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A recent study conducted by the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) measured the effect of vacation time on an employee’s productivity.

The study found that employees who took vacations showed higher levels of productivity, increased morale, and improved job satisfaction.

“In addition to the standard HR benefit package at U.S. Travel, I believe in rewarding my employees with additional time off,” said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. “Time away from work allows my team to recharge and return to the office more motivated, creative and innovative.”

SHRM is the world’s largest association for HR management. For this study, SHRM randomly selected 481 of their 250,000 members of HR professionals to participate. While these participants were all U.S. based, SHRM’s members come from over 140 countries worldwide. The study took place from August 22nd – September 25th, 2013.

Still, Americans are not utilizing their paid time off. This “Vacation’s Impact on the Workplace” survey had shown that the average employee does not use all of his or her vacation time. In fact, 61 percent of American employees have three or more vacations days left over at year’s end.

Utilizing vacation time can offer advantages for both employee and employer. If productivity increases once the employee returns from a vacation, the vacation is also a perk for the employer. The entire organization can benefit from more productive employees and a happier workplace.

Seventy percent of organizations polled have policies that prohibit employees from rolling over unused vacation days. This “use it or lose it” policy is meant to motivate employees to use their vacation days within the calendar year. Companies feel that this helps to retain employees, as they will be happier in their roles.

President and CEO of ARDA, Howard Nusbaum said, “The timeshare industry has been advocating for regular vacations through our members and our consumer website, www.VacationBetter.org. Timeshare owners are more likely to take their vacation since it’s pre-paid, which is one huge benefit to owning a timeshare.”

Perhaps timeshare ownership is the secret to making the most of your vacation days. After all, if you have a vacation already paid in full, you are more likely to use it. For those owners with fixed week timeshares, you’ll even be able to request your vacation a year in advance.

Additional Vacation Benefits

• Increased Productivity: 77 percent of supervisors consider their employees who take vacation time more productive than those who do not.
• Increase Happiness: Results show that employees who used all of their vacation time also show increased satisfaction in their roles.
• Better Overall Morale: When the vacation time is used across the organization, employees with enjoy a better workplace atmosphere. In fact, nine out of ten participants felt that utilizing vacation time across the organization led to a happier workplace.

Still, time is left unused. Results show that six out of ten organizations stated that employees had at least three unused vacations days every year.

For more information regarding this study and the advantages to using vacation time, please visit ARDA’s websites: The Travel Effect and Vacation Better.

Hilton Grand Vacations Club (HGVC) has opened its newest timeshare resort — Houkulani Waikiki by Hilton Grand Vacations Club.

Located on the famous Kalakaua Avenue, the new beachfront resort is the final piece of the popular Waikiki Beach Walk. As part of the largest development in Waikiki, the Hokulani Waikiki is conveniently located near many restaurants, shops, and activities.

With its stylish contemporary feel, the Hokulani brings Hawaiian travel to the next level. Modern luxury is featured in every detail, from the guest rooms to the rooftop pool bar and cabanas.

Executive VP of Hilton Grand Vacations-Asia Pacific, Bryan Klum shared, “Hokulani Waikiki is designed for sophisticated, cosmopolitan travelers – visitors who want to be right in the center of Waikiki’s excitement and energy. The resort has a great location, just two blocks from the beach and steps away from popular dining and shopping. But what really sets Hokulani apart is its design approach, which combines a distinctive Hawaiian style with a vibrant, urban aesthetic.”

The resort has undergone a complete transformation from its former use as the OHANA Islander Waikiki, an Outrigger budget resort. With the help of the architectural firm Group 70, Hilton conducted a massive remodel of the resort to upgrade the structure and interior. Now the HGVC timeshare offers luxury accommodations to Hawaii’s elite travelers.

President and CEO of Outrigger Enterprises Group, David Carey said, “The opening of Hokulani Waikiki by Hilton Grand Vacations is the perfect finishing touch to the Outrigger-led development of Waikiki Beach Walk. Waikiki Beach Walk was developed to be an exciting and stylish gathering place for visitors and residents alike. That reputation has only been enhanced with the opening of the Hokulani Waikiki.”

Interior design was led by Indidesign, a Los Angeles- based firm. The designers chose to combine both natural and modern pieces, while utilizing materials indigenous to the Islands.

The Hokulani Waikiki is the seventh Hilton Grand Vacation Club timeshare resort in Hawaii. Although the resort has just opened its doors, HGVC has already sold over 40 percent of the available timeshare ownerships.

