Interval International offers new short term vacation stays

II recently announced that its travel subsidiary, Worldwide Vacation & Travel, Inc., has developed a short-term vacation program that will offer resort developer clients a more affordable product for consumers in today’s changing marketplace.
Developers are finding themselves in need of a less expensive product and Interval’s short-term vacation program will augment their traditional sales opportunities, “said Craig M. Nash, chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Interval Leisure Group, the parent company of Interval International.
This new product can be utilized as an enhanced multi-year form of trial ownership that may include accommodations at the home resort and other properties and the ability to exchange through Interval’s worldwide network. In addition, the program will feature access to specially priced resort rentals and comprehensive year-round travel, leisure, and lifestyle benefits.
Developers’ have been doing what they call exit programs for many years. They are offered to clients after they have taken a tour and have not purchased a timeshare. It enables the developers a way to sell the client a smaller ticket item and part or the entire price goes towards that purchase of a timeshare. Win win for the developer.

Travel Advisory

Refer to the details below to determine if an advisory may affect your vacation plans.

US and Canada – Passport Requirement Update
As of Monday, October 1, U.S. airline passengers once again need to carry a valid passport when traveling to the above destinations in addition to all other international destinations.

Secure documents acceptable for international travel include only the following:

• Passport
• U.S. resident card
• Refugee / Stateless travel document
• Re-Entry permit
• Military ID with movement orders
• NEXUS card
• U.S. Merchant Mariner Card
• Emergency travel document issued by a Consulate
• Deportation letter (Single Journey Letter)

Any traveler who does not hold a secure document will not be boarded for travel, regardless of their citizenship, age, or destination, even if the customer is traveling on a one-way ticket.

Birth certificates, citizenship certificates/cards, driver’s licenses, naturalization certificates, national ID cards, “matrícula consulares”, and “cedulas” are not secure documents and therefore never valid for travel to or from the United States.

For more information on obtaining passports and visas for international travel, visit the U.S. Department of State Web site at http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

Swine Flu and Mexico Timeshares

May 1, 2009

Dear Cheryl Becker

At Universal Vacation Club, we are aware of current issues regarding the swine flu. We take situations such as these very seriously. It is our responsibility to provide the safest and most comfortable stay possible for all of our guests. That’s why you can rest assured that we have taken every precaution to make sure you can relax and enjoy your upcoming UVC vacation.

Please note that while this situation is of great concern to us all, the UVC is taking every measure to ensure your health and safety. Also note these reasons to resume your intended stay with UVC:
• There are currently no cases of H1N1 swine flu near any of the UVC Resorts. This outbreak is believed to have started in Mexico, but is mainly populated in Mexico City and surrounding cities. No UVC Resorts are near the affected area.
• Why are there reported deaths of the swine flu in Mexico, but in no other country? This is because of Mexico’s weakened infrastructure and lack of medical capabilities in densely populated Mexico City. However, in UVC destinations such as Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta / Riviera Nayarit, and Cabo San Lucas, the medical capabilities are much greater in preparation for tourists and frequent visitors.
• The swine flu is very treatable once caught and diagnosed. There are several general influenza treatments that combat the swine flu with similar effectiveness.
• Every UVC Resort has an on-site doctor on-call, 24 hours a day. Again, the swine flu is very treatable when caught and diagnosed.
• We are working very closely with local authorities to take all the necessary precautions to minimize any potential spread of the virus.
For the most up to date information regarding swine flu, please consult any of the following sources:

• State Department (www.travel.state.gov )
• Center For Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov/ )
• World Health Organization (www.who.int/ )
• Villa Group Resorts http://villagroupresorts.com/media-center/travel-alerts

_______________________________________________________________

Swine Flu and the Timeshare Industry

I spoke to Interval International and Resort Condominium International today and was informed that the demand for the Hawaiian Islands has picked up due to the problems in Mexico with swine flu. Timeshare owners are canceling their reservations in Mexico and looking for a safe tropical place to take their families this summer. While it is good news for the Hawaiian Islands, it definitely is not so good for Mexico. A representative from the Center of Disease Control was on television this morning advising people “if you don’t have to go to Mexico – don’t”. There are still good deals to fly from the mainland to the Hawaiian islands and people are taking advantage of them.

Swine Flu and the Timeshare Industry

Blaze at timeshare complex causes $900,000 in damage

Fire yesterday at the Poipu Kai timeshare building caused an estimated $900,000 in damage, Kaua’I County reported.
Ten firefighters responded to the 11 a.m. alarm at the Manualoha complex. They had the fire under control at 11:37 and the fire was extinguished at 12:58 p.m .
The lower level of a two bedroom, two story unit was destroyed, and the upper level of that unit sustained smoke and water damage.
The unit below sustained some water damage, and an adjacent apartment sustained smoke and water damage, the county said.
Workers with Bueno Constuction and B&P Construction who were remodeling a first floor apartment noticed smoke and tried to put out the fire with fire extinguishers, but the fire was too intense.

Pet Friendly Resort Timeshares

What fun is it to leave on vacation and look into your pet’s sad eyes? Not much! Well, now there are “pet friendly” timeshare resorts where you can enjoy a great vacation with your entire family, even the dog!

Timeshare owners are people who generally love to travel and if you are a pet owner – that may create a problem when you start the search for someone to stay with the pet or decide whether boarding is better. There are now pet-friendly timeshares all over the world which understand the concerns you have when traveling with your pets. These resorts will help to make your stay (and your pet’s stay) more comfortable and enjoyable for both of you! Why not consider a pet-friendly timeshare so next time your pet doesn’t have to miss out on all the fun!

