Timeshare Trends Blog

The International Riviera in Tunisia, North Africa, is set to be completed in 2011 and will be a member of the Registry Collection Exchange Program, the world’s largest luxury exchange program offered by Group RCI.

The International Riviera will include 50 luxury waterfront villas, and the concept was created as a fusion of European elegance and the 21st century pioneering spirit of Dubai. The five-star residential resort development will have at its heart a Las Vegas-style casino complex and a range of other upscale amenities, including golf, spa, marinas and retail.

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Despite tighter credit markets and high unemployment rates, the U.S. timeshare industry continues to demonstrate its resilience.

Although overall sales continue to reflect the national trend of lower consumer spending, timeshare owners continue to enjoy their pre-paid timeshare vacations, with an 80% occupancy rate and an 86% product approval rate. This compares with a 60.4% hotel occupancy rate, according to Smith Travel Research.

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Fairmont Resort Properties has signed an affiliation agreement with RCI. Fairmont is the largest Canadian-owned vacation ownership developer with resorts located throughout Canada and USA, along with a worldwide network of resort hotels.

Two of Fairmont’s newest properties are also now a member of the RCI network of more than 4,000 affiliated resorts. The Fairmont Vacation Villas in Fairmont Hot Springs and the Sunchaser Vacation Club at Fairway Cottages, located at the Makaha Resort & Golf Club in Hawaii now carry RCI membership and exchange opportunities.

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Wyndham recently announced that its Orlando-based timeshare division issued $350 million in notes backed by timeshare receivables. Tom Conforti, Wyndham’s chief financial officer was quoted as saying that the transactions suggest a steadily improving asset-backed securities market, evidenced by significantly better pricing.

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The Villa del Palmar Cancun Luxury Beach Resort and Spa has been added to the Interval International exchange network. With the development of its first shared ownership resort in the Mexican Caribbean, the Villa Group is building on its success in Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta, and Loreto.

Currently under construction, the property will be situated on 35 acres along Mujeres Bay, opposite Isla Mujeres, and a 15-minute drive from downtown Cancun. The first phase is slated to open in 2010 and two additional phases are expected to be completed by 2012. Each villa will be elegantly decorated and include a living room, dining room, full kitchen with granite countertops, modern appliances and electronic equipment, and a spacious terrace.

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Experts continue to paint a bleak picture of the industry’s financing operations as discussed in recent meetings where timeshare executives gathered for the 11th Annual Vacation Ownership Investment Conference recently held at the Peabody Hotel in Orlando.

Not much has changed since the capital markets ceased last fall, making it difficult for timeshares to fund development and sales. The good news is that, after a year, developers have at least adapted to the new conditions. Because of a lack of financing, timeshare developers deliberately slowed sales this year. Total industry sales this year are likely to total between $6 billion and $8 billion, which is equivalent to sales in 2004.

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The Palace Vacation Club of Malaysia has joined the RCI network of timeshare exchange affiliates. The resorts included in the Palace Vacation Club group are the Country Villas Malaysia and the Palace of the Golden Horses.

Country Villas is Malaysia’s first Mediterranean-style waterfront property. It has distinct wall finishings on graceful white facades and unique red-bricked driveways surrounded by beautiful landscaped gardens. The 250 units are tastefully furnished and well-equipped with basic amenities. The property also provides facilities for business and leisure with six meeting rooms, a conference room, a seminar room, a banquet hall, an auditorium, gymnasium and a swimming pool.

The Palace of the Golden Horse is known as Asia’s “Most Extraordinary Hotel” with world-class and award winning accommodations. There’s a dedicated conference center and state of the art facilities with a distinctive Moorish-Malaysian architecture and equestrian theme. The hotel has 400 rooms and 80 suites and offers an outstanding variety of dining and entertainment options. It also offers a comprehensive health screening service, a scenic jogger’s track, an executive fitness center and a luxurious Balinese-themed Jojobali Spa for personal rejuvenation.

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Jimmy Johnson’s Fisherman’s Cove in the Florida Keys is Florida’s newest resort to become a member of the Registry Collection Exchange Program, the world’s largest luxury exchange program offered by Group RCI, the European leader in vacation rentals, and part of the Wyndham Worldwide family of brands.

Fisherman’s Cove epitomizes the best of the Keys outdoor and entertainment opportunities including celebrated sunsets, world-class sport fishing, outstanding diving, a thriving art community, lively nightlife and delightful waterfront dining. This private residence club has only a total of 48 owners. Guests enjoy on-site amenities that include an outdoor swimming pool and cabanas, private dock and boats for personal use of owners, rooftop terrace with a jetted tub, wet bar and sunbathing area, a state-of-the-art fitness center, waterfront dining and room service, and an exceptional staff to handle all needs and requests.

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The Azul Sensatori by Karisma resort in the Riviera Maya, Mexico has been added to the Interval International global vacation exchange network. The resort features the innovative Gourmet Inclusive concept that is designed to elevate all-inclusive vacations to quality levels comparable to traditional luxury hotels.

Located in the exclusive Petempich Bay area, Azul Sensatori includes 438 suites with unobstructed views of white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and lush tropical gardens. The suites feature contemporary designer furnishings, dark wood accents, marble floors, ample living and dining areas and oversized terraces. Guests can enjoy a relaxed yet upscale atmosphere and a host of amenities and services that include dining at six restaurants, a 14,000-square-foot spa and fitness center, a nightclub, multiple pools with swim-up bars, kid’s pool and splash park, a beach butler, concierge and 24-hour room service.

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One of Westgate Resort’s most anticipated vacation ownership properties will be open soon. The Planet Hollywood by Westgate in Las Vegas is putting the finishing touches on this much-ballyhooed project and plans to begin hiring workers soon.

In preparation for the new Westgate Tower opening, the Planet Hollywood held a job fair on July 30. Their plans call for hiring between 600 to 800 workers. Planet Hollywood President, Bill Feather, has said that the hiring for all positions will begin in November.

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