July Trends 2022

Transmitted Offers ISSUE 07
June ’22 = $7,316,459
July 2022

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^“Abound by Marriott” There is record growth in tourism, but the staffing is not there!
Exchange Program The hospitality industry is suffering when it comes to hiring!
Page 2
Hotels and resorts are suffering from severe keep employees. Hilton and others have ex-
^Resorts win Awards/ staff shortages as travel demand roars back. pressed similar sentiments. Hilton also noted
Updates Jobs were cut during the pandemic and now there are simply more opportunities for lodging
Page 2 workers not coming back When the initial sector employees in the current market. House-
^Exit Companies/ shockwaves of the Covid-19 pandemic hit in keeping roles are the biggest challenge. Hotels
Court Actions 2020, the lodging sector was decimated. Tens and groups are taking a number of steps to
Pg. 3 of thousands were laid off as lockdowns, travel address the talent gap, with 90% increasing
^Resort Changes/ bans and Covid-19 derailed tourism, but hotels wages, 71% offering more flexibility with
now have another problem in that customers hours and 43% expanding benefits. Of course,
are returning, but the employees are not. The everyone competing with hotels for talent are
labor challenges that have plagued every indus- taking similar steps. In May, about 2.8% of
try during the Covid-19 economic recovery are workers or about 4.3 million employees, quit
hitting hotels particularly hard. A new survey their jobs, down only slightly from the 2.9%
by lodging associations found 97% reported reported over the last several months. The quit
being understaffed, with 49% classified severe rate is higher in food and housekeeping, which
in understaffing. The labor gap is forcing a includes hotel workers. The problem is how to
rethinking recruitment strategies, increase pay provide good service with less staffing.
and make operational tweaks, among other
steps. Many major hotel operators remain far
below their pre-pandemic employment totals.
In its annual report, Marriott said it employed
about 120,000 workers at its properties at the
end of 2021, with about 97,000 in the United
States. That is down from about 174,000 total
employees at the end of 2019. Marriott report-
ed the furloughs, less hours and elimination of
positions that were common and have adverse-
ly affected the industry's ability to attract and

What’s New “An obstacle is often a stepping stone.”

Pg. 4 — William Prescott

SELL OR LIFE + DISABILITY DO YOU HAVE A HIGH
RENT YOUR INSURANCE INTEREST
TIMESHARE
What happens if you can’t use MORTGAGE?
SHOW ME HOW> ddd
it?> dd What to do about it?>ddd

ISSUE 07

July 2022

“Abound by Marriott” — a new exchange program!...

Two Holiday Inn Club Resorts win the “Spirit of True Hospitality.”

Disney adds Mary Poppins to the decor!

“Abound by Marriott Vacations” is the upscale and luxury hotels in the Holiday Disney Vacation Club has opened 200
just announced owner benefit and new Inn network across the Americas. The Mary Poppins inspired rooms at Disney
exchange program coming from Marriott Sunset Cove Resort overlooks the Gulf of World’s Grand Floridian. Disney has just
Vacations. As one of the largest travel Mexico and features 3BR Signature Col- opened its villa expansion at Disney’s
brands in the world and with the leisure lection villas, the IHG luxury product. Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. This
travel market to reach $1.7 trillion by Located on the Emerald Coast, Panama timeshare expansion added a new unit
2027, Marriott Vacations Worldwide is City Beach Resort is a beachside property category known as a “Resort Studio” and
offering customers another way to travel. that offers beach access and waterfront on has added a total of 200 vacation club
This latest program will allow its owners the Gulf in its accommodations. rooms. The other units have also received
access to over 90 vacation club resorts Ritz-Carlton is named the top luxury a full refresh. The new suite layout is
across its many existing programs like brand in the 2022 North America Guest unique to the resort and is different from
Marriott Vacation Club, Westin Vacation Satisfaction Index Study by JD Power. the Disney Vacation Club’s traditional
Club and Sheraton Vacation Club. This is the second consecutive year that Studio Villas that sleep four to five guests.
Abound owners will also have access to Ritz-Carlton has received such accolades Resort studios don’t have kitchenettes like
more than 8,000 Bonvoy hotels, 2,000 and it’s seven out of eight years that it has the traditional studio, but a microwave can
vacation homes, and 2,000 travel options, achieved the first place top luxury brand be placed in their suite. While they don’t
such as cruises, culinary tours, guided award. It is now the 26th year that the have the kitchenette amenities, they are
tours, outdoor excursions, premier events, satisfaction index has been conducted some of the most stunning rooms on the
all with Interval International affiliation. among 34,000 hotel and resort guests for Walt Disney World property. The decor
Two Holiday Inn Club Vacation Resorts stays in North America between May ups the level of elegance for which the
are the recipients of the “Spirit of True 2020 and May 2021. JD Power is a global Grand Floridian is already known. The
Hospitality Award” for its 2021 success leader in consumer insights, advisory suites offer a modern take on the existing
and accomplishments. Considered the services and data and analytics, and has Victorian theming with colorful, floral
most prestigious honor for IHG Hotels & delivered incisive industry intelligence on motifs and nods to the Mary Poppins
Resorts properties and colleagues, the customer interactions with brands and films. Artwork for suites shows Mary
award acknowledges hotels across the products for more than 50 years Poppins flying into Cherry Tree Lane,
Americas including the USA, Canada and parades of penguins, and silhouettes of
Latin America, for exceptional work umbrellas, penguins, and other believe
among several key customer criteria; i.e., characters on room furnishings. Resort
cleanliness and overall customer service Studios are located in the resort’s Big Pine
and satisfaction. The winners received Key building and they were previously
scores of 90 or higher (out of 100) on traditional hotel rooms. Beyond decor, the
Guest Room Cleanliness and Guest Love studios will attract guests looking for two
satisfaction surveys. Holiday Inn Club queen beds rather than the queen and sofa
Vacations Sunset Cove and Panama City bed provided in the traditional studio villa.
Beach Resorts were two timeshare resorts In addition to the updates and refreshes,
out of among nearly 4,300 mainstream, Citricos restaurant recently reopened with
a Mary Poppins Returns inspired update.