Guest rooms are offered in 545–575 square foot suites, featuring one bedroom, sleek kitchen, living room, dining area, and entertainment center. Luxury amenities such as a Tassimo espresso maker and an LED TV in the bathroom are just a few added features that will help you understand why Hilton timeshare owners love HGVC.

“Hokulani Waikiki is further proof of the popularity of HGV’s timeshare properties in Hawaii,” said Klum. “This new location provides a nice complement to our three timeshare properties at the nearby Hilton Hawaiian Village. Our properties within the Village offer a relaxing and immersive beach vacation, while Hokulani is designed to provide a more energetic urban experience.”

Meliá Hotels International has announced that it will build a new resort compound, Meliá at Baha Mar. The new luxury timeshare resort will extend over 1,000 acres including a large stretch of beautiful white-sand beach.

Plans for the new Meliá development will include five hotels, a private residence club, and various amenities. Meliá at Baha Mar hotels will include a new Rosewood Hotel, Mondrian and Grand Hyatt resorts.

The Baha Mar Casino and Hotel will be featured as the main property and will offer a 1,000 square ft. casino and 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course. The development will also include an ESPA spa and a dozen resort style pools. For business travelers, the compound will also feature a meeting and convention center.

Baha Mar’s Chairman, Sarkis Izmirlian said, “Meliá brings a wonderful, upscale name with global recognition and exceptional values to our brand portfolio at Baha Mar. The company’s expertise in the European, Latin American and Russian markets will further support Baha Mar in attracting a worldwide clientele. In addition, Baha Mar will be proud to offer Meliá’s all-inclusive resort experience, which is a leader in one of the fastest-growing segments in vacation travel.”

Chairman of Meliá Hotels International, Gabriel Escarrer shared, “The prospect of the future Meliá at Baha Mar being part of one of the most ambitious hotel and leisure projects in recent decades is a new source of pride for our brand, already present in 40 countries.

“Opening our first hotel in the English-speaking Caribbean, complementing our presence in the best vacation destinations around the world, is also a major achievement for Meliá Hotels International.”

In total, the new resort will feature over 2,900 guest rooms. Meliá Hotels International and Club Meliá are excited for the new project and the ability to present new accommodations to their timeshare owners. Visit their website ClubMelia.com to learn about membership and other new Meliá resorts.

Last week, Sunset World Resorts & Vacation Experiences celebrated the holidays with a festive boat parade off the coast of Mexico.

Sunset World employees, members, celebrities, and other guests enjoyed the annual parade of boats and a fantastic holiday evening. In attendance were many local celebrities, including Renato López from Zona Trendy E! Entertainment Television, Krystof Raczynski, Johana Erubry de Anda, and Alexandra Ivanisevic.

The parade began at the Sunset Admiral Yacht Club & Marina, traveled down the Laguna Nichupté, before circling back to the Marina for the rest of the evening.

After the parade, guests enjoyed a VIP party with music, acrobatic displays, and a fireworks finale. Invitees were also treated to a special Flyboard performance. Here, experts demonstrated the innovative new water sport that Sunset World guests can actually try themselves at the resort.

CEO of Sunset World Resorts & Vacation Experiences, Orlando Arroyo Marrioquin took a moment to graciously thank their local sponsors, Cancun industry professionals, and the community for their help and participation in the event. Boat parade sponsors included: Cenacolo, Bubba Gump, Aquatours, La Destileia, Xbaal, La Vaquita, Outback Steakhouse, Maragritaville, Pueto Madero, Bandoneor, Camalache, Energy Fitness, Café Blasón, Cocoa-Cola, and CRAD. Sunset World also collaborated with the Cancun CVB and the Public Relations Association of the Mexican Caribbean for promotion of the event.

Attendees were also informed that a social media contest will be held for fans to vote for their favorite boat on Sunset World’s Facebook page. Voting is now underway and will be open until December 16th, 2013.

About Sunset World Resorts & Vacation Experiences

Sunset World owns resorts throughout Cancun and the Riviera Maya, offering a variety of all-inclusive travel packages. Their membership program offers a VIP travel club with access to their resorts, golf, spas, and marina activities. Sunset World Resorts include the renowned Hacienda Tres Rios Resort, Sunset Royal, Sunset Fisherman, and the Sunset Marina Resort &amps; Yacht Club.