|
|
 |
|
 |
Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji will come together September 16 - 18, 2007 to talk through current issues being faced in the Timeshare Industry.
This three day event hosts a number of sessions that focuses directly on the industry as well as taking a look at the external environment. Topics range from “Bullet Proofing Your Business” to considering the issues and importance of your trademark.
The Great Debate is a conference highlight bringing a number of CEO’s together to debate “The Future of the Industry in Australia”. It is an action packed agenda that offers something for everyone.
Don’t miss this golden opportunity to hear from Rob Redenbach - Listed by BRW as one of Australia’s top 10 professional speakers. His background includes FBI drug raids in Los Angeles, working with Nelson Mandela’s bodyguard team in South Africa, and providing close personal protection to not-for-profit organisations in Iraq. Rob speaks from experience and captivates his audience with his life stories.
The annual conference is a terrific networking opportunity and a chance for industry representatives to connect and catch up. It is a great chance for suppliers to show their wares and meet the ultimate purchaser of their products.
The Gold Coast is a beautiful part of Australia and houses many of the Australian Timeshare Properties. Spending time on the Gold Coast means you can enjoy surf and beaches, lush rainforests, world-class golfing greens and world-famous theme parks, all in one easy to reach destination.
2007 Annual Conference Pricing
ATHOC Members Early Bird Price -
$830 each - by July 27 2007
Non Members Early Bird Price -
$1030 each - by July 27 2007
For trade booth inquiries please contact us.
Contact ATHOC for a booking form:
T +61 7 5574 2622 or info@athoc.com.au
more information at www.athoc.com.au |
 |
Timeshare Perspective Magazine Supports ATHOC Conference
The Perspective Magazine is dedicating their September Edition to the Australian / Asia Pacific region and as well as their normal circulation of 4,300+ globally, this edition will also be distributed to all attendees at the ATHOC Convention from 16-18th September at Conrad Jupiter’s Casino, Gold Coast, Australia.
Perspective Magazine is committed to reporting on all important industry conventions and events and after two years of reporting on ARDA and OTE Conventions, is now focusing on its first ATHOC event, so help them show the world what this region has to offer!
There are limited opportunities for complimentary editorials as well as discounted rates for classified and premium advertising in this edition for ATHOC members, and Perspective Magazine invites you to request more information from sharon@timeshareperspective.com
About the Perspective Magazine
Now globally recognized as an independent platform for brand awareness, promotion of products and services and recruitment; the Perspective Magazine reports on the timeshare and leisure property industries worldwide. Print Circulation: 4,300+ individual subscribers. Online Readership: Averages 21,000 per month (worldwide).
For more information visit the website.
Note to all ATHOC members – Get you company listed FREE in the Timeshare Products & Services Directory which currently holds more than 500 listings for suppliers to the timeshare industry! Just visit the website. |
 |
 |
|
 |
Australian Timeshare Industry & Christel House Open - $60,000 raised for charity |
Swinging a golf club, having lots of fun, and winning great prizes seems an unlikely way to raise money for children’s charities. But the Australian timeshare community swung into action again this year as a part of a worldwide effort by timeshare industries to support the Christel House Open global golf fundraising day.
This incredible fundraiser sees golfing tournaments being held on the same day across six continents, spanning more than two dozen golf courses, in nine countries, across 22 time zones, with the Gold Coast event was the Australian time share industry’s contribution to the global effort.
Held at Lakelands Golf Course on the Gold Coast, the Australian Timeshare Industry Christel House Open raised over $60,000 through sponsorships, auctions, frivolous activities on the holes and general good will. |
 |
Much like their boardroom dealings competition was fierce on the day with the Classic Property Management team taking out the trophy.
|
Some of Variety Queensland funds from this year’s event will be used by the Mudgeeraba Special school (catering for 5-18 yr olds diagnosed with Intellectual Impairment) - to refurbish their Snozeleon Room, which is a stimulating and safe environment for students with sensory deficits.
The purchase of new tactile panels for visual stimulation, motor planning, communication and social interaction will also complement the existing musical floor, bubble tubes and acrylic mirrors and create a better learning environment for the kids.
The event culminated in the delivery of financial support by the industry, for the second year for Variety Queensland, the very active ATHOC Foundation and Christel House Children’s charity.
A sporting battle of the sexes also contributed to the day’s competitive atmosphere as Australia’s most successful women’s surfer Layne Beachley competed against former Brisbane Lion Richard Champion. |
 |
ATHOC has hosted the tournament since 2006 and has raised more than $135,000 for charity. Thank you to all who sponsored this brilliant day and to all of you who attended and had the opportunity to get out there and really enjoy yourself. Also, a special thank you to Mike Winlaw from APVC for purchasing the Will Power Helmet and to Kevin Sharp (ICE) for purchasing the framed and signed football jersey.
