Bluegreen Vacations, (Bluegreen timeshare) has partnered with the American Red Cross in a fundraising effort for Hurricane Sandy storm relief. The Boca Raton, Florida based vacation club has donated $5000 to the American Red Cross and is matching associate contributions dollar-for-dollar up to $5000 from now until November 30, 2012.

President and CEO of Bluegreen Vacations, John Maloney, announced the plan earlier this week saying, “Many Bluegreen associates in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast took great precautions before the storm to protect our resort owners and guests, even as they took steps to safeguard themselves and their loved ones.” Maloney adds, “They showed great care and compassion. Now it’s our opportunity—and responsibility—to show compassion.”

Bluegreen Vacations Resorts Weather the Storm

Hurricane Sandy directly affected only a limited number of Bluegreen timeshares, some of which are resorts owned by Bluegreen Vacations and other which are affiliated with Bluegreen Vacations. These include:

• Atlantic Palace in Atlantic City, New Jersey
• Patrick Henry Square in Williamsburg, Virginia
• Shenandoah Crossing in Gordonsville, Virginia
• The Soundings in Dennis Port, Massachusetts
• The Breakers in Dennis Port, Massachusetts
• The Manhattan Club in New York City

The American Red Cross

So far, the American Red Cross has provided more than 23,000 overnight shelter says since October 26, two days before Hurricane Sandy made landfall. With over 60 million people directly impacted by this storm, an area the Red Cross describes as being about the size of Europe, the real damage to lives, businesses, and the economy is hard to estimate. Long after the rest of the country has stopped talking about the situation, people win the storm damaged areas will still be struggling to put their lives back in place.

If you can help, even small donations matter. The American National Red Cross is registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions to the American National Red Cross are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. The Red Cross’ tax identification number is 53-0196605. For more information, visit http://www.redcross.org.

Vida Vacations, a leading Mexico timeshare developer has launched a photo contest for its timeshare owners. The winner of the Vida Vacations contents will receive a free week at  his or her home resort, with two runner-up prizes of $150 resort credit to also be awarded.

Described as a “social media” contest, the winner of the photo contest will be chosen by votes cast on Facebook. Entries can be submitted via Twitter, Pinterest, orFacebook.

To Enter the Vida Vacations Mexico Timeshare Photo Contest

To enter, a Vida Vacations member/owner needs to submit a photograph of any the Vida Vacations Mexico timeshare resorts: Grand Luxxe, The Grand Bliss, The Bliss, The Grand Mayan, or the  Mayan Palace. The contest runs until July 4, 2012, at which time ten finalists will be identified, and three prizewinners announced.

To participate, Vida Vacations members can submit their photos any of the following ways:

•    By Facebook—Upload a picture to your resort’s Facebook wall (Grand Luxxe, The Grand Bliss, The Grand Mayan, The Bliss, and Mayan Palace)

•    By Pinterest—Add a pin to your resort’s Photo Contest boards (Grand Luxxe, The Grand Mayan, The Grand Bliss, The Bliss, and Mayan Palace)

 •   By Twitter—Tweet the photograph with hashtag: #loveVIDANTA

You can learn more about the contest terms and conditions here: Vida Vacations Contest Rules

MALAGA, SPAIN (October 5, 2010) – The Registry Collection programme, the world’s largest luxury exchange programme and one of the Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE: WYN) family of brands under the RCI umbrella, today announced an affiliation agreement with The Residence Club at The Baglioni Marrakech in Morocco, the newest resort developed by Ajensa Developments SARL, an international property development company specialising in exclusive high-end properties.

The Baglioni Marrakech is an exclusive mixed-use resort set in 34 acres of parkland under the gaze of the Atlas Mountains and just 10 minutes from Ménara International Airport and the city centre. The resort opens late 2011 and will offer a 72 key hotel operated by Baglioni Hotels, a luxury 1500 m² spa operated by Six Senses Spas and 15 four- and five-bedroom villas designed by Jade Jagger for yoo. The Residences will be a mixture of wholly-owned villas and a luxury Residence Club, to be sold in five-week fractions. Residence Club membership ranges in price from €295,000 for a four-bedroom unit to €345,000 for a five-bedroom unit.

The resort has been developed by Ajensa Developments, which has partnered with Valhalla Associates and Intelligent Partnership on product development as well as the sales and marketing of the residences.

“We are very pleased to welcome The Residence Club at The Baglioni Marrakech into The Registry Collection programme network,” said Nick Turner, vice president, The Registry Collection programme in Europe and Africa. “It is a beautifully designed resort in a stunning location that is incredibly popular with travelers. The resort will be a tremendous addition to our collection of the very best vacation destinations.”

The villas have been designed by world-famous interior designer Jade Jagger for yoo who has combined contemporary flair with the traditional style and character of Marrakech’s palaces and riads. The villas feature vast airy rooms, cooling courtyards and intimate terraces, all inspired by Morocco’s architectural legacy and decorative heritage.

