Anfi Group, the company behind the much-anticipated Anfi Tauro Golf & Luxury Resorts development and the town council of Mogan have both been given the green light by the Supreme Administrative Court following an appeal to allow the development to go ahead.
The new resort will include two brand new man-made beaches and a 500-berth leisure harbour, plus a number of residential and leisure facilities, with a focus on golf. The 7,500 bed tourist complex will be targeted at European visitors and the luxury development already boasts a luxury hotel, a selection of freehold bungalows and villas, an 18-hole championship golf course, golf academy and 9-hole pitch-and-putt course, all to the tune of €400 million.
Interval International has just announced the affiliation of Multiresidence de l’Elysee in Paris, France. The property occupies a six-storey building in the 8th arrondissement on the right bank of the River Seine, close to the Champs-Élysées and right between the world famous Parisian landmarks the Arc de Triomphe and Place de la Concorde.
“The prime location of this resort, on the stylish Rue de Colisee in the heart of Paris, makes it an ideal base for exploring one of the world’s most beautiful cities,” said Darren Ettridge, Interval International’s vice president of resort sales and service for Europe, Middle East, and Africa. “Each residence is equipped with all the comforts of home, so guests will feel more like residents than tourists.”
Sunglasses and sun cream are summer essentials, but when holiday horrors Delhi Belly or Tunisian Tummy strike, you’ll be glad you packed sensibly. Here’s a quick checklist.
As the pound continues to strengthen against the euro, buying you more euros for your sterling, the argument for specifically holidaying in a non-euro zone is fading fast. These days it’s not so much a question of which currency you’ll be using to buy your holiday souvenirs and sunset cocktails, it’s more about the overall cost of living and the prices at the actual resort you’re going to be holidaying at.
Turkey and Egypt, both non-euro countries, are particularly popular this year, but classic eurozone favourites like Portugal, Cyprus and Greece are also great value this summer compared to parts of Spain, France and Italy.
RDO is proud to welcome Royal Resorts as its most recent sponsor of GoTimeshare. Founded in Cancun in 1975, Royal Resorts is a pioneer in the Mexican tourism industry and one of the world’s first vacation ownership companies.
It has five properties in Cancun and one in the Riviera Maya, all in beautiful beachfront settings. Each resort has an impressive array of five-star amenities such as pools, tennis courts, restaurants and bars, and members and guests can also enjoy the facilities at sister resorts. Operated as private clubs with 24-hour security and daily maid service, the Royal Resorts are the perfect family getaway; in fact many members call them their home away from home.
Twenty-five years ago, Tenerife-based resort management company WimPen was part of construction giant George Wimpey’s European empire; today, WimPen provides management services for 13 resorts and communities in Tenerife, Lanzarote, La Gomera and the Costa del Sol, servicing 15,000 property owners.
First impressions? The sweeping driveways, manicured lawns and tantalising glimpses of swimming pools and water slides were a sharp contrast to the damp and grey London we left behind earlier that day. Not that we dislike London, but it can be a bit dreary at times and a holiday with guaranteed sunshine can give you that boost you desperately need.
At first I was disappointed we weren't in one of the resort's self-contained villas but the River Island apartment complex has panoramic views overlooking the pool area and I soon realised we'd certainly not been given the short straw. The free and surprisingly fast wi-fi access cemented this view as I can't go long without my internet fixes.
Jennie Thompson, MD of Malaga-based Leisure Solutions SL, and board member of the official timeshare owner-run Timeshare Association (TATOC) www.tatoc.org, is about to take up a new role as vice president of the British Chamber of Commerce’s Regional Committee of Andalucia.
Thompson, who is also an elected member of the BCCS Governing Council, has a wealth of experience within the timeshare industry and hopes her two-year post will help spread a positive message about timeshare.
If golf and Sicily sound like heaven, there’s not too long to wait until Wyndham’s new Catania Golf Resort opens in Carlentini. Located between the town of Catania and Syracuse, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the 192-bedroom and suite hotel it to overlook an 18-hole golf course. There are 224 fully-serviced residential units planned on three floors and the hotel will be marketed to appeal to a mix of business and leisure clientele.
