Timeshare Trends Blog

Condé Nast has named Marquis Los Cabos as one of Mexico’s top resorts for 2010. The Condé Nast Traveler magazine’s 2010 Reader’s Choice Awards awarded Marquis Los Cabos, a luxury beachfront resort located in the Baja California peninsula, as one of the “Top Resorts” in Mexico. In the magazine’s prestigious annual survey, the magazine’s readers acknowledge the world’s finest properties based on discerning criteria such as food/dining, location, overall design, rooms and service. Marquis Los Cabos was able to earn its top status because of its exemplary features including a 15,000 square foot holistic spa and fitness center, and an executive chef handling three luxurious restaurants including Five Star Diamond winner Canto del Mar. Among resort features, the Marquis Los Cabos has 40 pools, including a 36-foot waterfall flowing down from the lobby and two infinity pools with a spectacular view of the Sea of Cortes. Its 237 suites offer balconies with a breathtaking view of the ocean, amenities from luxury brand Bulgari, top-quality Frette linens and a state-of-the-art hydro-massage bathtub with separate shower room.

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The Orlando based company that owns the Mystic Dunes Resort and Golf Club in Celebration filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization and plans to sell its properties to Diamond Resorts International. Tempus Resorts lender, GMAC Commercial Finance has stated that it is getting out of timeshare financing. The Tempus Resorts CEO says they are profitable, but filed for bankruptcy because the private-equity company that bought its loan portfolio opposed the sale to Diamond Resorts. The deal will now be reviewed by a bankruptcy judge. Existing timeshare owners would retain Tempus privileges, but could upgrade to the Diamond Resorts

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The Westin Riverfront Resort and Spa has added an adventure option for their owners and walk-in guests. It has a new package called Adrenaline Rush Guaranteed, which combines rejuvenation and wellness with exceptional service and stylish amenities. The Westin Riverfront Adrenaline Rush package starts at $319 per night and includes lodging for two in a studio suite, a $200 credit to Timberline Tours for a whitewater rafting adventure down the Colorado or Eagle Rivers or an off-road Jeep tour, two four hour bike rentals, two complimentary fitness classes at the Riverfront Club (including yoga, pilates, kickboxing, and body sculpting), and complimentary valet parking.

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Over 100 new resorts in 2009 were welcomed by RCI, the world’s largest vacation exchange company. Demonstrating that vacation exchange remains a bright spot in the travel industry, RCI, considered the global leader in vacation exchange and one of the Wyndham Worldwide family of brands, announced that it added more than 100 new resorts in 2009 alone, including 10 properties under development.

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Timeshare occupancy is strong despite a weak economy. According to the AIF State of the Vacation Timeshare Industry: United States Study, 2010 Edition, prepared by Ernst and Young, the timeshare industry reported an average of 79.7% occupancy rate in 2009, compared with the 54.7% occupancy rate at the hotel industry. Around 54% of resorts are at least 80-percent occupied, and 34% have occupancy of at least 90%. Only 12% of resorts are less than 60-percent occupied.

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TSBO Hispanic Expo Booth

The Hispanic Business and Consumer Expo arrived in Orlando April 15th-18th. With Orlando holding the title as the timeshare capital of the world due to its numerous tourist attractions, bustling city life, and beautiful Florida sunshine, it seemed fitting for TSBO to set up a booth. It proved to be beneficial as hundreds of visitors and local Orlando residents passed through the Expo doors and approached the TSBO booth. Overall, the Expo was a fun and successful event with many of the visitors mentioning their interest in timeshares!

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Economic Impact – Westgate Resorts and Wyndham Vacation Ownership, both Orlando-based vacation ownership companies have recently been caught in the nation’s credit crunch and have had to lay-off employees because of what they consider the “turbulent financial sector”.

Both Wyndham and Westgate employ thousands in the Orlando area. According to recent reports in the Orlando Sentinel newspaper, both companies are refocusing sales and marketing efforts on more credit-worthy consumers and will be decreasing timeshare developments in the fourth quarter.

Westgate Resorts is the seventh largest employer in central Florida with over 8,000 employees. Wyndham Vacation Ownership has about 3,000 employees in the Orlando area.

To view the latest deals on Florida timeshares for rent or purchase on our web site, click here.

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Bluegreen Corporation has announced that it has agreed to extend until November 15, 2008 the period during which Diamond Resorts International has an exclusive right of negotiation to acquire all of the Bluegreen common stock at a price of $15 per share.

The parties have agreed to continue to work to reach a definitive agreement for the acquisition of Bluegreen at the earliest possible time.

According to Alan B. Levan, Chairman of the Board of Bluegreen commented, “Diamond Resorts has advised us that it is continuing to move forward with the acquisition of the company at a price of $15 per share, but needs the additional period to finalize due diligence and its financing arrangements. Diamond Resorts has also agreed to pay us an amount approximating Bluegreen’s expenses in connection with the transaction.”

To view the latest deals on international timeshares for rent or purchase on our web site, click here.

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WorldMark by Wyndham adds another property in New Zealand with its first ski destination vacation ownership property. The newly developed WorldMark Wanaka is on New Zealand’s South Island.

The resort is purpose built for WorldMark and adjacent to the Mt. Aspiring Hotel. The Wanaka resort is only 40 minutes from the world-class ski resorts of Treble Cone and Cardrona and provides WorldMark South Pacific with access to the company’s first ski destination. It is also only a short walk from the pristine shores of Lake Wanaka and only two minutes from Lake Wanaka village.

The resort offers a range of luxury apartments as well as a gymnasium, heated pool with water slide, spa pool, steam room and the fully refurbished Rafters Restaurant and Bar.

To view the latest deals on international timeshares for rent or purchase on our web site, click here.

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RCI announces two new affiliated resorts in the Orlando area.

The Vista Royale resort and Encantada resort in Kissimmee are now part of the RCI Points program. The strategic locations of the resorts allow for easy access to Disney World and the nightly fireworks shows.

The world-class Vista Royale resort has 248 units in two 16-story towers. The two and three-bedroom fully furnished suites feature Jacuzzi tubs, flat-screen televisions, and comfortable balconies. The resort includes pool facilities, a clubhouse with fitness equipment, a stocked bar, and a game room for the kids.

The two and three-bedroom townhouses at Encantada are furnished and have fully-equipped kitchens. Each unit has its own private, screened-in pool facility with patio and lounge chairs. The Mediterranean-style resort also has an outdoor pool, a clubhouse, a spa tub, and a playground. A gazebo behind the clubhouse overlooks the resort’s private lake.

To view the latest deals on international timeshares for rent or purchase on our web site, click here.

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