posts with label occidental vacation club. Show all posts

Big Changes at Occidental Vacation Club

3/23/2016 Unknown
The Occidental Grand Aruba is perhaps one of OVC's most
well-known properties!
Is the future uncertain for Occidental Vacation Club's successful all-inclusive timeshare model? The Spanish company Barceló Hotels and Resorts marked its first entry into the timeshare/vacation club industry with its acquisition of OVC in August 2015.  Luis Namnum, OVC President, is out after nearly two decades of leading the company's growth (with 22 year OVC veteran Milton Gonzalez taking over the management role), and Barceló, one of the world's largest hospitality companies, has not shown much confidence in the timeshare model. Once again consolidation in the industry is not without consequences and there could be more to come. 


Different Approach to Reaching Clients

OVC began operations in 1993 with a vision of offering an attractive and different approach to the vacation club market. It has continued to innovate with a different approach to reaching out to potential clients with a focus on an "enhanced vacation experience". Its members are offered a personalized stay, special club check-in and check-out, high quality service and amenities, spacious rooms, and exclusive club areas like the first lounge. Two levels of membership, First Club and Grand Level, are offered now and there are plans for an even higher level like a Boutique-style hotel within the resorts.

Growth Continues

In January, OVC opened a new sales room at the Barceló Tucancún Beach. The new sales room has a Project Director and five sales representatives in charge of welcoming guests and introducing them to the features that make the club so special. They will also give guests an on-site tour at one of the nearby resorts to give them a first-hand look at the club.

In November of 2015 OVC completed a $280,000 upgrade to the Arena Beach Lounge area of Occidental Grand Xcaret, the all-inclusive Riviera Maya Resort. The cliff side lounges for First Club and Grand Level members were reimagined with new amenities including Jacuzzis, beach beds and lounge chairs. Adjacent to the lounges is an exclusive bar offering tropical cocktails, beer, wine and soft drinks.

What Does the Future Hold?

Barceló Hotels and Resorts is considering important renovation plans for the Occidental hotels with a possible investment of between $120 and $150 million. However at the same time, they are reviewing the brand structure of the Occidental properties and how they blend with the existing Barceló Hotels and Resorts portfolio.  No word on a name change or what else might happen. In the meantime, OVC members have access to many more properties through Barceló.

Will Barceló move forward with OVC’s successful timeshare/all-inclusive model? Recent sales figures for OVC are up. Timeshare sales in 2015 surpassed 2014 (51.1 million in 2015 up from 48.3 million in 2014). Ownership was also up (30,713 in 2015 up from 27,605 in 2014). Only time will tell. We’d like to hear what you think about the consolidation in the timeshare industry and what you think the future holds. Give us your opinions in the comments!


For more information, check out www.occidentalvactionclub.com
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All-Inclusive Resorts Maintain Popularity

9/02/2015 Unknown
Remember the old Club Med Days? Club Med was one of the first to offer all-inclusive properties and usually the first resort group that people thought of when considering this option. Now there are a number of resorts that are all-inclusive. The popularity of the option has continued due in part to the demand for cruise vacations, but mostly to the timeshare industry whose great success with the concept has contributed to the staying power and growth of all-inclusive vacationing. 

Timeshare a Natural Match for All-Inclusive Vacations

Timeshare's "home away from home" atmosphere is a natural match for all-inclusive service. Not only can the vacationer relax in a large, comfortable space in a beautiful setting, but an all-inclusive package also takes the hassle out of vacation planning with offerings of planned activities, special VIP services such as early and late check-in, access to concierge services and preferred accommodations. There’s also the freedom to experience many different cuisines from buffets and specialty restaurants as well as opportunities to try a new activity and enjoy nightly entertainment. Often tips and taxes are taken care of too. All you have to do is relax and enjoy. It's obvious why all-inclusive has stuck around.  

Defining All-Inclusive?

Merriam Webster defines all-inclusive as: "including everything; especially: sold for one price that includes charges and fees that are often added separately."

Generally, the "everything" Merriam Webster refers to includes meals and snacks, all beverages (usually domestic alcoholic drinks, but some resorts may include premium brands), daytime activities, and nighttime entertainment, plus taxes and gratuities. 

Don’t assume that all-inclusive means everything. The vacationer needs to check with the resort to find out the specifics of what is and what is not included in your package. Is it all the amenities of the hotel, or are certain things excluded? Guests may pay extra for spa services, specialty activities, off site excursions and other such things. Some resorts even offer different levels of all-inclusive. So ask about them all. The resort is not trying to deceive you, you just need to be an astute buyer, so there will be no surprises when you reach the resort. 