The port of Catania is Sicily’s second largest city after Palermo, once home to artists and writers, including the composer Vincenzo Bellini. Catania lies in the shadow of Mount Etna, the area’s world famous volcano. The baroque city architecture reflects its 18th century heritage.
One of the world’s best-known brands Google has announced a new deal with leading travel technology company ITS to help Google improve search results when users look for flights or want to book holidays.
ITA’s technology, which is behind major airlines’ reservation systems, will help consumers find the best flights and best holiday deals online; airlines and travel agencies will benefit as Google drives more traffic in their direction.
New to the shared ownership industry, Tau Resorts has joined the exchange network of Interval International. Both resorts enjoy stunning locations and will offer guests a chance to explore the rich history, culture and natural beauty both destinations have to offer.
Tau nahui is the first beachfront shared ownership project in the portfolio. It’s part of aa 2,100-acre mixed-use community located along a three mile stretch of coastline on Banderas Bay, north of one of Mexico’s best-known destinations, Puerto Vallarta.
RCI recently launched two new iPhone apps that let users share their holiday experiences with friends. The leading holiday exchange organisation designed the new applications as part of its innovative social media marketing strategy.
As Twitter, YouTube, blogs and Facebook are now part of everyday life, what better way to plan and share holiday experiences than via. social media and mobile marketing?
Leading hotelier Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has announced the signing of a new hotel due to open in London’s revived docklands area, in time for the London Olympics.
The hotel will be the latest in its Aloft brand. The Aloft London ExCel will be located at the exhibition and convention centre, ExCel London, and the 252 room property will no doubt be a popular base for those attending the many property and holiday exhibitions at ExCel.
A Starwood spokesperson said it had been created to “shake up the staid, traditional select service segment of the hotel industry”. Famous for its “Heavenly Bed” promotions, the hotelier is a big industry player with a boutique hotel sensibility and philosophy. Touches such as Egyptian cotton towels, high quality pillows and “heavenly bed” mattresses are part of the Starwood/Westin Hotels & Resorts experience and its vacation ownership residences in the Virgin Islands, Mexico, California and Colorado reflect how timeshare has become synonymous with luxury.
Holiday Letting Shop (“HLS”) is a new site that bridges the gap between individual timeshare owners (as well as resorts with available inventory) and holidaymakers looking for resort-based self-catering accommodation.
www.holidaylettingshop.com is a live search site with a reservations and secure payment facility and users can search for specific accommodation by country, region and resort name.
Timeshare owners who have spare weeks they want to rent out can do so via. the website. HLS will provide a rental valuation of each week in question which is then listed on the site for holidaymakers to view and book. This facility is an alternative to having to sell timeshare weeks in other ways which can be a time consuming process.
Contrary to the statement made by Claims Directive, a company located in Arguineguín Gran Canaria that claims to represent timeshare owners’ interests, the timeshare industry both in Spain, the rest of Europe and USA as well as other international territories is extremely robust.
Some of the world’s biggest hotel brands operate within the timeshare industry, such as Hilton, Marriott, Wyndham, Disney and Four Seasons. Timeshare owners recently reported high levels of satisfaction with their timeshare – 87% overall were “satisfied or extremely satisfied” according to a report by The Christel DeHaan Tourism and Travel Research Institute at the Nottingham University Business School.
The survey also reveals that there are 1.5 million owners in Europe, 48% of whom own in Spain, where there are 345 resorts. Furthermore, €3.2 billion was generated by the industry in 2007 alone, €957 million of which came from timeshare sales.
Twiggy had the honour of giving Seabourn’s new 450-passengers luxury ship Sojourn a real champagne send-off recently. She looked delighted with her new role as the brand new ship’s godmother, announcing "Welcome to my yacht... I wish!" before posing for photos with Sojourn’s Norwegian Captain, Karlo Buer.
Parent company Yachts of Seabourn made a donation to Breast Cancer Haven in Twiggy’s honour and held a fundraiser before the ship departed for its first season in Northern European waters.
At a glamorous event in London, Pam Conover, President and CEO of Yachts of Seabourn told the black tie crowd that Twiggy had been chosen as the ship's godmother because the cruise line wanted someone with "elegance, style, timeless beauty and an iconic presence," to match the qualities of the new liner.
