INTERVAL INTERNATIONAL SPONSORS
CARIBBEAN MARKETPLACE CONFERENCE IN THE BAHAMAS
Miami, FL, January 18, 2008 - Interval International, a leading provider of vacation services and an operating business of IAC (NASDAQ: IACI), was a sponsor of the Caribbean Marketplace conference that took place January 13-15 in the Bahamas. The 2008 edition of Caribbean Marketplace was organized by the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) with the support of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation and the Bahamas Hotel Association.
“Interval supports Caribbean Marketplace because it is the key sales and marketing networking event in the region. It brings together Caribbean tourism officials and hoteliers with tour operators, meeting planners, and wholesalers interested in Caribbean vacations,” said David Callaghan, vice president of resort sales and service for Interval International.
The event provides attendees an opportunity to meet face-to-face with a range of suppliers from across the region, representing hotel and all-inclusive chains, boutique inns, business, meetings, and incentive products from 36 Caribbean destinations. Attendees spend two days of pre-scheduled business appointments discussing existing contracts, developing packages, and contracting for future business.
“CHA greatly appreciates Interval’s continued dedication to our hotel association and member programs throughout the years and for specifically recognizing the importance of Caribbean Marketplace,” said Alec Sanguinetti, director general and chief executive officer of CHA. “The commitment of companies such as Interval enables CHA to provide our member hotels with enhanced programs and benefits.”
The Caribbean has proven itself to be a very popular destination for both current owners and prospective timeshare buyers of the vacation ownership product. According to the 2006 U.S. Membership Profile, a study of Interval’s United States based members, conducted by Simmons, an Experian Company, the Caribbean is the number one destination of choice cited by members when traveling internationally.
In addition, the Future Timeshare Buyers: 2007 Market Profile, a study that offers unique insights into the vacation habits, preferences, and intentions of leisure travelers who are interested in owning vacation time, ranks the Caribbean as one of the preferred international destinations for prospective timeshare buyers.
As a strategic partner of CHA and a board member of the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Education Foundation, Interval is committed to providing products and programs tailored to meet the unique needs of the region. For its roster of Caribbean resort developer clients and new entrants into the vacation ownership industry, Interval offers a range of services including program design, sales and marketing support, reservations, travel, and financial services.
CHA is dedicated to the advancement of Caribbean tourism. Its members represent the entire spectrum of the hospitality industry’s private sector, including more than 850 member hotels and allied members such as airline executives, tour operators, travel agents, trade and consumer press, hotel and restaurant suppliers, and others. CHA is headquartered in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and maintains an office in Miami, Florida. Visit CHA online at www.caribbeanhotelassociation.com.
Interval International is a leading provider of exchange, travel, and leisure services to resort developers and vacationers worldwide. Based in Miami, Florida, the company has been a pioneer and innovator in serving the vacation ownership market for more than 30 years. Today, Interval has a network of more than 2,300 resorts in over 75 countries and offers its clients and nearly 2 million member families high-quality products and programs through its 28 offices in 17 countries. Interval is part of IAC, which owns and operates more than 60 diversified brands in sectors being transformed by the Internet, online and offline. Other IAC companies include Ask.com, HSN, LendingTree, Match.com, and Ticketmaster.
