As of last week, Celebrity Resorts, LLC (timeshares) and 35 affiliates have voluntarily filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, filing in the US Bankruptcy Court in Orlando, Florida.

Celebrity (and its affiliates) own and operate thirteen timeshare resorts including Florida timeshare, Hawaii timeshare, and timeshare in Colorado, Nevada, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

Celebrity Resorts timeshares report that the company has approximately $23 million in unsecured debt and $12 million in secured debt. The two debts listed as secured are to International Escrow Services of Atlanta and Resort Condominiums International of Carmel, Indiana.

According to an article by Randall Reece for Netdocs.com, the company cites the following as the three primary reasons for the bankruptcy:

1. The economy in general and what the timeshare company calls, “unprecedented decrease in revenues” since September 2008.
2. Internal disagreements between family members who hold control over the debtors regarding the company’s business model. Two family members have been terminated, one of whom has filed a lawsuit against several of the companies involved.
3. The declaration of a default on a loan owing to Textron Financial Corporation.

Celebrity Resorts, formerly known as Resort World, began its business selling Caribbean timeshare in the 1970s, and then added Orlando timeshare in the 1980s.

At the time of this blog posting, there is no information on the company’s website regarding how the closing may impact any of the Celebrity Resorts timeshares.

The full court document is currently available to read at: http://www.jdsupra.com/post/documentViewer.aspx?fid=491abf36-f3e4-4fbe-81a1-2bbeeebbdb80

Today’s edition of The Timeshare Authority is Part II of a special blog post on some of the Haitian relief efforts within the hospitality, timeshare, and hotel industries; it includes information about ways you can get involved in the relief efforts, too.

Part II of II

Haitian relief efforts from those in the hotel and timeshare industry are taking many forms (See Part I: Hospitality and Timeshare Industry Stepping Up to Help Haiti). One simple, but valued effort is underway from some Florida hotels, where soap is being sanitized for reuse. Hotel Biba in West Palm Beach, Jupiter’s Ritz-Carlton, and the Breakers in Palm Beach, are among hotels collecting hundreds of pounds of used soap to be sanitized and redistributed in Haiti. Through “Clean the World,” an aid group that collects and sanitizes used bars of hotel soap, the Breakers is expected to donate nearly 1,500 pounds of used soap this month alone. Other hotels known to participate include these resorts in the Tampa and St. Petersburg area: Sheraton Sand Key Resort, Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort, Shepard’s Beach Resort, the Holiday Inn Beach Resort & Suites and Sandpearl Resort.

Here’s a look at what other hotels and timeshares are doing to help:

Rosen Hotels & Resorts

Orlando-based Rosen Hotels and Resorts has teamed up with the First Haitian Baptist Church of Orlando, the Haitian American Chamber of Commerce, Tekontrol, the Consulate of Haiti in Orlando, and the offices of two Florida Senators, to raise $1 million in Haitian relief money. Checks can be made to the Harris Rosen Foundation, memo: Haiti Relief, and mailed to 9840 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819.

Choice Hotels

Members of Choice Hotels loyalty programs can donate to the American Red Cross (as well as two other worthwhile organizations that are not involved in Haiti relief) by clicking here: ChoicePrivileges. 1,000 Choice Hotel points equals $5; 2,000 points equals $10; 3,000 equals $15; 4,000 points equals $20; and 5,000 points equals $25. You can also learn more about donating Choice Hotel points by calling: 888-770-6800.

Choice had recently announced plans to build two hotels in Jacmel, Haiti, becoming the first major hotelier to expand there in many years.

Hilton Hotels and Hilton Timeshare

Hilton HHonors members can donate their points. For every 10,000 points donated, Hilton will send $25 to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. You must specify “Haiti Relief Efforts” on your donations. To donate to the General International Federation of Red Cross Fund, mark your donation as “IRFCDR.” To target your donation specifically for Haiti, use the code “RDCRHT.” You can email your request to: HHonors_Giving_Back@hilton.com or go to: Donate Your HHonors Points.

Wyndham Hotels and Wyndham Timeshare

A Wyndham Rewards donation of 5,500 points equals $25; 10,500 points equals $50; and 20,500 points equals $100. Wyndham’s program offers some 100 charities from which to choose for making your donation. The Wyndham Montréal Airport hotel is serving as a staging area for some of the first victims arriving into Canada from Haiti.

Additional Helpful Information about Haitian Relief

• The UN World Tourism Organization has offered its support to revive tourism in the wake of the Haiti earthquake. The Travel Mole blog reports that the UN has said it will, “collaborate in the assessment of the damage caused, especially in the tourism sector.”
• Members of TUG are posting on the Timeshare User Group bulletin board about ways to assist with Haitian relief.
• Danielle, who writes for ExtraordinaryMommy.com, has compiled an excellent list of resources for information about helping the people of Haiti. Her post includes links to The American Red Cross, Unicef, Care and other credible relief efforts.

