The hospitality industry’s longest running program devoted to female travelers is Wyndham hotels and Wyndham timeshares, “WOMEN ON THEIR WAY®.” This past week, Wyndham announced that WOMEN ON THEIR WAY® is joining forces with Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia’s “Dreamers into Doers” awards program, to celebrate women of achievement.

Betsy O’Rourke, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Wyndham hotels and Wyndham timeshare says, “Eighty percent of all travel is planned and booked by women today. WOMEN ON THEIR WAY® is about recognizing, supporting, and celebrating women while providing a resource for them to research, plan, and book all their travel, giving them ideas on how to make the most of their valuable time away from work and their everyday lives.”

Since 1995, WOMEN ON THEIR WAY® has been listening to what women have to say about travel accommodations. Because of this, Wyndham hotels and Wyndham timeshares have added features including, coffee bars or coffee makers in bedrooms, full-length mirrors, and healthier room service options. The WOMEN ON THEIR WAY® website offers safety and travel tips for women, special travel promotions, information on travel destinations and resorts, and advice from veteran women travelers.

Enter and Win Vacations for a Lifetime from Wyndham Timeshare

Wyndham’s WOMEN ON THEIR WAY® and the “Dreamers Into Doers” program are celebrating women who have turned a passion into a career, a business, or a philanthropic program, in the same way Martha Stewart did 25 years ago with her first book, Entertaining.

Now through July 11,2008, women are invited to submit a 250-word essay and photos highlighting their accomplishment. From these entries, Martha Stewart and her team at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. will select 1 Grand Prize winner and 10 honorees. The Grand Prize winner will receive $10,000 from MSLO to help her pursue her dream, as well as winning vacations for a lifetime with Wyndham Vacation Ownership. Honorees will receive $1,000 and a one-week vacation at the Wyndham Rio Mar Resort + Spa in Puerto Rico.

You will find the entry form at: www.marthastewart.com/dreamers

To learn more about opportunities for Wyndham vacation ownership through Wyndham timeshare resales or Wyndham timeshare rentals, visit Sell My Timeshare NOW.

And from Sell My Timeshare NOW and the Timeshare Owners Blog, Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers, wives, sisters, and friends who nurture and build families, businesses, passions, and dreams.

According to information released by Wyndham Timeshares and Resorts, the United Arab Emirates is undoubtedly one of timeshare’s hottest markets. “It is expected that Middle Eastern residents will spend an estimated $1.2 billion a year on shared ownership properties by 2020…” says Wyndham timeshare in a recent media release.

The company makes it clear that the problems in the US economy will not create problems for Wyndham Worldwide, which not only owns Wyndham timeshare, but is the parent company for Group RCI timeshare exchange. And they credit much of their optimism to the sunny predictions specifically for Middle East timeshares.

Wyndham Timeshare CEO Speaks at Dubai Tourism Summit

Chairman and CEO of Wyndham Worldwide, Steve Holmes, is also the vice chair of the World Travel and Tourism Council. Holmes was part of the panel on “Travel and Tourism - It’s Good and Getting Better” that met this week during the Global Travel and Tourism Summit in Dubai. Holmes explains, “Travel and tourism continues to be a stable and growing industry around the globe… We have seen that when it comes to taking time off, people will adjust their travel plans to fit their budgets, but rarely cancel their vacations altogether.”

Wyndham timeshare’s position is that historically they have benefited from people tightening their wallets because many of the products they offer are in the mid-price and economy segment. Holmes sounds sympathetic but not empathetic when he says, “While we would like to see the US economy rebound, our company is well poised to succeed, even in this economic environment.”

Last week, The Timeshare Owners Blog reported on the partnership of Group RCI and Al Ghaith Holdings to operate timeshare exchange at the Bavaria Executive Suites timeshare resort. Two days ago we looked at Marriott timeshare announcing Marriott Vacation Club Dubai Festival City. If the predictions hold up, you can expect to continue to hear a lot of positive news about Dubai and United Arab Emirates timeshares in the months to come here on our blog.

Wyndham Vacation Ownership (Wyndham Timeshare) has commenced construction on their fifth Las Vegas timeshare resort, the Wyndham Desert Blue.

The initial phase of construction, which is scheduled for completion in 2010, will include a 19-story tower with 281 condominium-style timeshare units. Fifty of the timeshare condos will be penthouse style Presidential suites, while the rest will be one, two, and three bedroom timeshare suites.

The Desert Blue will be adjacent to the Las Vegas Strip and next to the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino.

