Timeshare Information

Wyndham Vacation Ownership (WVO), the world’s largest vacation ownership company and a member of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies, announced it has completed renovations on its 15th resort in Hawaii - Wyndham Vacation Resorts Royal Garden at Waikiki.

“With the addition of our 15th resort in Hawaii we are solidifying our position as the industry’s largest and most successful timeshare developer in Hawaii,” said Franz Hanning, president and chief executive officer, Wyndham Vacation Ownership.

“We are very proud to provide yet another world-class property in this highly desirable destination for our more than 800,000 owners and guests.”

Wyndham Vacation Resorts Royal Garden at Waikiki will operate within ClubWyndham®, plus the company’s points-based exchange program that allows owners the flexibility to vacation at more than 70 resorts.

Located along the Ala Wai waterway just blocks from Waikiki Beach, Wyndham Vacation Resorts Royal Garden at Waikiki offers spacious accommodations in one of Hawaii’s most desirable locations. The property features studio units and one- and two-bedroom Presidential units.

Onsite amenities include an outdoor swimming pool, two saunas, fitness center, media lounge and outdoor garden. The resort is conveniently located in close proximity to the Waikiki Beach Walk complex, one of the largest redevelopment projects in the city’s history which includes shopping, fine dining and nightlife.

Wyndham Vacation Ownership, a member of Wyndham Worldwide’s 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 vacation ownership interests. WVO has developed or acquired more than 160 vacation ownership resorts throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and the South Pacific. Headquartered in Orlando, FL, WV0 is supported by approximately 13,300 employees globally.

Take a look at all timeshare rentals, exchanges, and resales listed for WVO resorts in Hawaii.

Photo Credit: royalgardens.com

Shell Vacations, one of the nation’s leading independent vacation ownership development organizations, has recently promoted Jack Waller to Vice President of Marketing for Shell Vacations.

In his new position, Waller will be responsible for tour generation at all Shell Vacations Club (SVC) sales offices company-wide. Previously serving as National Director of Marketing, Waller was responsible for the design and implementation of company-wide marketing programs, as well as overseeing the National Marketing Center, which provides fulfillment for certificate programs, package programs, internet programs and marketing call center operations.

Waller brings over 18 years of vacation ownership industry marketing experience. He joined Shell Vacations in 1993 as a Marketing Manager and advanced to become SVC’s National Director of Marketing. Waller is known as an industry leader in direct marketing programs for vacation ownership and has been awarded many industry distinctions, including a Silver ARDA Award for Marketing Executive/Large Project.

“With his diverse background in marketing and finance, Jack has significantly lowered our costs and has centralized many operations that support the timeshare division,” commented Jack Chevrier, executive vice president of Sales and Marketing for Shell Vacations.

“His leadership skills and passion for innovation are foundations for Shell Vacations and I am proud to have him head the Marketing division for our future growth. He has accomplished several major changes that have kept SVC a competitor in today’s marketplace when quality and lower costs are vital to a company,” said Chevrier.

Headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois, Shell Vacations LLC is recognized as one of the most respected independent vacation ownership developers in the United States, operating 25 resorts in the U.S., Mexico and Canada. The company specializes in the sales and hospitality management of vacation ownership resorts as well as servicing over 115,000 owner and member families of its vacation ownership products.

Photo Credit: shellvacationsclub.com

RCI, the global leader in vacation exchange and one of the Wyndham Worldwide family of brands, announced the winners of its successful “Go Green Awards” for its affiliated resorts in the Pacific, at the recent Australian Timeshare and Holiday Ownership Council (ATHOC) conference.

This year’s winner, Club Paihia in New Zealand, the runner-up in 2010, showed remarkable progress using prize money earned last year to set up a dedicated Club TV channel that provides guests with information about the resort’s sustainable activities.

Western Australia’s Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific Dunsborough and Queenstown Mews also of New Zealand were acknowledged as runners-up. To recognize their commitment to sustainable environmental practices, each of the three winners received cash donations to further expand their environmental programs.

Martyn Rix, CEO of Monad Pacific Management, the management company for Club Paihia and Queenstown Mews, commented on the awards saying, “The recognition goes to the individual resort managers who worked tirelessly and with passionate dedication to establish the successful environmentally sustainable practices at both resorts.”

“This year we tweaked the criteria to better reflect some of the latest findings on trends within the hospitality industry. More importantly we also took into account progress and performance, so that the amount of sustainability-related change made during the past 12 months was a major factor, along with actual practices and initiatives,” said Dr. David Weaver, Professor of Tourism Research at Griffith University, and adjudicate of the self-assessment and on-site inspection phases.

More than 15 resort submissions and three exceptional finalists who demonstrated credible advances in environmentally-friendly sustainable practices throughout the year, made this year’s Go Green program a resounding success.