A particularly timely timeshare story, ‘Perks of power sharing” by journalist Liz Rowlinson, talks about the benefits of timeshare holidays in The Daily Mail property pages (Friday 28 May 2010).
The full page article was inspired by the news that Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg will be ‘time-sharing’ his government residence Chevering House with new Foreign Secretary William Hague. Clegg is keen to spend time with his family at the grand residence in leafy Kent – now all they need to work out is who will get it for peak summer holidays and who be enjoying it at Christmas.
2010 marks some important milestones in timeshare. As the shared ownership industry celebrates decades of success, there’s more to look forward to, as Fiona Klonarides reports
This year’s RDO 2010 Conference “The Road Ahead” is shaping up to be a must-be-there event for everyone involved in the Europe’s shared ownership industry. High profile guest speakers are already confirmed and the two and a half day conference promises to be a unique opportunity to network and learn about the latest developments in the timeshare and fractional industries.
Conference sessions aside, the social event line-up includes a golf tournament, welcome cocktail party and the wrap party. The conference kicks off with The RDO Golf Tournament on Monday 4th October, 13.00 – 18.00 at Golf Rio Real, a Marbella classic and one of the area’s prettiest courses.
The club’s lush greenery, its signature boutique hotel and spa and al fresco café terrace make it a perfect setting for after-golf drinks. Golf Rio Real is less than five minutes from the RDO Conference host hotel, the legendary Don Carlos Leisure Resort & Spa.
What makes a good idea great? Some are sparked by necessity, others take off when the time is right, and the best ideas in the holiday industry are based on meeting – preferably exceeding – the needs of the consumer.
Not so long ago we all lived and breathed “a place in the sun.” We were busy buying villas in Vilamoura, doing up farmhouses in the Dordogne, transforming derelict barns in scenic locations into rustic-chic holiday homes. But grey economic clouds started hovering overhead and turned a threatening shade of charcoal. Suddenly, the idea of pouring money into “grand designs” or saddling oneself with a second home mortgage for a place likely to lie empty (pelted by French winter rain) felt a bit burdensome.
Fast-forward to 2010. As the sun breaks through those clouds, property bargains abound and a taste of the good life beckons in emerging, untapped destinations. And in Europe, an American holiday concept over 30 years old is coming of age: timeshare and its younger relative fractional ownership - both immensely popular in the US and ingrained in the American lifestyle - are enjoying a renaissance this side of the pond.
RDO (Resort Development Organisation) is the European trade body for the timeshare and fractional ownership industries. Formerly called OTE, it was created in 1998 to promote fair trading and growth within the timeshare industry and to encourage the highest service standards amongst its members.
Timeshare and fractional ownership is an increasingly popular way of taking holidays and satisfaction levels amongst the 590,000 British families that own timeshare are very high – 88% are pleased they bought. RDO represents the very best of these holiday options and works to educate both the public and the media about the high quality, diverse and inspirational holidays offered.
A certain Mr. Michael O’Leary will be celebrating this week. The controversial Ryanair boss has announced full-year profits of €319 million after tax, following a not so great year in 2009.
Ryanair said passenger numbers were up 14% to 67 million in the year to March, while airfares fell 13%. In an announcement on Ryanair.com, Michael O’Leary says principal highlights of the past year include:
Global hotelier Sol Melia, also one of the world’s leading timeshare resort brands under the Sol Melia Vacation Club name, has opened two luxury resorts in Umag, Croatia. Previously part of Sol Hotels, both resorts are now part of the Sol Melia group which owns over 300 properties in 28 countries across four continents.
The two new properties highlight its commitment to the quality of its portfolio in Croatia and the luxury makeovers mean the Melia Coral and Melia Istran Villas are now the most luxurious properties on the Umag coast. Both offer guests the amenities and standards of service that have become Sol Melia’s gold seal.
New policyholders may not be able to obtain insurance against future flights grounded by the volcano “pa-lava” which again is disrupting air travel in Europe, and this time areas where no-fly zones have been designated include France, Italy and the west coast of Spain.
Insurers are now saying it’s highly unlikely that they will pay compensation for cancelled flights and the news comes with the summer holidays fast approaching.