[email protected] /// Toll Free: 888-707-8463 TimesharesByOwner.com

ISSUE 07

July 2022

Orlando based US Thrill Rides has Alaska files suit against Exit Companies…
sued Intamin Amusement Rides
Disney Vacation Club raises prices again!
Orlando's US Thrill Rides has sued Intamin over a Dubai project.
U.S. Thrill Rides LLC, an Orlando-based attractions firm, has filed Alaska has now joined a list of states filing lawsuits against
suit against one of the top manufacturers for amusement rides in timeshare exit companies. The suit is against seven corporations
the world, the Liechtenstein based Intamin Amusement Rides Int. and individuals who operate fraudulent timeshare exit companies.
Corp. The suit is filed because the ride was built in a shopping mall The Alaska Attorney General has filed suit against an interrelated
and park in Dubai that opened in February based on their design. network of timeshare exit companies that he claims defrauded
Suit was filed July 7 this month in the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court Alaskan consumers. The defendants in the AG complaint include
for Orange County. Polercoaster LLC, another entity related to US Consumer Law Protection LLC, Consumer Rights Council, Premier
Thrill Rides, also is a plaintiff. The lawsuit claims breach of con- Reservations Group LLC, Resort Transfer Group LLC, Square One
tract, violations of Florida's Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Development Group Inc., Square One Group LLC, Timeshare Help
Act, misappropriation of trade secrets and copyright infringement Source, Christopher Carroll, George Reed, Louann Reed, Scott
regarding a deal that included the development of a Polercoaster Jackson, Eduardo Balderas, Sherrod Banks, Courtney Kirkpatrick,
ride. US Thrill Rides' Polercoaster is a roller coaster attraction built and Gary Adamson. The AG, Treg Taylor alleges that the entities
as a tower with the ride moving vertically, as opposed to some of enticed timeshare owners to get out of their timeshare contracts
the traditional horizontal coasters. The ride has similar loops, dips, based on false claims and promises in exchange for large upfront
twists and more of the traditional coaster, but it moves in a vertical payments. The lawsuit alleges that the defendants targeted
direction, which is almost exactly what was built in a Dubai, UAE timeshare owners using a deceptive direct mail campaign, which
shopping center. The lawsuit alleges that US Thrill Rides entered a lured timeshare owners to sales presentations at Anchorage hotels
deal with Dubai based entertainment and developer company with promises of a $250 shopping card and information on how to
Emaar Entertainment LLC for the sale, manufacture and installa- eliminate timeshare maintenance fees and legally exit their
tion of an 80-meter Polercoaster for the Dubai Hills Mall. US Thrill timeshare. Nine Alaskan victims have been identified by the Dept
Rides is losing millions because of Intamin using their copyright of Law, who paid the defendants a total of over $113,000.
and now losing opportunities to potentially build and design new Disney Vacation Club has raised prices for their timeshares
Polercoaster rides. The lawsuit alleges that US Thrill Rides already again. The prices have been raised for points for Disney’s Animal
had begun a relationship with Intamin on future potential projects Kingdom Villas, Disney’s Old Key West Resort, and Saratoga
where Intamin would provide engineering, fabrication and install Springs Resort & Spa. The price increases are now in effect, taking
the new Polercoasters. Those agreements included a confidentiality the per point price for new sales to $200 per point. The previous
and nondisclosure agreement where they agreed to keep US Thrill prices were between $180 and $186 per point, reflecting Disney’s
Rides information confidential, as well as not use any of the info or recent trend toward lifting its price points among its Orlando-based
intellectual property without prior consent to create any products Disney timeshare resorts. While these are considered “sold out”
similar to those offered by US Thrill Ride. The suit filed also resorts, DVC fans know that Disney has a consistent policy of
makes mention of the fact that the ride, Storm Coaster, is built in working the resale market to maintain prices and obtain points, so
the exact location that US Thrill Rides was informed that theirs points can be bought from them. The good news is that points are
would be located, yet they were told that they could not utilize their significantly less expensive on the resale market, and in some cases
services because of the timeline and size of the ride. 50 percent less as resales.

