Timeshare Information

Give Kids the World, a nonprofit “storybook” resort for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families, has teamed up with Wyndham Vacation Ownership (WVO), the world’s largest timeshare ownership company, to launch an “Extreme Village Makeover” at Give Kids The World Village in Kissimmee, FL.

Pamela Landwirth, president of Give Kids The World, and Gary Rall, vice president of resort renovation and design for Wyndham Vacation Ownership,  kicked off the project at the 2013 Commercial Construction and Renovation Summit last month, led by David Corson, publisher and editor of Commercial Construction and Renovation magazine.

The Extreme Village Makeover, scheduled to take place January 12-25, 2014, will renovate 100 of the 140 villas at Give Kids The World Village, updating the whimsical accommodations for families visiting for a week-long, cost-free fantasy vacation to upgraded hospitality standards.

Construction will last two weeks with crews on-site 24 hours a day. The scope of work will include cosmetic and structural upgrades including: wood replacement, stucco and drywall repair, tile work, installation of new countertops, fixtures and crown molding, exterior and interior painting and electrical updates, just to name a few.

“Give Kids the World is an amazing organization and we’re very excited to be a part of this monumental project,” said Rall.

“We need a lot of people to make this vision a reality. At this point, we’re calling all members of the construction and design industry to come forward and join us in making a difference by donating or deeply discounting their products, expertise or time. This will truly be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, helping families of children with life-threatening illnesses for decades to come,” Rall said.

“We couldn’t be more excited about the Extreme Village Makeover, especially since it will be completed right before the 25th anniversary of the Village,” said Landwirth.

“With more than 185 resorts across the country, Wyndham is truly an expert at large-scale renovation and design projects. We are extremely grateful to have their team spearhead this monumental initiative which will provide an updated ‘home away from home’ for thousands of families every year. Their dedication is greatly appreciated,” Landwirth said.

About Give Kids the World 
Give Kids the World Village is a 70-acre, non-profit resort in Central Florida that creates magical memories for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

Give Kids the World provides accommodations at its whimsical resort, donated attractions tickets, meals and more for a week-long, cost-free fantasy vacation.

With the help of many generous individuals, corporations and partnering wish-granting organizations, Give Kids The World has welcomed more than 120,000 families from all 50 states and over 74 countries.

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Interval International, a prominent worldwide provider of vacation services and an operating business of Interval Leisure Group, has announced the addition of Azul Beach Hotel by Karisma on Mexico’s Mayan Riviera.

This property joins Azul Sensatori and Azul Fives Hotel & Private Residences, also part of the Azul
brand of Gourmet Inclusive® properties operated by Karisma Hotels & Resorts, in Interval’s global exchange network.

“We greatly value the relationship we’ve enjoyed with Interval over the years and look forward to working with the company on other projects,” commented Rinaldo Fernandez, senior vice president of administration for Karisma Hotels & Resorts.

“With each resort that we affiliate, we strengthen our vision for the future — providing our members outstanding vacation experiences at our resorts in Mexico and at Interval’s resorts throughout the world,” said Fernandez.

Situated in the tranquil village of Puerto Morelos, Azul Beach has 144 units with views of the turquoise waters of Bahia Petempich or lush vegetation.

Among the on-site amenities are five restaurants with a choice of Latin American, Asian and Italian cuisine, multiple outdoor swimming pools, full-service spa with treatments for adults and kids, fitness center, and a wide selection of day and evening entertainment and activities.

The resort also features an Azulitos Play House with a Fisher-Price® designed play space, the latest educational toys, and a baby equipment and toy loan program.

Older children can participate in activities such as mini-yoga, face painting, and beach treasure hunts.

“We are delighted to expand our partnership with Rinaldo and his team with the addition of Azul Beach,” said Marcos Agostini, Interval International senior vice president of resort sales and business development for Latin America.

“This spectacular boutique property offers visitors an unbeatable location midway between Cancun and Playa del Carmen and a host of upscale, family-friendly amenities and services,” Agostini said.

Puerto Morelos has a laidback atmosphere where you are invited to slow down and spend time together. Explore the Mayan Temples and the coral reef in Arrecife de Puerto Morelos National Park, or walk the two-and-a-half-mile trail through Dr. Alfredo Barrera Marin Botanical Garden, which is the last patch of conserved forest on this stretch of the Mayan Riviera.

Azul Beach Hotel by Karisma is approximately 25 minutes from downtown Cancun and 35 minutes north of Playa del Carmen.