Photos top to bottom: (1) Marcus Caine (Golf Pro) Layne Beachly (Pro- Surfer), Richard Champion (Ex Lions Player) and Barry Robinson CEO Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific. (2) Laura Younger and Richard Champion – is this golf or motor racing? (3) A Team from ICE led by Stuart Ockenden hamming it up with Australia’s Longest Driver John Knobel (4) The team from APVC |
|
|
 |
Wyndham Group purchases The Outram |
Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific has established a foothold in the West Coast of Australia with the purchase of the luxury Perth hotel, The Outram Hotel.
President and CEO Barry Robinson said the move was especially exciting because it will give WorldMark South Pacific Club by Wyndham owners a chance to vacation on Australia’s stunning West Coast and in close proximity to Asia.
|
 |
The Outram has been operating for two years, comprises 24 luxurious apartments and suites and has built a reputation for its excellent facilities and service levels. It is currently a member of the Small Luxury Hotels chain and will be a ‘jewel in the crown’ of Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific’s current Australian properties.
Situated only five minutes from Perth’s CBD, the hotel is a 20 minute drive from the airport and 15 minutes drive to Perth’s famed Cottesloe and Scarborough beaches. The Outram is adjacent to Kings Park and only minutes from the Swan River. The restaurant and shopping precincts of Subiaco and Northbridge are all within walking distance. |
|
 |
APVC News |
Premiere pleasure at Fleurieu Peninsula - Opening Soon
Don’t be mistaken – APVC’s newest Club Property isn’t located in France. Although that would be very nice, you don’t necessarily need to be immersed amongst enlivened European culture and sexy accents to experience a holiday which has that certain je ne sais quoi.
APVC’s brand new Links Lady Bay, Grand Mercure Apartments are actually situated on the charming Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia. The Fleurieu Peninsula is a coat-hanger shaped strip of land connected by waters of the Gulf St Vincent, Southern Ocean, Murray River, Lake Alexandrina and Coorong National Park. The Common and Bottlenose dolphin inhabit the area together with seals, sea lions and a colony of over 2000 Little Penguins that congregate at Granite Island. In stark contrast to these, the world’s smallest penguins, Granite Island is also an ideal spot to witness the migration of the gargantuan Southern Right Whales from June to October as they return to the waters of Victor Harbor’s Encounter Bay.
Ideally located at Normanville Township and within close proximity to beautiful beaches, APVC’s brand new Links Lady Bay Apartments offer stylishly appointed one bedroom accommodation.
The Links Lady Bay Grand Mercure Resort boasts the award winning The Dunes Restaurant and offers top quality facilities including an 18-hole golf course, designed by Jack Newton, Graeme Grant and John Spencer. With stunning views of the coastline and ocean, the golf course offers smooth and subtle greens, long undulating fairways, strategically placed bunkers and water hazards to challenge golfers at all levels.
Third WA property for APVC |
Set in the foothills of the Darling Ranges, The Swan Valley and its upper reaches encompasses rich bushland, rolling vineyards, national parks, rivers, lakes and tumbling waterfalls.
The Swan Valley is Western Australia’s oldest wine-growing region with a history marked by pioneering farmers and descendents of the British Isles and Southern Europe. Today, its unique character and flavour is continued by a new generation of passionate gourmet food producers, restaurateurs and artists. |
 |
Appropriately named in relation to the surrounding thriving wine region, APVC The Vines Apartments are positioned within The Vines Resort and Country Club and offer comfortable and stylish studios, one and two bedroom apartments. Dining options at the resort include fine modern cuisine at its signature restaurant The Vigneron, a buffet and a la carte selection at Muscat’s Restaurant and light, tasty meals at The Winners Bar.
Aside from its prime getaway location and superior accommodation, the resort’s piece de resistance lays within its prestigious country club’s two supreme 19-hole championship courses. Golfing aficionados will be impressed with the first class facilities and courses, both of which continually rank in the top 20 resort courses in Australia.
Conveniently located only 30 minutes drive from Perth, The Vines Apartments at Swan Valley is the optimum destination to escape, relax, indulge and awaken your senses. |
|
 |
Interval hosts renowned fractional expert at Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Hotel conference |
Well-known fractional expert Paul Dean shared his industry insight at the Australia, New Zealand & Pacific Hotel Conference (ANZPHIC) held in Sydney on June 21st and 22nd. As a guest of Interval International, once again a Gold sponsor of ANZHPHIC, Dean discussed the keys to shared ownership development, common pitfalls to avoid and forecasted growth opportunities for fractional development in Asia-Pacific.
|
 |
Paul Dean’s presentation generated much interest in fractionals and other shared ownership programs. He has since seen a surge in enquiries to consult on existing and future developments within Australasia.