Important to remember: donations of loyalty points are typically not tax deductible (consult your tax preparer or tax advisor). Also, do not confuse loyalty points with timeshare exchange points or timeshare ownership points. While there is overlap in some programs, typically these are not considered the same by most hotel and timeshare companies. Consult your resort for clarification.

Loyalty programs of many types, from restaurants, to airlines, to your favorite movie theater, frequently allow you to redeem your points in the form of a charitable donation. Contact these programs directly to learn more.

Today’s edition of The Timeshare Authority blog is a special two-part post about Haitian relief efforts mounted by many in the hospitality, timeshare, and hotel industries. You will also find information about ways you can support the relief efforts as well.

Part I of II

Bill Marriott, in his blog, Marriott on the Move, has written about the many Marriott hotel and resort workers who have family in Haiti. He says, “They are struggling with trying to find out what has happened to their families and loved ones… Many of these associates and numerous other Haitians on staff at our hotels around the world have suffered heartbreaking losses, and my heart goes out to each and every one of them.”

The devastation in Haiti has impacted the entire world and every aspect of industry—no one is untouched. Whether you know someone there, have family in Haiti, or you are affected because you are part of the brotherhood of man, it is impossible not to be deeply saddened by this tragedy.

Here is a partial rundown on some of the efforts being made by those in the hotel, hospitality, and timeshare resort industries to help, as well as some unexpected ways you can help, too:

Royal Caribbean International

The cruise ships of Royal Caribbean International have loaded relief supplies onboard the “Independence of the Seas.” Royal Caribbean is one of the few cruise companies to sail into Haiti on a regular basis. The Independence will be taken to Labadee, a private port on Haiti’s northern coast. Supplies will be distributed through Food for the Poor. Additional relief supplies will be sent this week onboard the “Navigator of the Seas” and “Liberty of the Seas.”

Marriott Hotels and Marriott Timeshares

While there are no Marriott hotels or Marriott timeshares in Haiti, Marriott hotels in San Juan, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic are assisting as staging areas for relief work. Also, through The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation, Marriott is sending $500,000 to the Red Cross Haiti Relief and Development Fund. Marriott Rewards members may donate money to the Red Cross using their Marriott Rewards points. 10,000 points given equals a $25 cash donation sent to the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. 18,000 points equals a $50 donation and 180,000 points equals a $1,000 donation.

Starwood Hotel and Starwood Timeshare

Starwood Preferred Guest members can also donate to the American Red Cross through Starpoints: 4,000 points equals $50; 8,000 points equals $100; 12,000 points equals $150, and 16,000 points equals $200. Starwood is reportedly matching donations made through February 15, 2010. Follow this link to learn more about sharing your Starwood Starpoints.

Haitian relief efforts provided by the hospitality industry are taking many forms. Some hotels are serving as staging areas for shipments of aid, or for relief workers. Others will be reception points for relief workers returning from Haiti.

Read a Special Sunday Edition of The Timeshare Authority tomorrow for more information on help being offered through the hospitality industry and on ways you can get involved.

Important note on donating Loyalty Points: Donations of loyalty points are typically not tax deductible (consult your tax preparer or tax advisor). Also, do not confuse loyalty points with timeshare exchange points or timeshare ownership points. While there is overlap in some programs, typically these are not considered the same by most hotel and timeshare companies. Consult your resort for clarification.

Loyalty programs of many types, from restaurants, to airlines, to your favorite movie theater, frequently allow you to redeem your points in the form of a charitable donation. Contact these programs directly to learn more.

Perspective Magazine, a timeshare sales industry publication, will begin launching regional editions early in 2010, publishing a split regional title starting with the North American edition scheduled for launch in February.

According to Paul Mattimoe, CEO of Perspective International, parent company of the publication, the US, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean make up a dominant readership market. And when you think about the number of US timeshares, Mexico timeshares, Canada timeshares, and Caribbean timeshares, it makes sense that a targeted publication should be very popular.

Appeal for Today’s Timeshare Owner

The launch of Perspective Magazine North America will be well timed for distribution at American Resort Development Association Convention and Expo (ARDA timeshare convention) in Las Vegas in March.

Perspective Magazine has covered a great deal of ground since it first went to press four years ago and was then joined two years later by the companion publication, Owners Perspective. Both publications reflect new trends and new directions in the timeshare sales and timeshare resales industries with beautiful photos, elegant visual style, and informative and insightful articles.

The new North American version plans to launch with more than 12,000 print and online subscribers in place. You can find out more at: www.perspectiverates.com or by calling +1 407 792 2343 for calls from the USA.

