virna17janmar

VACATION INDUSTRY 

JANUARY – MARCH 2017 

A PUBLICATION OF ILG 

Resort 

RESTAURANTS 

REIMAGINED 

An Appetite for Out-of-the-Ordinary Dining 

Profi les 

CLC World 

Resorts & Hotels 

Mega Vacations Club 

Wayqey Hotel and 

Wayqey Lodge 

Westgate Resorts 

CYBERSECURITY: ARE YOUR DATA PROTECTED?

COMING SOON! 

STK Publisher 

The STK Publisher feature makes it easy to create 

custom sales presentations and send them to your 

sales team’s iPads with a single click. 

1 

Yours and Ours. 

Upload your PDF, PowerPoint, and image fi les. Add a website and a few 

YouTube or Interval HD videos. Don’t forget to include our popular STK 

features, such as the Interval Exchange Tracker and Vacation Calculator. 

OK, now you’ve got the perfect pitch.

Easy as 1, 2, 3! 

2 

Drag and Drop. 

Build your sales presentation on STK 

Publisher’s easy-to-use web-based 

interface. Arrange it however you 

choose. It’s your sales story. You 

control the message. 

3 

Publish and Share. 

Click and publish. It’s that simple. Now the entire sales team can view your 

fi nished presentations, plus access The Globe, Resort Directory, and all of 

STK’s other in-app features. 

This is how you engage prospects and close sales.


VACATION INDUSTRY REVIEW 

RESORTDEVELOPER.COM 

CONTENTS 

IN REVIEW 

Data Security: Not Just for IT 

8 

International Shared Ownership 

Investment Conference 

12 

Resort Restaurants: An Appetite 

for Out-of-the-Ordinary Dining 

16 

IN EVERY ISSUE 

VIEWPOINT 

Security in an Insecure World 

4 

INSIDER 

Benefits, News, Updates, and More 

6 

PULSE 

People and Industry News 

47 

PROFILES 


All About the Experience 

24 


A Different View of Panama City 

28 

Wayqey Hotel and Wayqey Lodge 

Mysticism and Magic in Peru’s Sacred Valley 

32 

CLC World Resorts & Hotels 

Designing for the Future 

36 

28 

editor-in-chief 

Betsy Sheldon 

staff writer 

J.B. Bissell 

editorial assistant 

Laurie Charles 

editorial consultant 

Torey Marcus 

creative director 

Ailis M. Cabrera 

senior graphics 

manager 

John Cavaliere 

senior graphic 

designer 

Maria Garcia-Aguilar 

graphic designers 

Frank Gonzalez 

Cristina Mencia 

George A. Sariego 

photo editor 

Kimberly DeWees 

assistant vice president 

graphics and production 

Janet L. Orr 

production director 

Claire S. Sayan 

advertising 

Nicole Meck 

Interval International 

949.470.8324 

Nicole.Meck@intervalintl.com 

For address changes and corrections, 

or to receive a complimentary 

subscription, please send an email 

to Nicole.Meck@intervalintl.com. 

Advertising Index 

Bank of America Visa Card 41 International Shared Ownership 

Capital One 

IBC Investment Conference 

11, BC 

DG Film Company 44 Interval World 27 

Entertainment Promotions 43 Meridian Financial Services 42 

Equiant Financial Services 40 Preferred Residences 21 

Fidelity 45,47 Vacation Industry Review 35 

First American Title 48 VIP Club 5 

Harbor Linen 46 Winners Circle 5 

Info-Exchange Seminar 5 

Interval International IFC, 3, 22 

Vacation Industry Review is published by ILG. It is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information regarding the subject 

matter covered. It is published with the understanding that the publisher is not en gaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other 

professional ser vice. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. 

FIND US ON 

©ILG, 2017. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any part of this publication without written consent is prohibited.

Introducing Padzilla ... 

Turn your sales center into a sales magnet by streaming 

your pitch seamlessly from the Interval Sales Tool Kit app 

onto the largest touch-screen iPad display available. 

Padzilla comes in 40-, 55-, 70-, and 80-inch models. Use all of your favorite apps 

and connect via Wi-Fi or LAN. Choose from the framed Padzilla Lite model or 

Padzilla Frameless. This is the groundbreaking presentation display you can’t afford 

not to have! 

Contact your Interval resort sales 

and service representative for special 

Interval-affi liate pricing.

VIEWPOINT 




Security in an 

Insecure World 

BY 

Craig M. Nash 

CHAIRMAN, 

PRESIDENT, AND CEO 

ILG 

I intentionally don’t bank or pay my bills 

online. I use a BlackBerry because it’s supposed 

to be more secure than a smartphone. I don’t 

have a Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Pinterest 

account. And, believe it or not, I still write checks! 

My kids and colleagues may give me a hard 

time. But I can put up with their teasing — I happily 

maintain these small rebellions against the surrender 

of personal data to the threat of compromise. 

Leaving a Digital Trail 

I’m very aware, however, that they are just that: 

small rebellions. The truth is, there’s no getting 

away from digital exposure of our personal information. 

Through virtually every transactional 

experience we undertake — whether buying an airline 

ticket, visiting the doctor, using GPS, or texting 

our loved ones — we’re creating a digital trail of 

our activities and behaviors that puts our personal 

information into potential peril. 

A rise in identity theft and hacks of corporate 

databases aside, this past fall, we witnessed some 

examples of how systems breaches can have a 

wide-range — even global — impact: in the U.S. 

presidential election, the WikiLeaks disclosure of 

thousands of emails from the Democratic National 

Committee, allegations of cyber-espionage from 

Russia and attempts to influence the election; then, 

a cyber-attack that caused worldwide shutdowns 

of Twitter, Amazon, and Netflix, among other sites. 

Individuals, government, political institutions, 

and businesses alike all seem to be equally vulnerable 

to information leaks. And the results can 

be devastating. 

Protecting Our Data 

That’s why we at ILG take the security of our data 

very seriously. Protecting our information, our 

systems, and the privacy of our constituencies 

is a top priority. Under the direction of the 

company’s chief information security officer, 

Georgios Mortakis, we’ve developed a solid 

framework that anchors strict security policies, 

procedures, employee awareness and training, 

and regulatory compliance. 

As Georgios points out in the article on cybersecurity 

in this issue of Vacation Industry Review 

(page 8), it’s as difficult to prevent all risk of cyberabuse 

as it is to stop a hurricane. We acknowledge 

this, but — as those of us who face the possibility 

of hurricanes on a regular basis know — we don’t 

stand by and wait to sweep up the broken glass. 

We put the equivalent of storm shutters in place to 

reduce or eliminate the impact. 

ILG employs a thorough risk-assessment 

methodology in order to identify and mitigate 

security vulnerabilities, and to determine specific 

controls. We rely on continuous monitoring 

and incident-response management. Finally, ILG 

performs security-control due diligence on third 

party–connected entities and partners. 

Pursuit of Predictability 

This strict adherence helps protect ILG, our family 

of companies, and all those we do business with, 

and it supports our efforts to pursue the security 

and predictability our constituencies value. 

Security and predictability are something we 

all seek. But we’re wise to always be prepared to 

expect the unexpected. And that has never been 

more true than at the end of one of the most divisive 

and contentious U.S. elections ever. While the 

collision of different visions of where we are as a 

nation and where we need to go has disquieted 

us, I think we’re all at a point where we’re ready to 

heal and move forward. 

We as individuals, as businesses, and as an 

industry must remain focused on the long-term 

picture, while anticipating and responding to 

the constant bombardment of change wrought 

by technology and other forces. By adhering 

to this balanced path, we’re sure to continue 

in a positive direction and, no doubt, celebrate 

many successes. 

4

AD1111-0716-8.5x11-3.qxp_Vir NA 11/2/16 3:44 PM Page 1 

NEED SUPPORT? 

WE’RE ALL IN. 

INTERVAL INTERNATIONAL ® offers a unique 

suite of tools to support you and your team. 

These signature programs motivate, educate, 

and reward your staff. 

MOTIVATE 

Honor top sales 

producers with prizes 

and recognition. 

EDUCATE 

Help your resort staff 

manage inventory and better 

serve owners. 

REWARD 

Give associates the 

opportunity to experience 

vacation ownership firsthand. 

For more information on these programs, contact Sonia Landin at 305.925.7340 or 

Sonia.Landin@intervalintl.com, or visit ResortDeveloper.com. 

RESORTDEVELOPER.COM

INSIDER 

INTERVAL INTERNATIONAL: 

WHERE MEMBERS PLAN AND 

SHOP — IN ONE STOP 

Studies show that today’s travelers like to turn to several resources for 

vacation recommendations and information — from the advice of friends and 

family to travel websites. Interval members are no different. They, however, 

have something others don’t have: access to a plethora of planning resources 

through their membership. 

“In addition to expanding the advantages of vacation ownership with the 

flexibility of the exchange benefit, Interval International offers our members 

a trove of proprietary resources and travel services that make planning and 

reserving their next great adventure a breeze,” says Sharon Freed, senior vice 

president of consumer marketing. “These are by far some of the strongest 

sales tools available to encourage prospects to become vacation owners — 

and provide one of the most appealing reasons to retain their ownership.” 

Travel-Planning Tools: The Lineup 

INTERVALWORLD.COM. It’s a travel planner and a travel agency rolled 

into one. Here, members can learn about their benefits, make an exchange, 

purchase a Getaway, book a cruise, discover money-saving deals, and 

research and book travel arrangements. 

RESORT DIRECTORY. Using this online tool, members can explore 

Interval-affiliated resorts around the world before deciding where to go. 

TRAVEL PLANNER. This guidebook highlights more than 100 vacation 

regions around the globe, and includes essential information on Intervalaffiliated 

resorts and member benefits. 

GUIDE TO INTERVAL INTERNATIONAL MEMBERSHIP. The companion 

piece to the Travel Planner includes benefit tips, anticipated 

exchange and Getaway destinations for the coming year, and the 

newest additions to the network of approximately 3,000 resorts. 

INTERVAL HD. At IntervalWorld.com, members can watch resort and 

destination videos, as well as helpful tutorials that provide step-by-step 

instruction on how to get the most out of their Interval benefits. 

INTERVAL INTERNATIONAL APP. Members can search for and book 

Getaways, access the Resort Directory, share resorts with friends and 

followers on Facebook or Twitter, and more, right from their smartphone 

or tablet. 

COMMUNITY. Available on IntervalWorld.com, this is Interval’s 

exclusive forum where members can connect with one another, and 

share experiences and get advice on planning their next vacation. 

SOCIAL MEDIA. With a presence on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, 

Pinterest, and Google+, Interval International is accessible to members 

who want to share travel experiences, photos, and videos with 

the company and fellow members. 

Corbis RF/Glow Images 

INTERVAL, RESORT DONATIONS SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIPS FOR CTO FOUNDATION 

Interval International and its participating member 

resorts continued their support of the Caribbean 

Tourism Organization (CTO) Foundation with a 

US$20,000 donation in 2016. 

“This marks the 17th year that Interval and 

its resort partners have contributed to 

this Caribbean-based education initiative,” 

says Neil Kolton, Interval’s director of resort 

sales and service for the Caribbean and 

Florida. “During that time, we have donated 

more than US$300,000 to the CTO Foundation 

for scholarships and grants.” 

