RDO announces details of members discount scheme

member discounts

The Resort Development Organisation (RDO) is offering members exclusive discounts of ten per cent on a series of services from exchange companies, marketing and advertising suppliers, solicitors and accountants.

Companies taking part in the scheme include the two primary exchange companies, Interval International and Group RCI, with discounts available for advertisements in their publications: Interval World and Vacation Industry Review, and RCI Ventures magazine.



TV ad to educate viewers about RDO

A new commercial explaining the role of RDO and the importance of buying through an RDO member will be aired up to ten times a day during the month of November on Sky’s Travel Deals Direct (channel 647).

The advertisement slot was offered to RDO by Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket, as part of their current campaign on the Sky TV channel to educate consumers about timeshare.

Viewers will be able to recognise examples of RDO members such as Club La Costa, Hilton and Seasons Holidays, which will appear in the advertisement.



FSOTA announces special introductory offer for new members

The Fractional & Shared Ownership Trade Association (FSOTA) has announced a special introductory offer for new members joining between now and 1 February 2010.

Membership of FSOTA is free for RDO members that offer fractional products, and available to other companies at a special rate of 1,216 euros per year, with the price being frozen for a two year period.

The Association is open to any businesses involved directly or indirectly in the fractional and shared ownership industry. Members must adhere to the Rules of the Association and its Code of Conduct.



Interval adds Azul Sensatori resort in the Riviera Maya

Azul Sensatori

Interval International has announced the affiliation of Azul Sensatori, a luxury all-inclusive resort operated by Karisma Hotels in the exclusive Petembich Bay area, on the Mexican Caribbean coast known as the Riviera Maya.

The resort features the Gourmet Inclusive® concept which means that guests can enjoy a host of all-inclusive amenities and services in a relaxed, yet upscale atmosphere.



New Thai portfolio for The Registry Collection

The Registry Collection has secured its first ever properties in Asia through two new affiliations, with Absolute Developments and IFA Hotels & Resorts, which will give members a choice of six fractional ownership resorts and three private residence clubs in Thailand.



Travel Convention paints picture of a challenging future

abta

As the cream of the tourism industry gathered in Barcelona at ABTA’s annual Travel Convention to discuss current issues and predict future trends, there was food for thought for the timeshare industry too, reported RDO’s UK PR consultant, Jackie Murphy.

While many speakers reflected on the impact of the economic downturn on the travel industry, it was the presentation by Malcom Preston of PricewaterhouseCoopers on how consumer buying habits are changing permanently that painted the clearest picture of the challenge ahead.



Delegate places for The FORUM Conference to be released this month

Industry members will soon be able to confirm their attendance to The FORUM Conference, this year’s new industry event to be hosted by Generator Systems and Perspective Magazine at the Sofitel London Heathrow Hotel, 9-10 December.

The organisers recently launched two dedicated websites for the event, www.perspectivemagazine.com/forum and www.generator-systems.com/events, where those interested in attending can pre-register and further details of the speaker programme will be posted.



New editor for Perspective and Owners Perspective magazines

Publisher Perspective International Ltd has announced the appointment of Matthew McDaniel as new editor of the group’s timeshare and fractional ownership trade and consumer magazines, Perspective and Owners Perspective.

Matthew began his career in publishing 20 years ago and has worked as an independent writer for different companies in the shared ownership industry, as well as being editor in chief of Interval International’s Vacation Industry Review for eight years.



Organisers deem ATHOC Annual Conference a success

The Australian Timeshare and Holiday Industry Council (ATHOC) held its annual conference and awards on Australia’s Gold Coast from 12-14 September, bringing together more than 150 delegates from Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, China, Singapore, The United States and the United Kingdom.



Hapimag resorts in Tonda and Binz get a facelift

Hapimag has completed the renovation of its resort in Binz on the island of Rügen in Germany and the expansion of the resort of Tonda in Tuscany, two major projects carried out in cooperation with Swiss architect Pia Schmid.



New study profiles the “Affluent Shared Ownership Buyer”

Affluent leisure travellers remain committed to their vacations according to a study produced for Interval International by the Ypartnership, presented at the 11th Annual Vacation Ownership Invstment Conference in Orlando in September.

“The Affluent Shared Ownership Buyer: A Market Profile” provides insights about the travel habits and resort real estate preferences of the most affluent US households interested in acquiring some form of resort real estate.



US timeshare industry remains strong despite difficult times

The US timeshare industry continues to demonstrate its resilience despite the economic downturn according to the latest figures released by the American Resort Development Association (ARDA).

Although overall sales reflect the national trend of lower consumer spending, a high occupancy rate of 80 percent, compared to 60.4 per cent hotel occupancy rate, shows that timeshare owners continue to enjoy their pre-paid timeshare vacation.



Increase in cruise bookings for Club La Costa

Club La Costa has reported that more of its customers are booking cruises than ever before, with bookings in 2009 reaching £1 million sales four months earlier than in the previous year, and record sales expected for 2010.

This reflects the current trend of increasing interest in cruising, with the introduction of new, bigger ships and a greater diversity of destinations and on board activities. The cruising industry carried 1.5 million UK passengers in 2008, a figure expected to be surpassed this year, and increased further in 2010.