INTERVAL INTERNATIONAL SPONSORS SCHOLARSHIP FUND FOR CARIBBEAN NATIONALS THROUGH CARIBBEAN HOTEL FOUNDATION
Caribbean Hotel Association Creates the Interval International Hospitality and Tourism Scholarship Fund With $45,000 Donation
Miami, FL, January 19, 2005 -Interval International has made a three-year commitment to the Caribbean Hotel Foundation (CHF), the education arm of the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA), to sponsor a new scholarship fund for Caribbean students to pursue hospitality and tourism studies. The Interval International Hospitality and Tourism Scholarship will be endowed with $15,000 per year for a total of $45,000.
The CHF was established in 1987 as a non-profit organization to provide scholarships and special assistance to Caribbean hotel industry personnel and students pursuing hospitality industry studies. As part of its mission, the CHF provides people throughout the region information regarding the industry's varied career opportunities, as well as technical and professional development.
Over the past five years, the CHF has raised an average of $75,000 per year solely for the purpose of providing scholarships. Some 20 scholarships are awarded each year for students from the Caribbean pursuing full academic degree or short-term credential courses.
“Today, the CHF administers one of the largest scholarship programs available in the Caribbean hospitality industry,” said Gill Titcombe, foundation coordinator, who oversees the activities of the Foundation. “Funds for these scholarships and grants are generated through the generous support from private sector companies such as Interval International, in addition to the corporate sponsorship of CHA events such as the Caribbean Hotel Industry Conference Foundation Auction and Island Golf Tournaments.”
“We are very proud to be a part of such as worthwhile organization and have been privileged to see the benefits of past scholarships,” said Marcos Agostini, region director for the Caribbean and Latin America for Interval International. “Through this scholarship fund, we hope to have a positive impact on the education of the youth in the Caribbean that will, in turn, benefit the tourism industry.”
Interval's contribution is part of an overall three-year $150,000 strategic alliance package, which includes $50,000 per year to CHA programs, in addition to the $45,000 donation to the CHF.
About Interval International
Since 1976, Interval International has led the vacation ownership industry with its hallmarks of quality and innovation. Interval has a global network of more than 2,000 resorts in 75 countries, and serves its developer clients and over 1.6 million members - worldwide timeshare vacation owners - through 26 offices in 17 countries. Interval provides a variety of exchange services and year-round travel related benefits to enhance member vacation experiences. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, Interval International is an operating business of IAC, which also includes such well-known brands as Expedia, Inc., Hotels.com, and Ticketmaster.