Participating member resorts that donated to the foundation include: 

Antigua – Tranquility Bay Antigua 

Mexican Caribbean – The Westin Lagunamar 

Aruba – Caribbean Palm Village, Divi Village Ocean Resort 

Golf & Beach Resort, La Cabana Beach Puerto Rico – Aquarius Vacation Club ® 

Resort and Casino, La Quinta Beach Resort, at Boquerón Beach, Aquarius Vacation 

Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club, Paradise Beach Club ® at Dorado del Mar Beach Resort, 

Villas, Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino Azul ESJ Collection, Hyatt Hacienda del Mar 

Bahamas – Harborside Resort at Atlantis St. Lucia – Bay Gardens Beach Resort 

Bermuda – The St. George’s Club 

St. Maarten – Oyster Bay Beach Resort, 

Cayman Islands – 7 Mile Beach Resort, Simpson Bay Resort & Marina, The Westin 

Morritt’s Tortuga Club 

Dawn Beach Resort and Spa 

Curaçao – The Royal Sea Aquarium Resort Turks and Caicos – Alexandra Resort 

6

Even More Planning Tools for Interval 

Gold ® and Interval Platinum ® Members 

VIP CONCIERGE. Members can request assistance 

for a variety of tasks, from help securing tickets 

to a sold-out show to reserving airport transfers. 

Interval Travel: Putting the Plan in Motion 

Travel planning is half the fun, but the other half is ultimately what 

vacationing is all about. Interval Travel ® brings it all together, offering 

a host of vacation services — virtually everything and anything required 

to finalize any travel plan. 

AIR 

TOURS 

1 inch 

CITY GUIDES. These helpful resources feature 

trendy restaurants, shopping, nightlife, and 

attractions, as well as travel advice on popular 

destinations worldwide — including Interval 

resort locations. 

DINING CONNECTION. Members receive VIP 

treatment, including perks such as complimentary 

appetizers, drinks, desserts, and kitchen tours — 

and exclusive access to more than 170 partner 

restaurants in 22 top markets in the U.S., Canada, 

and Europe. 

MEMBER 

ONE-STOP SHOP 

INTERVAL TRAVEL 

CRUISES 

CRUISES 

CAR 

RENTALS 

VACATION 

ACTIVITIES 

HOTELS 

GOLF CONNECTION. Members enjoy access 

to nearly 900 private courses across the U.S. and 

Canada, receive 15 percent off golf equipment, 

and can search in real time for available tee times 

at more than 1,900 public courses. 

INTERVAL EXPERIENCES. Members can 

exchange their resort week or points toward 

exciting and unique adventures around the world, 

such as California Wine Country tours and 

gourmet cooking classes. 

RESORT 

SPECIALS 

TRAVEL 

INSURANCE 

All That Power — 

Good for Interval-Affiliated Resorts, Too 

“Interval-affiliated resorts can leverage the inherent value of these 

benefits to further enhance their own vacation ownership value proposition,” 

says Freed. “After all, the more variety and flexibility that can be 

offered to a potential owner, the better for all involved.” 

AFFILIATION 

Marriott Vacation Club, Surfers Paradise, a new resort located 

at the award-winning Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort 

& Spa on Australia’s Gold Coast, is ideally situated in a prime 

beach destination, with a multitude of entertainment options 

and beautiful natural surroundings. The property offers more 

than 80 deluxe guest rooms and one-bedroom suites — some 

of which can be combined into deluxe two-bedroom suites to 

accommodate larger families — with balconies overlooking 

the lagoon or the city. Rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, 

flat-screen TVs, and pillow-top mattresses. Owners and guests 

enjoy amenities at the Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa, 

including four distinct dining venues, a fitness center, full-service 

spa, multipurpose sport court, and several freshwater and 

saltwater lagoons. 

7

Data SecurityBY JUDY KENNINGER 

NOT JUST FOR




bluebay2014/Deposit Photos 

Over the past few years, it seems that the hits 

just keep coming. Hits to cybersecurity, that is. 

In 2014, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s systems were 

breached, revealing the personnel files of at least 4.2 million former 

and current federal employees. In 2015, Anthem, the largest for-profit 

managed-health company in the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, 

disclosed that a database with approximately 80 million patient and 

employee records was exposed. This past fall, Kimpton Hotels confirmed 

a breach of payment-card information at more than 60 hotels 

and restaurants that went undetected for more than six months. And 

WikiLeaks released thousands of hacked emails from DNC accounts, 

U.S. intelligence officials alleging that Russia was behind the breakins 

in an attempt to interfere with the presidential election. 

In addition to data breaches, there’s also the threat of ransomware, 

in which a type of malware installed on a computer or server 

encrypts the files, making them inaccessible until a specified ransom 

is paid. It’s on the rise, with the total volume of ransomware samples 

known to Intel Security’s McAfee Labs topping 7 million in 2016, a 

128-percent year-over-year increase from 2015. 

“The reports are very concerning,” says Georgios Mortakis, vice 

president and chief information security officer for ILG. “In this environment, 

everyone in an organization needs to take responsibility for 

data security; it can’t be just left to the IT department.” 

Dangerous Game 

The consequences of the above-mentioned events are many: 

Consumers and employees are understandably upset when their 

private information is leaked. A company’s public image will suffer 

if shoddy security practices are revealed. In the case of ransomware, 

paying a ransom or replacing lost data could cost hundreds of 

thousands of dollars — or more. In addition, the Consumer Financial 

Protection Bureau (CFPB) recently announced it will begin enforcement 

in the area of data security, beginning by fining Dwolla, an 

online payment platform, US$100,000 for misrepresenting its systems 

as secure. 

“The Federal Trade Commission was already active in this area, 

and now the CFPB is joining in,” says Peter Moody, vice president 

of business development at Equiant, a leading loan-servicing provider. 

“If there’s a breach, companies need to demonstrate they’re 

responsible actors and have a comprehensive and effective compliance-management 

system. If the agencies find deficiencies, the 

penalties will be more severe.” 

That means information-security professionals have a difficult 

task: They have to keep up with cyber criminals and the tools to fight 

them, check off a growing list of compliance requirements, and monitor 

the security practices of their business partners and employees. 

“We have to go above and beyond to minimize risks,” Mortakis 

says. “We can’t eliminate all threats, but we can reduce their impact 

by mitigating identified vulnerabilities. As an analogy, if you live in 

South Florida, you could be affected by a hurricane, so you should 

be prepared. You can’t stop a hurricane from happening, but you can 

buy storm shutters. If there’s an incident, we need systems in place 

to identify the threat immediately, and reduce or eliminate its impact.” 

The Weakest Link? 

Because so many incidents begin with employee errors, a thorough 

training program, along with access controls, is essential. “All 

employees need to have training in security awareness,” Mortakis 

says. “In addition, you have to enforce the policies and procedures 

they’re being taught.” 

A common door into an IT network is phishing, malicious correspondence 

trying to get the recipient to take the bait in the form 

of an attachment or embedded link. In Verizon’s 2016 Data Breach 

Investigations Report, 30 percent of targeted people opened a phishing 

email, 13 percent clicked on a phishing attachment, but just 3 

percent of targeted individuals alerted management of a possible 

phishing email. Although you can train employees not to open suspicious 

emails, the “bad actors” out there are devising better and better 

strategies to entice them to do so. For example, a recent rash of phishing 

emails looked like an official email from FedEx, with an attachment 

about a missed package delivery. 

However, there are steps companies can take: First, emailfiltering 

software can prevent such emails from being delivered 

9

to employees. Second, it’s possible to protect the rest of the network 

from compromised desktops and laptops by segmenting the 

network and implementing strong authentication between user 

networks and anything of importance. 

According to Mortakis, this is the principle of least privilege. No 

users should be assigned administrative access unless absolutely 

needed. “If someone isn’t in human resources, they shouldn’t have 

access to HR files,” he explains. “In addition, there should be controls 

in place to alert you when an employee tries to access files 

they shouldn’t.” 

Another issue that comes with employees is that they want to use 

their own devices to access data. “There isn’t a complete solution to this 

issue,” Mortakis says. But there are some steps that can reduce the risk. 

“With data logging, you know when something has been downloaded, 

and remote-access controls can stop them from being able to download 

specific types of files.” 

Another area of concern is vendors, contractors, and other partners 

who use or have access to your company’s data. “Vendors entrusted 

with critical data need to have secure storage facilities with access controls, 

corporate security policies and testing, and certification, such as a 

Service Organization Controls (SOC) audit,” Moody says. “You need to 

ask probing questions and have written agreements on standards that 

are to be maintained.” 

IT Solutions 

Of course, there are steps best left to the professionals, beginning 

with automatically applying critical security patches (pieces of software 

designed to remedy vulnerabilities that have been identified in 

software) or updates to all systems and applications by investing in 

a patch-management solution. Patch management is a strategy used 

to determine what patches should be applied to which applications 

and when. Many vulnerabilities are remediated by simply applying the 

latest patches to existing systems. 

In addition, you must regularly back up data and verify the integrity 

of those backups. “Backups are critical in ransomware incidents; if you 

are infected, backups may be the best — or only — way to recover your 

critical data,” Mortakis explains. “The backups must also be secure and 

not connected to the computers and networks they are backing up.” 

Examples might include securing backups in the cloud, or physically 

storing them offline. 

With more data being stored in cloud environments and employees 

accessing that data from their own devices, consider implementing 

two-factor authentication, Moody says. With two-factor authentication, 

employees and other users are required to have not only a password and 

user name, but also something that only they have, such as a physical 

token. For example, if you have tried to log in to your bank account from 

a new computer, your bank may have texted you a code to enter before 

granting you access to your account information. 

To reduce risk, don’t keep sensitive information if you don’t need it, 

advises Mortakis. “Put in place a well-defined retention policy that limits 

the amount of time that sensitive data is stored.” 

An important step to ensure that data is secure is to test your system. 

Penetration testing, ethical hacking, and vulnerability assessments are 

useful tools for identifying hidden network and host vulnerabilities. “At 

ILG, we have our own team, and we also have a third party on demand,” 

Mortakis says. “I recommend performing all types — web and network 

layers, internal and external networks — of penetration testing at least 

annually. We perform twice-a-year penetration testing, quarterly internal 

network-vulnerability assessments, and monthly external networkvulnerability 

assessments. And that doesn’t count any additional testing 

we undergo for compliance purposes, such as PCI scans.” 

Where Credit Goes Through 

Because so many data breaches have targeted payment-card information, 

that’s an area of particular concern. “Developers should only work 

with a payment-card processor that has achieved the Payment Card 

Industry Security Standards Council’s highest level of certification: PCI 

Certification Level 1,” Moody says. “This certification provides them with 

reassurance that the processor can accept, process, store, and transmit 

credit-card information on their behalf in a secure environment.” 

In addition, if a company accepts credit cards at — for example — 

resorts, sales centers, and retail environments, it should have upgraded 

to EMV chip readers for credit cards by now. “As of October 2014, if 

a merchant doesn’t have EMV in place, they’re automatically deemed 

responsible for any breaches that occur,” Moody says. “If you’re still 

swiping, it’s way past time to adopt this technology, which has far superior 

security.” 

Judy Kenninger, RRP, heads Kenninger Communications and has been covering 

the shared ownership and vacation real estate industries for nearly two decades. 

Resources 

At AIFEducates.com, you can watch ARDA International 

Foundation’s Learning Center webinar on Consumer Financial 

Protection Bureau requirements, Risk Management Strategies: 

The Need for a Robust Compliance Management Program. 