The Ritz-Carlton Highlands at Lake Tahoe is scheduled to open on December 9 of this year, meaning that you could plan now and be skiing in Tahoe this winter at your own Ritz Carlton Club vacation ownership timeshare. One of the reasons this new vacation ownership property is so exciting is because it is the first new-build resort to be constructed in the Lake Tahoe area in decades. And one of the reasons vacation ownership is always so exciting is because once you “own” your vacation, you are not likely to bypass it, no matter what the economy looks like.

Here’s how the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) explains it, in a recent article by Howard Nusbaum, which appeared on Hospitality Net:

“No matter what the state of the economy may be, if you own your vacation, you will take it—pure and simple. The prepaid nature of our vacation product is very much a part of its magic, as it provides a disciplined means of guaranteed use. The consistent quality and assurance that your vacation will be what it was intended to be adds to that magic factor. Because of this, timeshare owners have become the “Cheshire Cats” of the Monday morning office water-cooler chats, as they tell coworkers of their travels and adventures from the previous week. Quite simply, they bought and paid for their vacations at a set rate, so now they are recession-insulated when it comes to taking annual holidays.”

Lake Tahoe Luxury at the New Ritz-Carlton Highlands Timeshare

Sitting slopeside between Lake Tahoe and Truckee, the resort will include 170 regular guest rooms, 23 private Ritz-Carlton Residences, and 25 Ritz-Carlton Destination Club fractional ownership residences. With a 17,000 square feet spa, yoga and spin studios, fitness center, and ski-in, ski-out access at Northstar-at-Tahoe, this luxurious timeshare resort is an ideal year-round vacation destination.

…And who among us wouldn’t like to be a “recession-insulated Cheshire Cat” enjoying a Lake Tahoe vacation?

Additional opportunities for Ritz-Carton Club vacation ownership at timeshare resale prices:

• Ritz-Carlton Club timeshare and residences in San Francisco.
• Ritz-Carlton Club Bachelor Gulch timeshare and residences in Avon, Colorado.
• Ritz-Carlton Club St. Thomas timeshare and residences in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands (U.S.).
• Ritz-Carlton Club, Aspen Highlands timeshare and residences in Aspen, Colorado.
• Ritz-Carlton Golf Club & Spa, Jupiter, Florida.

Director of Communications Steve Luba talks about some of the stranger happenings this week.

 

 Timeshare Factoids for the week of 7/13/09 [3:49m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

As another positive indicator that the timeshare industry is, in fact, weathering the economic recession, Bluegreen timeshare announced this week that it is entering into an agreement to provide service and management at four timeshare resorts.

Parkside Williamsburg Resort timeshare in Williamsburg, Virginia; Blue Water Resort timeshare in Nassau, Bahamas; The Soundings Seaside Resort timeshare in Dennis Port, Massachusetts (Cape Cod); and South Mountain Resort timeshare in Lincoln, New Hampshire will soon become part of the Bluegreen timeshare portfolio of exceptional properties.

Bluegreen timeshares was planning several major corporate changes in 2008 when the economy began to plummet and the credit markets dried up. Putting their plans on hold, the company was then forced to make cutbacks and changes, just as companies in many industries have been driven to do during this tight economy.

This new direction by Bluegreen timeshare is interesting on several levels. By providing services (for a fee) to smaller, independent timeshare companies, Bluegreen is expanding its business model. Not only will it service its clients and timeshare owners, but now the timeshare company is selling its skill at providing these services to other timeshare companies.

For each of the resorts, Bluegreen timeshare will provide operations and management, and select fee-based services including sales and marketing, risk management, and title and escrow. In some instances, Bluegreen timeshare will also be providing design and development planning, collections, and mortgage servicing, all on a fee basis.

Through the arrangement, Bluegreen Timeshare creates new income streams and adds four properties to the Bluegreen Vacation Club ® portfolio. The four timeshare resorts that become part of the Bluegreen inventory gain a depth of expertise and a scope of services that would be difficult and in some cases impossible for them to provide on their own.

In the company’s media release, President and CEO John M. Maloney, Jr., said, “We announced in January that we would actively pursue growth through fee-based services, which require minimal capital, if any. We couldn’t be happier with the interest shown in our services and the quality of properties we now have under contract.”

Historically, some of the most exciting changes in business occur because need or atypical stress forces companies to stretch harder, reach higher, and think miles beyond the box.

The Jamaican government is not wasting any time pushing forward their efforts to expand in the Caribbean timeshare market. On July 1, the Jamaican Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, announced at the weekly Post Cabinet press briefing in Kingston that the initiative (to move timeshare forward quickly) is part of the Jamaican government’s continued efforts to increase foreign exchange earnings. He went on to add, according to the Jamaican Information Service, that vacation ownership legislation will speak directly to fractional ownership of property in resort areas.