“Having such committed eco-conscious resort managers, clearly reflects on the exceptional caliber of resorts within RCI’s exchange network,” added Charisse Cox, managing director of RCI Pacific.

Launched over two years ago, the ‘Go Green’ program was a first for the timeshare in the Pacific and for RCI worldwide. Recognizing the emergence of a growing ‘green conscious’ member base, RCI set out to encourage affiliate resorts to embrace green initiatives while aiming to improve the industry’s carbon footprint as a whole.

Consequently, the ‘Go Green’ program has quickly been embraced by affiliate resorts both regionally and globally. Since its inception, both RCI North America and RCI Europe businesses have followed suit, launching similar programs this year, yet another example of RCI’s commitment to the environment on a global level.

“Go Green Award of the Pacific region and The Green Awards of North America and Europe fit in well with our global commitment to corporate social responsibility and the environment,” Cox said.

(Photo credit - greenhackz.com)

The American Resort Development Association's (ARDA) International Foundation (AIF) is launching the first comprehensive e-learning platform for the timeshare industry. AIF will provide ongoing industry-specific training for sales, marketing and operations staff on an easy-to-use e-learning platform. The first course launching in Fall 2011, is entitled "Partnership Strategies: Winning in the New Economy."

"We have been hearing from members for years about the need for more industry-wide, standardized training," said Darla Zanini, executive vice president, AIF. "We're thrilled to be able to deliver the first of many courses that will enhance the skills of the people working in the timeshare industry."

"Partnership Strategies" is a self-paced seven-module course that delves into specific strategies and best practices for handling customer interactions today. Integrating video, interactive exercises and module quizzes, the course offers real-life examples and situations applicable for any timeshare employee who may have contact with consumers.

RCI’s senior vice president, Kris Jamtaas is enthusiastic. "We had our entire sales team in San Diego participate in the course together, as well as some staff from operations, the phone room and gifting, and they all gave it high praise," Jamtaas. "AIF has hit the mark with this powerful and relevant topic – Partnership Strategies is a must-take industry course for all who are passionate about their profession."

The course is available to both corporations and individuals. For individuals, the price is $399 and will include the entire 2010 AIF Webinar series at no extra charge. There are three levels of corporate partnership that provide packages structured specifically for companies that have multiple users and want to take advantage of the special pricing offered.

Future courses will be announced later this year, including Timeshare 101. For further information, please visit www.arda.org/elearning.

The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) is the Washington D.C.-based professional association representing the vacation ownership and resort development industries. Established in 1969, ARDA today has over 1,000 members ranging from privately held firms to publicly traded companies and international corporations with expertise in shared ownership interests in leisure real estate. The membership also includes timeshare owner associations (HOAs).

RCI, the global leader in vacation exchange and part of the Wyndham Worldwide family of brands, has announced two new affiliation agreements with Hon Tam Resort & Spa in Vietnam (see photo) and Patong Bay Garden Resort in Thailand. The signing of these agreements expands RCI’s Asian portfolio to 158 properties.

Earlier in the year, another two new properties were welcomed into the program. Both in China, the Shining Star Vacation Club, Xing Yao Shui Xiang Resort and Huangshan Grandview Resorts Hotels offer high-quality vacation experiences to the 3.8 million members in RCI’s network.

“These four new affiliation agreements not only show a growing interest for timeshare travel throughout Asia but evidence that we’re offering an innovative and appealing timeshare exchange product,” said Adrian Lee, managing director, RCI Asia Pacific.

“Adding new resorts in China, Thailand and Vietnam reaffirms our commitment to offering great vacations in highly-desirable destinations in Asia and throughout the world. We’re happy to have them on-board,” Lee said.

Hon Tam Resort & Spa (see photo) is located on Hon Tam, an eco-green island in the middle of Vietnam’s Nha Trang Bay surrounded by crystal blue waters and a private and pristine beach.. Recreational facilities include a golf driving range, mini-golf, tennis courts, fitness center, Kids’ Club, spa, and water sports including scuba diving and fishing. Nha Trang is known for its endless beach and warm tropical weather,

Patong Bay Garden Resort is located on the popular Patong Bay in Phuket, Thailand offering a full range of facilities and activities, along with the classic touch of Thai charm and hospitality. Phuket, also known as the Jewel of the Andaman Sea, is a world-class destination offering a dynamic, vibrant and diverse holiday destination; world-class diving in the Andaman Sea; golfing at world-standard championship courses; eco-adventures in tropical forests; exhilarating speedboat trips to the surrounding islands; and serene cruises around mystical Phang Nga Bay.