Open Web Application Security Project is a worldwide 

not-for-profit charitable organization focused on improving the 

security of software. Similar to Wikipedia, it’s a community that 

shares information regarding best practices in software security 

and application tools. 

owasp.org 

The Payment Card Industry (PCI) Security Standards 

Council is a global forum for the ongoing development, 

enhancement, storage, dissemination, and implementation 

of security standards for account-data protection. 

pcisecuritystandards.org 

Verizon’s 2016 Data Breach Investigations Report 

examines more than 100,000 incidents, including 2,260 

confirmed data breaches across 82 countries. With data 

provided by 67 contributors, including security-service providers, 

law enforcement, and government agencies, the report offers 

insight into cybersecurity threats. 

verizonenterprise.com/verizon-insights-lab/dbir/2016 

The Visa Global Registry of Service Providers lists providers 

that adhere to strict security standards and are in compliance 

with PCI regulations. Visa recommends, “Clients and merchants 

should reference the site regularly as part of their due-diligence 

process and should only use service providers that are listed 

on the registry for outsourcing their payment-related services.” 

visa.com/splisting 

10

THANK 

YOU 

We Couldn’t Have Done It 

WITHOUT YOU! 

This year’s International Shared 

Ownership Investment Conference 

was a great success, and we 

appreciate all of the sponsors, 

speakers, and attendees who 

helped make it happen. 

18TH ANNUAL 

EXCLUSIVE 

EDUCATIONAL 

PARTNER 

CORPORATE SPONSORS 

PATRON SPONSORS 

SUPPORTING SPONSORS 

MEDIA SPONSORS




A GLOBAL 

OUTLOOK 

International Shared Ownership 

Investment Conference Sheds Light 

on a World of Timeshare Opportunity 

BY LAURIE CHARLES 

Maria Cordova 

12

LEFT: Hugh Riley, 

secretary general 

and CEO, Caribbean 

Tourism Organization; 

William Marlin, prime 

minister of St. Maarten; 

Edmund Bartlett, 

Jamaica’s minister 

of tourism. RIGHT: 

Guest speaker Scott 

Stratten, president, 

Un-Marketing. 

“The state of the industry is strong — not just 

in the U.S., but in locations around the globe.” 

No words sum up the 18th annual International Shared Ownership 

Investment Conference better than the opening remarks from David 

Gilbert, president of Interval International. 

Gilbert’s proclamation set the stage for the two-and-a-half-day seminar, 

which featured discussions, panels, and presentations from industry 

leaders, marketing experts, and even a head of state. Interval hosted 

the event at the Eden Roc Miami Beach Resort & Spa, October 24 to 26, 

in conjunction with the Info-Exchange Seminar on October 25. 

While the conference proffered networking opportunities for industry 

veterans and potential entrants alike, more than 500 attendees were also 

treated to global insights about the product, trending markets worldwide, 

and a celebration of Interval’s 40th anniversary. 

A Sphere of Possibilities 

Even with industry changes, competition from the sharing economy, and 

the challenges of serving the millennial market, a rush of optimism filled 

the halls of the Eden Roc. “Shared ownership is a compelling business 

model for resort developers who want to make quality vacations available 

to consumers in a flexible and profitable way,” says Gilbert. “This year, 

we continued and enhanced our focus on international markets, which 

are the growth areas of the future. As part of the conference evolution, 

Roy Peires, founder and chairman, CLC World Resorts & Hotels; Stephen Weisz, president and CEO, Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corp.; Peter 

Yesawich, vice chairman emeritus, MMGY Global; Craig Nash, chairman, president, and CEO, ILG; Howard Nusbaum, president and CEO, ARDA. 

13

14 

An industry perspective on 

Mexico featured Gibran Chapur, 

executive vice president, Palace 

Resorts; Daniel Chavez, vice 

president, Grupo Vidanta; Jeff 

Healy, managing director, Club 

Tesoro Resorts; and Michael 

Buchalter, vice president, The 

Villa Group. Conference activities 

ran the gamut, including Interval 

International’s 40-year anniversary 

celebration; the Info-Exchange 

Seminar, introduced by David 

Gilbert, president of Interval 

International; and guest speaker 

Adriana Grineberg, Facebook’s 

regional director of Latin America, 

who shared mobile trends.




Sponsors 

The International Shared Ownership Investment 

Conference was made possible through the 

support of the following sponsors: 

we had industry leaders from Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, and 

Asia share insights on their respective regions. In addition, it was really great 

to see government officials participating and endorsing our conference.” 

Several sessions touched upon the impact of timesharing in global 

economies. During one of those panels, William Marlin, prime minister of 

St. Maarten, and Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s minister of tourism, talked 

about vacation ownership in their countries. 

St. Maarten has embraced timesharing for 36 years, according to 

Marlin, who proclaimed the country a leader in the region. 

Jamaica, on the other hand, is “the new kid in the neighborhood,” as 

described by Bartlett. He noted that Jamaica just this year passed legislation 

that should encourage the development and sales of vacation ownership 

on the island. “I’m here today to begin the conversation,” Bartlett said. 

Two sessions were dedicated to Latin America, one focused on Mexico, 

and the other — conducted in Spanish — on markets in South America. 

Halfway across the globe, the Asia/Pacific market is experiencing a 

boom in timeshare as well, according to Paul Dean, principal of Dean and 

Associates, who shared data on the region in the State of the Industry session. 

“It’s home to four of the world’s leading economies. There’s disposable 

income, a growing middle class, and affordability in travel.” 

A Bright Future 

Back in North America, “the outlook is at a high,” says Jenny Ochtera 

Davlin, vice president of member experience and business development at 

the American Resort Development Association (ARDA). “What you’ll find is 

a very positive movement moving forward. We are on solid ground.” 

Market-specific analysis and research aside, attendees heard from top 

leaders through a series of panels, from the brands to the independents 

to the C-suite, which featured the perspective of Craig M. Nash, chairman, 

president, and CEO of ILG; Howard Nusbaum, president and CEO of 

ARDA; Roy Peires, founder and chairman of CLC World Resorts & Hotels; 

and Stephen Weisz, president and CEO of Marriott Vacations Worldwide 

Corp. 

Conference-goers were also treated to effective marketing strategies 

from the president of Un-Marketing, Scott Stratten, and Facebook 

analytics from the company’s regional director of Latin America, Adriana 

Grineberg. Additional sessions covered topics ranging from geo-specific 

amenities to a new-product showcase. 

All in all, attendees walked away with an optimistic industry outlook. 

“We’ve had very positive feedback,” notes Gilbert. “The fact that so many 

have been returning for years and that our global participation continues to 

grow are indications not only of the value of the event, but also the health 

of the industry.” 

The 19th annual International Shared Ownership Investment Conference 

will take place again at the Eden Roc in Miami Beach, Florida, and is scheduled 

for October 23 to 25, 2017. 

PATRON SPONSORS 

Allianz Global Assistance 

BakerHostetler 

Capital One 

Equiant 

Fidelity National Timeshare 

First American Title Insurance Company 

Harbor Linen 

Interval International 

JMBM Global Hospitality Group 

Preferred Residences 

CORPORATE SPONSORS 

Customized Solutions, LLC 

DG Film Company 

Foley & Lardner LLP 

Hyatt Vacation Ownership 

Meridian Financial Services, Inc. 

Outfield Resort Group 

TimeShareWare 

Trading Places International 

Vistana Signature Experiences 

VRI 

SUPPORTING SPONSORS 

Capital Source 

Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association 

Caribbean Tourism Association 

Crunchy Logistics 

Extreme Engineering 

FNTC 

Greenspoon Marder 

Nordis Direct 

Quorum Federal Credit Union 

Ragatz Associates 

SPI Software 

STR 

Ward Financial 

Wellington Financial 

Western Alliance Resort Finance 

MEDIA SPONSORS 

Anuario Inmobiliario Latinoamérica 

Developments 

Perspective 

Resort Trades 

Vacation Industry Review 

EXCLUSIVE EDUCATIONAL PARTNER 

Florida International University Chaplin School of 

Hospitality & Tourism Management 

15




RESORT RESTAURANTS 

Reimagined 

An Appetite for 

out-of-the-Ordinary 

Dining BY JOYCE HADLEY COPELAND 

Sure, vacation owners love their 

kitchens, but eating out has always 

been a favorite thing to do when 

traveling. Nearly 70 percent of 

Interval’s U.S. members surveyed 

in 2015 said having a restaurant 

on-site was important. 

What’s new is that today’s foodies, locavores, 

and Food Network–savvy diners are hungry for 

more than just a good meal. So a growing number 

of timeshare resort restaurants are treating guests 

to the culinary experience they crave. Menus tell a 

story about homegrown and locally sourced ingredients 

and innovative flavor combinations. Chefs 

come out of the kitchen to demonstrate their 

techniques and answer questions. Dinner plates 

are showcased on Facebook and Instagram. 

“A couple of years ago, if you wanted to serve 

somebody tuna carpaccio, they would say, ‘I don’t 

eat bait,’” laughs Jeroen Hanlo, vice president 

of food and beverage operations for Karisma 

Hotels & Resorts. “That’s all changed. People are 

open to being experimental. They like trying 

different things.” 

Blame it on what’s being called the “Experience 

Economy.” Today’s vacationers have an appetite 

for participation and connection. According to a 

study by Eventbrite, a global ticketing and events 

marketplace, the experiential diner is driven by 

the desire to be immersed in a unique culinary 

concept — a memorable location (76 percent), 

a surprising menu or theme (84 percent), or a oneof-a-kind 

experience (74 percent) — and three out 

of four are willing to pay more for it. 

That’s where things start to get interesting.

ABOVE: Great food, great service, and a great sense of place are the ingredients that have earned awards and accolades for Edge Steakhouse at Westgate Park City 

Resort and Spa. BELOW: Artful dishes are visual and sensual masterpieces designed to surprise and delight at Karisma’s Le Chique restaurant at Azul Sensatori 

Mexico, a Gourmet Inclusive Hotel in the Riviera Maya.

ABOVE: Top chefs and sommeliers come together as part of Karisma Hotels & Resorts’ Gourmet Inclusive Experience to wine, dine, teach, and tantalize 

owners and guests with weeklong interactive food and wine experiences. BELOW: From the types of plateware chosen to the depth and breadth of 

its wine collection, Westgate Resorts tends to all the details when it comes to creating a successful on-site restaurant, such as Edge Steakhouse.




Food as Theater 

Every month, Karisma Hotels & Resorts brings together top chefs and 

sommeliers in back-to-back events as part of its Gourmet Inclusive 

Experience. Owners and guests at Karisma resorts on Mexico’s 

Riviera Maya are invited to participate in the Jackson Family Wine 

Culinary Series and Canadian Beef Series, by Karisma. Each weeklong 

event kicks off with a beach barbecue meet-and-greet, followed 

by demonstrations, cooking classes, chef’s tips, vertical tastings, 

and expert wine pairings. The events culminate in the Guest Chef and 

Wine Master Dinner, prepared live and served in Karisma’s palapa-style 

Fuentes Culinary Theatre. 

“People can ask questions of the chef and the wine personality. It’s 

a truly interactive experience and wonderful culinary entertainment,” 

Hanlo says. “We have chefs calling in saying, ‘Hey, I want to be a part of 

this.’ We can handpick them.” 

Dining is an integral part of the Karisma Gourmet Inclusive 

Experience. Every resort has as many as 15 restaurants on-site, 

each offering a unique experience. Le Chique — a AAA Five Diamond 

Award–winning restaurant at Azul Sensatori Mexico, a Gourmet 

Inclusive Hotel in the Riviera Maya — is billed as a multisensory dining 

adventure, from its sleek, modernist decor to seasonal tasting menus 

featuring foods that are deconstructed, then reconstructed to resemble 

something else. Nothing is what it seems: Spheres are cocktails. 

Entrees masquerade as dessert served on a pedestal or resting on 

a sling. Textures and flavors are designed to puzzle and amaze. 

JOYÀ at Vidanta Riviera Maya turns the concept of dinner theater 

up a notch by immersing diners in the magical world of JOYÀ, the first 

Cirque du Soleil show to include a dining experience as part of the 

performance. The resort’s chefs created a three-course meal to mirror 

the different acts of the show: Bread is shaped like bonsai trees, an 

appetizer plate emits the fog of the forest, the menu can be dipped 

in salsa and devoured. Staged in the specially constructed Cirque du 

Soleil Theater on-site, JOYÀ is the product of one of many successful 

partnerships Grupo Vidanta has embarked upon to add excitement 

to its brand. 

