The ACE Community Service Award recognizes outstanding community contributions by an ARDA member individual or organisation. This year’s recipient, Hearts & Hands, International Cruise Excursions, Inc. (ICE) has worked to benefit Habitat for Humanity, United Blood Services, the American Cancer Society, the Salvation Army, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Make-A-Wish, Christel House, St. Vincent DePaul, St. Mary’s Food Bank, and more.

Club launches new property and sales office in Indonesia
Accor Première Vacation Club (APVC) is on the brink of rapid Membership growth following the announcement that from April 5th 2007 – the company will launch its new Asian Club. It will also open its first APVC Sales Office, and its first Asian property for Members - as part of the new Novotel Nusa Dua Resort in Bali.

APVC's 23 purpose built, luxury club apartments comprise generous sized studios and one, two and three bedroom apartments with the ground-floor apartments all having plunge pools. Fit-outs are a modern Balinese inspired style, with large living areas and airy bathrooms, featuring innovative configurations to suit all families.

The new Resort has a central, extensive wet-edge pool area, featuring water walls, al fresco dining areas, and many recreational facilities for families, including the popular Dolfi kids club.

New Memberships will be sold in Asia for the first time, from May 5 - initially to Indonesians, and tourists holidaying in Bali.

“As Australia and New Zealand combine for a population of less than 25 million, our growth strategy is focused on the nearby Asian markets,” said Marty Kandel, CEO of APVC. 

“After the opening of our first Asian Club apartments in Bali, we anticipate entering the market in Thailand, Indonesia, French Polynesia, Singapore, and India in the short to mid-term, followed by China sometime after the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

It is our intention to target both the local and ex-pat markets in all Sales Centre locations, initially Bali and Jakarta, and this is something that has rarely been tried by other industry players.

We believe APVC will be well placed to succeed in emerging markets such as India and China. Indonesia alone boasts thirty six Accor Hotels, with eight more under development by 2008. Indeed Members will be able to access Accor managed properties across the Asia Pacific Region".

The first phase of the eighth resort to be launched by the Disney Vacation Club will be opened at the end of this year.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas will join five others in Florida and one in South Carolina.

Now celebrating its 15th anniversary, Disney Vacation Club has doubled its membership since 2000 to include more than 300,000 individuals from more than 100 countries.

It has sold out of memberships at its first six properties and sales remain “ahead of schedule” at its seventh property, Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa which opened in May 2004.

OTE Volume 7, Issue 9

Dial An Exchange International (DAE) signals its global expansion by pre-announcing the opening of two new offices:

South Africa – opening May 2007
Asia – opening June 2007

Founded in 1997, DAE is currently represented in the USA, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.  For many years DAE has focused on providing value through its commitment to customer service and advanced online search and booking system.

The majority of respondents to an independent impact assessment of potential changes to the European Timeshare Directive supports regulation of Discount Membership Travel Clubs (DMTCs) and enforcement against fraudulent sales programmes. 

However they came out firmly against a revision of the existing Timeshare Directive, believing that products causing the most concern among consumers were not timeshare and should not be dealt with under the same Directive.

The assessment was commissioned by the Organisation for Timeshare in Europe (OTE) and undertaken by KPMG. Respondents felt strongly that the European timeshare industry was already burdened with more regulation than most industries and compared to other countries.

They also believed that the 1994 Timeshare Directive had negative ramifications and that the long-term impact was on cancellation rates and operational costs.

According to the survey, “There was also evidence that a number of resorts closed and that sales have been declining since the implementation of the (Timeshare) Directive which compares to a growing US market.”

It was also noted that the European industry had not enjoyed the long anticipated inward investment from major US hospitality companies due to “the onerous regulations (contained in the 1994 Timeshare Directive) compared to other jurisdictions”.

The survey was completed last month. It followed a public stakeholder consultation programme undertaken by the European Commission that began last year.

In an executive summary, the respondents -- assuming that total developer turnover in Europe is 1,192 million euros – cited the largest impacts as:

- A decrease in developers’ turnover of 381 million euros (32 per cent) if there are statements included in the contract regarding re-sale values

- A decrease in developers’ turnover of 334 million euros (28 per cent) if there is a ban on obtaining financial information from the consumer until after the cooling off period

- A decrease in developers’ turnover of 250 million euros (21 per cent) if the cooling off period is extended to 28 (calendar) days and the ban on deposits remains in place

An increase of 215 million euros (18 per cent) if the cooling off period remains the same and the ban on deposits is lifted.

According to the survey, each of the above is taken in isolation and a combination of possible changes could change the impact on developers’ turnover substantially.

It emphasises as well that there would be “magnified effects on employment and on the local economies surrounding resorts”. 

Also there were likely indirect impacts on other businesses and further spending in the local economy.

OTE Vol 7, Issue 7

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 – Amber Rodgers - Associate Director – Member Services

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 – Duy Huyn

9.50am – 10.20am: Water Planning – GCCC – Andrew Foley – Manager Commercial Performance

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 Services – Tony Kimmins – Surf Education Officer

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 – Executive Institute of Management - Director

The powers of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) in Sales, Management, Business Coaching and the remarkable outcomes it achieves.

12.30pm – 12.45pm: Northern Awards – Laura Younger – GM ATHOC

This session will give you the information you need when responding to the nominations for the Northern Awards and the importance of putting your good people forward.

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 area 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 – Heather James – Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific.

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 – Brian George

3.50pm – 4.15pm: Afternoon Tea

4.10pm – 4.20pm: Sponsor Presentation  Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific – Craig Taplin

4.20pm – 5.00pm: 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), Craig Taplin (Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific), John Campagnolo (Classic Holidays)

Cost for the Seminar including morning tea, afternoon tea, and lunch is $99 per person including GST.