Occidental Vacation Club - One of the First in All-Inclusive Resorts

Occidental Vacation Club (OVC) was one of the first in the timeshare industry to fully embrace the concept of all-inclusive. All OVC holidays include unlimited meals and snacks, a la carte dining in specialty restaurants including unlimited alcoholic beverages; sports (including tennis on a lighted court, water polo, aqua aerobics and kayaking), use of the fitness center and more. Daily entertainment and a supervised Kids Club (ages 4-12) is part of the package where available on site, as well as nightly shows, live entertainment and all taxes and gratuities.

Says, President Luis Namnum, "at many OVC resorts guests will find everything they need from fine dining to quick snacks, a great bar and lounge area, art gallery, hair salon and even bank services. Our club is known for its high quality all-inclusive experience and we are pleased to offer that possibility to members who stay with us."  

Other Hospitality Groups Feeling the Trend


A recent article in Hotelexecutive.com reports that hotels are experiencing a resurgence of all-inclusive properties. Though long a trend in the industry, all-inclusive hotels are proliferating boosted by the emergence of high-end, all-inclusive resorts.  Apple Leisure Group Executive VP/CSO, Javier Coll, was quoted, "fifteen years ago there was a mixture between the all-inclusive and the traditional resort. Now 99 percent of our customers choose to stay in all-inclusive resorts."

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Building Customer Loyalty Through Value-Added Programs

11/13/2013 Anonymous
When it comes to building points and consumer loyalty, the timeshare industry hasn't been quick to engage the concept. Now it seems, the value is making itself known.  Here are but a few companies who have successfully incorporated a loyalty program into their business model.

Occidental Vacation Club

Occidental Vacation Club has integrated the Leisure Logistics platform into its Leisure Points program. Members can earn points for booking certain trips such as a Wine Tour next spring, and use those points to purchase a variety of travel and non-travel related items. Eventually, the plans call to roll the system out to include owner referral and other marketing programs.

International Cruise & Excursions, Inc. (I.C.E.)

International Cruise & Excursions, Inc. (I.C.E.) was one of the first companies to implement a program of innovative sales, marketing and loyalty programs. Partnering first with Carnival Cruise line they successfully delivered cruise vacations to vacationers worldwide through cruise packaging, incentives and fulfillment. In 1999, other major cruise lines came aboard, as did new partners in and out of the travel market. I.C.E's commitment to technology driven products and services led them to develop points-based currency conversion software and to deliver vacation benefits through an automated fulfillment platform for use by its business partners and its own operation.

I.C.E's Lifestyle Collection has allowed the company to expand further into the value-added area. The Lifestyle Collection provides a broad range of fully branded products and services to its partners including golf, ski, spa, wine, shopping/merchandise, entertainment, hotel, car, air, resort and more.

Westgate Resorts

In June of this year, Westgate Resorts launched Westgate Rewards MasterCard, their new co-brand credit card. With the new card, cardholders will receive full account service, including online account activation and management, flexible financing options, and marketing communications to support repeat purchases and enhance customer loyalty. New Westgate resort owners will even be able to put their timeshare down payment on the card, on a 6-month deferred interest promotion payment plan.

Westgate Rewards MasterCard features a points-based loyalty program for all card purchases and more incentives when using the card for transactions, on and off the property. Users can redeem every 2500 points earned for a $25 rewards certificate. The certificate can be used for discounts on resort amenities, accommodations, maintenance and tax fees, and other special offers.

"Our goal is to provide our owners tremendous value both during their vacation as well as all 52 weeks of the year," said Mark Waltrip, Chief Operating Officer of Westgate Resorts. "The Rewards MasterCard is the foundation of our loyalty program that will allow our owners to offset the cost of their timeshare ownership and enhance the quality of their future vacations at Westgate."

Loyalty 360

Perhaps the best way to end a blog on building customer loyalty is with a quote from a group that knows a thing or two about loyalty building, Loyalty 360, the Loyalty Marketer's Association:
"Loyalty marketing, engagement marketing, experiential marketing...no matter what you call it, it's no secret that today, more than ever, companies need to create and nurture positive relationships with customers in order to thrive. Loyalty marketing today goes beyond traditional points and rewards programs. As companies continue to strive for the ultimate customer relationship, loyalty marketing is continually evolving to include engagement marketing, customer relationship management, experiential marketing, voice of the customer, data analytics and more. No matter the industry or size of a company, a loyalty strategy should be a top priority."

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