Getting the Details Right 

“We started out in the restaurant business as more of an amenity for 

our guests, then we really knuckled down and focused on the quality 

of the experience and the quality of the food,” says Mark Waltrip, chief 

operating officer of Westgate Resorts. Today, the developer operates 

about 50 restaurants and bars within its properties in popular vacation 

destinations throughout the U.S. 

A small team of food and beverage executives and chefs meticulously 

develops branded dining concepts — everything from gourmet 

gastropubs to the award-winning Edge Steakhouse at Westgate Park 

City Resort and Spa in Park City, Utah. In just four years since it opened, 

the restaurant has earned accolades for its menu, including wagyu beef 

from cattle raised to the strict standards of American Kobe, wild-caught 

fresh fish and seafood flown in daily, complemented with locally sourced 

and organically grown produce. The restaurant was recently named one 

of the 10 Best Restaurants in Park City, Utah, by USA Today. 

“It comes down to three things: You have to have great food, 

you have to have great service, and you have to have a great sense 

of place,” Waltrip says. With a particular demographic and market 

in mind, the team shops the competition and fine-tunes the menu in 

Westgate’s Orlando test kitchen. While food is the star, Waltrip believes 

the details, such as the seating plan, matter. 

“We really look at every seat in the restaurant and we visualize, 

Procuring sustainable seafood and local fish and produce 

are priorities for community-minded Lakeside Seafood & Grill at 

The Huronic Residences at Living Water in Collingwood, Ontario. 

Would I be happy sitting at that table?” he explains. “My dream of a 

perfect restaurant is like what we did with Edge Steakhouse in Park City. 

You walk into that restaurant and there’s a perfect table for everybody. 

That, to me, is the ultimate design of a restaurant, creating a comfort 

zone where people are happy with the table you walk them up to.” 

Instead of the standard booths lined up along a wall, leaving half the 

dining party with a view of the wall and the other half trapped behind the 

table, Edge mixes circular banquettes with freestanding tables to give 

every diner a view of the elegant decor. 

“It’s not about just plating up food and kicking it out the door,” Waltrip 

says. “It’s really focusing on the details of the guest experience, from 

the menu design to the presentation, the type of plateware we use, and 

the seating arrangement. Whether we’re doing casual or fine dining, it’s 

making sure we ask ourselves this fundamental question: Is this a place 

I would want to eat?” 

Farm to Fork 

A commitment to sustainability is expected these days, says Brandon 

Maeda, director of food and beverage for The Westin Ka’anapali Ocean 

Resort Villas in Maui, Hawaii. “Nowadays, people are very savvy and 

aware of what’s going on in the culinary world. They want to know where 

you source your food from. Is this fish being caught responsibly? Where 

did you get your cheese? If you’re not being sustainable, if you’re not 

using local products, people are not as attracted to you.” 

Indeed, 68 percent of American consumers say they are more likely 

to visit a restaurant that offers food items from nearby producers, according 

to the National Restaurant Association. Headlining its 2016 Top Food 

Trends are locally sourced meats, seafood, and produce, as well as 

hyper-local food such as herbs and vegetables grown on the premises. 

The regional Italian dishes on the menu at The Westin Ka’anapali’s 

Pulehu, An Italian Grill are made with vegetables purchased from island 

farmers, fresh fish, and local products such as cheese from Maui’s 

Surfing Goat Dairy. An on-site aquaponics garden — a chemical-free 

environment in which underwater plants are nourished by the by- 

19




products of live fish — yields fresh mint, basil, and 

green onions. “It’s such a great story to be able to 

tell guests, ‘We grew this basil 50 feet away from 

where you are right now, and we picked it an hour 

before we started dinner service.’” 

The farm-to-fork philosophy will carry over 

to the restaurant at The Westin Nanea Ocean 

Villas, also in Maui, scheduled to open this year. 

A key component of the sustainability story 

is community. “Because of our size, our purchasing 

power can really make an impact,” Maeda says. 

“The more we use locally, the more we help support 

farmers and growers, which, in turn, supports the 

community. Being on an island, we need to make 

sure we’re driving the local economy in the right 

direction, too.” 

JOYÀ at Vidanta Riviera Maya blends a dining experience with a Cirque du Soleil 

show. The dishes reflect the action on stage, and even the menu can be eaten. 

Tying in Timesharing 

Timeshare resorts are discovering that creating 

buzz by offering a unique restaurant experience 

can increase sales, bolster brand loyalty, and generate 

additional revenue by attracting more tourists and local residents. 

“With 50 restaurant and bar venues, we are a very sizeable force 

in the restaurant business,” Waltrip says. “We’re operating at about a 

22-percent margin, so it’s become a very healthy, very vibrant part of 

our business.” Area tourists and local residents make up two-thirds of 

Westgate’s restaurant clientele in the popular vacation destinations 

it serves, and Westgate rewards its vacation owners with a 15-percent 

discount. 

A different formula guided the establishment of Lakeside Seafood 

& Grill, a 150-seat steakhouse featuring certified Angus beef, which 

opened with the third phase of The Huronic Residences at Living Water 

on the shores of Georgian Bay in Collingwood, Ontario, Canada. 

“We’re a town with 22,000 people and over 100 restaurants, so it’s 

quite a competitive market,” says Warren Smith, executive vice president 

of Law Development Group. “Even though we knew we had a great 

location, we had to make sure that the resort was big enough to sustain 

about 50 percent of the business.” The only waterfront restaurant within 

37 miles (60 kilometers), Lakeside was an instant hit — serving steak, 

sustainable seafood, fresh lake fish, and locally grown fruits and vegetables 

— with phenomenal lake views. “What I’ve heard now is that it’s 

really the place to eat in Collingwood,” Smith says. 

The decision to also include a 16-seat kitchen theater at the resort 

was made with tour generation in mind. “We’ve actually noticed the efficiencies 

are quite high on those tours, in particular,” he says. “I think, 

traditionally, timeshare marketing has been here’s what you do and you 

do it by yourself. This gets people communicating and gives them that 

social outlet they’re looking for.” 

A Passion for Participating 

Participation is the secret ingredient of the new dining experience. 

Guests are trying new flavors, learning cooking techniques, touring 

on-site greenhouses and aquaponics gardens, and posting photos of 

dinner plates on Instagram. 

“We’re pushing for more sharing dishes on our menus 

so people can literally share food, which brings up a conversation,” 

Karisma’s Hanlo says. “We believe in total 

transparency. If someone wants to walk with me into the 

butchery to see how things are done, that’s not a problem. 

We’re proud of the products we have. We know how to 

handle them.” 

The resorts’ passion for innovation and guest hunger 

for new experiences feed on each other. The Westin 

Ka’anapali’s Maeda recounts, “Sometimes we’ll post 

something, and literally minutes later, somebody will 

show up and say, ‘Hey, I just saw this thing about what 

you guys are doing. Can you tell me more about it?’ We 

have to stay on top of it and be sure that we can answer 

those questions and share the stories when people 

come to us. It’s exciting.” 

Joyce Hadley Copeland, based in Tucson, Arizona, contributes 

regularly to travel and hospitality publications and websites. 

20

BRAND AND DELIVER 

When you align your shared ownership resort with Preferred Residences SM , you benefit from 

the support of two powerful legacy brands while you maintain your property’s distinct style. 

Backed by Interval International ® and Preferred Hotels & Resorts SM , Preferred Residences is 

a hospitality-branded program for luxury resorts, private residence clubs, and condominiumstyle 

hotels. Your owners enjoy exclusive Preferred Residences benefits that can be used 

throughout the year. They also have access to the best of Interval’s network of resorts — 

curated especially for them — along with special discounts and privileges through their 

Interval Platinum ® membership. And you will receive custom sales and marketing support 

including exclusive lead-generation opportunities. 

It’s simple: A partnership with Preferred Residences gives you brand power that delivers 

results. And that’s the edge you need in today’s shared ownership market. 

For more information, contact Michelle DuChamp at 305.925.7240 or email at Michelle.DuChamp@preferredresidences.com.

The New Gold (and 

If you’re not selling Interval Gold ® or Interval Platinum ® , 

you’re missing the chance to close more sales and 

keep your owners engaged throughout the year. 

Owners enjoy discounts on the best 

hotel rates powered by the Orbitz Partner 

Network. Interval Gold members take 

5 percent off, and Interval Platinum 

members save 10 percent on every hotel 

stay booked at IntervalWorld.com. 

Through Interval Options ® , upgraded 

members can trade toward exciting 

adventures around the world. Examples 

include hands-on golf instruction from 

a PGA pro and a chauffeur-led tour of 

California Wine Country. 

Don’t miss out on this golden opportunity.

Platinum) Standard 

Interval’s upgraded memberships are soaring to 

new heights, with several exciting benefits that provide 

tremendous value. 

Give them the chance to play like a 

member, with access to nearly 900 private 

courses across the U.S. and Canada. Plus, 

they’ll get 15 percent off golf equipment 

available through Golf Connection. 

Your owners enjoy special amenities such 

as kitchen tours and table visits from 

the chef, when they reserve in advance 

through Dining Connection. In all, there are 

more than 170 partner restaurants in 22 of 

the world’s top markets. 

For more information, visit ResortDeveloper.com.

WESTGATE RESORTS 

BY JUDY KENNINGER 

ALL 

ABOUT 

THE 

Experience 

Over the past few years, Westgate 

Resorts has developed new marketing 

strategies, adopted cutting-edge 

technology in its sales centers, and 

tried various lead-generation methods. 

But what’s made the biggest difference 

in growing its considerable owner base 

hasn’t been sales and marketing. 

“Although we constantly evolve our social media 

and marketing offers, what has impacted our value 

per guest and other metrics is delivering a higher level 

of experience,” says Mark Waltrip, Westgate’s chief 

operating officer. “We’ve had tremendous success 

with the amenities we offer — the restaurants, the 

retail outlets, the spas — all of which are discounted 

heavily to owners. It just enhances the value proposition 

of being a Westgate owner.” 

How successful are these amenities? Consider 

this: Built at a cost of US$15 million, the Ship Wreck 

Island Water Park, which opened in June 2015 at 

Westgate Town Center in Kissimmee, Florida, has 

already paid for itself — sales increased by US$1 million 

per week after the park opened. Other amenities, 

such as the Serenity Spa at Westgate Park City Resort 

and Spa in Park City, Utah, consistently outrank similar 

facilities at properties such as the nearby Waldorf 

Astoria Park City. 

“What we’ve learned is that tourists are looking 

for a unique experience, and they’re also looking for 

a unique value proposition,” Waltrip says. “We don’t 

nickel and dime our owners; instead we deliver a great 

experience that’s unique to the destination. That formula 

is working very well for us.” 

WESTGATE PARK CITY RESORT AND SPA, PARK CITY, UTAH 

Affordable Amusements 

The sales center at Westgate Town Center, on the 

second floor of the main building, features a large 

wall of windows. To capitalize on the view, Westgate 

built the water park on the second floor of a structure 

facing those windows, meaning prospective owners 

are greeted by the sight of a huge pirate ship. As they 

consider buying, they’re looking out at guests cavorting 

in the water park. 

“We recognized that guests were looking for more 

affordable options during their stays,” Waltrip says. 

“Theme-park tickets have escalated to the point that 

24




WESTGATE TOWN CENTER, KISSIMMEE, FLORIDA 

guests can no longer afford to attend more than a few days in a week.” 

