C.A.R.E., which stands for the Cooperative Association of Resort Exchangers, is a timeshare trade association established over twenty years ago by timeshare industry representatives. Their goal was to better satisfy timeshare owners by increasing timeshare exchange inventories. Last fall, through the association’s annual fundraising auction, C.A.R.E. raised more than $13,000 for charity, an all-time record for their efforts.

Resort Trades, (a timeshare news and timeshare information publisher that targets the timeshare and resort industries) as a donor to the C.A.R.E fundraiser was selected to name a charity to receive five percent of the funds raised through the auction. Resort Trades selected the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital of Memphis, Tennessee, as the recipient.

“C.A.R.E. appreciates Resort Trades participation and knows we would not be able to be as successful without members like Resort Trades. C.A.R.E. is a non-profit organization, so the funds raised from the silent/live auction allow us to advertise C.A.R.E. in industry publications such as Developments magazine and Resort Trades,” says Jeannette Bunn, who is a Vice-President and volunteer at C.A.R.E.

The remainder of the funds raised at auction go to building membership at C.A.R.E. and expanding the C.A.R.E. members’ networking opportunities.

The US Travel Promotion Act, signed on Thursday, could have come just in time to turn the tide on shocking US losses in the tourism, travel, and timeshare industries.

According to research released by the US Travel Association, the decline of foreign travel to the US is hurting the economy far more than anyone could have predicted. Since the year 2000, the reduction in overseas travel to America has meant the loss of some 440,000 US jobs and over $500 billion in travel-related spending. Each individual visitor lost to US travel translates to a loss of more than $4000 that could be going directly into the US economy.

The $500 billion-plus lost in tourism dollars means a $214 billion loss in direct spending and another $295 billion loss in secondary spending. This includes retailers, restaurants, attractions, and other travel or tourism related goods and services.

And the lost jobs and lost revenues have a huge trickledown effect, resulting in an over $32 billion decline in tax revenue at local, state, and federal levels not to mention the resultant losses created when travel, timeshare, and tourism workers become unemployed. Presently, one in eight Americans depends on the tourism (or tourism-related) industry for employment.

Roger Dow, U.S. Travel’s president and CEO, explains, “We can’t afford another lost decade when we’re looking for ways to kick-start the economy and create jobs.”

A South African educator recently commented, “When America sneezes, the whole world gets ill.” The economic situation in the US has certainly felt like much more than a sneeze to most Americans with unemployment, foreclosures, and dwindling personal wealth still daily headline news. But when you look at the facts, the decline in US tourism is not solely tied to the current economy—this is a decade-long dip that incorporates the impact of 9-11, overall concerns about travel safety, and perhaps even the fact that we, as Americans, have not exactly been extending the welcome mat to worldwide visitors.

How the Travel Promotion Act Affects You

Until now, there has never been a government-backed promotion and communications program aimed at attracting international travelers to the US. On March 4, 2010, President Obama signed The Travel Promotion Act, in ceremonies at the White House. This effort will create a new public-private partnership campaign to aggressively market the US as a premier travel destination.

From this act, we will see the creation of the Corporation for Travel Promotion, a public-private corporation that will work with the State Department, Commerce, and Homeland Security to plan and execute comprehensive marketing, promotions, and communications campaign to draw more international tourists to the US.

And here’s the best news of all: no taxpayer money goes into the corporation. Instead, revenues for the new Corporation for Travel Promotion will come from private sector contributions (some $100 million) and a $10 fee on foreign travelers who do not pay for a visa in order to enter the US.

According to research by Oxford Economics, a $200 million marketing expenditure will attract 1.6 million new international visitors annually, add $4 billion to the US economy each year, create $320 million in new federal tax revenues annually, and result in some 40,000 new jobs here in the United States. Additionally, the Obama administration predicts that the result will also reduce the budget deficit by $425 million while increasing revenues by $135 million.

Marriott Vacation Club’s Global Owner Services was honored as the “Contact Center of the Year” at the Fourth Annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service.

Each year the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service recognizes exemplary sales associates, call center professionals, and customer service departments around the globe; this year considering more than 500 submitted entries in naming the winners.

Ron Essig, vice president, global owner products and services for Marriott Vacation Club International, says, “Being recognized as the ‘Contact Center of the Year’ is a great honor and a wonderful acknowledgment of the daily commitment our Owner Services Associates in Salt Lake City put forth. The formula for our success continues to be our relentless focus on customer service”

Marriott Timeshares Has Long Been Synonymous with Quality Customer Service

This is not the first Stevie award for Marriott Vacation Club International (see: Marriott Vacation Club Earns “Stevie”). In 2003, 2006, and 2008, Marriott timeshare earned the award in the “Best Customer Service Organization” division and in 2007, they were honored as “Best Sales Organization”.

Marriott Timeshare has long been recognized as a leader in providing top quality timeshare resorts and exemplary customer service. Marriott was one of the first hoteliers to enter the timeshare industry, and today, services more than 400,000 timeshare owners worldwide.

Guy Hall is the new Area Manager for Grand Pacific Resort Management, a California timeshare company. The privately owned timeshare vacation ownership management company is located in Carlsbad, California, and is one of the oldest and largest vacation ownership companies in California.