Each villa has dramatic high ceilings in the living and dining rooms with full-height windows opening onto internal courtyards and gardens with a swimming pool. All bedroom suites have a private garden, some with plunge pools, and access to roof terraces with far-reaching views of the Atlas Mountains. Internally all villas are equipped to the highest standards, with fully-fitted kitchens, internal hammam, wet room, Wi-Fi facilities and more.

Owners benefit from an optional rental programme, serviced and managed by Baglioni Hotels, that allows every bedroom within each villa to be individually rented back as a hotel room, thereby optimising rental yields.

The resort also offers 24-hour front-office service, concierge and valet parking. Other on-site amenities include a fitness centre, business centre, two restaurants and a cocktail bar.

Affiliation to The Registry Collection programme brings additional benefits, enabling the resort’s whole ownership and fractional owners to exchange into one of more than 175 properties in its portfolio of affiliated luxury properties around the world that are either accessible for exchange or under development. In addition, owners will have access to a concierge service 24 hours a day and specially negotiated benefits from luxury travel and lifestyle Registry Collection partner companies.

“We are proud to pioneer the Private Residence Club concept in the North African region,” said Alistair Emery, chief executive, Ajensa Developments. “With the affiliation of the Residence Club to The Registry Collection, owners will be able to use their real estate equity within the Club to access The Registry Collection’s network of luxury resorts worldwide.”

“The Residence Club at The Baglioni Marrakech will be the first luxury fractional ownership product to go into sales in Morocco,” said Preben Vestdam, president, Valhalla Associates. “And because Marrakech is one of the fastest-growing tourism destinations in the North African region, we expect a healthy interest from the international markets for this unique product.”

About The Registry Collection

The Registry Collection programme is a global network comprising over 30,000 members and more than 140 affiliates on five continents. More than 175 properties are available through The Registry Collection® programme and are either accessible for exchange or under development. As the world’s largest luxury exchange programme, The Registry Collection programme provides members with access to an elite global network of the very finest vacation properties at some of the world’s premier destinations, as well as personal concierge services that are available 24-hours a day. From condo hotels and high-end fractional resorts to private residence clubs and fractional yachts, The Registry Collection programme facilitates exchanges around the world and redefines the vacation experience for owners and developers. The Registry Collection programme is offered by Wyndham Exchange & Rentals, the worldwide leader in vacation exchange and the European leader in vacation rentals and one of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies (NYSE: WYN). For additional information visit our media center.

For additional information on the services offered to developers and members by The Registry Collection programme and to learn how it can add value and distinction to leisure real estate projects, visit www.theregistrycollection.com.

About Ajensa Developments

Ajensa Developments is an international property development company specialising in the creation of boutique hotel and residential resorts. With a strong track record in acquiring, financing and developing exceptional international hotel and residential resorts, Ajensa’s expertise is second to none when it comes to realising a project from initial conception through to execution and construction management. A member of RICS (UK) and based in Marrakech, Ajensa has a comprehensive knowledge of the Moroccan real estate market, its directors having acted as consultants for the development and sale of the Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Marrakech. Ajensa works only with elite partners who share the same commitment and passion to develop a portfolio of luxury five-star hotel and residential resorts strategically located around the world. As an international investment and development company focused on brand and quality of service, the company aims to maximise returns for its partners and investors by unleashing the value inherent in the property assets that it develops. For more information visit www.ajensa.com

Media Contact:
Helen Foster
+44(0)1536 314266
[email protected]

RCI timeshare exchange has announced that the Palace Vacation Club of Malaysia has joined the RCI network of timeshare exchange affiliates. This new timeshare exchange affiliation adds Country Villas Malaysia timeshares and the Palace of the Golden Horses timeshare resort to the inventory of destinations available to RCI members worldwide.

“We are delighted that one of Malaysia’s most famous and storied vacation clubs has selected RCI as its global exchange provider,” said Geoff Ballotti, president and CEO, Group RCI, parent company of RCI. “We look forward to welcoming Palace Vacation Club members to RCI and to providing this new affiliate with the most innovative sales and marketing programs available in the industry today.”

Ricky Yip, CEO, Country Heights Lifestyle Berhad says that for them the decision to work with RCI timeshare exchange came easily. He explains, “RCI is the world’s largest timeshare and vacation exchange company, and gaining access to their 3.8 million leisure-bound members will be exceptionally valuable for our resorts. RCI’s depth of management, technological resources, and global marketing infrastructure aligns well with Palace Vacation Club’s strategic growth plan. This relationship will provide our member families with the best and most diverse vacation experiences possible beyond our signature Palace Vacation Club resorts.”

Group RCI is part of the Wyndham family of hotels, Wyndham timeshares and related companies. Group RCI timeshare exchange offers exclusive access for its members to more than 73,000 vacation properties in approximately 100 countries.