Wyndham Timeshare Shows Commitment to Las Vegas

The addition of the Wyndham Desert Blue will give Wyndham timeshare 2400 timeshare units in Las Vegas. Franz Hanning, president and CEO of Wyndham Vacation Ownership says, “Our Las Vegas operations have continued to experience tremendous growth since our arrival in 2000. To date, we’ve sold nearly $1 billion worth of product in this market alone…We are committed to expanding our presence in this larger than life city, and once complete, Desert Blue will be one of the most in-demand properties in our portfolio.”

Wyndham Timeshare Resales and WorldMark Timeshare Resales

Currently the four Wyndham Las Vegas timeshare resorts are: the Wyndham Grand Desert, (part of the company’s FairShare Plus by Wyndham portfolio); the WorldMark Las Vegas; the WorldMark Las Vegas Spencer Street, and WorldMark Las Vegas Tropicana.

To find out more about excellent opportunities at these and other Las Vegas timeshare resales, visit Sell My Timeshare NOW.

You can now be a Wyndham Vacation owner (Wyndham timeshare) at Yellowstone Park, with the recent opening of a new timeshare resort, located less than one mile from the park’s entrance. The Orlando, Florida based timeshare company, Wyndham Vacation Ownership, has just opened WorldMark West Yellowstone. This new timeshare resort, (according to the official press release issued by Wyndham Vacation Ownership) is the only major branded vacation ownership resort in West Yellowstone, Montana.

Mountain Lodge Amenities at New WorldMark Timeshare

West Yellowstone is a significant location, not only because Yellowstone is America’s oldest and most famous national park, but because it is the geographic cross point where the states of Idaho, Wyoming and Montana meet. The timeshare resort is part of WorldMark: The Club Portfolio and offers 112 timeshare condos in one, two, and three-bedroom units, along with four-bedroom Presidential Suites. The three-story, mountain lodge-style timeshare resort includes an indoor pool, a recreation and fitness center, and other amenities.

According to Franz Hanning, the president and CEO of Wyndham Vacation Ownership, “As the only flagged vacation ownership property in the West Yellowstone area, WorldMark West Yellowstone offers our owners and their guests a world-renowned, year-round vacation experience. When combining the rugged beauty of Yellowstone National Park with the unparalleled service and comfort people have come to expect from our Wyndham-branded resorts, we are providing a truly unbeatable vacation experience.”

To learn more about becoming a WorldMark timeshare owner by buying timeshare resales or taking advantages of opportunities in WorldMark timeshare rentals, visit Sell My Timeshare NOW.

And to keep an eye on Old Faithful, the largest geyser at Yellowstone National Park, enjoy this link to Old Faithful Geyser Live! - Video WebCam

Research and Markets, a firm that bills itself as the world’s largest market research resource, has released a report saying that globally, the vacation ownership industry holds strong market potential. The 40-page report cites as evidence of this, the fact that, “the US economy is facing the challenges of a slump in the housing market and an increase in fuel prices…(but) the vacation ownership industry has not fallen to the economic woes and is fairly insulated from the economic performance.”

The report concludes that while consumers may be taking shorter vacations or staying closer to home, they have not stopped buying timeshare or renting timeshare for this purpose.

The State of Timeshare Sales Outside the US

According to the Research and Markets report, Europe is still trying to update governmental regulations to better serve and protect both the people who buy timeshare and the people who sell timeshare. Once this occurs, the report speculates that the timeshare industry in Europe will resume the growth levels it enjoyed during the 1970’s and 1980’s.

Other potentially strong international markets, according to the report’s findings, include Malaysia, Singapore, India, Indonesia, and China. The growing affluence of Asians, paired with new low-cost air travel options, are cited as reasons that have helped spur this expansion.

Research used in the report focuses on four timeshare companies: Wyndham timeshare, Marriott timeshare, Hilton timeshare, and Starwood timeshare. The full report is available at: http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c84948#. But don’t expect the wisdom it carries to come cheaply. Purchased in its least expensive format, this timeshare market report costs EUR 910.00, or approximately 1,440 USD—and for that price you could just go ahead and buy timeshare as a resale by shopping the competitive prices available at Sell My Timeshare NOW.

The Wyndham Pantipa Spa Villa and Resort Timeshare, scheduled for completion in 2009, will become the first timeshare resort in Asia to carry the Wyndham Vacation Resort’s Asia Pacific brand. The Pantipa Spa is already under construction on Thailand’s largest tropical island, Phuket.

The timeshare resort and spa will have an idyllic setting on a forested hillside, overlooking Kalim Beach on the Andaman Sea. The 44 one, two, and three bedroom deluxe and presidential timeshare units will be part of a resort (scheduled for completion in August 2008) that will include a boutique hotel, six cafes, bars, restaurants, shops, and a luxurious day spa.

