Timeshare News

Marketing Orlando as the premier travel destination is the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau primary focus. One way to accomplish this is to tell Orlando's "story" to vacationers, meeting planners, members of the travel trade and media across the nation and around the world. Also the Public Relations department of the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau sent an e-mail on March 26 to 970 journalists with tips on how to get the most value out of an Orlando vacation.

On March 13th Perspective Magazine attended the official launch party for Emerald Vacation Group’s new and first ever vacation ownership resort in the Maldives, the Turtle Cove Resort & Spa, held at the Raffles Hotel in Dubai.

Chris Jackson, General Manager hosted the event which included a speech from Maldivian Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Dr Mahmood Shougee who enthusiastically welcomed the project and applauded it on its dedication to maintaining the beautiful surroundings.

Located on Mahadhdhoo Island on the eastern side of the large Huvadu atoll, the Turtle Cove Resort & Spa is a little over a kilometer long and beautifully formed in the shape of a peacock. Turtle Cove features 77 one bedroom villas and 10 two bedroom villas, a luxury spa, fine dining restaurants, boutique shopping promenade and water sports centre.

VIP owner Sir Bob Geldof also addressed the attendees of the launch and states, “The sheer beauty of the Maldives blows you away. I’m very lucky, I get to come here, be still, look at the sea, the sun, the fish, sleep and be slightly less grumpy. Not bad.”

Other celebrities that were at the launch included jockey Frankie Dettori and boxer Chris Eubank as well as a video testimonial from Elle McPherson.

Emerald Vacation Group is a recently formed division of Dubai based Emerald Properties, which has established itself as a leading property organisation in the UAE and is a member of the Salah Group.

For more information visit www.emeraldvacationgroup.com

Wyndham Vacation Ownership has acquired 33 vacation ownership units at the lakefront Ballards Pointe master planned community in Santee, SC, from Ballards Point 3, LLC. Wyndham Vacation Ownership also entered into a contractual agreement to purchase 78 additional units in two future phases, anticipated to occur through early 2009. Scheduled to operate under the company's FairShare Plus by Wyndham exchange portfolio, this acquisition marks the company's sixth resort in South Carolina. Santee is a year-round destination with championship golf courses, hiking trails, state parks, and shops. The area is most widely known for Lake Marion, a beautiful lake popular for its water activities. Ballards Pointe 3 is the third and final phase of The Shuler Group's Ballards Pointe Development.

Thunderbird Lodge, located in Sparks, NV, and Tuckaway Shores, in Indialantic, FL, have signed affiliation agreements with RCI, adding their resorts to the RCI Weeks Exchange Program and its worldwide network. Thunderbird Lodge, owned by QM Resorts network and located in northern Nevada, consists of one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites with in-unit kitchen facilities. The lodge is within walking distance to downtown Sparks and the local Sparks Marina. Tuckaway Shores, located in Indialantic, is a boutique development located 80 miles from Orlando. Tuckaway Shores is a beach front resort the embodies the charm of "Old Florida." Close to the charm of downtown Melbourne and not far from a number of cruise terminals, Tuckaway Shores boasts 150 feet of private and pristine beach and a family-friendly environment.

Wyndham Vacation Ownership announced the acquisition of land at the Grand Elk Ranch and Club community in Granby, CO, form Grand Elk, LLC. The company in 2008 will begin construction of a 44-unit vacation ownership resort, which will operate under the company's WorldMark by Wyndham resort portfolio. The resort will be known as WorldMark Grand Elk and it is anticipated to welcome owners and their guests in summer 2009. Located in beautiful Frasier Valley just north of Winter Park, WorldMark Grand Elk will feature a mix of studio, one- and two-bedroom condominium-style units as well as beautifully-appointed three-bedroom Presidential suites. Owners and guests will be able to enjoy resort amenities. Additionally, owners will enjoy discounts at the neighboring Grand Elk Ranch and Club master-planned community. The resorts location in the Rocky mountains offers plenty of activities including skiing, hiking, golfing, biking, fly-fishing, and more.

Wyndham Vacation Ownership opened WorldMark Mission Valley, its third resort in San Diego, Calif., joining Wyndham Harbour Lights and WorldMark San Diego. 167-unit WorldMark Mission Valley resort is the company's latest urban destination property. Featuring a mix of one- and two- bedroom units, WorldMark Mission Valley has several amenities for owners and their guests to enjoy, including a pool, hot tub, exercise facilty, and on-site parking. In addition, WorldMark Mission Valley is conveniently located near the attractions, nightlife and amenities of San Diego including SeaWorld, San Diego, San Diego Zoo, Presidio Park, and Balboa Park.

Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., a division of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. Expects the first phase of Westin Lagunamar Ocean Resort Villas to be ready for occupancy in summer of 2008. This resort features of four eight-story buildings, a reception building, sales gallery, and various amenities. The Westin Lagunamar represents Starwood's third vacation ownership and fractional resort in Cancun, including Westin Cancun Resort and Spa and the Le Meridien Cancun Resort & Spa.

Marriott Vacation Club International (MVCI), the vacation ownership division of Marriott International, INC. has begun development and Sales at Marriott's Oceana Palms- The Palm Beaches on Singer Island in Riviera Beach, FL, located in the heart of Palm Beach County and on the tip of Florida's "Gold Coast", famous for its tropical temperatures and miles of white-sand beaches along the Atlantic Ocean.
At build-out, the resort will include 169 two-bedroom/ two bathroom villas, with three spacious floor plans that feature more than 1,100 square feet of living space (plus balconies). Each villa can accommodate up to 8 guests. Occupancy is slated for early 2010. Initial pricing starting at $25,900 per week, depending on the season and view type selected. Marriott's Oceana Palms will offer the ideal pairing of oceanfront living with the luxurious Palm Beach area lifestyle.

The Family Of Orange Lake Resorts has completed a $3-million renovation program at its Orange Lake Vermont Resort, located in Vermont's Ascutney Mountain Resort Complex. Villa interiors now feature redesigned floor plans and decor, while villa exteriors now sport new siding and roofs. Orange Lake owners and guests enjoy numerous amenity and service privileges at the Ascutney Mountain Resort Complex, including 56 trials for alpine and cross country skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing along with the Strong House Spa, fitness center, Alpine Cinema, Mountainside Ski Lodge and Apres Ski, a variety of restaurants and eateries, and a ski and rental shop.