Fractional Ownership News

Zorgvliet Private Residence Club affiliates with US-based Interval International

Date: 28/09/2009
Article source: www.fractionalownership.co.za

Zorgvliet Private Residence Club has announced its affiliation with US-based Interval International, which has a network of over 2400 resorts in more than 75 countries. Interval is an operating segment of Interval Leisure Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: IILG), a leading global provider of membership and leisure services to the vacation industry. Says Zorgvliet Private Residence Club CEO Mac van der Merwe: “Through its agreement with Interval International, the Zorgvliet Group of companies is offering members of the Zorgvliet Private Residence Club exciting South African and international exchange opportunities.

Our association with this top-flight international company means that members of Zorgvliet Private Residence Club can now enjoy exchange opportunities at the 2400 Interval resorts. Interval is a global leader in the field of vacation services, and we are delighted to be enhancing our product offering by partnering with them.”

This agreement continues the growing trend for leading global vacation ownership and exchange brands to look at expanding their presence in South Africa, which in turn is setting the scene for the local fractional ownership industry to take off globally.

Zorgvliet’s agreement with Interval was announced by Dave Clifton, MD of Interval International Africa, Europe and Middle East, at the Vacation Ownership Association of Southern Africa (VOASA) conference held in Johannesburg between 24 and 26 May.

“We are very pleased and are looking forward to a productive association covering not only exciting exchange opportunities but also local and international marketing channels for all our products,” he said. 

Added Darren Ettridge, Vice President of resort sales for Interval International: "We are very proud to welcome Zorgvliet to our network of worldwide resorts. These are all outstanding, upscale properties in very desirable locations - and this will be a key affiliation in the region for our company. The five Zorgvliet properties offer a wide range of leisure amenities and unique experiences and can be said to represent the best holiday experiences that South Africa has to offer. This great-quality affiliation continues our planned expansion in Southern Africa.”

Zorgvliet Private Residence Club is the only such club in South Africa offering vacation ownership options backed by five-star hospitality services supported by attractive club benefits at multiple destinations. It includes the following five resorts: Ka’Ingo Private Reserve and Spa - a luxury African bush experience developed as a prime private Big Five reserve in the malaria-free bushveld on the Mokolo River in the Waterberg.

Ka’Ingo has three safari camps, one offering self-catering, one fully integrated hospitality and one six-room private lodge; the Riviera on Vaal Hotel and Country Club, an exceptional inland resort on the banks of the Vaal River outside Johannesburg with high-class lifestyle, leisure and sporting facilities, including spa treatments, two restaurants, river cruises, a golf course and a floating restaurant; Zorgvliet Vineyard Lodge and Spa and Alluvia Specialist Winery and Guesthouse, both situated in the beautiful Banhoek Valley outside Stellenbosch (Zorgvliet is an award-winning working wine farm boasting vineyard holidays and wine experiences); and the Protea King George Hotel on the famed Garden Route, overlooking the Outeniqua Mountains and situated on the George golf course.

Says Van der Merwe: “It was obvious at the recent South African Indaba tourism exhibition in Durban that South Africa is on the global radar screen, international interest is on the increase, and the value proposition is attracting tourism and investment alike. Private residence clubs focus on aspirational lifestyle benefits and flexible offerings. More and more people are investing in shared ownership vacation options, benefitting from the offers from the foremost residence clubs.

The global village is now available at a fraction of the price to the discerning holiday-maker - from wine estate living to game safaris and pristine international resorts.”

The Zorgvliet Group has recently been featured by media in the UK and Ireland as offering some of the best leisure destinations and investment opportunities South Africa has to offer.  Adds Van der Merwe: “Our affiliation with the Interval – well known in the US, UK and elsewhere - will ensure that going forward we will be able to offer our owners true world-class service excellence as well as a wide variety of choice on a global scale.

“With not that many really top-end five-star destinations available in South Africa yet, the value in the destinations offered by the Zorgvliet Private Residence Club is recognised globally as very high. Everyone wants to come to South Africa! For a relatively modest outlay in South Africa you now have access to incredible facilities at global resorts.”

Interval also recently awarded Southern Sun’s holiday exchange business.

For booking and enquiries contact Hettie de Lange 082 268 4559 or summercourt@mweb.co.za; see also www.zorgvlietfractions.com