Resort Articles Continued
RCI® signs on Thunderbird Resorts Poro point as its first points-based affiliated resort in the Philippines
Friday, 11 July 2008
RCI, the world leader in timeshare exchange and one of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies, has announced the launch of its first points-based affiliated resort in the Philippines. RCI entered into an agreement to sign on Thunderbird Resorts Poro Point – the company’s 18th affiliated resort in the Philippines, which will be part of the RCI® global network of over 4,000 affiliated resorts in nearly 100 countries.
This new vacation ownership offering is a 20-year points-based Thunderbird Resorts Poro Point Vacation Ownership membership. Under the corporate arrangement between Thunderbird Resorts and RCI, members of Thunderbird Resorts Poro Point Vacation Ownership will be issued Thunderbird Resorts Vacation Points that can be converted to RCI Points. The RCI Points program will allow Thunderbird Resorts Poro Point Vacation Ownership members access to the RCI exchange network which consists of over 4,000 RCI affiliated resorts around the world. Thunderbird Resorts Poro Points Vacation Ownership members also will be provided with a personalized reservation service via a designated toll-free line and email, which is provided by RCI as part of its back-office support.
Situated on a peninsula across 650,000 square meters in Poro Point, San Fernando City, Thunderbird Resorts Poro Point is a Mediterranean-style hotel with suites overlooking the breathtaking South China Sea. In addition, it also offers an exciting combination of a casino, a convention center and commercial center along with a nine-hole par 36 golf course, as well as access to a private beach. It offers 10 vacation ownership units furnished with modern amenities including a walk-in closet, spacious bathroom, cable flat screen television, surround sound speakers, iPod docking stations, hi-speed wireless internet, and mini-kitchenette facilities.
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In addition, Thunderbird Resorts Poro Point Vacation Ownership members can also indulge in membership benefits at the newly-opened luxury five-star Thunderbird Resorts Poro Point of VIP check-in at the resort and complimentary use of the golf course. Members will also be given the opportunity to enjoy special rates at all Thunderbird resorts worldwide, and the exclusive "Thunderbird Vacation Club" discount privileges at selected restaurants and bars.
“We are delighted to work with Thunderbird Resorts to offer our members an innovative vacation exchange option in the Philippines,” said Winnie Ding, chief financial officer of Group RCI, Asia Pacific. “The addition of a third Points-based resort to the Asia network is in line with our plan to offer our members added ease and flexibility to transact and exchange through RCI Points. Vacation owners of Thunderbird Resorts Poro Point can exchange their Thunderbird Resorts Vacation Points for RCI Points and enjoy a wide array of holiday options including resort and villa accommodations or cruises. This is our 18th affiliated resort in the Philippines and it’s a further testament of our commitment to one of Asia’s fastest growing destinations.”
The collaboration with Thunderbird Resorts Poro Point comes at a time when RCI is focused on expansion in the Philippines. According to the Department of Tourism, the Philippines showed a CAGR of 7 percent in tourist arrivals over the period of 2000-2006. Based on World Travel & Tourism Council’s 2007-2016 Annualized Real Growth in Visitor Exports (international visitors’ spending) Report, the Philippines is predicted to be one of the fastest growing destinations at 5.7 percent.
“Choosing RCI was an easy decision as it is the world leader in timeshare and vacation exchange. They have the expertise and an end-to-end suite of services to help us establish our vacation ownership offering and provide a differentiated proposition to potential buyers. At the same time, the RCI brand is a well respected vacation exchange brand that has more than 30 years of history and a strong global presence. Being part of the RCI affiliated resort network means that we can reach out to almost 4 million members, and this will certainly benefit our resort,” said Peter Lesar, president, Thunderbird Resorts, The Philippines.
Thunderbird Resorts is one of the fastest growing businesses in Latin America, offering customers dynamic, themed and integrated resort venues anchored by casinos. It has two operations in the Philippines which will serve as a platform to the entire Southeast Asian market.
LAS VEGAS, July 3, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ ----David A. Siegel, president and CEO of Westgate Resorts, Robert Earl, co-chairman of the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, Mike Mecca, president and CEO of Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, Sylvester Stallone, Governor Jim Gibbons, civic leaders, government officials, employees and friends of Westgate Resorts all joined to celebrate the topping-off of PH Towers by Westgate -- the tallest timeshare building in history and first vacation ownership resort fully integrated with a major resort & casino complex, Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080703/LATH019)
The patriotic-themed topping-off -- which is the safe and successful attainment of the highest point of vertical construction -- event included raising a 50-foot American flag to the top of the building and featured entertainment by American country singer and songwriter Lee Greenwood, best known for his hit God Bless the USA.
PH Towers by Westgate is a soaring glass tower which stands 52-stories high and encompasses 1.9 million square-feet. When the project is fully completed, the PH Towers by Westgate will total 3.2 million square-feet and over 1200 units. The top five floors of the tower will consist of 32 luxury penthouse units ranging in size from 4,000-12,000 square-feet. The remainder of the building will be comprised of one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom luxury timeshare units that rival the best suites on The Strip in both features and decor. Units will have custom designed interior furnishings that include a state-of-the-art home theater, high-definition flat-panel televisions, relaxing whirlpool tubs, and uncompromised views of the Las Vegas skyline. One of the many unique features of PH Towers by Westgate will be a sleek and upscale lobby that overlooks an exotic tropical pool, complete with a sandy beach and private cabanas. The project will also include its own restaurant, casino, retail shops and convention center. Phase I Construction of PH Towers by Westgate commenced in January 2006 and set for completion in summer of 2009.
"I am especially proud that our development is located at the most significant location on the Las Vegas Strip," said Siegel. "We are the world's first vacation ownership resort directly connected to a major resort, casino and retail mall complex, and surrounded by the most prestigious properties in Las Vegas. We believe PH Towers by Westgate will provide our 400,000 timeshare owners with vacation experiences unavailable anywhere else in the world."
SOURCE Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino