LAST CHANCE!!! EVENT REMINDER: Moving Forward Together - ATHOC Conference - September 13-15, 2009

If you cant make the full conference, how about some of the great evening activities.

Sunday 13th from 6pm to 8pm is the ICE Beach Party overlooking the beach in Surfers.

Monday 14th from 8 – 11pm is the Dial An Exchange Cocktail Party at the Titanium Bar

Tuesday 15th from 7pm = Midnight – join the group for a progressive dinner in Broadbeach. Starting off at Alto’s by the beach for nibbles and drinks; then moving into the delightful Mario’s for mains followed by Howl at the Moon for the Awards Presentation and an opportunity to challenge the dueling pianists!

For more information on the conference program and event activities go to http://www.athoc.com.au/athoc/events

This year the ATHOC Conference will be held at the Courtyard Marriott, Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast. “Gold Coast - beautiful one day and perfect the next….”

Gold Sponsors

HOME GROWN: Classic sales expansion continues

Classic has continued its recent sales expansion with its three newest sales offices being opened in Auckland, North Brisbane and Adelaide.

This builds on the success of its already existing operations, which include three offices on the Gold Coast, one in Mooloolaba, as well as its in-house sales operations at resorts.

The growth has been stimulated by the introduction of its Licensee sales model, which enables individual companies to sell the Classic product under a license agreement.

IYC travel which services the 35,000 members in the Classic Group has already enjoyed enormous success during its opening earlier this year. 
  
We congratulate them on winning the following awards that were received at the Jetset Travelworld conference for a top affiliate office;
Intrepid Tours -  Top Performing office Qld
Weny Wu -   Recognition of outstanding sales in Qld for 2009
Sunlover  - Award of Excellence 2009                        
Octopus Travel  - Top office for Queensland 2009         
Jetset Travelworld -  Office Acknowledgement Award Affiliates

Classic Industry Announcement

Classic Holidays announces the addition of the management of the Cedar Lake Country Resort & Equestrian Centre to the Classic Group, effective 1 October 2009. The resort is located in the Gold Coast hinterland and has 60 two bedroom units located within magnificent grounds, featuring a modern outdoor pool and recreation area.

The Board of Cedar Lake made the decision to appoint Classic Holidays primarily because of the company's experience in the management of timeshare resorts and their commitment to and support of our industry.  The synergy of the addition of Cedar Lake to the Classic group will benefit both organisations and their members.

They also welcome the on site managers, Warren and Julie Lee, and their staff to the Classic family.

HOME GROWN: Resorts and Environmental Change - Ballarat VIC

Wednesday 4th and Thursday 5th November, 2009

Worldmark Ballarat is hosting the 2009 Operational Conference which will focus on operational issues including “How to Drought Proof your Grounds and Gardens, Reducing Your Costs of Hot Water; Waste Management and Re-cycling just to name a few. Mark this date in your diary – more information will come soon.

HOME GROWN: Goodbye Mr Wells, long term Timeshare committee member

Just a note to you all as a number of members would have met Des Wells at several conferences from time to time. Mr Wells passed away at the weekend.
He has served as a director of Silver Sands Timeshare Club for almost 20 years and has been a supporter of ATHOC through Silver Sands. He has always been a timeshare supporter. He will be missed.

HOME GROWN: Wyndham swinging into muscular dystrophy research

Over the last three months Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific has supported a series of charity golf days in Sydney aimed at raising money for muscular dystrophy research, through its charitable arm, “Wishes by Wyndham”.

Wyndham Vacation Resorts provided a number of auction items and also entered a team into the competitions.

The charity golf days were run by the FSHD Global Research Foundation, an Australian not-for-profit organisation dedicated to finding a treatment or cure for Facio-Scapulo-Humeral Dystrophy, or FSHD.  

“FSHD is likely the most common form of muscular dystrophy in adults and the third most common genetic hereditary disease seen in skeletal muscle,” said Bill Moss AM, Chair of FSHD Global.  

There is no cure or treatment for FSHD.

“Thanks to the support of companies like Wyndham Vacation Resorts, the Foundation’s golf days have so far been able to raise over $50,000 for research into FSHD,” said Bill Moss AM.  
  
“On behalf of the FSHD Global Research Foundation I’d like to thank Wyndham Vacation Resorts for their generous support,” concluded Bill Moss AM.  

HOME GROWN: Worldmark flies to new heights

During August, ten WorldMark South Pacific Club Owners and their guests were entertained by Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific on the Gold Coast at a VIP Owner Event.  The group stayed at Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific Kirra Beach and had an early morning balloon flight over the Gold Coast hinterland – despite the fog that eventually lifted!  WorldMark South Pacific Club Owners, Dee and Wally West from Ipswich were as enthusiastic about their balloon ride as they are about their WorldMark South Pacific Club ownership.  “We holiday much more than we did before we bought [our vacation ownership]”, they said.  “We like the way it renews each year and the consistency of resort standards”, said Dee.  Participants thoroughly enjoyed the VIP event and the opportunity to mix with other WorldMark Owners and Wyndham Vacation Resorts staff.

Photo: Dee & Wally West (right) with other guests and Wyndham Vacation Resorts representatives.

WORLD AROUND US: Owners Perspective magazine confirms distribution deals at airport lounges

Owners Perspective, the new magazine for the vacation ownership industry launched in January, will be distributed at the airport lounges of British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines and Emirates Airlines around the world, following a series of agreements signed by its publisher Perspective International.

The deals are part of the publisher’s strategy to reach affluent business and leisure travelers, and, according to Paul Mattimoe, CEO of Perspective International Ltd, “will help to educate even more people on the benefits of shared ownership products and all the luxuries associated with the more modern product types.”

Owners Perspective magazine offers an independent look at resort real estate, fractional property ownership, high end timeshares, private residence clubs, boutique hotels and luxury travel services, providing print and online reviews, buying guides, advice, hints and tips.

The magazine is available by subscription and also at selected Tesco and Sainsbury’s supermarkets in the UK and Macdonald Hotels and Resorts. RDO August 17,2009

WORLD AROUND US: Two new Turkish health resorts for Group RCI

 Group RCI members will soon be able to enjoy a relaxing spa experience at a choice of two new resort affiliates in Turkey, the Salutaris Thermal Resort and Kartas Thermal and Spa Resort.

Due to open in October 2009, the Kartas Thermal and Spa Resort is located in the Cavlak area of Bogazliyan, close to the historic city of Kayseri and Cappadocia. Accommodation is offered in hotel rooms and one- and two-bedroom units sleeping up to six people. Prices are expected to range between 2,000 and 8,000 euros per week.

The Salutaris Thermal Resort in Omerli, due to open in 2010, sits in the mountainous province of Afyon. With 204 two-bedroom units, the resort is set to become one of Europe’s largest thermal holiday villages, offering a Turkish hammam, sauna, indoor and outdoor pools, fitness centre and spa. Prices should range between 6,000 and 10,000 euros per week. RDO August 17, 2009

WORLD AROUND US: Interval affiliates fleet of fractional ownership yachts in Turkey

 Interval International has added Dames De La Mer, a fractional ownership project comprising a fleet of sailing boats based in Turkey, to its vacation exchange network, providing members a new experience not previously available to them.

The yachts, constructed by French company Beneteau, are all Cyclades 50.4 class with four double cabins and a single cabin for the captain, a lounge and a kitchen. All boats are fully crewed and can either be sailed or powered by diesel engine. They will operate in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Clients will sail from the home marina of Dames De La Mer in Netsel Marmaris, just 90 kilometres from Dalaman Airport. The marina has capacity for 720 moorings, electric and water connections, a choice of restaurants and bars, a swimming pool, tennis court and a supermarket on site. RDO August 17, 2009

WORLD AROUND US: The Registry Collection exchange program welcomes three luxury affiliates

The Luxury Exchange Program’s Members Now Have Access to More Resorts in Florida, North Africa and Greece

The Registry Collection® Exchange Program, the world’s largest luxury exchange program offered by Group RCI, the worldwide leader in vacation exchange and the European leader in vacation rentals and one of the Wyndham Worldwide family of brands (NYSE: WYN), today announced relationships with three luxury affiliates which will become part of The Registry Collection exchange program’s growing network.

The new resorts include Jimmy Johnson’s Fisherman’s Cove in the Florida Keys, The International Riviera in North Africa and Halcyon Hills Spa Resort and Marina in Greece.

“We are extremely excited to welcome these extraordinary properties to The Registry Collection program,” said Gregg Anderson, global managing director, The Registry Collection program. “Each resort boasts incredible features that epitomize the vacation experiences we offer our more than 30,000 members through this elite global network.”

Fisherman’s Cove in the Florida Keys epitomizes the best of the Keys’ outdoor and entertainment opportunities including celebrated sunsets, world-class sport fishing, outstanding diving, a thriving art community, lively nightlife and delightful waterfront dining. This private residence club lavishes a total of only 48 owners with luxury at every turn. Guests will enjoy on-site amenities including an outdoor swimming pool and cabanas; private dock and boats for personal use of owners; rooftop terrace with a jetted tub; wet bar and sunbathing area; state-of-the-art fitness center; waterfront dining and room service; and an exceptional staff to handle all needs and requests.

The International Riviera in Tunisia, North Africa, is set to be completed in 2011 and will include 50 luxury waterfront villas. The concept for The International Riviera was created to be a fusion of European elegance and the 21st century pioneering spirit of Dubai. The five-star residential resort development will have at its heart a Las Vegas-style casino complex and a range of other upscale amenities, including golf, spa, marinas and retail.

Halcyon Hills Spa Resort and Marina on the Greek island of Samos will boast an array of luxury facilities including a 1,200 square-meter spa, a 35-berth private marina, two beaches, tennis courts and more when completed. The ethos of the resort combines luxury with the traditional Greek charm of Samos.

BUSINESS: Results of salary study for the timeshare industry announced - US

Marketing and sales positions were the worst hit by the recession according to the results of the annual salary survey of the vacation ownership industry published by Executive Quest.

As more companies cut back on marketing and tour flow, those in marketing positions had a reduction in compensation of between 10 and 20 per cent, whilst sales managers and vice presidents, whose salary is often tied to a percent of sales revenue, had a decrease of 25 per cent.

The survey also shows that CEO, presidents and owners suffered a decrease in compensation of around 33 per cent as the timeshare industry struggled in the economic downturn. On the other hand, administrative positions such as HR or operations management held steady on income.

For this year’s survey, Executive Quest approached more than 20,000 contacts from its newsletter subscription database, including CEOs, CFOs, resort general managers and those in sales and marketing, finance and human resources positions in the timeshare, fractional and vacation ownership industry. A full copy of the survey may be purchased at www.execq.com. RDO August 17,2009

BUSINESS: Assistance Dogs

The penalties re assistance dogs commences 1 September 2009. Under the Act, a person with a disability who relies on a certified guide, hearing or assistance dog must have the same access rights as other members of the public. Further, they must not be segregated from other patrons or separated from their dog. The penalties are up to $50,000.00, thus you may wish to read more information via this link.