Wyndham Timeshare’s Growth in Asia Pacific

According to Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific’s president and CEO, Barry Robinson, Wyndham timeshare was eager to make this location their first in Asia. “We are supremely confident that Pantipa Spa Villa & Resort will be a coveted addition to the company’s management resort portfolio,” said Robinson.

Wyndham timeshare already has associate resort arrangements in a number of Bali resorts, including The Bali Dynasty Resort in South Kuta, Pat-Masse Villas in Jimbaran Bay, and Swiss-Belhotel Bay View in Nusa Dua.

Thailand Timeshare Resales: An Exotic Vacation Destination

Other opportunities to enjoy timeshare vacations in beautiful, exotic Thailand include Thailand timeshare resales and Thailand timeshare rentals at numerous resorts including Marriott’s Phuket Beach Club and the QVC at Samui Peninsula.

To learn more about a Thailand timeshare vacation visit Sell My Timeshare NOW.

PGA Tour golfer Brandt Snedeker, who won his first PGA Tour victory at the Wyndham Championship, and won the 2007 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year Award, has signed a sponsorship contract with Wyndham Worldwide and Wyndham timeshares.

What does this sponsorship mean for the Nashville, Tennessee native, who earned over $2.8 million in his rookie season with a Tour victory and six top-10 finishes? It means he sleeps more soundly at night.

Unlike an NBA or NFL team member who works under contract with his team, a PGA Tour player is an independent businessman. When the Boston Celtics travel to play the Orlando Magic, the team travels together, typically on a private jet, and the team pays for travel, accommodations, and meals for its players. The team also pays for the uniforms, equipment, the services from the trainers, coaches, team medical staff, and everyone else who works behind the sidelines keeping Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo on the floor, blocking shots, stealing balls, and shooting three’s.

But professional golfers operate by different rules. They are not under contract with the PGA Tour; instead, they are members, with their membership based on their playing performance. The PGA Tour doesn’t pay them to play; PGA Tour members actually pay the Tour for their membership and the privilege of competing in tournaments. They also foot the bill for their own travel expenses, their trainers, coaches, caddy, equipment, and even the plaid pants and white shoes they wear in the final round, unless these costs are underwritten by a sponsor.

Play as well as Brandt Snedeker played last year and sponsors like Wyndham timeshare are eager to put their logos on your cap, golf bag and the shirts you wear during tournaments. Sponsorship deals for professional golfers range anywhere from a few thousand dollars to millions, with bonuses thrown in for top finishes and tournament wins.

Recreational golfers and fans of the game of golf are an excellent market for the timeshare and timeshare resales industries. Many professional golf tournaments draw a half million fans in the galleries during the week of play, with millions more watching the event on television. Companies who sponsor the play of professional golfers recognize that marketing to golfers means marketing to people who have the time and means to plan regular vacations and would be interested in the vacation ownership opportunities of timesharing.

Franz Hanning, president and CEO of Wyndham Vacation Ownership (Wyndham timeshare) “We believe this is a tremendous opportunity to align the Wyndham brand with one of the game’s most promising young talents. Our goal is to connect with golfers at every stage in their love of the game. We’re proud to associate ourselves with a rising star like Brandt and believe he is the perfect complement to our partnership with the game’s most preeminent legend.”

Besides sponsoring Snedeker, Wyndham timeshare maintains an exclusive marketing partnership with Arnold Palmer, and has developed the Arnold Palmer Golf Holidays line of travel products.

Wyndham timeshare will again sponsor the PGA Tour’s Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, N.C., on August 11 through 17, 2008.

To learn more about opportunities in Wyndham vacation ownership and Wyndham timeshare resales visit Sell My Timeshare NOW.

Watch this YouTube video to see the golf swing that made Brandt Snedeker 2007 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year.

…continued from yesterday’s blog post, “Wyndham Worldwide Resorts and Wyndham Timeshare Releases 2007 Financials”

Despite all the good news in Wyndham’s financial report released this week, here’s the part of it I really don’t like to see. I will quote it exactly as it appears from the Wyndham report:

“Gross Vacation Ownership Interest sales (which exclude the effect of deferred revenues) were $488 million for the fourth quarter of 2007, up 4 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2006, driven by marketing efforts resulting in increases in tour flow and volume per guest based on strong performance by our sales force and continued strength in transaction pricing.”

Let’s face it, part of the reason Wyndham timeshare, purchased as new timeshare weeks or new timeshare condos from the Wyndham company, is making them so much money, has to do with how much they make by loaning you the money to buy timeshare in the first place.

When you buy timeshare as new property, you pay the full developer price, which can be shockingly higher than the cost to buy timeshare as a resale. More importantly, if you buy timeshare and finance it through the developer, you are adding significantly to your purchase price through the interest you will pay over the life of the loan.

