RCI Welcomes Two New Resorts From Turkey To Its Worldwide Network

RCI, the global leader in vacation exchange and one of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies (NYSE: WYN), announced two new resort affiliations in the popular destination of Turkey.

The new resort affiliates, Salutaris Thermal Resort and Kartas Thermal & Spa Resort, will offer RCI members relaxing spa-based vacation opportinities.

“We are very pleased to welcome Salutaris Thermal Resort and Kartas Thermal & Spa Resort into the RCI network,” said Geoff Ballotti, president and CEO, Group RCI. “These resorts offer our more than 3.8 million members the chance to enjoy relaxing thermal and spa facilities in scenic areas of Turkey, a country with a variety of contemporary and historic tourist attractions. They are fantastic additions to RCI’s collection of more than 4,000 top quality vacation destinations.”

Salutaris Thermal Resort in Omerli sits in the mountainous province of Afyon, inland from the Aegean coast and 250 kilometres south-west of Ankara. Afyon itself is known for its many historic sites, including the ruins of a fortress, the Great Mosque, the 13th century Alti Göz Bridge and the statue of Hamm's symbolic white elephant.

These resorts offer our more than 3.8 million members the chance to enjoy relaxing thermal and spa facilities in scenic areas of Turkey, a country with a variety of contemporary and historic tourist attractions. They are fantastic additions to RCI’s collection of more than 4,000 top quality vacation destinations

Built by Sayez Turizm, the resort is due to open in 2010. When completed, Salutaris Thermal Resort is set to become one of Europe’s largest thermal holiday villages, where guests can enjoy on-site facilities and amenities including a Turkish hamam, sauna, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, thermal pools, a fitness centre and spa. The property comprises 204 two-bedroom units with fully-fitted kitchens, air-conditioning and whirlpool baths.

Prices haven’t been fully finalised but for a period of 29 years vacation ownership should range from €6,000 to €10,000 per week.

Kartas Thermal & Spa Resort was developed by Kartas Turizm and is due to open in October 2009 in the Cavlak area of Bogazliyan, Yozgat, only 50 kilometres away from the city of Kayseri which is renowned for its historical monuments and culinary specialties. Cappadocia is another nearby destination offering unique geological, historic and cultural features. Recreation options in the area include trekking, rafting and skiing, in addition to visiting Goreme National Park, which is famed for its fairy chimney rock formations.

The resort offers relaxation after a busy day of activity. Guests can unwind in one of the indoor or outdoor pools, sauna or fitness centre. Accommodation ranges from hotel rooms to one- and two-bedroom units sleeping up to six people. All have air conditioning and whirlpool baths, and with the exception of the hotel rooms, all have partial kitchens with freezer, microwave and electric hobs.

Prices haven’t been fully finalised but for a period of 5, 10 and 20 years vacation ownership should range from as low as €2,000 to €8,000 per week.

For additional information on the value-added services offered to leisure real estate developers by Group RCI visit www.grouprci.com.

About Sayez Turizm Insaat Muh Mus SaglikVe Egitim Hiz Paz Taah San Tic

Sayez Turizm was founded by a group of businessmen who came together to form a developer company to build the Salutaris Thermal Resort to utilize the thermal water resources in the Afyon area. The project has the support of the Afyon local authorities as the resort is expected to boost the regional economies.

About Kartas Turizm

The parent company, Kartas Turizm Otelcilik Ticaret Vesan, was founded in 1990 as a flour producer and a retail outlet in the local region. In 1993 it expanded into the fuel supply business by opening a gas station, and four years later it added a fodder plant to its assets. In 2003 it launched a construction business and today is a well-respected multi-sector company in Turkey.
 
Kartas Thermal & Spa Resort comprises of a hotel which will be managed by the renowned Dedeman Hotels Group, a wellness centre managed by the Universal Hospitals Group of Turkey and, finally, the timeshare properties will be managed by group company, Kartas Turizm.