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1 month ago | 
resorttrades.com | Kelley Ellert |Sharon Wilson
If “innovation” piques your interest, you’re in luck. There are unlimited “solutions” out there that will work to earn your attention long enough to tell you why they are what you need. Just Google a couple of ideas, and you’ll suddenly be on the receiving end of cold calls, cold emails, and a sudden influx of ads that feel eerily relevant. They may get your attention with a pain point that resonates or messaging that matches your point of view so closely that you feel seen.
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2 months ago | 
resorttrades.com | Kelley Ellert
Travel + Leisure Co., a leading vacation ownership and membership travel company employing 19,000 associates globally, today announced it was named to the World’s Most Admired Companies List by Fortune for the third consecutive year. This prestigious international recognition underscores the company’s reputation as a top employer and further solidifies its standing as a globally respected and trusted organization.
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2 months ago | 
resorttrades.com | Kelley Ellert
ResortCom, a leading provider of timeshare management software, financial services, and call center solutions to the hospitality industry, proudly unveils its Tuition Reimbursement Program. This forward-thinking initiative is a testament to ResortCom’s dedication to fostering the educational and professional development of its workforce as part of its commitment to being an employer of choice.
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2 months ago | 
resorttrades.com | Kelley Ellert
ARDA, the trade association for the vacation ownership and timeshare industries, has released the December 2024 results from its Vacation Ownership Sentiment Index. The latest study highlights timeshare owners’ continued economic optimism and enthusiasm for travel throughout 2024, which is anticipated to continue well into 2025.
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2 months ago | 
resorttrades.com | Kelley Ellert
When ARDA released its latest “Navigating the Future of Timeshare” report, it painted an exciting picture. Partnerships, technology, enhanced owner experiences – the opportunities are inspiring. But turning these insights into reality? That’s where vision meets real-world complexity. Every resort needs its own path forward, one that fits its unique market, ideal guests, operational complexities, and available resources. Success isn’t about chasing every trend in the report to check those boxes.
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Dec 18, 2024 | 
resorttrades.com | Kelley Ellert |Cam Abascal
After recently experiencing several poor customer service experiences where an apology would have massively diffused the situation, I was wondering just how much not apologizing costs businesses. I came across the fascinating and enlightening Carey School of Business’s 2020 “Customer Rage Study” which found that only 37% of unhappy customers felt satisfied when they were offered compensation for their issue.
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Sep 11, 2024 | 
resorttrades.com | Kelley Ellert
Marketing dependency is a dangerous gamble, especially for resorts that thrive on consistent customer engagement and bookings. Avoiding a single or limited strategy approach and safeguarding against being held hostage by agencies and vendors are crucial steps towards achieving marketing independence. Read on for actionable strategies to ensure you are building a marketing ecosystem that will thrive long-term.
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Aug 29, 2024 | 
resorttrades.com | Kelley Ellert
The timeshare and vacation ownership industry in the United States has undergone significant consolidation in recent years. Small and regional independent companies have been absorbed by larger, often publicly traded entities, fundamentally altering the competitive landscape. According to the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), the timeshare industry generated over $10.5 billion in sales in 2022. This has resulted in large companies controlling a significant portion of the market.
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Jul 11, 2024 | 
resorttrades.com | Kelley Ellert
Meridian Financial Services, Inc., a leading entity in the third-party collection industry, is pleased to announce that Gregory B. Sheperd, who has been serving as its President since 1997, has officially acquired the company from Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation (MVW). Mr. Sheperd has expertly navigated Meridian through its previous acquisitions by Interval International and MVW, demonstrating remarkable leadership and strategic vision.
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Jul 10, 2024 | 
resorttrades.com | Gabrielle Russon |Kelley Ellert
The Orlando-based timeshare king Westgate Resorts is laying off 357 employees next month, according to a state filing. Westgate Marketing and Westgate Resorts filed a WARN notice, which alerts the state when employers are doing mass layoffs. The company, which describes itself as “the largest privately held timeshare company in the world and one of the largest resort developers in the United States,” said the layoffs are permanent and that the employees’ last day is Aug. 30.