Owners at Westgate Town Center and adjacent Westgate Vacation 

Villas and Westgate Towers receive free admission to the water park, 

while renters are charged US$20. “Our owners pay a small portion of 

their HOA fee toward maintaining the water park, and they love receiving 

free admission,” says Waltrip. 

Westgate Resorts’ hot dog stand at the Cocoa Beach Pier in Florida. 

Fresh Dining Concepts 

Westgate has created its own dining concepts such as the awardwinning 

Edge Steakhouse in Park City, Utah, and at Westgate Las 

Vegas Resort & Casino; Fresco Italiano and Silk Road Asian Bistro, 

also in Las Vegas; and Drafts Sports Bar & Grill at Westgate Town 

Center and other locations. 

“A restaurant is a very important part of the guest experience,” 

Waltrip explains. “We don’t want to lose a $20,000 sale because of a 

bad experience with a $10 hamburger.” 

When creating restaurants, Waltrip maintains that you have to be 

the best in that space. “We have a wide variety of restaurants ranging 

from fine dining to quick-serve, but regardless of what space we are 

25

in, we want to serve the very best food. For instance, we have a hot 

dog stand on the Cocoa Beach [Florida] Pier. We want to serve the 

best doggone hot dog you can offer — and we do.” 

Westgate owners receive a percentage discount off their bill at 

resort restaurants, which brings the price down to near Westgate’s 

actual costs, says Waltrip. 

“Glamping” in Style 

Where do guests pay more to sleep in a tent than at a nearby luxury 

condominium? At Westgate River Ranch, a 1,700-acre (688 hectares) 

ranch, approximately one hour south of Orlando, which also features 

a weekly rodeo with trick riding, bull riding, and barrel racing in a 

1,200-seat arena. 

Of course, they’re not just any tents. Part of the glamping trend, 

these tents feature air conditioning, real beds, a private bathroom 

facility with a shower, and a staffer to light the nightly campfire. 

“We started with just 10 tents, and now have 20,” Waltrip says. 

WESTGATE RIVER RANCH, RIVER RANCH, FLORIDA 

“We’ve also added 10 luxe teepees with cast-iron bathtubs.” The teepees 

sleep up to four guests and have a double-sided stone fireplace, 

two leather chairs with an authentic cowhide ottoman, luxury linens, 

two rocking chairs, and a private patio deck. The accommodations 

are particularly popular with grandparents who bring grandchildren. 

“It’s one of the best things we’ve done for the money,” he says. “It 

elevates the quality of the ranch itself. The response has been amazing.” 

Adding to the overall value proposition for Westgate owners, 

Waltrip says, is its affiliation with Interval International. “They’ve 

always been a phenomenal partner. We like to keep guests in our 

network, but the reality is Interval gives us several thousand added 

options and flexibility. Interval also offers other valuable benefits. It 

lets our owners know they are valued.” 

David Siegel (right) has worked with local and national government instituitons and 

leaders to combat drug abuse, including U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy (center), 

his staff, and Texas Congressman Pete Sessions (left). 

Victoria’s Voice 

When David Siegel’s 18-year-old 

daughter Victoria died from a drug 

overdose on June 6, 2015, the 

Westgate founder and CEO, and 

timeshare industry leader, shifted 

his focus from expanding an empire 

to saving lives. “I walk in my office 

every day and on the left on my desk 

is a pile of resort work, on the right is 

a pile of drug-related work,’’ he says. 

“I look at the work pile and I think, 

money. I look at the drug-related 

and I say, lives. My attention goes 

to saving lives. I don’t want other 

families to go through what we went 

through, to lose what we lost.” 

To that end, Siegel and his wife, 

Jacqueline, started the Victoria’s 

Voice Foundation. The foundation’s 

mission is three-fold: to encourage 

locking up prescription medications 

(according to Siegel, 53 percent of 

children who use illicit prescription 

drugs get them from a relative’s 

or friend’s medicine cabinet); to 

implement random drug testing 

in educational institutions; and 

to require the coprescription of 

naloxone every time an opiate 

painkiller is prescribed. “Naloxone 

is a completely safe opiate-reversal 

drug that can pull someone out 

of an overdose state — even 

on the verge of death — into an 

immediate withdrawal,” Siegel says. 

“It is life-saving and nonaddictive.” 

Siegel, a member of the 

Orange County Heroin Task 

Force, advocated for passage 

of the Comprehensive Addiction 

and Recovery Act (CARA), which 

includes measures for prevention, 

drug treatment, recovery, and 

support, as well as criminal-justice 

reform. The bill was signed by 

President Obama on July 22, 

2016, and since then, Siegel has 

been lobbying the president and 

Congress for funding. 

“David has been applying the 

same creativity that he used to build 

Westgate to this issue, and he’s 

saving lives,” says Waltrip. “That’s 

the big story for Westgate this year. 

Yes, we’re growing, but it’s more 

important to us that David is leading 

the country in fighting the pandemic 

of drug abuse, and he’s making a 

difference.” 


Developer: 

Headquarters: 

Product: 

Resorts: 

Price: 

Website: 

Central Florida Investments/Westgate Resorts 

Orlando, Florida 

Seasonal floating weeks; owners can lock in some weeks 

27 vacation ownership properties throughout the U.S., including resorts in Arizona, 

Florida, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, and Virginia 

Two-bedroom, one-week: US$25,000 to US$30,000 

westgateresorts.com 

FAST FACTS 

26

Have readers. 

Will travel. 

When you advertise in Interval World ® 

magazine, 

your message will reach 1.3 million 

travel-savvy consumers. 

NEW: GET UP TO 10% OFF HOTEL BOOKINGS. SEE PAGE 14. 

THEY LOVE VACATION OWNERSHIP. 

More than 85 percent are satisfi ed with the product. 

THEY WANT MORE. 

Nearly 20 percent express an interest in purchasing 

additional resort weeks. 

THEY ARE AFFLUENT. 

Interval members report an average household income 

of $121,550 per year. 

THEY TRAVEL — A LOT. 

Interval members take more land trips and cruises, 

and rent more cars than the general U.S. population. 

INTERVAL WORLD R I V I E R A M A Y A G A T L I N B U R G M E S Q U I T E N A P L E S S I C I L Y S P R I N G 2 0 1 6 

SPRING 2016 

REJUVENATE IN 

RIVIERA 

maya 

IntervalWorld.com 

EXCLUSIVELY FOR INTERVAL INTERNATIONAL MEMBERS 

A Smoky Mountains Story | Natural Wonders of the West 

Insider’s Guide to Naples, Florida | Sicily’s Baroque Beauty 

PLUS: Getaways from $257 (Page 79) 

To advertise in Interval World magazine, contact Nicole Meck at +949.470.8324; Nicole.Meck@intervalintl.com. 

For information on consumer advertising opportunities in Europe, contact Annie Mercer at 

+44 (0) 20 8336 9581; Annie.Mercer@intervalintl.com. 

In Asia/Pacific, contact Fizah Ibrahim at +65 6318 2510; Norafizah.Ibrahim@intervalintl.com.

MEGA VACATIONS CLUB 

By Joyce Hadley Copeland 

MEGA VACATIONS CLUB AT HARD ROCK HOTEL MEGAPOLIS, PANAMA CITY, PANAMA

A Different 

Kind of 

Vacation in 

PANAMA 

CITY 

BY J.B. BISSELL 

Although the industry has matured and evolved 

in countless positive ways over the course of 

the last few decades, the average consumer 

still has certain preconceived notions about 

what a vacation ownership property looks and 

feels like. So let’s be clear right from the beginning: 

Mega Vacations Club’s two Panama City 

resorts — the Mega Vacations Club at Hard 

Rock Hotel Megapolis and Mega Vacations 

Club at Radisson Decapolis — do not fit into 

any of those preconceived notions, no matter 

what they are. And that’s exactly what the 

company is going for. 

“These are our first vacation club projects,” says Roko Setka, corporate general 

director of Megapolis Investment Group, parent company to Mega Vacations 

Club. “So our goal from the very beginning was to stand out, and we thought 

this was a perfect time to introduce a different kind of vacation experience in this 

market.” 

Check “standing out” off the to-do list. One quick glance at the property’s 

description makes it clear that Mega Vacations Club is offering something completely 

different from their regional competitors — and quite different from most 

global competitors, for that matter. 

For starters, while the vast majority of resorts throughout Central America and 

Mexico are either positioned right on an idyllic beach or tucked away on some 

nearby bucolic hillside, the Megapolis and Decapolis — adjacent high-rises — 

are a prominent piece of the Panama City skyline. The “different kind of vacation 

experience” to which Setka is referring is a truly urban escape to Punta Paitilla, 

one of the most hip and happening neighborhoods in Panama’s bustling capital. 

Setka’s Megapolis Investment Group may be new to the vacation club 

business, but the company is quite familiar with the ins and outs of the local 

hospitality industry, and has had plenty of previous success developing various 

multiuse properties throughout Panama. So, the decision to pursue a timeshare 

product based in Punta Paitilla was a calculated one, although also a cinch. 

29

MEGA VACATIONS CLUB 

“Choosing that vicinity was easy,” recalls Setka. “It was really an 

extension of what we’ve already been doing for years. We’re committed 

to providing desirable vacation products — and not just services and 

places that will sell, but services and places that really do appeal to a 

wide range of consumers. We want buyers to be happy and like what 

they’ve bought.” 

That’s where Punta Paitilla comes in: It’s a desirable locale. All the 

trappings of a cosmopolitan city — restaurants and bars, cultural attractions 

and boutique shops, public parks and nightclubs — are nearby. 

As Marcos Agostini, Interval International’s senior vice president of resort 

sales and business development for Latin America, says, “These resorts 

provide owners and guests the opportunity to vacation at a very popular 

urban destination, and to do so while staying at an attractively branded 

development.” 

Rock and Roll 

Indeed, the Hard Rock brand is just as important to Setka’s vision for 

a different kind of experience as the urban setting. “When visitors walk 

into the Hard Rock Hotel Megapolis, it definitely doesn’t feel like typical 

vacation club accommodations,” he says. And who can argue? After all, 

where else would a rock ’n’ roll memorabilia collection be listed as an 

on-site amenity? “It is pretty cool,” Setka adds. 

Myriad objects are on display throughout the property, so guests 

may see something new around every corner. Highlights include wardrobe 

pieces from the likes of Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Elton John, Elvis, 

and Madonna, as well as a couple of guitars from Kiss and handwritten 

lyrics by Johnny Cash. 

There are more traditional amenities, too, of course. The infinity 

pool — complete with lounge chairs, cabanas, a dedicated waterside 

bar, and stunning downtown views — is a centerpiece of the property. 

As is the Rock Spa, where treatments range from simple facials to seaweed 

wraps, mud baths, and a full menu of different massage options. 

Speaking of menus, four restaurants provide diverse dining options, 

and there’s even a kids’ club so parents can feel free to take advantage 

of the various lounge areas and two nightclubs. 

In all, the Hard Rock Hotel Megapolis stretches 66 stories skyward 

and contains 1,266 vacation club accommodations. The 92 studios and 

851 one-bedroom units all are approximately 400 square feet (37 square 

meters). The remaining two-bedrooms are nearly twice that size. All of 

the rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows, modern furnishings, and stylish 

decorations. And in true Hard Rock fashion, the Sound of Your Stay 

program allows guests to customize various in-room musical offerings 

when they check in. 

MEGA VACATIONS CLUB AT HARD ROCK HOTEL MEGAPOLIS 

All the trappings of a cosmopolitan 

city — restaurants and bars, cultural 

attractions and boutique shops, public 

parks and nightclubs — are nearby. 