As a founding sponsor of ANZPHIC, Interval has striven to provide added value to conference delegates who wish to learn more about alternatives to conventional hotel development. The sponsorship of Paul Dean’s presentation to the region’s leading hoteliers reinforces Interval’s niche as the exchange network of choice for the world’s leading hospitality brands. |
|
 |
Revised directive fails consumers and the industry, says OTE |
The Organisation for Timeshare in Europe (OTE) has expressed deep disappointment at the proposed changes to the European Timeshare Directive announced on 7th June.
OTE makes clear that the revisions alone will provide no much-needed protection for consumers against fraudulent Discount Travel Membership Clubs (DTMCs).
And it says that the Directive has been “patched up” in efforts to regulate what the European Commission calls Long Term Holiday Products (or Discount Travel Membership Clubs) even though these travel services are fundamentally different to legitimate timeshare products.
If existing laws were enforced immediately -- rather than waiting for the revised legislation to be introduced in 2010 -- consumers would already be protected, said OTE.
For example, the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive, which comes into force later this month, would protect consumers against the aggressive sales methods and tactics employed by some Long Term Holiday Products.
OTE secretary-general Peter van der Mark says that evidence from the European Consumer Centres confirms that the timeshare industry is well regulated, having received only 250 consumer complaints across the whole of the European Union in 2006 compared to the thousands received by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) about Long Term Holiday Products.
The revised Directive proposes more onerous demands on timeshare companies that will not increase consumer protection. Instead it will make it more difficult and costly for companies to do business. At the same time, the proposed changes will further set back timeshare companies and make it easier for fraudsters to operate.
According to Mr van der Mark, the European Commission has recognised the real problem in Europe. “These Long Term Holiday Products are ticking time bombs,” he said. “By shoe-horning these holiday products into legislation created for asset-based timeshare, the European Commission has chosen a short-cut that will leave millions of European holidaymakers at risk. The Commission has missed the opportunity to introduce better regulation with tangible consumer benefits.
OTE believes the revised Timeshare Directive will fail to deliver consumer protection where it is most needed and, as a result, fail the 1.45million timeshare owners in EU states and the hundreds of legitimate and well-known timeshare companies. OTE Issue 14
|
 |
European Timeshare valued at Є10.5 Billion a year |
Statistics, indicating the impact of timeshare on the European economy, give an idea of “the importance of the industry”, says the European Union.
According to the latest available data, there are approximately 1,500 resorts, creating 85,000 units annually. The number of EU timeshare units is increasing by about two per cent a year, based on 2005 estimates.
The industry yields a total economic output of Є10.5billion of which Є4.2billion in Spain alone. And it creates 40,000 jobs across the Union. OTE issue 14
|
|
 |
Technology for accommodation conference ICT factor 07 |
Key findings of a recent HMAA survey to understand current technology issues and identify new opportunities from emerging technologies found:
Internet connectivity for guests: 20% of respondents reported that they lose guests due to inadequate internet connectivity (lack of broadband for guest use)
Websites: only 20% of respondents have fully automated internet booking websites with instandt confirmation. Web based marketing sites were rated as important but 21% of respondents don’t use them.
VOIP: Motels, apartments and resorts are the early leaders on the use of VOIP
Innovating software solutions: software used falls into four categories – accounting, property management, point of sale and customer relationship management. 11% of respondents were dissatisfied with their software.
To find out more about tackling these issues, the HMAA is partnering with the Dept State Development. For more information go to the website. |
 |
Be prepared in case of a pandemic |
At the APEC Tourism Forum on 15 May 2007 the Minister for Small Business and Tourism, the Hon Fran Bailey MP, announced the development of the Australian Government's first tourism specific pandemic planning tool – an interactive multimedia application to promote awareness of infectious respiratory diseases and understanding of infection control in the event of an influenza pandemic.
The application - "Prepared and Protected – Special Edition for Australia's Accommodation Sector" - has been developed specifically to help the accommodation sector prepare their operation for a potential pandemic but is also applicable to the broader tourism industry. Designed to be used as a training tool for staff, the application includes instructional videos, interactive testing modules and resource documents.
The Australian Government Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources is pleased to advise that the application is now available online through the Department's website at www.industry.gov.au/tourismpandemicplanning. |
 |
Celebrity Chatter |
Top UK Chef Ainsley Harriott visits his pal Justin (Head Chef) at APVC’s Mt Lofty House in Adelaide.
It was Ainsley’s first trip to South Australia, so Justin took him on a private orientation tour of some of his own favourite food spots. A great time was had by all.
Picture: Ainslie Harriott with Justin (Left at back) and his team
|
 |
|
|
