Last week the Hilton Hotels Corporation announced that the company was officially becoming Hilton Worldwide, a name change they feel better reflects their global image and position. To go with the name change, they relocated corporate headquarters from Beverly Hills, California to McLean, Virginia.

They also threw out their old logo and they are in the process of replacing it with a new one that is surprising similar to the old one. Instead of the previous blue Hilton logo, which featured an upright letter “H”, Hilton Worldwide will be using what appears to be an “H” turned over on its side. The color scheme has also changed from blue to a platinum and gold combination.

According to executives at Hilton, the name and logo change should make it easier for consumers to recognize hotel and resort properties that are part of the Hilton Worldwide’s HHonors program. HHonors will share the same new logo as the hotel division, but branded with the words HHonors instead of “Hilton Worldwide”.

And while none of this seems like such a radical change and actually makes a lot of sense for a corporation that is part of the hotel and timeshare industry where many companies are reevaluating their focus and direction, Hilton sure has drawn criticism for their actions.

It seems that suddenly people “loved” the previous Hilton logo and now are very critical of the new one, which as I mentioned, doesn’t look so very different from the previous one. Critics have been quick to jump on the bandwagon saying that the cost of replacing the logo, companywide, is frivolous in the current economy. But let’s face it, every branded item, from business cards to hotel signage has a shelf life and is due to be replaced sooner or later anyway.

Taking Potshots at Hotels, Timeshare Companies, and Timeshare Resales Companies

It appears to me (IMHO) that some people like to take pot shots at companies and corporations, thinking that they are an easy target and can always be painted as the greedy bad guy. But let’s just remember that companies and corporations are nothing more than people, like all other consumers. They are built and carried on the backs of individuals working hard for a living, paying taxes, serving their communities, and trying to get by. I can’t imagine that most of these people wake up each day and say, “Let’s see how much corporate money we can waste today.”

There’s no defending greed, and certainly we have all seen indications that some people at the helm of various companies have demonstrated self-indulgence and a lack of respect for their companies, co-workers, and the customers who helped grow these companies with their business. But for every one greedy executive who makes the news, there are dozens, hundreds, thousands, and perhaps tens of thousands of individuals who work for that company and strive every day to serve their clients and customers at the highest levels.

Corporate responsibility isn’t dead, even though it may not be making headline news. And just because there are some rotten apples out there, you can’t paint all companies and corporations with the “ugly” paintbrush. People rush to the press, to social media platforms, and online bulletin boards with all sorts of criticisms of companies both large and even those as small as Sell My Timeshare NOW.

But perhaps it is time—maybe past time—for Americans to start pulling together more. For us to stop looking for scapegoats and whipping posts in politics, business, or any other segment of life. If you have a valid complaint or issue, contact the company. They will probably bend over backward trying to accommodate you. And before you launch an online campaign of complaints, remember that that corporate identity you are attacking, is nothing more than real people, trying to do their best every single day.

Follow this link if you are interested in learning more about genuine opportunities in Hilton Grand Vacation Club timeshare resales. Or Hilton timeshare rentals.

ARDA, the America Resort Development Association has put together some interesting information on their website www.vacationbetter.org that gives families yet another reason to vacation.

Recent research has shown that vacationing actually contributes to a child’s academic achievement. “Analysis of a U.S. Department of Education study found that children who travel over summer break – whether to a beach, historic site or a national park – did better in reading, math and general knowledge than their peers who didn’t vacation.”

The study looked at whether or not the child went on vacation, the places visited, and the number of days spent on the vacation. Results clearly showed a significant difference in academic achievement by vacationing children as compared to non-vacationers, although the length of the vacation didn’t seem to be as great a contributor as the fact that the vacation was taken and the child was exposed to new sights and experiences.

“The data is clear–and gives hard-working parents another reason not to put off a summer vacation trip,” said Dr. Bill Norman, Clemson University. “Providing kids with the experience of travel broadens their horizons and opens up their minds to learning.”