Minister Bartlett explains, “It’s (timeshare) a very powerful programme that has brought thousands of visitors into countries and has brought huge investments.” He pointed out that the Jamaican government is working to address (in advance) the types of issues that can arise when existing real estate laws are applied to timeshares and fractionals.

Caribbean Timeshare is Important to Local Economies

Jamaica, like other countries in the Caribbean, relies heavily on tourism dollars, and it makes sense that strengthening and refining Jamaican timeshare regulations will go a long way to attracting more timeshare developers, more timeshare buyers and renters, and more timeshare tourists dollars spent in all aspects of the country’s vacation industry.

Jamaican timeshare ‘Mon’!

Here’s a short look at Negril Bay, Jamaica from the Travel Channel:

I can’t wait for a day when I can write about timeshare owners at the old Royal Oasis timeshare resort in the Bahamas who are leisurely relaxing poolside, enjoying their vacation ownership Bahamas timeshare property. Last June, The Timeshare Authority posted that after three years of bad news, followed by some hopeful-sounding news, all we could give timeshare owners at Royal Oasis was “no news”.

This week, in what is becoming an anniversary topic, The Freeport News posted their own story of “no new news” about happenings at this Caribbean timeshare property. Their article chronicled the events since 2004, when Hurricane Frances permanently closed the already struggling Bahamas timeshare resort. As the article concluded, “In an attempt to get an update on the Royal Oasis project yesterday, The Freeport News contacted Harcourt’s Grand Bahama office (Harcourt Development Company, the owners who purchased the property in 2007) and was told that Archer (reference to CEO Donald Archer) was out of office and, Minister of Tourism Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace did not return our call up to press time.”

Will a Thriving Resort Return at this Caribbean Timeshare Property?

The failure of this once popular Caribbean timeshare is not a typical story in the world of vacation ownership. And despite the relational damage that has occurred between the former resort management, the property’s new owners, and the individual timeshare owners, I can’t help but think that at some point in the future, there will again be a luxurious Caribbean timeshare on this property. If for any reasonthe rebuilding of a successful Bahamas timeshare fails to happen here, it will not be because of lack of effort on the part of the owners association or of the Bahamian government. Both groups having put forth extensive efforts to support the return of a successful and thriving resort at this Caribbean timeshare property.

Archive of The Timeshare Authority Blog Updates on the Royal Oasis Caribbean timeshare:

• Dissent Continues Over the Royal Oasis Timeshare Resort
• Uncertain News about Royal Oasis Timeshare Resort
• Royal Oasis Timeshare Resort: A Litany of Problems
• Important Information for Royal Oasis Timeshare Owners
• Updates about Royal Oasis Timeshare
• Optimistic News about Bahamas Timeshare Resales
• Recent Announcement Regarding Royal Oasis Timeshare
• The Other Victims of the Royal Oasis Timeshare Owners Fiasco

Last week, Sell My Timeshare NOW released the HOT 100 List for timeshare resales and timeshare rentals. Let’s take a closer look at some of the trends the report reveals, especially about the HOTTEST 10 timeshare resorts – those popular ten at the very top of the list.

For the second consecutive year, WorldMark by Wyndham timeshares rank number 1 in the number of offers received to buy or rent. These timeshares are multi-destination ownership, meaning that your WorldMark by Wyndham timeshare gives you a choice of nearly 60 luxurious timeshare resorts in the US (including Hawaii), Mexico, Canada, and Fiji.

Marriott timeshare (Marriott Vacation Club International) claimed four spots on the HOTTEST 10 list. Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club in Palm Beach, Aruba was number 2; Marriott’s Newport Coast Villas, Newport Coast, California was number 3; Marriott’s Grande Vista, Orlando, Florida was number 8; and Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club, Maui, Hawaii was number 9.

One of the few changes in the HOT 100 List, this year over last year, is that Marriott’s Grande Vista in Orlando is new to the HOTTEST 10, while Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club in Oahu, Hawaii, was number 10 on last year’s list but slipped to number 11 on this year’s list.

By geographic destination, Orlando timeshare dominated, including the Marriott property already mentioned, and two other popular Orlando timeshare resorts: Orange Lake’s West Village, which ranked number 6, and Hilton Grand Vacations Club at SeaWorld International Centerdo, new to the list at number 10.

Rounding out the HOTTEST 10 timeshare resales are: the Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas in Maui, Hawaii, number 4 on the list, the Harborside Resort at Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas, number 5 on the list, and the always popular Manhattan Club, in New York City, moving up from last year’s number 9, to be number 7 on this year’s list.

For the ten resorts making the HOTTEST 10 List, Sell My Timeshare NOW received 23,317 offers to buy or rent in 2008.

Click here to view the entire HOT 100 List for Sell My Timeshare NOW timeshare resales and timeshare rentals.

And if you are interested in comparisons, this link will take you to information about last year’s HOT 100 List: Sell My Timeshare NOW Releases HOT 100 List for 2008.