Hotel giants join Vacation Ownership debate

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        'caption' => 'David Clifton, Interval International’s managing director for Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA) and Asia.',
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He confirmed that industry leaders from Starwood, Hyatt and Marriott will all be taking centre stage at the upcoming conference and are ready to share their views of the vacation ownership market and to explain how this lodging option can positively impact profits.

'This is a fantastic opportunity to listen to some of the most influential players in the vacation ownership sector.

'Anyone considering entering the vacation ownership industry, be they branded hotel operators or independent developers, can learn from these international experts, along with highly successful regional independents,' commented Clifton.

He said that the speakers are ready to share the lessons learnt and will provide invaluable insights for both branded and independent developers looking to enter the vacation ownership business in the Middle East.

John Burlingame, executive vice president of Hyatt Vacation Ownership Inc, is scheduled to deliver a keynote address on 'Vacation Ownership - Hyatt's Other Hospitality Product'.

Meanwhile, president and managing director of operations at Starwood Vacation Ownership (SVO), Matthew Avril will be speaking on 'Starwood's Secret Success - The Importance of Vacation Ownership to the Global Brand'. In addition, a senior executive from Marriott Vacation Club International (MVCI) will present 'The Marriott Perspective'.

SVO has more than 25 timeshare resorts either open or under development, and in 2007 achieved revenues of $1bn from its SVO operations.

'Although Starwood is predominantly a hotel company, vacation ownership is a natural extension of the core business and provides an opportunity to create even greater loyalty amongst consumers,' said Avri.

According to Clifton, vacation ownership is fast starting to emerge in the Middle East, with Dubai already boasting its first resort. He said that many more projects are in the pipeline.

'The region's vacation ownership sector is in its infancy but has already seen outstanding success in developments such as Royal Club at Dubai's Palm Jumeirah. There are numerous other innovative projects on the drawing board, including Aqua Dunya and Emerald Vacation Club, and I believe vacation ownership is set to skyrocket in popularity in the Middle East in 2008 and beyond,' he stated.

Avril too believes the region has a lot of potential. 'The Middle East is an untapped market that has a number of opportunities. It will be exciting to watch this region develop over the next few years,' he observed.

SVO operates traditional vacation ownership products under the Westin and Sheraton brands and luxury fractional resorts under St. Regis and The Luxury Collection brands. The company operates more than 4,100 units representing more than 200,000 vacation ownership intervals.

Meanwhile, MVCI includes a portfolio of 61 vacation ownership resorts and a total of approximately 9,200 units, with a membership base of 360,000 families. Hyatt Vacation Ownership Inc operates ten vacation club properties in the United States and Caribbean.

VOIC 2008 is supported by Interval International, a leading provider of exchange, travel, and leisure services to resort developers and vacationers worldwide, and will be held at the Arabian Court, One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, March 11-12, 2008.