Timeshare Resales: You Owe It to Yourself to Learn More

Wyndham timeshare is a fabulous way to vacation and owning timeshare is one of the few ways you have to lock in the current price of vacation accommodations. But before you buy timeshare, you owe it to yourself to visit Sell My Timeshare NOW and look at the many Wyndham timeshare resales that are available to buy or rent at very competitive prices.

Often, people find that when they buy timeshare resales, the savings is so significant that they no longer have to use long-term financing in order to pay for their vacation ownership property. In other words—timeshare resales enable them to benefit from a double-savings, first on the purchase price, and then on all the interest they are saving by not financing their purchase.

To learn more about the excellent opportunities in Wyndham timeshare resales and timeshare rentals, go to Sell My Timeshare NOW and search “Timeshares for Sale” under the Wyndham name or the location of your next dream vacation.

This week, Wyndham Worldwide and Wyndham Timeshare released both their fourth quarter 2007 and their annual 2007 financial reports. The company showed their net income for 2007 increasing by 40 percent to $403 million, compared with a 2006 net income of $287 million. And revenues for the full year 2007 increased by 13 percent to $4.4 billion. I’d say, if the people at Wyndham or their customers think there is a recession pending, it certainly isn’t reflected in numbers like these.

Wyndham Worldwide and Wyndham Timeshare CEO and Chairman, Stephen P. Holmes says, “Our company continues to benefit from a global portfolio of economically resilient businesses and brands and from our multiple revenue sources, with more than half of our revenue generated from fee-for-service businesses. We continue to believe that our business model solidly positions us for continued growth, even in what looks like a tougher economic environment in 2008.”

Wyndham Timeshare is an Important Part of the Picture

Wyndham WorldWide Resorts categorizes their business under three headings, with vacation ownership (Wyndham timeshare) being a very important one of the three. In 2007, Wyndham timeshare added more than 1500 timeshare units or timeshare condos to their portfolio of timeshare resorts. Wyndham timeshare revenues and gross vacation ownership sales increased 14 percent, year-over-year for 2007.

Significantly, despite the threat of pending recession and the media’s coverage of slow retail sales during the holidays, Wyndham timeshare saw a 17 percent increase in timeshare revenues and gross vacation ownership in the fourth quarter of 2007, compared to the same quarter during 2006.

Wyndham timeshare exchange members increased by 5 percent for the full year 2007 compared to 2006, and set a new Wyndham timeshare record with more than 3.5 million timeshare owner members.

What Wyndham Timeshare’s Strength Means to Timeshare Owners

When Wyndham timeshare releases strong numbers like these, Wyndham timeshare owners should feel comfortable with their decision to buy Wyndham timeshare. The Wyndham Worldwide Corporation can never ignore the significant contribution that timeshare owners make to the company’s overall revenues.

If you want to buy timeshare at Wyndham, you can expect that Wyndham should continue to grow and nurture their timeshare division with attentive property maintenance and a commitment to offering their timeshare owners excellent locations, amenities and benefits. You also know, that as a Wyndham timeshare owner, demand for your timeshare weeks will stay strong in the timeshare resales market or if you choose to use your timeshare as a vacation rental.

But as with most things, there are two sides to this story. In tomorrow’s Timeshare Owners Blog, I am going to continue talking about Wyndham timeshare, as we look at this financial report again and do a little reading between the lines…

Last September the Timeshare Owners Blog gave you an update on expansion by Wyndham Vacation Ownership (Wyndham timeshare) in Panama City Beach that had just made an acquisition of 100 timeshare condos at the Emerald Beach Resort.

That must have proven to be a good move for Wyndham timeshare as late last month, they finalized the addition of another 100 timeshare condos at the Emerald Beach Resort. Wyndham timeshare has also entered into a contractual agreement to purchase more timeshare condos at this location in the future, although terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Franz Hanning, president and CEO of Wyndham timeshare said, “Last fall, we initiated a deal that would expand our presence in the Florida Panhandle through the incremental acquisition of existing vacation ownership units in Panama City Beach…Our continued investment in this popular beach destination ensures that even more of our owners will have the opportunity to experience it.”

Wyndham Vacation Resorts Panama City Beach are part of the Wyndham FairShare Plus program and include one, two, and three-bedroom timeshare condos with views of the Gulf of Mexico. All of the timeshare condos offer a private balcony, a full kitchen with washer and dryer, and living and dining areas.

Wyndham timeshares in the Florida Panhandle also are available at:

• Wyndham Beach Street Cottages
• Wyndham Bay Club II timeshare
• Wyndham FairShare Plus Timeshares
• Wyndham Majestic Sun timeshare