Hotel Giants to join Debates at Vacation Ownership Investment Conference in Dubai

International hotel giants are set to highlight the added value that timeshare and fractional ownership brings to their core business at this year's Vacation Ownership Investment Conference (VOIC), to be held in Dubai between March 11-12, 2008.

Industry leaders from Starwood, Hyatt and Marriott will all be taking centre stage at the upcoming conference to share their views of the vacation ownership market and to explain how this lodging option can positively impact profits.

Mr. David Clifton, Interval International's managing director for Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA) and Asia, said, "This is a fantastic opportunity to listen to some of the most influential players in the vacation ownership sector.

"Anyone considering entering the vacation ownership industry, be they branded hotel operators or independent developers, can learn from these international experts, along with highly successful regional independents."

John Burlingame, executive vice president of Hyatt Vacation Ownership Inc, is scheduled to deliver a keynote address on 'Vacation Ownership - Hyatt's Other Hospitality Product'.

Meanwhile, president and managing director of operations at Starwood Vacation Ownership (SVO), Matthew Avril will be speaking on 'Starwood's Secret Success - The Importance of Vacation Ownership to the Global Brand'. In addition, a senior executive from Marriott Vacation Club International (MVCI) will present 'The Marriott Perspective'.

SVO has more than 25 timeshare resorts either open or under development, and in 2007 achieved revenues of US$1 billion from its SVO operations.

"Although Starwood is predominantly a hotel company, vacation ownership is a natural extension of the core business and provides an opportunity to create even greater loyalty amongst consumers," said Avril.

According to Clifton, vacation ownership is fast starting to emerge in the Middle East, with Dubai already boasting its first resort. He said that many more projects are in the pipeline.

"The region's vacation ownership sector is in its infancy but has already seen outstanding success in developments such as Royal Club at Dubai's Palm Jumeirah.

"There are numerous other innovative projects on the drawing board, including Aqua Dunya and Emerald Vacation Club, and I believe vacation ownership is set to skyrocket in popularity in the Middle East in 2008 and beyond," he said.

VOIC 2008 is supported by Interval International, a leading provider of exchange, travel, and leisure services to resort developers and vacationers worldwide, and will be held at the Arabian Court, One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, March 11-12, 2008.

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