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ATHOC Annual Conference and Northern Seminar Day Agenda |
ATHOC Annual Conference
September 16, 17 and 18, 2007
Conrad Jupiters – Gold Coast
We would like your suggestions for speakers, topics and anything else you would like to see at the ATHOC Annual Conference. Your feedback helps us to shape a conference that is beneficial to you. Email us with your ideas. |
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Trendwest South Pacific takes on Wyndham name |
Trendwest South Pacific, is rebranding its timeshare properties to become Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific. The rebranding process will take place throughout the course of 2007.
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Barry Robinson has been President and CEO of Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific business unit for the past three years and says the move will enable the business to better leverage the Wyndham name and the success of parent company Wyndham Worldwide, one of the world’s largest hospitality companies.
“Adopting the Wyndham name within our timeshare business in Asia Pacific is a significant leap forward in our global brand strategy and sets the stage for further development of mixed-use hotel and timeshare properties throughout our international system,” he said.
Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific has approximately 35,000 owners belonging to WorldMark South Pacific Club by Wyndham. Owners can access holidays in 14 Asia Pacific resorts and a number of associate properties throughout the region.
Club members use their credits to book holidays at resorts in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. They can also exchange their credits for holidays in other parts of the world.
About Wyndham Worldwide
As one of the world’s largest hospitality companies, Wyndham Worldwide offers individual consumers and business-to-business customers a broad suite of hospitality products and services across various accommodation alternatives and price ranges through its premier portfolio of world-renowned brands. Wyndham Hotel Group encompasses almost 6,500 franchised hotels and over 543,000 hotel rooms worldwide. RCI Global Vacation Network offers its more than 3.4 million members access to over 60,000 vacation properties located in approximately 100 countries. Wyndham Vacation Ownership develops, markets and sells vacation ownership interests and provides consumer financing to owners through its network of approximately 150 vacation ownership resorts serving over 800,000 owners throughout North America, the Caribbean and the South Pacific. Wyndham Worldwide, headquartered in Parsippany, N.J., employs more than 30,000 employees globally. |
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ICE Vacations raise Money to increase awareness for homeless animals |
Our social club organised an ‘Animal Party’ to raise awareness for homeless animals and provide animal food donations to a local animal shelter. In the return for the staff donations a “kiddies” lunch party was held. Well done to the staff at ICE!
Pictured L to R: organisers Fiona Clout - Marketing & Communications Coordinator and Amy Pringle - Resort & Member Services Team Manager. |
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New ATHOC member - Royale timeshare resales |
Royale Timeshare Resales (RTR) has been operating since 1993 as a Timeshare holiday ownership broker in Australia. Betty Fitzgerald, the Director of the company has been in the industry for over 22 years and watched timeshare evolve into the exciting industry it is today. Through her initial role as Resort Manager, she realised there was a need to help timeshare owners resell their properties as well as acquire additional weeks at other resorts for the same price as their initial investment. |
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Having been a Resort Manager and a Timeshare Resale Broker, Betty has a clear understanding of the different needs for owners, purchasers, resorts, and exchange companies. She was able to introduce RTR to new market sectors, including those who had never owned timeshare before, and international clients who were eager to take advantage of Australia’s high quality resorts.
RTR quickly gained a reputation for superb customer service, reinforced through word of mouth referrals. Their extensive experience has enabled them to cement strong relationships and gain respect with exchange companies and associates within the industry.
You can find out more about RTR by visiting their website or by calling them on 07 5599 0972. |
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APVC News and Events |
APVC Staff Appointments
Accor Première Vacation Club continues to experience strong growth, and has welcomed a collection of talented professionals to enhance the company.
Marc Carriere has commenced in the newly created role of National Marketing Manager, designed to manage all of the production based marketing teams and ensuring that they deliver prospects and tours at the budgeted marketing targets in a cost effective manner. In the newly created position of Strategic Projects Manager, Jannette Comish’s role is dedicated to driving, facilitating and monitoring trial marketing campaigns. |
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Also joining the growing team is John Polson, as General Manager - Japan Market Development. John has launched myriad tourism related products and sales programmes initiatives in Japan, and looks forward to taking the expanding APVC into the Japanese marketplace. John has a successful history in tourism publishing, Tourism Board representation on the Gold Coast, and is a member of many Japanese/Australian tourism associations.
Scott Knoll has joined the company as Manager – Communications, replacing Cathy Kay. Scott has worked in various companies across New Zealand and the United States in roles such as Project Coordinator, Business Development Manager and Media Marketing Manager. |
APVC Awards
Recently APVC held its first annual Gala Awards Night at Jupiters Casino on the Gold Coast. The 35 awards were broken down into five sections: Marketing, Sales, Resort and Member Services, Corporate, and the CEO awards, each introduced by the respective Executive who highlighted their departments’ achievements in 2006.