Aviation experts are warning that there could be more cancellations in the coming months and independent travellers booking their own flights are finding it hard to locate any insurer prepared to pay up against future cancellations. Insurers who did compensate passengers during the first travel chaos episode are now saying they will not, going forward.
Good news for one of Spain’s leading vacation club resorts, La Manga, which has seen sales rise 70% during the first quarter of this year, year on year, at its 5-star resort hotel, The Principe Felipe. The resort, just 20 minutes from Murcia’s airport, is one of the country’s most famous holiday destinations and offers guests a mix of hotel, self-catering apartments and timeshare units. Sales were fuelled by attractive added-value package offerings for golf, tennis and sport enthusiasts and coupled with strong UK travel trade support and its desirability as a winter season training ground for visiting international sports teams, reservations at La Manga Club have been particularly buoyant already this year.
“The first quarter trading is a searing endorsement for our wonderful and unique resort proposition”, said Adrian Constant, La Manga Club’s CEO. “It demonstrates what can be achieved when you offer great value and quality across a range of business sectors, combined with the unrivalled facilities that La Manga Club has to offer.”
The sales pitch is sounding good. Wonderful holidays in self-catering accommodation in some of the world’s most sought after locations that offer better value than staying in a hotel, often with better amenities and 24-hour concierge service. But before you sign on any dotted lines, are you buying timeshare....or joining a holiday club? And more importantly, can you spot the difference?
Since Swiss company Hapimag brought the timeshare holiday concept to the fore in the 1960s, the industry has evolved from its original, innovative yet straightforward model - offering fixed weeks in fixed locations - to a sophisticated, sometimes points-based array of worldwide holiday options. Apartments in the Algarve, safaris in South Africa, Caribbean cruises, skiing in Switzerland and catamaran holidays off Turkey’s Aegean coast...like the old Martini ad, timeshare is really all about enjoying the best of holidays - “anytime, anywhere, anyplace.”
When the world’s biggest hotel brands – Marriott, Four Seasons, Hilton, Disney and so on – got into timeshare in the States, they elevated the industry to a whole new level and timeshare in Europe followed suit. But, a good name can be tarnished by unreputable players joining the game (ditto – financial services, estate agents insurance companies, all affected by rogue operators who spoil things for the rest of the industry). In timeshare’s case, those “players” are the holiday clubs that spring up in popular destinations, particularly the Costa del Sol and Canary Islands, proferring holidays galore which are - so their sales pitch goes - supposedly “cheaper than timeshare and less of a commitment” The stark reality is most of them neither own, nor manage any resorts of their own and parting consumers from their hard-earned money in an effort to sell them something they didn’t want in the first place, or worse, that doesn’t even exist. These are the bad boys named and shamed in the tabloids.
Nowhere epitomises “fun in the sun” more than Florida. After you’ve goofed around with Goofy, met Mickey and Co., and had more fun at Disneyland than you can remember since you were seven, there’s one more day out you could try to squeeze in before you fly home.
In a fitting tribute to America's pioneering spirit of space exploration, the Kennedy Space Centre is probably the next best thing to taking a rocket to the moon. Visitors can climb aboard a full size space shuttle replica, see moon rocks and explore the Rocket Garden where eight rockets from past space experiments are on show.
With a massive backlog of flights now facing holidaymakers trying to get home, despite the opening of European airports, timeshare resorts which are members of the Resort Development Organisation (RDO) have been working tirelessly to provide emergency accommodation for stranded guests, helping them get home whenever possible now that the flight ban is officially over.
Families with children have found themselves taking an unexpected extended holiday in sun-soaked holiday destinations such as the Costa del Sol, Cyprus, The Canary Islands and the Algarve, right before the start of the new school term.
A number of resorts have stepped in to provide last minute arrangements and accommodation for families unable to get home, with resort teams working flat out to ensure owners either have somewhere to stay if no immediate flights are available, or help with last minute travel arrangements.
Launch celebrations were planned for April 22, but Celebrity Cruises’ latest ship, “Eclipse,” will instead be welcoming aboard stranded travellers stuck in Spain following the “ash” crisis. In place of the two-night naming celebration cruise, the ship will be in Bilbao to collect British and Irish travellers stuck in Spain before returning to British shores in time for her naming ceremony on Saturday April 24.
