Marriott Hotels and Timeshares Calls Bombing a “Senseless Tragedy”
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Bill Marriott posted a simple, sad blog on Saturday, acknowledging what he described as the, “terrible tragedy at our Marriott hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan.”
If you have missed the weekend news, then perhaps you have not heard that more than 50 people were killed (death tolls still unknown) by a horrible act of terrorism, when a truck carrying a bomb approached the security gates at the Marriott hotel in Islamabad, on Saturday evening. At the time I am writing this post, no group has claimed responsibility for the act, although some news authorities are reporting that. “Taliban militants based near the Afghan border and their Al Qaeda allies are the most likely suspects.”
This is a heartbreaking and irrational act. It was designed to catch the people of Islamabad, at a time when they were busy and active, many of them preparing for their evening meal, to break their daily fast observed during the holy month of Ramadan. Reports say that a number of national leaders of Pakistan were scheduled to dine together that evening in the Marriott hotel Islamabad, but at the last minute rescheduled the meeting to the home of the Prime Minister, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani.
Safety in Our Hotels and Timeshare Resorts
While some reporters are calling this tragedy, “Pakistan’s 9-11” it is yet a reminder to all of us that we live in a dangerous world. After 9-11, many US travelers stayed close to home, fearful for their safety and that of their families. I think time has given us all a greater sense of peace of mind about travel. I also think that timeshare resorts have proven to be as safe or safer than any destination you choose.
Travelers occupy hotels. People who come for a night or a week, but share little information with the management other than their credit cards and an address. Owners, by contrast occupy timeshares. The management of a timeshare resort has information and a relationship with the people who own property there … greater accountability. Yes, a timeshare typically will have a percentage of timeshare renters occupying its rooms, but for the most part, the people at a timeshare resort are couples and families who own a stake in that resort or that timeshare chain.
After 9-11 many people turned to timeshares because they felt vacation ownership with its owner accountability and many on-property amenities, is one of the safest choices they can make for vacation accommodations.
The thoughts and prayers of all of us at Sell My Timeshare NOW are with everyone whose life was touched by the bombing of the Islamabad Marriott Hotel.