Quiet Cool 

The Radisson Decapolis, also branded with a trusted name from the hospitality 

arena, might not carry quite as much swagger as the Megapolis, 

but it does offer something a number of potential owners are sure to 

appreciate. “It’s a little more mellow, a little quieter,” says Setka. “Don’t 

get me wrong, though, it’s still cool, but in a different way.” 

Admittedly, unveiling two vacation ownership projects that are literally 

next-door neighbors might seem a bit strange. In hindsight, however, 

it could prove to be a stroke of genius. “Remember, it’s the neighborhood 

that is so desirable,” Setka explains. “This is a premier destination 

within Panama City. The Hard Rock will appeal to some purchasers, the 

Radisson Decapolis to others. But Punta Paitilla appeals to all travelers.” 

30




And the Radisson Decapolis should appeal to consumers who are 

interested in the prime city location, but would like a more easy-going 

version of it. Elton John, Kiss, Madonna, and other pop stars aren’t to 

thank for the decorations at the Decapolis. Instead, colorful Panamanian 

art — some by local painters — accents the up-to-date, comfortable 

decor. And while it’s not difficult to find a cocktail, there are no nightclubs 

on the premises pumping out dance-ready songs by the aforementioned 

performers. 

Still, the Decapolis is hardly devoid of top-notch amenities. Along 

with the 240 total units — 60 studios and 180 one-bedrooms, all of 

which span approximately 400 square feet (37 square meters) — there’s 

a beauty salon, fitness center, and gift shop, and the three restaurants 

serve everything from an inviting breakfast buffet to gourmet seafood to 

just-like-homemade pasta to fresh and flavorful sushi. 

Like the Megapolis, the Decapolis has a rooftop swimming pool that 

has become a favorite place for owners and visitors to relax. And for 

those looking for rejuvenation in the form of facials, massages, and fullbody 

treatments, the Aqua Spa is open daily. 

MEGA VACATIONS CLUB AT RADISSON DECAPOLIS 


Self-Marketing 

The properties are tempting enough on their own, but throw in the enviable 

location, not to mention the fact that both are within easy walking 

distance to a movie theater complex, casino, and the Multicentro shopping 

mall (an associated beach club situated some 30 minutes away is 

also in the works), and it may seem as though the marketing would take 

care of itself. To some extent, that’s true. 

Prices for the two-week, right-to-use program start at US$9,900 and 

top out at US$27,900. And for now, most of the sales effort takes place 

on-site, to Panamanian, South American, and U.S. travelers who are 

already in town for either business or pleasure. “We do some local advertising,” 

explains Setka, “but we have so many guests who automatically 

are interested in the product because they’re staying with us for other 

reasons, that we decided to focus most of our attention on them.” 

And they decided to let Interval International focus on the exchange 

program. “Interval obviously has a stellar reputation, not just for quality 

resort affiliations, but for exceptional member service,” Setka says. “We 

felt that the Hard Rock Hotel Megapolis and Radisson Decapolis would 

make nice additions to their worldwide network, and that when our owners 

wanted to exchange, to try something new or unfamiliar, they would 

be in good hands and appreciate all the added leisure benefits Interval 

provides. It’s a great opportunity for both companies.” 

It also helps ensure that Mega Vacations Club’s owners are always 

getting what Setka envisioned for them in the first place: a different kind 

of vacation experience. 



FAST FACTS 

DEVELOPER: 

HEADQUARTERS: 

PRODUCT: 

RESORTS: 

PRICE: 

WEBSITE: 

Megapolis Investment Group 

Panama City, Panama 

Two weeks per year for 10-, 20-, and 30-year right-to-use with floating weeks and units 

MEGA VACATIONS CLUB AT HARD ROCK HOTEL MEGAPOLIS: 1,266 units — 92 studios, 

851 one-bedrooms, 323 two-bedrooms 

MEGA VACATIONS CLUB AT RADISSON DECAPOLIS: 240 units — 60 studios, 180 one-bedrooms 

US$9,900 to US$27,900 based on property, unit size, and season 

megavacationsclub.com 

31

WAYQEY HOTEL AND 

WAYQEY LODGE 

MYSTICISM 

AND MAGIC IN 

PERU’S 

SACRED 

VALLEY 

BY KATHY HERNANDEZ 

At 11,155 feet (3,400 meters) in the 

Andes Mountains, the city of Cusco, 

Peru (a 60-minute flight from Lima), is 

still as majestic as ever, since its days as 

the capital of the powerful Incan Empire. 

Just about an hour’s drive from Cusco 

is Urubamba, in the Sacred Valley of the 

Incas, close to the iconic ruins of Machu 

Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. 

Betsy Sheldon 

bluebay2014/Deposit Photos 

It is here in the Cusco Region of Peru, in the last year and a half, 

that Comercializadora de Inversiones Sirius SAC built its Cusco 

city hotel and its unique lodge in Urubamba to immerse owners 

and guests in the local culture, spirit, and traditions of the area, 

unique in both the country and in the world. 

“Our vision right from the start was to capture the mysticism 

and magic of an ancient land and translate that into an authentic 

and pleasant experience in Cusco and Urubamba,” explains 

Jose Antonio Iturrizaga, CEO of Comercializadora de Inversiones 

Sirius SAC. “These properties were our plan of continued growth 

and development since affiliating our Sauce Alto Resort and 

Country Club in Cieneguilla, 40 minutes from Lima, with Interval 

International in 1998.” 

Culture and Comfort in Cusco 

The 30-unit Wayqey Hotel in Cusco, with 10 one-bedroom suites 

and 20 standard units, is just a short drive from the Alejandro 

Velasco Astete International Airport, and located a few blocks from 

the heart of the city’s historic center. The property is steps from the 

Museo Inka, the Qorikancha Temple to the Incan Sun God, and the 

artisan shops of the San Blas neighborhood. 

Each 300-square-foot (28 square meters) suite, with traditional 

but modern design, has a kitchenette and sitting area with a sofa 

bed. On-site amenities include Wi-Fi, cable TV, a 24-hour front 

desk, concierge service, and room service from the hotel’s restaurant 

and bar. After a day of sightseeing in the area, guests can relax 

on the seventh-floor sky room, which offers spectacular panoramic 

views of the city. 

Wayqey Hotel is within walking distance from the Plaza de 

Armas, the main square that is also known as the Square of the 

Warrior. Many important events in the history of the city occurred 

here, such as the proclamation by Francisco Pizarro in the conquest 

of Cusco in the 16th century. 

“At Wayqey Hotel, we want our guests to have large rooms 

and suites, personal attention, and all the comforts of home, even 

though they are in the city,” says Iturrizaga. “It is as simple and as 

important as that.” 

Immersed in the Sacred Valley 

Sister property Wayqey Lodge, located in the village of Urubamba, 

features 14 two-bedroom, three-level units with rustic local-inspired 

decor and classic design. Amenities include a kitchen, dining and 

living areas, Wi-Fi, and cable TV. 

Close by are the important archaeological landmarks in Písac 

and Ollantaytambo, where visitors catch the train to majestic Machu 

Picchu and witness the splendor of Old Peak, the 15th-century Inca 

site located 7,970 feet (2,430 meters) above sea level, and situated 

on a mountain ridge above the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Sliced 

by the Urubamba River, it is 50 miles (80 kilometers) northwest of 

Cusco. 

With traditional influences woven into their cabin design 

and cultural experiences in the area all around them, guests can 

immerse themselves in the local community. 

32 

WAYQEY LODGE, URUBAMBA




MACHU PICCHU 

WAYQEY HOTEL, CUSCO 

33

WAYQEY HOTEL, CUSCO 

“Our Wayqey Lodge is a sanctuary for families and friends to have a 

unique experience and feel at home, even though they are very far from 

home,” Iturrizaga says. “With both our properties, we want to provide 

comfort and a first-class experience at the same time, while also defining 

the Peruvian culture and customs.” 

Planning for Success 

Promoting both hotel products and brands to national and international 

audiences is a priority. The company’s most successful marketing 

tool is its referral program, along with the use of OPCs and 

mini-vacations. “We want our guests to experience our excellent 

installations and services, and then refer their friends and others. 

This helps us build brand recognition and loyalty, and allows us to 

grow,” Iturrizaga adds. 

He considers Wayqey Hotel and Wayqey Lodge’s Interval 

International affiliation to be a huge selling point and benefit to prospective 

members, who will not only get to experience the Wayqey properties, 

but also have access to a diverse collection of resorts around the world. 

“We have enjoyed a productive partnership with Interval International 

for the last 18 years, through our first property in Lima. Now, with our 

growing membership, it is important that our members can literally see 

the world through Interval’s high-quality exchange network.” 

Marcos Agostini, senior vice president of Interval International’s resort 

sales and business development for Latin America, is equally enthusiastic 

about the impact that Wayqey Hotel and Wayqey Lodge have on 

Interval’s portfolio. 

“We are thrilled to add these properties to our exchange network,” he 

says. “Our members will now be able to visit two of Peru’s most-valued 

destinations and experience their magic. And with Peru enjoying a boom 

in tourism, growing at an annual rate of 25 percent over the past five 

years, we are very buoyant on the role that vacation ownership can play 

in the country.” 

Continuing the Dream 

The dream of providing culturally rich vacation experiences to its growing 

member base is flourishing for the developer, with its newest properties in 

the Cusco Region of Peru. While the primary market of prospective members 

and guests are from the U.S. and Europe, the company also has its 

sights on emerging markets such as Asia and Australia. 

According to Iturrizaga, five key elements will keep them on track in 

Cusco and Urubamba, as they continue their quest and set out to achieve 

their membership-growth goals across all markets. 

“First, it starts with the destination. What we build and the experience 

we create need to communicate where you are and how that is 

unique and special. Second, we then have to make sure the ambiance 

of our units and resort matches what guests experience in the surrounding 

area,” he details. “Third, we need to make sure the overall concept 

and those elements communicate the magic and mysticism of Peruvian 

culture and traditions. Then, we need to assure the high quality of our 

services and installations. Last, but not least, we need an excellent work 

team to deliver it all.” 

For Comercializadora de Inversiones Sirius SAC, its properties, and 

its members and guests, a journey of inspiration begins and ends with the 

mysticism and magic of an ancient land. Delivering the experience and 

living it are both unforgettable. 

Kathy Hernandez is president of Orlando, Florida–based KHA PR, a public relations and 

marketing communications firm. She has more than 30 years of experience in the tourism 

and timeshare industries. 

Wayqey Hotel and Wayqey Lodge 

Developer: 

Location: 

Product: 

Units: 

Price: 

Website: 

Comercializadora de Inversiones Sirius SAC 

WAYQEY HOTEL: Cusco, Peru; WAYQEY LODGE: Urubamba, Peru 

10-year right-to-use floating weeks 

WAYQEY HOTEL: 30 units; 10 one-bedrooms and 20 standard units 

WAYQEY LODGE: 14 two-bedrooms 

From US$6,000 to US$23,000 

wayqey.com 

FAST FACTS 

34

VACATION INDUSTRY 

OCTOBER – DECEMBER 2016 

A PUBLICATION OF ILG 

Phuket 

ASIA’S FIELD OF DREAMS 

IS CUBA READY 

FOR TIMESHARING? 

REACHING OUT TO 

TRAVELERS WITH 

DISABILITIES 

PROFILES: Angsana Vacation Club | Club Unique | Hacienda Encantada Resort & Spa | Holiday Inn Club Vacations 

Williamsburg Resort | Marriott Vacation Club Pulse | Vistana Signature Experiences | Welk Resort Group 

virna16octdec_C1-Front Cover.indd 1 

9/8/16 11:01 AM 

impact 

Advertise with 

Readers of Vacation Industry Review are active members of the vacation 

ownership and hospitality sectors. They use the magazine as a tool to keep 

up with what’s happening and to fi nd out about new products and services. 