Breckenridge Grand Vacations (BGV), developer of award-winning Grand Lodge on Peak 7, Grand Timber Lodge and Gold Point Resorts launched their annual trail maintenance volunteer program this past week.

Over the next two months, the BGV employees and timeshare owners will make bridge repairs, install and check steps and provide general trail maintenance.

Since 2009, BGV has partnered with the Friends of the Dillon Ranger District (FDRD), a local non-profit dedicated to the improvement of the National Forest lands, by adopting the Peaks Trail that begins behind the Grand Lodge on Peak 7 and continues on to Frisco.

Through this partnership, BGV has become an integral part of the conservation of the Peaks Trail for visitors and locals alike to use and enjoy.

Following this year’s efforts, the company will have accumulated almost 1,300 volunteer hours for this project.

 “BGV’s work on this trail has helped make it more sustainable for all types of users and has made an incredible impact in our community overall,” said Sara Slaton, Program Manager for the FDRD.

BGV commits to having several trained crew leaders to help convey proper techniques for bridge repair, trail maintenance and guiding new and returning volunteers. This year, the company recruited almost 100 volunteers, including Mike Millisor, Owner and Developer of BGV and his sons Luke and Nick.

“A few years ago, I was approached by Friends of the Dillon Ranger District to become involved in their Adopt-a-Trail program,” said Millisor.

 “It immediately jumped out at me as the perfect way to provide an opportunity for our employees to get involved in the BGV commitment to giving back,” Millisor said.

The next dates are Saturday July 27 and Sunday, July 28 and each work day will run from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. BGV provides a free barbecue at the end of the day for the volunteers to enjoy.

Breckenridge Grand Vacations is the parent company of the award-winning Grand Lodge on Peak 7, Grand Timber Lodge and Gold Point Resort.

Since 1985, brothers Mike and Rob Millisor, along with partner Mike Dudick, developers of the Breckenridge Grand Vacations family of resorts, have been creating great vacations for thousands of families.

Franz Hanning, president and chief executive officer of Wyndham Vacation Ownership (WVC), was officially elected as Chairman of the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) during the recent ARDA World Convention and Exposition in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

ARDA is the national trade association representing the vacation ownership industry.

“We are honored to have Franz serve as our industry leader and look forward to working more closely with him as an advocate for vacation ownership,” said Howard Nusbaum, president and CEO of ARDA. 

“Franz’s rich background and deep roots in resort sales and management is an asset to our industry, especially at this time of product innovation, market growth and consumer satisfaction. He is the perfect steward to introduce a new generation to timeshare and better vacationing,” Nusbaum said.

“I am extremely honored to step into this role with ARDA, and energized by what we can accomplish together,” said Hanning.

“For more than 30 years, this industry has been my passion and I look forward to leading a global perspective during such an exciting time for vacation ownership,” Hanning continued.

The four primary consumer brands of Windham Vacation Club - CLUB WYNDHAM®, WorldMark® by Wyndham, Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific and Shell Vacations Club — together comprise more than 185 resort properties throughout North America, the Caribbean, Mexico and the South Pacific.

These brands represent approximately 23,000 vacation ownership units and serve more than 900,000 owner families worldwide.

Since being named president and CEO of WVO in 2004, Hanning has overseen all management, operations, strategic planning and growth initiatives, and leads a worldwide staff of more than 15,000 employees. 

Through his vision, WVO has grown to be the world’s largest developer in the timeshare industry with revenues in excess of $2 billion. 

Hanning also led the organization through the launch of the innovative fee-for-service business model which has reduced the company’s capital intensity, increased recurring management fees and improved investment returns, and transformed the vacation ownership industry in turn.

Wyndham Vacation Ownership applauds the recent signing by Florida Gov. Rick Scott of the new Florida timeshare transfer company legislation (Bill 7025), focused on protecting timeshare owners and associations from unscrupulous transfer companies.

While the overwhelming majority of timeshare owners use and enjoy their timeshares, those who no longer vacation or can no longer afford ownership are easy prey for unrepentant scam artists.

Many of these are fraudulent transfer companies that take advantage of those trying to sell or transfer their ownership, targeting consumers under the guise of offering a service but in the end scamming them out of thousands of dollars.

This new legislation will help protect owners who seek assistance in effectively transferring their timeshare. “I commend Gov. Scott and his legislative partners for taking swift action to guard against timeshare transfer scams,” said Franz Hanning, president and CEO of Wyndham Vacation Ownership, the world’s largest vacation ownership company.

“This new law will further enhance safeguards for timeshare owners and associations, and strengthens our collective efforts to protect consumerism,” Hanning said.