Hampshire yachtswoman and breast cancer survivor Emma Pontin will perform the naming ceremony on Saturday as planned, after Celebrity Eclipse returns to Southampton following her rescue mission.
Hyatt are set to make a splash in Amsterdam when their brand new Andaz Amsterdam Hotel on the elegant Prinsengracht canal opens in 2012. It will be the first Andaz-branded hotel property on the European mainland and parent company Hyatt Hotels & Resorts’ first hotel in the Netherlands.
The hotel will be developed by Aedes Real Estate, a subsidiary of the Hyatt group and Wanders will oversee the entire interior design. Hyatt couldn’t have chosen a better location: guests will enjoy firsthand views of the canal from their sought-after address in the characterful Jordaan district and all the cafés, art galleries, boutiques and many of the city’s main attractions, including Anne Frank’s house, are within easy walking distance.
Just weeks after ballet star Darcy Bussell launched P&O’s newest liner Azura, the champagne bottle will be smashing again, this time to celebrate the maiden voyage of Celebrity Cruises’ latest liner “Celebrity Eclipse”.
Although many may not recognise her name, Emma Pontin is well known in yacht circles. The brave yachtswoman was diagnosed with breast cancer prior to skippering a yacht in a transatlantic race in 2006, but even that daunting news didn’t stop her plans. Following surgery, and throughout her chemotherapy and radiation treatments, she continued to sail, instruct and race and went on to skipper several major races over the next year, including the Fastnet and Sydney-Hobart race.
Interval International has just announced the affiliation of Horse Country Resort on the island of Sardinia, one of Italy’s most sought-after holiday spots, and the second largest island in the Mediterranean.
“Horse Country Resort is a truly unique vacation spot in one of Italy’s most appealing destinations,” said Darren Ettridge, Interval International’s vice president of resort sales and service for Europe, Middle East, and Africa. “The resort’s pristine setting and array of vacation amenities will appeal to a wide range of our members and is a strong addition to Interval’s vacation exchange network.”
Just 20 mins west of downtown in Doral, Miami, the Hyatt Miami at The Blue is set in lush surroundings: 17 acres of green breathing space overlooking a world-famous PGA championship golf course, with many more courses close by.
The new boutique hotel makes an ideal base for family holidays. The property is close to the beach and its spacious suites feature fully equipped kitchens for at-home entertaining; alternatively guests can relax in the hotel restaurant and bar after a long day in the sun on the pool deck. Golfers can choose to stay in one of the three-bedroom golf villas adjacent to the course.
Timeshare owners who love the good life will like what St. Lucia’s luxury resort Cap Maison has to offer. The resort affiliated with Interval International last month.
Recipient of the Condé Nast Johansens 2010 Most Excellent Hotel Award (Atlantic, Caribbean and Pacific) the exclusive boutique resort www.capmaison.com also made the Condé Nast Traveler Hot List 2009.
The heavenly hideaway lies on the estate of a former sugar plantation on an ocean bluff above secluded Smugglers Cove Beach in Cap Estate - it even has its own yacht for private tours around the island.
There’s still time to sign up for one of the year’s most popular charity events, the RCI Christel House Charity Golf Day.
The 2010 event takes place at Ealing Golf Club in Perivale, where some of the timeshare and hospitality industries’ keenest golfers will be clubbing together to help raise funds for the Christel House children’s charity. The organisation helps children around the world whose chances in life are slim to say the least. By funding educational, food and health care programmes, Christel House provides these children with a base, and a nurturing environment, on which to build their lives.
For many years now European resale company’s mode of operation has been centred round obtaining exorbitant up front registrations from timeshare owners for registering their weeks and then doing nothing to sell them on. The type of companies that both TATOC and RDO have been fighting to close down for many years. With this in mind Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket one of Europe’s leading resale companies, researched the various auction web sites that are in use and is proud to launch “Timeshare Shopper” at the TATOC conference this weekend being held at the Belfry Hotel in Nottingham.