A Vacation Industry Review reader survey found: 

More than 80 percent say that the editorial content of 

Vacation Industry Review is useful or valuable to them. 

In excess of three-fourths indicate that the advertised 

products and services in Vacation Industry Review are useful or valuable. 

Get the results you need — call today. 

TO PLACE AN AD IN 

VACATION INDUSTRY REVIEW: 

Contact Nicole Meck 

Phone: 949.470.8324 

Email: Nicole.Meck@intervalintl.com 

RESORTDEVELOPER.COM

CLC RESORT WORLD PROFILE RESORTS & HOTELS 

Designing 

for the 

FUTURE 

Since its formation in 1984 with the opening of 

CLC Las Farolas Royale on Spain’s Costa del Sol, 

CLC World Resorts & Hotels has become one of 

Europe’s leading resort operators, with developments 

in top tourist locations spanning the globe. 

Building on these strong foundations, company founder and 

chairman Roy Peires and his board of directors have driven the company 

forward, delivering on the mission statement to exceed customer 

expectations. 

Recognizing that a positive customer experience from the outset 

is essential, CLC World Resorts & Hotels has developed sales and 

marketing tools to promote brand awareness and achieve the company’s 

targeted conversion rate of lead generations. The design and 

development of resorts and accommodations that appeal to its target 

audience and the timeshare market further ensures the achievement 

of the company’s goals. 

Signature Status 

Peires’ vision has always been to design to impress, from the layout 

of a resort with landscaped gardens, environmentally compatible buildings, 

and stylish interiors — all immaculately maintained — to the look 

and feel of the CLC World Travel Centres and the interactive multimedia 

sales presentation. 

From the moment of initial contact to the purchase and enjoyment 

of a CLC World product, each element of the process has been 

considered and designed to generate new members and heighten 

the customer experience. 

In summer 2014, CLC World introduced a new level of luxury 

CLC REGAL OAKS, KISSIMMEE, FLORIDA 

36




to the product portfolio with its Santa Cruz Signature Suites at 

California Beach Resort in Málaga, Spain — a design that has been 

replicated at several CLC resorts including CLC San Diego Suites, 

also at California Beach Resort. Selected units were transformed to 

even higher levels of comfort and styling with top-quality furnishings 

and decor — each suite unique in design. From monogrammed 

linens to high-end kitchen fixtures and fittings, the suites deliver a 

taste of opulent living complemented by a host of amenities and 

facilities, from a private hot tub to dedicated concierge service. 

But that was just the beginning. In spring 2015, CLC World 

launched the CLC Signature Collection — a portfolio of apartments 

in Spain and on Tenerife in the Canary Islands, planned with luxury 

and individuality at the forefront. CLC World’s interior designer, 

Beatriz Lario Slavenburg, ripped up the rulebook, moving away from 

the uniform to the more eclectic style of a real home while maintaining 

the luxuriousness found at a five-star hotel. Coupled with 

the concierge service and personal-chef dining experiences, CLC 

Signature Collection is a marriage of hotel service and resort rental — 

services, amenities, luxury, and space, all in one package. 

The creation of new and exciting products and the refurbishment 

of existing units continues apace, taking its lead from customer 

feedback received directly from existing members, CLC World 

Travel Centres, and social media content — from sources such as 

TripAdvisor, Twitter, and CLC World’s own Facebook pages. 

CLC MONTEREY, COSTA ADEJE, TENERIFE, SPAIN 

CLC CASTILLO DEL REY, MIJAS-COSTA, MÁLAGA, SPAIN 

Website Makeover 

It is the CLC Experience that the company believes sets it apart — crafted 

with all guests in mind and offering diversity of accommodation styles 

and destinations, and a multitude of on-site options, whether for dining, 

entertainment, or activities. Sharing the CLC Experience is a key element 

of the company marketing strategy — to increase brand awareness with 

the target audience before contact is made and potential members have 

set foot in a CLC World Travel Centre or on a resort. 

Communication of the CLC Experience is conveyed primarily 

through the company website, the interactive sales presentation, and 

social media platforms. 

In September 2016, CLC World relaunched its website, moving 

from a very corporate feel that was heavy on text, to a visually driven 

design that clearly displays the products and their benefits. 

The new website pulls together all the previously disparate 

elements of the company and unites them under one banner that, 

according to Patrick Ingram, CLC World’s chief operating officer, 

“better showcases our products and fabulous client experience, 

highlighting how what we offer far surpasses our competitors.” The 

fresh and dynamic design has redirected the focus to the experience 

of vacationing at CLC World resorts. 

A New Blueprint for Sales 

The rejuvenated sales presentation known as the Electronic Sales Aid 

(ESA) was launched in conjunction with the website. Along with adopting 

the visual focus of clcworld.com, it utilizes new technology to allow for a 

multimedia, interactive sales experience. With the use of tablets that summon 

managers to the table, face-to-face contact with prospects can be 

maintained, making the process smoother and more customer-focused. 

In addition, the ESA includes a 3-D comparison of an actual CLC 

World unit to a standard hotel room, driving home a key component 

CLC SAN DIEGO SUITES AT CALIFORNIA BEACH RESORT, MIJAS-COSTA, MÁLAGA 

of vacation ownership: more space, luxury, amenities, and service. 

Furthermore, the sales teams utilize digital media instead of relying solely 

on brochures to sell the products. 

Sales efforts are also augmented by the relationship with Interval 

International. The exchange benefit further enhances the value of the 

CLC World vacation product, and the Interval-provided sales aids help 

convey this benefit to prospects. There’s the online Resort Directory, featuring 

hundreds of affiliated resorts. And Interval HD, the high-definition 

destination and resort videos on IntervalWorld.com, is widely used in the 

sales process. Based on customer information and interests, sales staff 

can select the most appropriate videos to show. 

37

CLC WORLD RESORTS & HOTELS 

CLC CASTILLO DEL REY 

Two New Travel Centres 

To feed the burgeoning sales pipeline and produce new leads, CLC 

World has opened two new CLC World Travel Centres in Manchester and 

Milton Keynes in the U.K. Providing the brand with greater accessibility 

for a wider geographical spread, the offices help bolster the company’s 

city-based strategy. 

Within these new Travel Centres, the latest developments in technology 

allow CLC to take customers on an interactive journey of discovery 

through their products. Videos on high-definition panels in reception areas 

establish brand identity from the outset. A small theater at the Conduit 

Street Travel Centre in London allows customers to fully explore the CLC 

CLUB LA COSTA YACHT CLUB 

Experience, while the ESA is shown on dedicated 32-inch screens. 

The success of focusing on the customer journey and experience is 

quite apparent from the early results from the two new CLC World Travel 

Centres, both easily hitting their sales targets in the first month of operation. 

Future Models 

Going forward, CLC World foresees the continued expansion of the 

company’s Travel Centres across the U.K., with all sites fully converted 

to the new digital format in early 2017. 

Integrated social media on clcworld.com and the continuing drive 

for high engagement rates across all relevant social media platforms will 

further enable brand awareness and enhance member interaction. Fresh 

content will keep the website current and interesting, with further evolutions 

planned for 2017. 

At the heart of CLC World’s designs for the future are the core values 

that have been the driving force behind the company since day one: 

namely, Peires’ mission “to deliver memorable holiday experiences serviced 

to standards that consistently exceed customer expectations.” 

With this in mind, the member website will also be redesigned in 2017 

to provide improved functionality and reflect the corporate website 

approach. 

CLC World is committed to continuing its design odyssey into the 

foreseeable future. 

CLC World Resorts & Hotels 

Developer: 

Headquarters: 

Product: 

Price: 

Resorts: 

Website: 

Club La Costa (U.K.) Plc; Roy Peires, chairman and founder 

U.K.; offices in Spain and U.S. 

Fractional Destinations Club, Fractional Property Owners Club, CLC Signature Collection, 

Club La Costa Yacht Club, and Canaltime 

Points packages raging from US$8,000 to US$80,000 

31 mixed-use resorts in U.S., U.K. (England and Scotland), Spain, Austria, and Turkey 

clcworld.com 

FAST FACTS 

38

Equiant Financial Services | 40 

Bank of America Visa Card | 41 

Meridian Financial Services | 42 

Entertainment Promotions | 43 

DG Film Company | 44 

Fidelity | 45 

Harbor Linen | 46 

39

Celebrating 

More Than 

30 Years 

of Providing 

Servicing 

Solutions 

Equiant Delivers 

Receivables Excellence 

Interval International ® has partnered with Equiant, a 

leading provider of consumer accounts receivables 

outsourcing, to help affiliated resorts maximize revenues, 

control payment cycles, satisfy staffing needs, and 

improve the overall performance of their businesses. 

Equiant’s servicing solutions combine industry expertise 

with a partnership approach at volume-based pricing, all 

while striving to exceed client expectations. 

Resorts that choose to participate in this Interval 

Affiliate Advantage can receive preferential pricing on: 

n Loan receivables servicing 

n HOA/maintenance servicing 

n Invoicing and payment processing 

n Merchant services including POS transactions 

n Delinquency control 

n Portfolio management 

n Platform as a Service (PAAS) 

n On-site transitional staffing 

n Document custody services 

n Securitization reporting 

n Backup reporting 

n Data collection analytics (BITS) 

n Disaster recovery plans 

To find out how Equiant can create a custom solution that suits 

your operational needs, contact Peter Moody, vice president of 

business development, by telephone at 480.636.4888, or by email at 

PMoody@equiant.com. 

40

The Interval International Visa Signature ® 

card with WorldPoints ® rewards builds 

brand affinity with your owners’ vacation 

purchase decision. Present this valuable 

card to prospective owners as an alternate 

form of payment for their unit purchase or 

an affordable trial ownership program. The 

online application process is quick and 

convenient, and the card is yet another 

perk of Interval membership. 

The Interval International 

Visa Signature ® Card 

With WorldPoints ® Rewards 

Is a Tool for Our Times 

When you tell your prospective owners about 

the Interval International Visa Signature ® card 

with WorldPoints ® rewards, you will be offering 

them a card with: 

■ No annual fee 

■ 5,000 bonus points if they make at least $500 in 

purchases in the first 90 days* 

■ 1 point for each net retail purchase dollar spent, 

including the vacation ownership down payment 

■ Points that can be redeemed for: 

• Interval International ® membership renewals 

and upgrades 

• Cash 

• Hotel, car rental, and air travel rewards 

• Cruise discounts and onboard credits 

• Gift cards from top retailers 

• Resort Accommodations Certificates 

This information is for educational purposes to be used by resort affiliates of Interval International and is not intended to be provided directly to potential applicants for a credit 

card. Please refer customers who wish to have more information or to apply for a credit card to Interval International. Offer is valid for U.S. citizens and residents. 

*Bonus Points Offer. You will qualify for 5,000 bonus points if you use your new credit card account to make any combination of Purchase transactions totaling at least $500 

(exclusive of any fees, returns, and adjustments) that post to your account within 90 days of the account open date. 

Limit one bonus points offer per new account. This one-time promotion is limited to new customers opening an account in response to this offer. 

Other advertised promotional bonus points offers can vary from this promotion and may not be substituted. Allow 8 to 12 weeks from qualifying 

for the bonus points to post to your rewards balance. The value of this reward may constitute taxable income to you. You may be issued an 

Internal Revenue Service Form 1099 (or other appropriate form) that reflects the value of such reward. Please consult your tax advisor, as 

neither we, nor our affiliates, provide tax advice. 