Hall’s responsibilities include two favorite California timeshare resorts, The Carlsbad Seapointe Resort timeshare, and the Coronado Beach Resort timeshare. He will also play a key role in the identification of acquisition and management contract candidates for the Grand Pacific Resort Management portfolio.

Nigel Lobo, Vice President of Grand Pacific Resort Management, says, “As General Manager at Carlsbad Seapointe, Guy has taken the resort to new heights, both in occupancy as well as guest satisfaction, once again earning RCI Gold Crown status for the resort. He has mentored and developed a solid team with the ‘all hands on deck’ resort credo the Seapointe team developed and has consistently implemented creative programs and activities.”

A forward thinking timeshare company, Grand Pacific Resort Management services more than 45,000 timeshare owners every year, managing over 1000 California timeshares and Hawaii timeshares.

Grand Pacific Resort Services (a California timeshare management company) wants their timeshare resorts to be both grand and green. With this in mind, the timeshare management company has launched a series of projects to help their California timeshare resorts accomplish the goals of being more environmentally conscious and more responsive to consumer expectations for environmental responsibility.

The Grand Pacific Timeshare Resorts Going Green Committee is both championing and documenting environmentally “green” practices of their resorts. Some of their suggested efforts include:

• Programs to educate timeshare guests and timeshare owners on areas of environmental responsibility, such as not using the air conditioner while the windows are open.
• Standardized ambient thermostat settings in timeshare units or common areas.
• Encouraging linen and towel re-use (already done at many timeshare resorts).
• Shifting laundry operations to off-peak energy demand hours.
• Installing shower aerators to control flow without decreasing pressure.
• Use of more energy efficient appliances.
• Energy management systems for water heaters.
• Use of CFL (compact fluorescent lighting) lighting throughout timeshare resorts.
• Recycling programs that are easy for both resorts and timeshare owners to utilize.
• Irrigation timers.
• Replanting with drought tolerant plants.
• Installation of ceiling fans.
• Use of recycled printer and ink cartridges.

And these are only some of the changes the Grande Pacific timeshare resorts Going Green committee is advocating, yet timeshare resorts are already seeing big returns. As Vice President of Resort Operations, Nigel Lobo says, “A lot of small, incremental changes add up to make a difference.”

For more information on Grande Pacific Timeshare Resorts follow this link from The Timeshare Authority: Wi Fi at Grand Pacific Timeshare Resorts

And for more on the Green Initiative throughout California go to: www.green.ca.gov

 

Topics: California Timeshare, Timeshare Blog, Timeshare News

People who are buying homes and residential real estate right now are doing so because this is an excellent time to buy. And many consumers are finding the same to be true when it comes to buying timeshares, timeshare resales, or other vacation ownership real estate.

Timeshare companies and timeshare developers who sell new timeshare are working hard to earn the timeshare sale … you may find them more negotiable than ever. But the best deals are usually available in buying timeshare resales from belt-tightening, budget conscious timeshare owners, who are anxious to sell their timeshare in order to get out from under annual timeshare maintenance fees and/or property taxes.

So if you are interested in taking advantage of the better-than-ever deals available in timeshare and timeshare resales, here are some important questions you need to ask before you sign on the dotted line.

Applies When You Are Buying Timeshare Either New or as a Timeshare Resale:

• Make sure you know the resort name and exact location. Pay special attention to timeshare resorts that have been built in phases because the description of the Phase I property could be very different from Phase V property. Know the specific address of the timeshare unit or the timeshare property usage you are buying.
• Know the annual maintenance fees, how much they have increased over the years, and the date of the last increase.
• Find out what the property taxes are, if they are included in your maintenance fee, and how and when you pay them if you are responsible for making the payment yourself.
• In a points based system, know the number of points you are buying.
• Know whether you are buying a fixed or floating timeshare interval.
• How many rooms are in the unit, what is the square footage, and can you see a floor plan?
• Find out both how many people the unit sleeps as well as the number of bedrooms. These will not be the same number!
• Ask about the view from your unit. Are you beachside? Have a scenic view of the mountains? Or are you staring at the parking lot? Desirability of view can affect the value of the timeshare.

Applies Specifically When You Are Buying Timeshare Resale:

• Learn what, if any, privileges of timeshare ownership cannot be transferred in a timeshare resale.
• Know how you will handle the timeshare title transfer, the escrow account, and the closing contract.

Applies Specifically When You Are Buying Timeshare New From the Resort or Developer:

• Know the exact sales price you will be paying and the duration and interest rate of the timeshare mortgage if you are using developer financing.
• Know if you can transfer to another financing source without paying a penalty on developer financing and if there are time limits for doing this.
• Find out if there are perks, loyalty programs, or benefits you can take advantage of because you have purchased a new timeshare at the developer’s full price.

And while all of these are critical questions to ask before you buy timeshare or a timeshare resale, based on the situation, there may be many other important questions to ask as well. To make sure you wind up owning a timeshare that fits both your vacation needs and your budget, do three simple things:

1. Take your time, don’t let anyone rush you.
2. Do your own research so that you know exactly what you are buying and the terms of the sale.
3. Do not “settle” for a property that is almost-right. There are too many great deals in timeshare sales and timeshare resales for you to buy anything less than a timeshare that is ideal for you and your family to enjoy for many happy years.

 

Topics: Timeshare Blog, Timeshare Brokers, Timeshare Buyers, Timeshare News, Timeshare Real Estate, Timeshare Resales, Timeshare Sales