Timeshare Shopper is a new auction website for timeshare owners which put you in control, whether it is selling, buying, renting, swapping or exchanging week(s) of timeshare. It’s free and easy to register at Timeshare Shopper and you will have access to hundreds of timeshare bargains, or as a seller you will only pay a modest fee to advertise your week(s). You can also use our unique comparison service to find the market value of your timeshare.
Interval International, a prominent worldwide provider of vacation services and an operating segment of Interval Leisure Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: IILG), today announced the renewal of its master affiliation agreement with Marriott Vacation Club International, the timeshare division of Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR). The multi-year agreement extends the relationship first established in 1990 between two leaders in the shared ownership industry, each highly regarded for their commitment to quality, exemplary customer service, and innovation.
Timeshare's biggest names will gather at the Venetian Resort Hotel and Casino for the premier timeshare industry event of the year in the States, the 2010 ARDA Convention and Exposition.
Top timeshare companies and service providers will be in Las Vegas, March 14-18, for this year's ARDA (American Resort Development Association) Convention. There's an impressive line up of speakers and Signature Sponsors for the networking event, with presentations, exhibitions and plenty of opportunities for discussion about industry trends, all part of the agenda.
The Corn Exchange at Brighton's Dome is the venue for this year's 2010 Enjoy England Awards For Excellence. The finalists have just been revealed, and the event takes place on April 23, to mark St. George's Day. Competition in the various categories is exceptionally strong, and a large number of entries are in for the Sustainable Tourism Award.
Last year “Staycations” (holidays spent “at home” in the UK rather than overseas) were big news. There are a number of reasons to holiday closer to home – economising on the cost of travelling internationally, the convenience of driving or letting the train take the strain rather than heading off to an airport. Britain has no shortage of beauty spots to rival its European neighbours. There's Cornwall, The Lake District, The Peak District, The Scottish Highlands, The Northumberland Coast - everyone has their favourite and the list is a long one.
Some travel experts are even going as far as predicting that if global warming continues, British holidays will rise in popularity – all we need, it seems, is a bit more sun, because inspiring beaches, scenic landscapes and historic villages are all on our doorstep!
Hotel and timeshare giant Disney is putting its guests' left over soaps and shampoos to good use. Walt Disney World's Florida hotels now participate in the Clean The World charity campaign to recycle soap and shampoo products from hotel rooms. The charity sends the soap to regions in need – even in this decade people are dying from lack of hygiene in parts of the world.
Charter operator Jet2.com is introducing new flights from Edinburgh to Majorca for its summer 2010 schedule. Mallorca's busy airport will be the airline's twelfth destination from Edinburgh and Jet2 will begin the new flights on June 26th.
The island is the largest of the Balearics, but equally popular Ibiza, renowned for its famous Café del Mar beach bar and dusk-till-dawn nightlife, will also be served by Jet2.com which plans to increase its frequency of flights for Ibiza lovers with three weekly services due to passenger demand.
Visitors will be able to fly into Turkey's Antalya airport this winter from three UK airports – Gatwick, East Midlands and Manchester, as two operators, Thomson and First Choice, extend their year-round flight schedules, making it easier for timeshare members to catch some winter sun in that region.
Already one of the fastest-growing tourist destinations, Turkey is hoping that tourism in 2010 will further boost its economy. It has been giving Spain a run for its money in recent years - popular resorts such as Bodrum and Antalya have ample amenities, clean beaches, plenty of sun and the fact that Turkey is a euro-free zone is a significant plus.
Novaterra Resorts today announced that Arcos Gardens Golf Club & Country Estate in Cadiz, Spain, has affiliated with The Registry Collection® exchange programme, the world’s largest luxury exchange network.
Located among the Andalusian hills and adjacent to the famed white village of Arcos de la Frontera in the province of Cadiz, the Arcos Gardens Golf Club & Country Estate is an exclusive low-density golf community designed for upscale luxury living. The 440-acre property was a former olive grove that was transformed through the transplanting of over 2,000 olive trees into a leading golf destination featuring a championship 18-hole course.
UK timeshare owners looking for a different kind of holiday this summer have plenty to choose from. Thanks to the exchange programmes at RCI and Interval International, they could be watching the World Cup in South Africa, getting a taste of the States featured in Jamie Oliver's American Road Trip series, and exploring Istanbul, next year's European City of Culture.
.jpg){kind=logo}
