Timeshare Trends Blog

Marriott International has been awarded by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation a high score of 90% on its annual Corporate Equality Index. The Corporate Equality Index rates employers for their acceptance of and respect for their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees, consumers and investors. Ratings are based on factors such as non-discrimination policies, equal benefits for domestic partners, and respectful advertising, and external community outreach. “From our employees and owners to our suppliers, customers and shareholders, everyone brings something different to Marriott and we embrace all,” says Jimmie Paschall, Global Diversity Officer and senior vice president of External Affairs, Marriott International.

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The Residences on Siesta Key Beach has been named one of USA’s best resorts by TripAdvisor in its 10th Annual Travelers’ Choice Awards that rates the best hotels in the country. The resort placed 18th overall, based on reviews and opinions from millions of travelers around the world. The Residences received high marks for its luxurious accommodations and white sand beach, and was one of only three resorts in Florida chosen for the award. According to one reviewer, The Residences on Siesta Key Beach “ranks on my list as one of the best. The rooms are luxurious and well appointed. It was difficult to leave this wonderful facility, but we will be back again.” Other vacation ownership properties on the list included the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea in Wailea, Hawaii and The Grand Del Mar in San Diego.

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Tourism is the number one service export from the United States and President Obama has outlined a series of initiatives designed to boost international visitor numbers to the U.S. Included in the measures are plans to expand the Global Entry System, which makes it easier for frequent visitors to cross borders, and expand the number of nations whose citizens could enter the country without a visa. “I have directed my administration to send me a new national tourism strategy focused on creating jobs,” said Obama. “We are going to see how we can make it easier for foreign tourists to find basic information about visiting America. The president added that his goal was to ensure the United States is the top tourist destination in the world.

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Walt Disney’s fourth cruise ship will be the first christened outside of Florida. The Disney Fantasy will instead be christened in New York City in a ceremony on March 1st. According to the Orlando Sentinel, the 4,000 passenger ship is scheduled to float into New York Harbor and spend four days docked in midtown Manhattan. The company’s three previous ships were all christened at Port Canaveral. Once the christening is complete, the Fantasy will set sail for Canaveral where it will make its maiden voyage on May 31st.

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ARDA and RDO are working together- The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) and the European Resort Development Organization (RDO) have recently announced a new marketing alliance. The agreement encourages sharing of industry information among U.S. and European timeshare developer members and global travelers. ARDA welcomes a new cooperative working alliance with its European-based sister organization, RDO, following approval by both Boards of Directors. Each association retains its own identity, but collectively, the associations seek to cooperate on issues of common concern in order to advance the growth of the timeshare industry worldwide, the interests of their members, and the consumers they serve. “In today’s global environment, timeshare is a growing portal to the world for vacationers, and establishing a better exchange of information with RDO will bring value to our members who have resorts worldwide and to owners who are increasingly looking to destinations abroad for their timeshare vacations,” said Howard Nussbaum, president and CEO of ARDA.

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Tapestry Resorts is now managing the Eloquence Residences in North Miami. The new resort located in the semi-private island community of North Bay Village, is a socially conscious property that offers whole ownership, fractional ownership, and rental opportunities. Surrounded by Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, the property currently has 20 units with an estimated 42 unit available in the first quarter of 2012. Tapestry will provide full resort management services with on site management, reservations, rental sales and marketing, and concierge. Amenities at Eloquence include daily housekeeping, pool, jacuzzi, sports courts, putting green and state-of-the-art fitness center.

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The Park Plaza Resort has recently been designated an RCI Gold Crown property. Tapestry Resorts, a division of ResortCom International, announced that its Park Plaza is a gold crown resort. Located in Park City, Utah, the resort is a family-orientated property located in the center of the town, just minutes from three major ski areas including; Deer Valley, Park City and The Canyons. The resort is just a short walk from Main Street in Park City, an area filled with great shopping, fine restaurants and exciting nightlife. At the Park Plaza, there’s a beautiful indoor pool, a sauna, whirlpool, and if you still feel you need to exercise, and a complete fitness gym.

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Honua Kai Resort and Spa generated more than $54 Million in sales in 2011. The Honua Kai Resort and Spa, the only new, whole ownership timeshare property on Ka’anapali Beach in more than 25 years, has closed more than 75 new home transactions in 2011. The property, located on 38 acres of west Maui shoreline, has quickly become a popular destination for both leisure travelers and potential homeowners alike. Since opening in 2009, the resort has sold and closed on more than 410 units resulting in more than $518 million in real estate sales. Purchases have come from residents of British Columbia and Alberta in Canada, and the western United States cities of Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego.

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The Hotel Jerome is Aspen is now an Auberge Resort. The Jerome will join a collection of award-winning Auberge properties including Napa Valley resorts, such as Auberge du Soleil, Calistoga Ranch and Solage Calistoga; Esperanza in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Rancho Valencia in Rancho Santa Fe, California; Encantado in Santa Fe, New Mexico; The Inn at Palmetto Bluff in Bluffton, South Carolina, and the Auberge Residences at Element 52 in Telluride, Colorado. Among the amenities at the Hotel Jerome, there’s exclusive access to the Aspen Club and Spa, a fitness studio, heated pool and jacuzzis, picnic baskets for day trips, 24-hour concierge, valet parking, and more.

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Bluegreen Wilderness Club at Big Cedar was presented with the City of Branson’s 2011 Green Initiative award for its eco-friendly practices. While Bluegreen Wilderness Club is decidedly focused on rustic luxury, with 18 Concierge and Presidential villas, slate and hardwood floors, flat-screen TVs, exquisite fireplaces, stainless steel appliances and soft, comfortable and inviting furniture and bedding; it is also diligent about remaining energy conscious and eco-friendly. The resort is eco-friendly in its landscaping practices to reduce use of water and fertilizer to guard against runoff into Table Rock Lake, and to recycle organic materials into the soil by composting and mulching. The resort’s recycling programs divert and transport an estimated 128.5 tons of recyclable material that would otherwise be sent to a landfill.

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