RCI Timeshare

RCI, the world’s largest timeshare exchange company, has announced their 2014 Lunch & Learn Tour. The focus of this experience is to teach timeshare resorts the latest industry practices and services.

The tour will kick off April 15th in Gatlinburg, Tennessee and continue for seven months. The RCI timeshare team will travel across the nation from Palm Beach, Florida to Palm Springs, California.

Senior VP Affiliate Partners and Services for RCI, Kris Jamtaas shared, “Vacation ownership is constantly evolving and RCI is committed to helping resorts stay abreast of current trends and consumer attitudes so they can thrive in today’s market. The Lunch & Learn tour is a great opportunity for resorts to learn about some of the latest best practices being utilized within the industry, as well as services and promotions offered through RCI and our vendor partners that can help increase sales, cut costs and improve customer satisfaction.”

The event will be geared toward resort leadership, developers, and board of directors. Both RCI affiliated and non-affiliated resorts are invited to attend. In addition to industry best practices, resorts will also learn RCI’s strategy. Here they will learn new ways to increase owner and employee engagement.

One topic every resort will be interested to discuss is ways to generate more revenue will saving on costs. RCI will cover ways that resort can provide more benefits to their members without spending more money, creating a greater return on investment.

RCI Affiliate Access Vendors will also be available to discuss products with resorts and developers. Resorts can learn about the benefits that RCI provides to its members and more. Special discounts will also be offered during this vendor session.

For information about tour dates and registration, visit RCI.com/events.

The coveted RCI President’s Award has been awarded to The Villas at Tree Tops in Pennsylvania. RCI presented the award to The Villa’s marketing and sales team for exceptional performance as an affiliated resort.

The RCI President’s Award is given annually to a select group of RCI affiliated resorts. This year, the timeshare exchange company has chosen The Villas at Tree Tops because of their dedication to growing to timeshare industry and providing an exceptional experience to owners.

President of RCI Gordon Gurnik comments, “Ongoing success in the timeshare industry requires focus, flexibility and the ability to both adapt and innovate. RCI prides itself on supporting our affiliated resorts as they, the industry and their owners evolve. As an organization, we wanted an official and appropriate way to recognize the resorts and developers whose distinguished achievements set new standards for excellence.”

The Bushkill Group Inc., owner and developer of The Villas at Tree Tops, is excited to receive the prestigious award. President and CEO Andy Worthington commented, “It is rewarding to once again be recognized by RCI as one of their top performing affiliates having completed one of our most successful years.”

The Villas at Tree Tops are located in the famous Poconos Mountains in Bushkill, PA. The resort was built in 1921 and was originally known as Fernwood Resort. Since then, the resort has grown into the leading timeshare resort it is today.

“We are one of the leading independent vacation ownership properties in the Mid-Atlantic region and have just added three new amenities. People are committed to taking vacations with their families and our Resort, which is located in the heart of the Pocono Mountains, offers them easy drive accessibility and the opportunity to try on-site and nearby attractions,” said Worthington.

Located on 400 acres, The Villas at Tree Tops and Fairway are located right by the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Here, guests have access to outdoor recreational activities such as zip lining, ropes courses, river tubing, horseback riding, golf, and swimming. In the winter, guests can travel to Camelback and Shawnee Mountain for skiing and snowboarding.

The Villa’s affiliation with RCI has also increased their owners’ travel options and overall experience. Now owners have the chance to not only exchange their fixed week reservation at The Villas at Tree Tops, but exchange within RCI’s network of 4,000 affiliated resorts.

Worthington shares, “Our points programs allow owners maximum flexibility and usage. As the pace of life speeds up, the ability to take extended vacations diminishes. Owners can now divide their points into increments and vacation experiences based on their time and availability. That change has made vacation ownership even more attractive. We appreciate the recognition from RCI, and believe this award pays tribute to both our sales team and our ongoing commitment to providing exceptional vacation experiences.”

The Disney Vacation Club has officially renewed their multi-year contact with the timeshare exchange company RCI.

As the largest timeshare exchange company in the world, RCI is affiliated with over 4,500 resorts including the 12 DVC timeshares. Through their affiliation agreement, Disney Vacation Club members will have access to these resorts. DVC members can simply enroll in RCI to exchange, bank, and separate weeks.

In return, RCI’s 4.7 million members will also be able to travel within the DVC resort network.

President, RCI, Gordon Gurnik said, “We are proud to renew our affiliation with Disney Vacation Club, one of the best-loved hospitality brands in the world. The high-quality properties that are a part of this internationally recognized vacation-ownership program carry the signature Disney experience that has perpetually captured the hearts of visitors. We look forward to continuing our relationship with the brand, as we both work to bring new and innovative services to the industry.”

Soon, another resort will be added to the list of Disney Vacation Club timeshares. DVC recently announced plans to expand Disney’s Polynesian Resort to include a vacation ownership segment. Located on Disney’s Seven Seas Lagoon, the new timeshare development will be a great edition to Disney’s “monorail” resorts. The other two resorts that surround the lagoon—Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Contemporary Resort—already have timeshare units available for DVC members.

Senior VP and General Manager, DVC said, “Our renewed affiliation with RCI provides our Members with more choice, expanded access and improved flexibility. We want our Members to enjoy vacations when they want, how they want and where they want. The exchange options available through RCI are an important part of this commitment, giving families even more opportunities to have fun together, see the world and make lifelong magical memories.”

Over the next year, TheTimeshareAuthority.com will feature all news regarding the DVC expansion to Disney’s Polynesian Resort. Check back for updates.

Divi Resorts’ Little Bay Beach Resort in St. Maarten has officially earned the prestigious title of RCI Silver Crown Resort^®.

The RCI Crown ratings are used to distinguish a level of quality across the timeshare industry. The RCI Silver Crown Resort^® designation is one of the highest titles assigned to a timeshare resort. Divi Resorts is excited and proud to receive this elite title.

Divi Resorts’ COO Marco Galaverna shared, “Divi Little Bay is one of the prize jewels of our Caribbean resort collection. Its singular setting, well-tended grounds and spacious accommodations are matched by an unyielding dedication to service. We’re proud that RCI has recognized our commitment to our guests.”

To receive a Silver or Gold Crown designation, a resort needs to show an outstanding level of quality. The grounds, guest rooms, customer service, and overall vacation experience must be of the finest quality in order for RCI to acknowledge a resort as a Silver Crown Resort. The resorts are rated through RCI member comment cards and resort evaluations.

President of RCI, Gordon Gurnik, “RCI’s Resort Recognition Program helps ensure that our RCI affiliated resorts adhere to RCI’s standards for quality in accommodations, hospitality and member experience. We are thrilled to recognize those who have attained this designation and continue to work to offer top vacation destinations to our 3.7 million members worldwide.”

As the largest timeshare exchange company, RCI works with over 4,000 affiliated resorts including the Divi Resort Collection. We look forward to hearing what resorts will join the Divi Little Bay Beach Resort and the RCI Crown Designation later this year.

About Divi Resorts

Divi Resorts is an up- and -coming timeshare developer group with eight resorts across the Caribbean. Currently Divi Resorts has over 30,000 members in their vacation ownership program.

Divi Resorts offers timeshare resorts in some of the most popular travel destinations including Aruba, St. Maarten, Barbados, St. Croix, and Bonaire. Divi members can travel to any resort within Divi’s collection, or trade their timeshare weeks with RCI.