A fabulous time was had by all, with celebrations continuing late into the night. Congratulations to all nominees and winners, including Nick Meredith (CEO Award) and the companies first Recognised Master Sales Executives: Daniel Willis and Ken Snell. |
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(Pictured: Nick Meredith (CEO Award) and the companies first recognised Master Sales Executives: Daniel Willis and Ken Snell.)
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Dawn Debut - Melbourne to have it's own Superliner |
In a first for the city, Melbourne is to have its own superliner, with Princess Cruises announcing plans to base its 1950-passenger Dawn Princess in the Victorian capital.
Following strong growth in demand for cruise holidays among Victorians, the 77,000-ton superliner will offer eight cruises from Melbourne between November 2008 and March 2009.
Ms Katie Lahey, Chair of the Advisory Council of Carnival Australia, which represents Princess Cruises in Australia, said Dawn Princess’ deployment would generate well in excess of $10 million income for Victoria across a range of areas, including ship supplies, port fees and spending by international and interstate tourists boarding the ship in Melbourne.
“Cruising is booming around the world and Australia is no exception. Dawn Princess’ deployment to Melbourne will let Victoria share in the fastest growing sector of the world tourism industry,” Ms Lahey said.
Dawn Princess’ first cruise from Melbourne will be a spectacular 28-night circumnavigation of Australia, featuring 13 ports and departing November 20, 2008. It will also offer three round-trip cruises to New Zealand, three South Pacific cruises and a two-night ‘sampler cruise’ to Sydney. |
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Interval International welcome all-star members to Christchurch |
Interval staff in Christchurch were delighted to extend a warm welcome to two VIP members on February 13th. Dawn and Barry Pugh of Tauranga, New Zealand stopped by the office to meet the staff who had helped them confirm a record 65 exchanges over the years. This makes the Pughs Interval’s top customers in the South Pacific region.
Since joining Interval in 1985, the Pughs have confirmed an average of nearly 3 exchanges every year. Taken together, the Pughs have had over 16 consecutive months of holidays through Interval International.
An incomplete list of the destinations they have visited includes: the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Hawaii, California, New Orleans, Vail, Whistler, Banff, London, Scotland, Wales, Japan and Singapore.
Said Dawn: “We love to travel the world over and it would not be possible without the help of Interval International. They have always given us plenty of choice and we have never been disappointed in the quality of their resorts. We look forward to many more years of exchanging into fantastic destinations.”
While in Christchurch, the Pughs met all the Interval staff and regaled them with their intriguing travel stories over lunch. They also made suggestions on how Interval could improve its service and increase its coverage of resorts worldwide. |
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How Timeshare ranks over other types of holiday - Europe |
Some 96 per cent of European owners rate timeshare a better experience than other self-catering holidays.
That is a key finding in a comprehensive, on-line survey by the Organisation for Timeshare in Europe (OTE) that reveals an overwhelming majority of owners are happy with their timeshare, value the quality, location and high service standards at resorts and prefer timeshare to other types of holiday. More than 30,000 respondents completed the survey, all timeshare owners in Spain, the UK, Italy, Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
In other key findings, 97 per cent said timeshare holidays were as good as, or better than, staying in a hotel while 67 per cent said timeshare was good value for money compared with other holidays they have taken. When questioned why they had bought timeshare, they cited the guarantee of quality, destination choices and the range of facilities and services on offer.
In profiling respondents, OTE found that Europe was predominantly a mature market with most owners aged between 45 and 64 with older children.
Some 80 per cent have owned timeshare for five years or more and 69 per cent take three or more holidays a year. More than 50 per cent financed their timeshares out of their own resources. And some 67 per cent used an exchange system.
OTE chief executive Anthony Arke said: “In Europe a timeshare purchase is clearly an informed decision taken by experienced, committed and mature travellers seeking quality vacations. They find timeshare more flexible, more personal and of higher quality than other types of holiday accommodation.”
With around 1.5 million owner-families, Europe is second only to the United States as the largest timeshare market in the world. (OTE Issue 5) |
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2007 Upcoming Events |
Northern Seminar Day – see Agenda below
May 16th – Gold Coast Arts Centre
Australian Timeshare Christel House Open –
June 8th – Lakelands Golf Course
Northern Awards Gala Dinner –
July 18th – Royal Pines Resort
ATHOC Annual Conference -
September 16, 17 and 18 – Conrad Jupiters |
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Northern Seminar Day Agenda |
TARGETING MIDDLE MANAGEMENT AND LINE MANAGERS
Wednesday 16th May 2007 -
Gold Coast Arts Centre
9.00am – 9.10am: Welcome – Laura Younger – GM ATHOC
9.10am – 9.20am: Sponsor Presentation – APVC – Mike Winlaw
9.20am – 9.40am: Gold Coast Tourism
This will give an insight to what is going on behind the scenes at GC Tourism and how they are working to bring more recreational and business tourism to the Gold Coast.
