Q & A with Darren Ettridge
Interval International

What services does Interval International offer a resort owner or vacation ownership promoter?

Since 1976, Interval International has led the vacation ownership industry with vision and innovation and has been at the forefront in providing resort developers with superior services and compelling product enhancements.
Our aim is to support developers of all shared ownership product types, including traditional timesharing, fractional resorts, private residence clubs, and condominium-hotels, and is a resource for access to expertise in every phase of the development process. Our experienced management team builds long-term relationships by utilizing a collaborative approach to assist clients in achieving their goals.

Through Interval membership, developers offer their consumer owners the opportunity to trade the use of their resort time for comparable accommodation at destinations around the world. The exchange feature, coupled with Interval’s extensive leisure benefits, adds to the product value proposition and is a proven motivation for buying a vacation ownership interest.

Today, our clients include many of the world’s most prestigious hospitality brands and leading independent resort developers.

What benefits do vacation owners enjoy, if they have purchased a resort product that is affiliated with Interval International?

Members enjoy access to Interval’s global network of quality resorts and make their exchanges using our unique vacation exchange system. Global Member-Services Centres provide personal assistance to approximately 2 million households. Resort exchanges, Getaway bookings and membership renewals and upgrades can also be made online at IntervalWorld.com.
Membership is further enhanced through informative publications such as Interval World® magazine, and the annual Interval International Resort Directory. Interval Gold®, the industry’s first and foremost value-added, membership-upgrade program, gives the option of receiving additional benefits for an additional fee. These benefits include a discount off all Getaways, complimentary membership of Hertz #1 Club Gold ®, ShortStay exchange and more.
 

How do Interval International members exchange their resort time?

Here’s how vacation exchange works: Our members trade their resort time for that relinquished by other members through a worldwide exchange system. When members place an exchange request, Interval’s proprietary system evaluates the resort week based on certain factors so that the accommodation they receive and the vacation experience are comparable to those at their home resort. Our Travel Demand Index helps our members determine when the best opportunities for travel are likely to be available.

Interval offers two different exchange methods to allow for maximum flexibility. The Deposit First exchange method allows members to deposit their week before placing an exchange request and provides a travel window of up to three years, which gives Interval the most time to find a suitable match. Or, members can use our exclusive Request First exchange method and have the security of retaining their week until a comparable match is confirmed. Flexchange also is available to members who would like to travel on short notice from 59 days up until just 24 hours prior to their desired travel date.
 

How many resorts form Interval International’s global vacation exchange network?

We have a network of over 2,500 resorts in more than 75 countries.

How many exchanges did Interval International confirm in 2008?

In 2008, we confirmed more than one million exchanges for its members.

Can you tell us about Preferred Residences, the hospitality branded membership and exchange programme for high-end shared ownership products?

Through a strategic alliance with the Preferred Hotel Group, Interval offers Preferred Residences™ for luxury fractional resorts, private residence clubs, and condominium-hotels. With Preferred Residences, developers have a unique branding opportunity to promote their upscale vacation residences within a network of exclusive accommodation, while retaining the identity of their resorts.

Preferred Residences owners enjoy a rich menu of benefits and services, designed to appeal to a sophisticated lifestyle. These currently include exchange privileges in many of the world’s most desirable destinations, preferential pricing at participating Preferred Hotel Group affiliated properties worldwide, complimentary Prestige membership in Priority Pass™ airport VIP lounge program, personal concierge services accessible 24 hours a day,7 days a week online and via phone, discounts on the Delta AirElite private jet program, and annual membership in Hertz #1 Club Gold®.
 

Is South Africa a strategic part of your global expansion?

During 2009, Interval International affiliated with Sun Swop and Zorgvliet Private Residence Club, which provided a strong platform for future growth.

Into which other areas is Interval interested in expanding?

In addition to southern Africa, we see Asia as having great potential and an area in which we will be building on an existing base of resorts.

Do South Africans tend to favour Europe, USA or Asia when booking their exchanges?

South Africans are great travellers and are likely to visit all corners of Interval’s world. Europe is certainly a popular destination, but they also travel to the USA, particularly Orlando, and as far afield as South America, Australia and China.

Where can one obtain a complimentary copy of Interval’s Future Timeshare Buyers: 2009 Market Profile?

In order to receive an e-copy, please contact Darren Ettridge, Interval’s vice president of resort sales and service for Europe, Middle East, and Africa, at Darren.Ettridge@intervalintl.com.

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