This credit card program is issued and administered by Bank of America, N.A. Visa and Visa Signature are registered trademarks of 

Visa International Service Association, and are used by the issuer pursuant to license from Visa U.S.A., Inc. WorldPoints, Bank of 

America, and Bank of America logo are registered trademarks of Bank of America Corporation. ©2017 Bank of America Corporation. 

To learn more about promoting this credit card to your prospective 

owners, contact Interval International at 866.554.8168, 

email WorldPoints@intervalintl.com, or visit ResortDeveloper.com. 

41

Meridian Financial 

Services = Collections 

at No Cost to You 

Meridian is a veteran of the shared ownership industry. We 

understand the impact of bad debt, as well as the 

importance of keeping your owners’ accounts current, and 

preserving their confidence in the purchase decision. 

Meridian Financial Services, an Interval Affiliate 

Advantage, is a sophisticated third-party collection 

agency able to service whole and partial portfolios. 

Services include: 

n Full-service collection agency for 

domestic and international clients 

n No-cost-to-client recovery program 

n Customized industry collection strategies 

n Credit reporting 

n Skiptracing 

n Online services 

n Credit and collection consulting 

Take Advantage of Preferential Pricing 

and Value-Added Benefits 

42 

To learn, at no cost, how Meridian can work for you, please contact: 

Greg Sheperd, president, 

+866.294.7120, ext. 6705; GSheperd@merid.com 

Zaida Smith, vice president, international sales, 

+866.294.7120, ext. 6747; ZSmith@merid.com

Discount 

Shopping Dollars 

POWERED BY 

Enhance Sales and 

Marketing Programs 

Through its long-standing relationship with 

Entertainment ® , Interval International ® offers preferred 

rates on Discount Shopping Dollars as a marketing tool. 

This Interval Affiliate Advantage provides a high-value sales 

proposition at attractive prices. The premium can be used 

as a purchase incentive, customer reward, or for any 

other sales or marketing purpose. 

Discount Shopping Dollars features: 

n Online offers that save buyers up to 90 percent on brandname 

merchandise, dining, and entertainment 

n More than 200,000 bargains 

n Denominations from $25 to $500 

n Customizable based on quantity purchased 

n Flexible delivery methods 

n The trusted brand of Entertainment ® , a recognized market 

leader in the discounts and promotions sector 

n Discount Dining Dollars also available 

To learn more, contact Entertainment Promotions TM at +855.554.3231 

or email Interval@entertainment.com. 

43

Keeping Resorts Competitive 

in the Digital Age 

DG Film Company, a full-service production company 

with more than 17 years of experience — including the 

creation of customized resort presentations worldwide — 

has joined the Interval Affiliate Advantages program. 

n DG Film Company offers professional film 

presentations that meet clients’ marketing needs 

while remaining within budget 

n Resorts are showcased in a captivating style, 

incorporating creative video elements that appeal to 

clients’ target audiences 

n Website videos boost Internet search results and 

increase the rate of viewer response 

For a two- to three-minute showcase video, 

participating resorts will receive preferential pricing on 

the following: 

n Script development, including music and narration 

n On-location filming of interiors, exteriors, amenities, or 

other aspects of the resort or destination 

n Interviews with resort representatives and owners 

n Aerial and underwater shots 

n Video optimization for the Internet and master DVD 

for in-house application 

Resort video footage can be included on Interval HD 

at IntervalWorld.com. 

44 

Sample videos can be found at dgfilmco.com. 

See how DG Film Company can help achieve crucial 

marketing goals for your resort property. 

Contact the company at 435.674.1133 or by email at 

Production@dgfilmco.com.

Trust 

a Proven Leader 

Fidelity National Timeshare provides a variety of 

transaction-focused services exclusively to the 

shared ownership industry. Led by industry veterans, 

this powerhouse offers decades of experience and a 

wealth of real-world knowledge. 

As an Affiliate Advantages partner, 

Fidelity National Timeshare offers resorts affiliated 

with Interval International preferential pricing* on: 

n Agent and escrow services 

n Document management 

n Default solutions 

n Inventory control 

n Title insurance 

n Trustee assistance 

n Merchant account processing 

n Accommodation recordings 

*Excluding pricing that is set by local, state, or federal governments. 

To learn more, contact Kerri Luther, national director of 

business development, at Timeshare@fnf.com. 

45

With more than 40 years as a manufacturer and 

distributor of institutional textiles made specifically for 

the hospitality industry, Harbor Linen has put together 

the most extensive line of bed and bath linens 

available today. 

With the power of Bed Bath & Beyond behind us, we are 

able to provide our customers around the globe with a 

quality product, shipped in a timely manner, at a very 

competitive price. 

We want to help grow your business. Here’s what we offer: 

n Seasoned team of hospitality experts 

n Nationwide and international sales force 

n Preferential pricing with volume discounts available to 

Interval International–affiliated resorts 

n Free freight (in the continental U.S.) 

n Bonded warehouse in Miami for Caribbean shipments 

n Distribution centers in: 

• New Jersey • Georgia 

• Missouri • California 

• Florida • Nevada 

• Panama • Mexico 

46 

To learn more, contact: 

Chris Rogers, vice president, 

800.257.7858, ext. 4459; Crogers@harborlinen.com 

Tammy Zarrilli, sales executive, 

800.257.7858, ext. 4413; Tzarrilli@harborlinen.com

PULSE 

Marcos Agostoni 

Kelly Frank Robert Gaynor Larry Gildersleeve Gene Pence 

Marcos Agostini has been promoted to executive vice president 

of business development for Interval International. In his new 

role, he directs worldwide resort sales and service, and Interval’s 

business-development initiatives. Agostini joined the company in 

1993 and has held positions of increasing responsibilities. Most 

recently, he was vice president of resort sales and business development 

for Latin America. 

Kelly Frank has been appointed to the new role of chief human 

resources officer for ILG. In this position, she oversees company-wide 

HR strategy for the 10,000-plus employees. Frank comes to ILG 

from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, where she served as 

senior vice president of HR for the Americas. She has also worked for 

The Walt Disney Company. Frank holds a master’s degree in business 

administration from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. 

Robert Gaynor has been promoted to senior vice president of enterprise 

technology for ILG. He joined the company in 2007 as vice 

president of technology services and since that time, he’s been 

responsible for the technology infrastructure, networks, data-center 

operations, end-user computing, and business continuity for VRI/TPI, 

HVO, Aqua-Aston, and Interval International. 

Larry Gildersleeve, founder and CEO of Gildersleeve Partners LLC, 

has published his first novel, Dancing Alone Without Music. Amazon 

awarded the book its best-seller designation in three categories. The 

novel reached No. 5 nationwide in the inspirational fiction category. 

Gildersleeve directs activities of Customized Solutions, a division of 

Gildersleeve Partners, and serves as a resort industry consultant. 

Gene Pence has been promoted to senior vice president of application 

systems for ILG’s property management companies. He has responsibility 

for defining the application-technology strategy and vision, and 

directing the evaluation, acquisition, and implementation of application 

technologies and services. Pence joined Interval in 1995, and has held 

several positions in IT and other business areas. 

Take flight. 

We provide unique, 

nimble solutions 

for everything your 

project needs. 

Big 

happy family. 

Alamo. 

Chicago. 

Commonwealth. 

Fidelity. 

Four brands. One 

company. 

Top that. 

Title, escrow, 

foreclosures, 

trustee services. 

We do it all. 

How you roll. 

Agency? 

Direct? 

We roll how 

you roll. 

TIMESHARE 

Take a look at the whole picture. 

You don’t want just anyone 

handling your timeshare transactions. 

Fidelity National Timeshare We’ve got you covered. 

timeshare@fnf.com | www.fidelitytimeshare.com 

47

The Mayflower 

Hotel, Autograph 

Collection, 

a Marriott 

International 

hotel in 

Washington, D.C. 

Sergio Rivera 

David Valdes 

Sergio Rivera has been named president and CEO of the vacation 

ownership operating segment of ILG. His responsibilities include leading 

the vacation ownership activity for Vistana TM Signature Experiences, 

as well as for Hyatt Vacation Ownership. Rivera was most recently president 

of the Americas for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. He 

also served as president and CEO of Starwood Vacation Ownership 

(now Vistana Signature Experiences), and has more than 25 years of 

experience in real estate development and finance, design, operations, 

consumer marketing and sales, and brand development. 

David Valdes has been promoted to senior vice president of application 

systems for Interval International. He is responsible for directing 

all aspects of the systems development life cycle, including project 

management, business analysis, application architecture, design, 

coding, and quality assurance for all in-house-developed and thirdparty 

applications. Valdes has been with Interval for 29 years. 

MARRIOTT ACQUISITION CREATES 

WORLD’S LARGEST HOTEL COMPANY 

Marriott International, Inc. completed its US$13 billion acquisition 

of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide in September 2016, 

creating the world’s largest hotel company. The merger with 

Starwood increases Marriott’s portfolio of brands from 19 to 

30, and results in more than 5,700 hotels, amounting to 1.1 

million rooms, in over 110 countries. This acquisition has more 

than doubled Marriott’s distribution in Asia and the Middle East 

and Africa combined. 

“With the addition of Starwood’s strong brands, great properties, 

and talented people, we have dramatically expanded our 

ability to provide the best experiences to our customers,” notes 

J.W. Marriott Jr., executive chairman and chairman of the board of 

Marriott International. “We also welcome the tremendous responsibility 

as the world’s largest hotel company to be a good global 

steward, providing new opportunities for our associates and 

building the economic strength of the communities we call home.” 

FIRST AMERICAN TITLE 

VACATION OWNERSHIP SERVICES 

With four offices dedicated 

solely to Vacation Ownership, 

First American Title is a trusted 

leader in the industry, providing 

the services you need and the 

support you can count on. 

ESCROW & CLOSING 

TITLE & UNDERWRITING 

TECHNOLOGY 

FORECLOSURE SERVICES 

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CONTACTS 

Jennifer Munoz | 702.808.3148 Mike Dalberth | 702.539.6862 

Ginger Matsukawa | 702.277.8409 Kathy Mizusawa | 808.368.7480 

Julie Thompson | 407.739.2541 

HONOLULU 

1132 Bishop Street, 

Suite 1830 

Honolulu, HI 96814 

O: 808.539.7504 

Lisa Redell 

D: 808.539.5098 

LAS VEGAS 

400 S. Rampart 

Blvd., Suite 290 

Las Vegas, NV 89145 

O: 702.792.6863 

J.R. Albrecht 

D: 702.304.7514 

ORLANDO 

400 International 

Parkway, Suite 380 

Lake Mary, FL 32746 

O: 407.754.1320 

Nicole Jackson 

D: 407.754.1323 

SAN DIEGO 

277 Rancheros 

Drive, Suite 180 

San Marcos, CA 92069 

O: 760.916.1001 

Cina Pearo 

D: 760.916.1010 

EXECUTIVE TEAM 

Wayne Sobien, SVP 

Cleiby Jarukaruta, VP of Operations 

O: 407.754.1320 | C: 407.312.6313 O: 702.304.7543 | C: 702.376.8372 

TRUSTEE SERVICES 

CUSTODIAL SERVICES 

First American Title Insurance Company, and the operating divisions thereof, make no express or implied warranty respecting 

the information presented and assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. First American and the eagle logo are registered 

trademarks or trademarks of First American Financial Corporation and/or its affiliates. 

AMD: 11/2016 

www.firstam.com/vacation 

©2016 First American Financial Corporation and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. NYSE: FAF 

48

MARK YOUR 

CALENDAR! 

OCTOBER 

23 – 25 | 2017 

The 19th annual International Shared Ownership 

Investment Conference 

O C T O B E R 

23 24 25 

AT THE 

For sponsorship and conference information, visit SharedOwnershipInvestment.com.

virna17janmar

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?