The key aspects of this legislation include prohibiting a transfer company from collecting any fee until a written agreement is signed by the timeshare owner.

The legislation also requires the transfer company to deposit any funds received from the timeshare owner into an escrow account until the transfer is completed. These provisions will provide additional consumer protection to minimize the risk of the timeshare owner being subject to transfer scams that currently exist, while in no way restricting their ability to transfer or resell their timeshare.

The legislation will also prohibit the transfer of timeshares to anyone they know who does not have the ability, means or intent to pay all assessments. This will further protect timeshare associations and their respective owners against higher than normal delinquencies.

This new law will become effective July 1, 2013.

Wyndham Vacation Ownership, with headquarters in Orlando, operates 17 resorts in the State of Florida.

According to research by the ARDA International Foundation, nearly 16 percent of all timeshare properties owned are located in the state of Florida and one-in-five own in an Orlando-based resort.

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RCI, the global leader in vacation exchange and part of the Wyndham Worldwide family of brands, has announced that it added 35 new affiliated properties to its global network in the first quarter of 2013.

These additions join the more than 4,000 affiliated resorts already a part of RCI’s network.

“We have had another great quarter of affiliations, and are proud to have added these fantastic new properties to our exchange network,” said Gordon Gurnik, president, RCI.

"These quality affiliations add even more flexibility and choice for our subscribing members with new resort options in amazing destinations all over the world, including some great resorts in Thailand, Brazil, Spain and Las Vegas,” Gurnik said.

One of the newest additions in Asia is the Tides Boutique Spa Resort (see top photo), Samui, which offers luxury and service for visitors looking to explore Thailand. The resort boasts its own stretch of beach from which vacationers can take in views of The Great Buddha statue and surrounding islands.

The property was designed with comfort in mind, and guests can relax by the infinity pool or enjoy one of many available spa treatments.

Another new resort destination is Dom Pedro Laguna Beach Villas and Golf Resort, a five-star hotel in Brazil that is part of the luxury eco-resort Aquiraz Riviera. This private and relaxing resort serves up paradise for guests, with both golf and beach options spread across a beautiful lagoon and the Marambaia Beach.

The resort offers access to the Ocean Golf Course, swimming pools next to the beach, fitness facilities, spa treatments, tennis and volleyball courts, and much more.

Royal Sun Resort is a new RCI-affiliated resort in Tenerife. Set on a high cliff, the resort offers stunning views of both the village and the sea. Vacationers can relax by the heated swimming pools, where a sparkling waterfall flows past surrounding sunbathing terraces.

The resort also boasts squash courts, a whirlpool hot tub, a fitness center, a playground and game rooms. Evening entertainment is available, and the elegant on-site restaurant features flavorful cuisine and splendid views.

This spring Marriott hosted its 16th Annual Caring Classic corporate charity golf tournament, raising a net donation of more than $170,000 for Greater Orlando Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

This represents a cumulative total of nearly $1.8 million in funds raised since the tournament’s inception that directly benefit the young patients of Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies and Shands Hospital for Children at the University of Florida.

“Each Marriott associate is committed to giving back to the communities in which we live and work,” said Stephen P. Weisz, president and chief executive officer of Marriott Vacations Worldwide.

“Since our company’s inception in 1984, we have been passionate supporters of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. The commitment of our associates and valued partners continue to help make a difference in the lives of so many of Central Florida’s children,” Weisz said.

This year’s tournament took place at Marriott’s Grande Pines Golf Club, part of the Marriott Vacations Club timeshare resort Marriott’s Grande Vista, where representatives of 84 Marriott partner companies contributed to the tournament’s success.

Over 80 Marriott associate volunteers and golf staff provided an exceptional on-course hospitality and golf experience for the participants.

“As the newest member of the Greater Orlando Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals team I was overwhelmed by the commitment of the Marriott associates,” said Molly Piveral, manager Greater Orlando Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

“Every dollar raised plays a role in helping the families we serve. Without the unselfish dedication of Marriott, we would not be successful. It is with deep heartfelt gratitude I say thank you.”

This year’s tournament was part of Marriott’s overall commitment to the expansion of The Alexander Center for Neonatology at the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies.

Over the next four years, the company has committed to raise more than $1 million through existing and new CMN Hospitals fundraising activities benefiting the tiniest lives in Central Florida.

In recognition for reaching this goal, a portion of the neonatology unit expansion will be recognized as the “Marriott Vacations Worldwide NICU-POD” which will memorialize the company’s long-standing commitment to children, especially the very tiniest newborns.