Timeshare Trends Blog

This is the latest Palace Resorts property to join the network and is located in the Dominican Republic. The lush, 121-acre property on Macao Beach is Hard Rock International’s first ever all-inclusive Hotel & Casino and marks the brand’s debut in the Caribbean. The 1,800-room resort, which began operating as the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana in November 2010, provides an endless array of personal services, outdoor activities and entertainment options. The Rock Spa is home to what is considered the area’s most incredible aqua center with hydrotherapy circuits, clay and color therapy steam rooms, saunas, a sensory experience pool and an innovative ice room for skin purification.

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Expected to be completed in 2014, the multi-billion dollar Baha Mar resort near Nassau in the Bahamas is a 1,000-acre complex billed as the largest single-phase resort development in the history of the Caribbean. The project has overcame many hurdles including the loss of its first partner, Harrah’s Entertainment. Baha Mar’s Chairman and CEO said during his welcome address that “The vision of Baha Mar started more than 5 years ago with a plan to deliver an authentic Caribbean experience, which combined the essence and spirit of the Bahamas with the distinction of luxury resorts.” The Bahamian government and tourism industry have shown considerable support for the project, since it represents a direct benefit to the country by generating 12,000 new jobs and over $305 million in annual wages. Baha Mar’s long-term perks to The Bahamas also include $4.7 billion in tax revenue and a GDP contribution of $11.2 billion over a 20-year period.

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Owned and operated by Sol Melia Hotels & Resorts, the luxury Paradisus resort brand has recently expanded its portfolio with two Mexican properties, the Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Esmeralda and the Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Perla. Both are scheduled to open in late 2011 and will be located along the Playa del Carmen enclave along the eastern shore of Mexico. The facilities will be impressive and amenities will include free-form pools, landscape views, spas, twelve restaurants and ten bars. The La Perla is set to be the brand’s first adults-only resort and will offer 394 suites, including 120 Royal Service and two Royal Service Presidential Suites, which provide access to an adult-oriented pool, exclusive restaurant and private beach. The resort will also boast 60 swim-up suites that allow guests to access the free-form pool directly from their terrace. The La Esmeralda will offer 512 luxury suites, including 56 swim-up suites, two Presidential Suites and 122 Family Concierge suites. The Family Concierge service at the La Esmeralda is designed to exceed the guests’ needs in providing a private family check-in/check-out process, child-friendly bath products, milk and cookie services and exclusive family activities and excursions.

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The North American timeshare market slumped 38 percent in year to year sales, according to the European based Ragatz Associates. Ragatz research indicates that timeshare sales in a specifically analyzed 104 active projects in the US, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean dropped from $860 million in 2009 to $530 million in 2010. The analyst who spearheaded the research said that the drop resulted from a variety of factors, such as the uncertainty in US economic stability, an almost complete lack of consumer financing, and an overload of significantly discounted whole ownership vacation homes on the market. The figures represent the latest in a series of drops reflecting the ongoing trials of the US economy. On the bright side, timeshare ownership fared better than full ownership residence sales, which fell 60 percent during the same period.

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As reported by the Orlando Sentinel, executives gathered for its industry meeting at the annual American Resorts Development Association (ARDA) convention in Orlando, and have reported that financing is flowing again, especially for experienced well-known operators like Wyndham Vacation Ownership. Timeshare development, which had largely been on hold during the recession, has started to pick up again. The industry fell from a high of more than $10 billion in 2007 to just over $6.3 billion in 2009. Financing is at least easing up for bigger resorts, and now instead of looking at existing clients for timeshare upgrades, the industry is looking at areas such as the Middle East and South Africa where there are more favorable regulatory climates.

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The Australian timeshare industry is healthy and growing. ATHOC (the Australian Timeshare and Holiday Ownership Council) latest research has found that there is robust growth and encouraging trends that show Australians are embracing the concept of holiday ownership, along with all its benefits. Despite the effects of the global financial crisis on the tourism industry in general, sales of holiday ownerships were up 55% to $205.4 million with economic benefit in Australia estimated to be more than a billion dollars across the board. The three major players, Accor Vacation Club, Classic Holidays and Wyndham Vacations Resorts Asia Pacific all battled tough economic conditions, but emerged stronger, albeit leaner, in some cases. There are now over 152,000 owner families in Australia, up 20% since 2005.

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The Pelican Resort Club recently shut down. Located on St. Maarten, the resort is no longer accepting reservations. According to news reports, the resort has been taken over and renamed Simpsons Bay Resort. Over the last few months, owners have been receiving conflicting emails and mixed messages regarding the status of ownership of the company, foreclosure auctions and employees at the property. Most emails and messages seemed to discuss administrative and management issues, which were unlikely to impact owners. They were not informed of the urgency and the possibility that the resort would close, placing timeshare ownership in jeopardy.

As of now, it is still unclear why the closure was necessary or how long it will last. Some reports indicate that it appears that the closure is merely a scheme to force the unions to negotiate or force union employees out. Reportedly, last December, there was an attempt to fire all union employees, which the courts squashed. When all issues have been resolved, normalcy for Pelican/Simpson owners is expected to return. In the short term, owners planning to use their units over the next few weeks or months may be cut from their reservations. Some reports indicate that owners have not been given the assurance of being able to go to the resort, even while being encouraged to make their mortgage and maintenance fee payments.

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Shell Management Hawaii, Inc. has been named one of the”Best Places to Work” in Hawaii for 2011. The annual event sponsored by ProService Hawaii and published annually by Hawaii Business Magazine honors businesses in its “Best Places To Work In Hawaii” program. Company data is gathered and analyzed by an independent research organization, the Best Companies Group, which conducts similar research in states throughout the nation. Honors will be given at an awards dinner in March.

With 292 employees, Shell Management Hawaii, Inc has been named in the large category. Shell Management Hawaii was ranked first in 2010 and fifth in 2009. Shell Vacation Resorts in Hawaii include the Holua Resort at Muana Loa, Kauai Coast Resort at the Beachboy, Kona Coast Resort, Paniolo Greens, and the Waikiki Marina Resort.

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Shell Management Hawaii, Inc. has been named one of the”Best Places to Work” in Hawaii for 2011. The annual event sponsored by ProService Hawaii and published annually by Hawaii Business Magazine honors businesses in its “Best Places To Work In Hawaii” program. Company data is gathered and analyzed by an independent research organization, the Best Companies Group, which conducts similar research in states throughout the nation. Honors will be given at an awards dinner in March.

With 292 employees, Shell Management Hawaii, Inc has been named in the large category. Shell Management Hawaii was ranked first in 2010 and fifth in 2009. Shell Vacation Resorts in Hawaii include the Holua Resort at Muana Loa, Kauai Coast Resort at the Beachboy, Kona Coast Resort, Paniolo Greens, and the Waikiki Marina Resort.

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