Howard Nusbaum, president and CEO, (ARDA) says, “This study gives families yet another strong reminder that taking vacation has benefits beyond the actual week or two of vacation.”

To read more about how your family vacation can impact your children, click here.

Time for some good news about the economy and its impact on Hawaii timeshares and timesharing. According to the Honolulu Star Bulletin, “Despite the economy, (Hawaii) timeshare visitors in the first half of the year showed solid gains.”

As the Star Bulletin reports, “The number of visitors who stayed in a timeshare for part of their Hawaii vacation rose by 4.6 percent during the first six months of this year, with the number of visitors who spent their entire vacation in a timeshare up by 5.8 percent, according to data from the Hawaii Tourism Authority.”

Pacific Business News quotes Mitch Imanaka, chair of ARDA Hawaii as saying, “…even during downturns in tourism, time share continues to stand out as a reliable source of revenue for Hawaii’s economy and provide jobs for Hawaii’s people. Ownership is the highest form of loyalty. It is clear time-share owners are using their scheduled vacation time in Hawaii because they have already paid for their accommodations …”

Hawaii Timeshares Important for the State’s Economy

• In 2007, Hawaii timeshares employed over 4500 people (an increase of 28 percent over 2006).
• The Hawaii timeshare industry paid (in 2007) nearly $180 million in wages, not including benefits and employment taxes. (Source: ARDA report, Analysis of State of Hawaii Timeshare Industry.)
• Hawaii timeshares were more than 88 percent occupied in the second quarter of 2009, and projections expect the third quarter to show approximately a 92 percent occupancy rate.
• Not only do Hawaii timeshares directly impact employment and the economy in the state, restaurants, car rentals, taxis, attractions and other aspects of the tourism industry benefit from timeshare tourists as well.

Conclusion: If you owned a Hawaii timeshare right now, you might be packing your flip-flops for your next Hawaii timeshare vacation or pocketing the money from using it as a Hawaii timeshare rental. And if you were looking to sell a Hawaii timeshare resale, you might be feeling like your prospects look pretty good.

No, I am not writing about those free or discounted theme park tickets sometimes distributed in return for your willingness to sit through a timeshare sales presentation. I am talking about a program that has genuine social value and great personal reward as well as the benefit of a free Walt Disney theme park admission.

Beginning on January 1, 2010, you can receive one free, single-day admission to a Walt Disney World® Resort or Disneyland® Resort theme park when you complete a day of volunteerism at a select charity.

The program is called, “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day,” and provides for the distribution of one million one-day one-park tickets. While you can only receive one ticket per person, no matter how often you volunteer next year, there is nothing to stop an entire family from earning their Disney reward. For a family of four vacationing at Disney Orlando, this would be a vacation savings of almost $320 in park admissions alone.

Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts says, “The thrust of this program is really about inspiring people to consider and participate in volunteerism, with the hope that that will become a way of life for them.” He adds, “We think, in this case, that doing good for our communities is good business.”

Timeshare Resales and Disney Days Add Up to Vacation Savings

So why not plan ahead? Get your name on the list to receive one of the one million tickets, do your volunteer work, and then schedule an Orlando timeshare resale or Orlando timeshare rental (either at a Disney timeshare or any of hundreds of other Central Florida timeshare resorts). Or visit Mickey’s original home at Disneyland California, and vacation in a California timeshare resale. You’ll be looking at a great family vacation at a very reasonable price.

Note: Eligible volunteer opportunities are located in the United States, including Puerto Rico, or Canada only and you must have a residence in the United States, Puerto Rico, or Canada to sign up. While timeshares offer great savings in vacation accommodations, there is no connection or requirement regarding your Disney pass and any accommodations you might select.

Follow this link to learn more about Give a Day, Get a Disney Day.

Click here for more on California timeshare resales and California timeshare rentals.

And click here to see the excellent values in Orlando timeshare resales or Orlando timeshare rentals.