Shining Star Vacation Club, Xing Yao Shui Xiang Resort is located in the Jia Lize wetland in Kunming, China. This mega upscale integrated tourism development consists of more than 10,000 diverse vacation accommodations spread across themed resorts, hotels, holiday villas and town houses; equestrian club with a landscaped 20-kilometer riding boulevard; ecological wetland park; country-style fishing club; golf academy and driving range exclusively designed by Phil Mickelson; extensive lavender and sunflower fields; organic fruit and vegetable garden; meeting and conference facilities; and a myriad of retail and dining facilities.

Huangshan Grandview Resorts Hotels, part of the Yuan Yi Group, is a global lifestyle and mixed-used development strategically located in the south of Xin An River and flanked by Pei Lang River to its east. It is surrounded by renowned tourism sites such as the charming Old Antique Street, the awe-inspiring Huangshan, China (also known as Yellow Mountain), diversified cultural wetlands and historical Anhui villages.

Extra Holidays by Wyndham, a subsidiary of Wyndham Vacation Ownership, the world’s largest vacation ownership company and a member of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies, has announced a monetary donation in support of children impacted by the terrorist events of September 11, 2001. Tuesday’s Children, a New York City-based nonprofit family service organization, will receive the charitable funds.

In honor of the 10th anniversary of September 11, Extra Holidays by Wyndham is donating $10,000 to Tuesday’s Children and is encouraging the social community to visit the Extra Holidays Facebook page to “like” it and learn more about Tuesday’s Children.

“The tragic events of September 11 are forever in our hearts and minds,” said Sarah King, executive vice president of human resources, Wyndham Vacation Ownership. “Supporting children is a major focus of our charitable giving program, Wishes by Wyndham, and we applaud the much needed services being provided by Tuesday’s Children. It is our goal to engage and challenge the social community to also support such a worthwhile cause and help children with us.”

Since 2001, Tuesday’s Children has promoted healing and recovery by strengthening family resilience, providing individual coping and life management skills and creating community through programs, mental health support and family engagement opportunities.

“Tuesday’s Children welcomes the support of Wyndham Vacation Ownership,” said Terry Sears, executive director, Tuesday’s Children. “Thanks to caring companies like Wyndham, we can continue to promote our mission of helping families and first responders and offer much needed programs and services.”

Tuesday’s Children is a nonprofit family service organization that has made a long term commitment to every individual impacted by the events of September 11, 2001 and more recently those who have been impacted by terrorist incidents worldwide.

Since 2001, Tuesday’s Children has promoted healing and recovery by strengthening family resilience, providing individual coping and life management skills and creating community through programs, mental health support and family engagement opportunities.

Extra Holidays by Wyndham specializes in offering quality vacation accommodations throughout the United States, Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Extra Holidays by Wyndham is a specialized, resort condominium rental operator and a part of Wyndham Vacation Ownership, which is headquartered in Orlando, FL.

Interval International, a leading global provider of vacation services and an operating business of Interval Leisure Group, has expanded its global resort network with the addition of Jinfeng Yinhua Holiday Hotel, part of the Shengteng Vacation Club.

In the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lijiang City, China, the vacation ownership apartments offer the ideal vantage point from which to explore the history and customs of the Naxi people, who have lived in Yunnan Province for 800 years.

“Lijiang City is one of China’s most popular destinations, renowned not only for its cultural heritage, but also for its stunning surroundings and unique festivals,” said Joe Hickman, Interval’s executive director for Asia Pacific. “The hotel’s authentic Naxi architecture, distinguished by sloping tile roofs, gates, and classical courtyards, blends seamlessly with the historic hotels and farms of the Old Town, while offering up-to-the-minute style and amenities.”

Tucked into cobbled Guailiu Lane in the willow-shaded Shuhe Old Town, Jinfeng Yinhua Holiday Hotel has a restaurant and separate tea and wine bars on site. All units have sleek, modern decor. Nearby, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain provides a majestic backdrop for the Moon Embracing Pavilion (see photo), a frequently visited tourist site at Black Dragon Pond. Other popular attractions include Dongba hieroglyphs and the Mosuo people at Lugu Lake, known as the “last kingdom of women on earth.”

Legendary Lijiang City is situated in the mountains of Yunnan Province, in the far southwest of China. Due to its low latitude and high elevation, the climate is generally mild year-round.

“Lijiang City is a harmonious combination of old traditions and a fashionable new city,” said Wang Xinming, President of Shengteng Resort Development Co. Ltd. “We are pleased to welcome Interval members to this part of China and to offer our Vacation Club members the quality and worldwide scope of Interval International operates membership programs for vacation owners 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 International has a timeshare exchange network of approximately 2,600 resorts in over 75 nations. Through offices in 15 countries, Interval International offers high-quality products and benefits to resort clients and approximately 2 million families who are enrolled in various membership programs. Interval is an operating business of Interval Leisure Group, Inc., a leading global provider of membership and leisure services to the vacation industry.

(Photo credit - travelblog.com)