9.40am – 9.50am: Sponsor Presentation Beyond Edge Interactive Media
9.50am – 10.20am: Water Planning – GCCC
With level 5 water restrictions facing us, Resorts and homes need to consider how they improve their water efficiency. GC City Council will discuss how we can all work together to improve our water situation.
10.20am – 10.30am: Sponsor Presentation Classic Holidays
10.30am – 11.00am: Morning Tea
11.00am – 11.20am: Surf Safety – GCCC Lifeguard
For your benefit and the benefit of your guests, learn some of the tips you need to know to be as safe as possible in our biggest playground.
11.20am – 11.30am: Sponsor Presentation - Dial an Exchange
11.30am – 12.30pm: Communication – Nick Bottrall - NLP Consulting and Training Pty Ltd
12.30pm – 12.45pm: Northern Awards – Laura Younger
12.45pm – 12.55pm: Sponsor Presentation Ice Vacations – Stuart Ockenden
12.55pm – 2.00pm: Lunch
2.00pm – 2.30pm: Due Process – Renae Fegent HR APVC
Industrial Laws are a minefield to navigate. Renae will go through the are of due process when dealing with staff.
2.30pm – 2.40pm: Sponsor Presentation Interval International
2.40pm – 3.10pm: Financial Planning – Tony Wilson - HWC
Superannuation is not something to be sneezed at. Tony will discuss the effective strategies to employ to ensure that you make the most of the new superannuation laws and the long term benefits to you.
3.10pm – 3.40pm: Effective Project Management – APVC
There are secrets and tips for everything you do. This session will help you work smarter on projects that you need to complete.
3.40pm – 3.50pm: Sponsor Presentation RCI – Charisse Cox
3.50pm – 4.15pm: Afternoon Tea
4.10pm – 4.20pm: Sponsor Presentation Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific
4.20pm – 5pm: Panel Session - What Issues are Leaders Confronted with?
An interactive opportunity to listen and discuss the problems that can confront you as a leader in your role. The panel will be made up of Industry leaders who all need to walk the talk to succeed in their roles. Panel includes – Mike Winlaw (APVC), Charisse Cox (RCI), Carole Smith (Classic Holidays)
Cost for the Seminar including morning tea, afternoon tea, and lunch is $99 per person including GST. |
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Invite from the Hotel Motel and Accommodation Association |
Where will your business come from during a Pandemic?
The Australian Government is seeking expressions of interest from properties who would like to participate in a FREE round table meeting to discuss the potential role for the accommodation sector during a pandemic and what services properties could provide.
During an influenza pandemic, the tourism industry is likely to feel the impact of health management strategies that attempt to prevent the transmission and spread of the disease. These strategies may include restrictions on travel and temporary closure of public places. However there is a potential role for the accommodation sector in providing emergency accommodation for stranded foreign nationals and healthcare professionals working in the hospital system.
This meeting is part of a wider consultation process with the accommodation sector that will guide the development of an agreed framework for utilisation of properties should a pandemic occur.
The round table meeting will be held on Monday 23rd April 2007 from 12pm - 2.30pm in Brisbane CBD.
If you would like to register your interest for this meeting please contact the HMAA National Affairs Manager Peter Olah.
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Register online for the OTE Road Show in Hungary |
With a growing number of companies focusing on timeshare opportunities in Eastern and Central Europe, the Organisation for Timeshare in Europe is to stage a special timeshare forum in Budapest next month.
Hosted by the Hungarian chapter of OTE, it will be held at the new Novotel Danube on Friday, 27th April 2007 from 10.30 to 16.30 hours. Sponsoring the event are Interval International and RCI.
http://www.regonline.com/otebudapest
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HMAA Accommodation Industry Awards for Excellence 2007 |
There is now a specific category for Timeshare, but also many other opportunities for you to enter your resorts.
Call for entries – QLD, NSW and ACT ONLY.
The Hotel and Motel Accommodation Association, the peak association for the Australian accommodation industry are currently calling for entries for the industry awards for excellence 2007. These awards acknowledge outstanding accommodation properties, and their business achievements, products, services and staff.
For more information, please contact Katey Shaw on 07 38318628 or email awards@hmaa.com.au or follow this link. |
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ATHOC E-news to owners |
| A suggestion has been put forward that a newsletter be written by ATHOC that could be distributed through you to your owners. If you would like to see something like this take place can you please contact me. If there is enough interest in this, we would certainly be happy to organise. |
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