(Storm Coaster built by Intamin Amusement Rides located at the Dubai Hills Mall)

[email protected] /// Toll Free: 888-707-8463 TimesharesByOwner.com

ISSUE 07

July 2022

Resort updates and changes

Rosewood Hotels will be rebranding Michael Shvo’s Raleigh development Epic Universe will be hosting two new lands according to the
in Miami Beach. The Shvo-led partnership paid $243M for three hotels in rumors from reputable sources, in addition to the confirmed Super
2019. The brand announcement marks a milestone for the project planned Nintendo World. It looks like there will be a third Wizarding
for 1751, 1757 and 1775 Collins Avenue, which has been in the works for World of Harry Potter land. This third Harry Potter land for the
years. Rosewood will manage the 60-key oceanfront hotel and brand the 17 resort, after Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, is rumored to have a
story, 44-unit condo tower that Shvo plans to build, according to a press ride set within the British Ministry of Magic, as well as some sort
release. In addition to the new 175-foot tower, Shvo plans to restore the of theater show. With it will be a new wand experience technolo-
Raleigh, South Seas and Richmond hotels. New York architect Peter Marino gy that could be used in the land. Very little is known of what
designed the plans along with Kobi Karp Architecture & Interior Design. In Universal has planned for Epic Universe beyond the confirmed
March, the Miami Beach Historic Preservation Board approved changes that Super Nintendo World land, which is in Universal Studios Japan
allow for a deeper underground garage. The historic Raleigh, built in the and slated for Universal Studios Hollywood. The new Epic Uni-
1940s by Miami architect Lawrence Murray Dixon, is known for its iconic verse theme park is expected to open in 2025. Another planned
pool that was built for actress Esther Williams, as well as other Art Deco park, it looks like will include an area themed after the film “How
designs. The hotel closed in 2017 because of damage from Hurricane Irma. to Train Your Dragon.” The plans for Epic Universe were re-
The waterfront property has been a vacant shell of a building for years. vealed in August 2019, with the potential to draw millions of new
Marriott International in collaboration with Playa Hotels & Resorts, has visitors to the region, generate more than $11 billion in new eco-
together created a new luxury collection brand. The Sanctuary Cap Cana nomic impact, and create 14,000 new industry jobs and more.
All-Inclusive Resort will be the brand’s first all-inclusive resort and located
in the Dominican Republic. The adults-only, 325 unit resort will place
guests at the heart of the private Cap Cana enclave of Punta Cana, which is
comprised of 30,000 acres of beaches. Highlights of Cap Cana include the
Jack Nicklaus designed Punta Espada golf course, a state-of-the-art marina
with more than 150 slips and an equestrian center featuring two Alejandro
Batros designed polo fields.The resort, which underwent a renovation in
2019, is now home to five restaurants, six bars, five pools and the resort’s
own nightlife destination, Sanctuary Town. Sanctuary Cap Cana is to be-
come the first Playa managed resort under a Marriott International brand.

All the former Welk Resorts are finally Hyatt Vacation Club exchange
properties, having lost the Welk name in their official titles, except for the
three Welk Resort properties that were located in Escondido (San Diego),
which have now combined into resorts known as primarily the Welk with
three distinguishable names all preceding “of the Welk.” The other former
Welk Resorts are now known as the Ranahan (in Breckenridge), Lodges at
Timber Ridge (in Branson), Sirena Del Mar (in Cabo San Lucas), Northstar
Lodge and One Village Place (both in the Lake Tahoe area), Desert Oasis
(in the Palm Springs area) and El Corazon de Santa Fe (in New Mexico).

Westgate Resorts at Cocoa Beach Pier is coming!

Westgate Resorts is planning to build a new resort at the Cocoa Beach
Pier, which has been owned by David Seigel and Westgate Resorts since
2014. Westgate Resorts is set to invest millions of dollars adding to its foot-
print near the iconic Cocoa Beach Pier. The plans include a 129-room resort
on 4.667 acres that will include a nearby parking garage, which also may be
used by the public. The project, dubbed Westgate Resorts at Cocoa Beach
Pier, appears to have a heavy tropical theme with palm trees and some other
island-like architecture. It will feature a swimming pool, a lap pool, and
walkway that connects directly to the pier. Other support services such as
bike parking, a public walkway, a snack shack and more, according to docu-
ments submitted to the city of Cocoa Beach. The project gained a big win
July 7 when Cocoa Beach city leaders approved a variance that would allow
the project to be built at a height of 70 feet, rather than the existing 45-foot
limit.

[email protected] /// Toll Free: 888-707-8463 TimesharesByOwner.com