Timeshares are overall a better way to travel with pets because typically it is a more “home like” setting versus a hotel room. When considering a pet-friendly resort you should take into consideration your pet’s lifestyle. If you have an active dog, you’ll want to be sure there are ample public areas (or dog-parks) for running and walking and possibly hiking trails nearby.

Some pet-friendly timeshare resorts have weight-limits and/or breed-restrictions. There may also be limitations to the number of pets allowed per timeshare unit.

Most resorts define “pet-friendly” as those welcomed into the rooms and common areas. However, some resorts advertise as “pet-friendly” by offering an on-site kennel accommodation (Disney properties is one). Be sure you clearly understand the pet-friendly policy before purchasing to determine if it fits into your travel plans with the pet.

And before you start to plan your vacation exchange, pack up your bags and put Ace in a cage, confirm directly with the resort that all information given to you at the time of purchase is still current and up to date.

There’s no longer a need to leave your pet behind – contact us for a list of pet-friendly timeshare resorts today and begin a whole new way of enjoying family vacations!

Westin Ka anapali Ocean Resort Villas, Maui, Hawaii

Syed and I had company last week from the mainland. Our friends own a two bedroom lockout at the Westin Ka anapali Ocean Resort Villas and were using the studio portion of the unit.

I thought you might enjoy seeing the North Villas. The bathroom is as large as the sleeping/living area and has a beautiful Jacuzzi tub and walk in shower. The kitchen is the usual size for a studio, but big enough for breakfast and leftovers from one of the wonderful restaurants in Lahaina or the restaurant onsite in the North Villas.

This is a really beautiful property. Westin has some of the nicest timeshares in the industry. We were married at The Westin St. John in 1991. I will look for some pictures of the property to post on our blog as well.

The timeshare resale industry has slowed like all the other industries in the U.S. however we have been selling this property and the Marriott’s recently. Seems people always want quality. The upside of purchasing a timeshare resale now, is it seems the developers are not exercising their “first right of refusal” which allows a resale buyer to purchase at a lower price than in the past. There are more motivated sellers on the market. If it is not a Buyer’s market it is a Seller’s market. NOW it is a buyer’s market!

Hilton Grand Vacations Club at Hilton Hawaiian Village Grand Waikikian

We vacationed in the new tower at Hilton Grand Vacations Club at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. We took a tour of their one bedroom, two bedroom, three bedroom and Penthouse timeshare units.

The Penthouse is amazingly beautiful.

There is a view to die for from this condo located on the 39th floor. We were told it took 28,000 points for one week in the three bedroom Penthouse. WOW – that is a lot of points for just one week! Funny because when Syed got up this morning he said he didn’t know why people vacation for only one week.

Our flight was only 22 minutes from Maui. Most people who visit Hawaii travel all day or many hours to arrive. That is two days of precious vacation time just traveling.

Why buy Hilton Grand Vacation Club Points At Hilton Hawaiian Village timeshare resale?
You get more for your money! And with Hilton points you own the same thing as someone who buys direct from the developer. I asked what the Penthouse in the Grand Waikikian Tower was selling for and was told $150,000. The sales rep said they are selling fast.

We Maximized Our Hilton Grand Vacation Club Points.
Same luxury resort, with georgous views but requiring less points we opted to stay for the week in the Lagoon Tower. We think it makes much more sense to purchase a timeshare resale in a two bedroom in the Lagoon Tower, because you can have the same experience of luxury and save money. Best yet, use your points with high trade value to use at Hawaiian Village or at any other of the Hilton Vacation Club Properties

There are currently timeshare resales available at the Hilton Grand Vacations Club at Hilton Hawaiian Village in the Lagoon Tower for a two bedroom (7000 points) starting at $19,000. http://www.hoteltimeshares.com

Seems like the best buy to me.

Timeshare Resales the Bright Spot in the Real Estate Market

Since the beginning of this year, the timeshare resale industry is seeing a surge in sales activity. Sales are above 75% of what was happening last January and significantly higher then what we saw in the last quarter of 2009. People have accepted that we will be in a recession for sometime and the uncertainty of the elections is over. Prices have come down which means there are great buying opportunities to be found. Bargain hunters and savvy buyers are taking advantage of these terrific prices and motivated sellers in the rejuvenated timeshare resale market. What I am seeing are buyers who are still interested in hotel timeshares like Starwood, Marriott’s and Hilton. Shoppers are also snapping up other properties $2500.00 and under. It is a great time to buy!

What’s Happening on Maui in February

A month long tribute to our beloved whales.
The whales are here and it’s time to celebrate in appreciation of these amazing creatures. They visit Maui every winter. Feb. is the peak of whale watching season. The Maui Whale Festival, hosted by the Pacific Whale Foundation. Run for the Whales in South Maui is on Sat. Feb 7, beginning at Polo Beach. The run is sponsored by Valley Isle Road Runners will benefit marine education programs for Maui’s school children. Runner’s World Magazine recently named the race the Running Event of the Month, as last year nearly 600 athletes from Maui and beyond participated.
The highlight of the month is the grand 29th Whale Day celebration which takes place from 10am to 6pm on Sat. Feb 21, Oceanside at Kihei’s Kalama Park. Nearly 10,000 Maui visitors and residents attend this all day, free bash each year. Whale day will include tasty local grinds, a huge craft fair featuring more than 100 Maui artists, environmental booths and artists, including John Cruz, Willie K., Marty Dread, George Kahumoku Jr. and more.

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