INTERVAL INTERNATIONAL PRESENTS CARIBBEAN HOTEL FOUNDATION WITH $15‚000 DONATION
MIAMI‚ FL‚ May 10‚ 2005 — Interval International and resorts affiliated with its exchange network presented Berthia Parle‚ president of the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA)‚ with a $15‚000 donation to the Caribbean Hotel Foundation (CHF)‚ the education arm of the CHA‚ during the 9 th Annual Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Investment Conference in Barbados.
The donation is part of a multi-year commitment that Interval made to the CHF earlier this year 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.
The CHF was established in 1987 as a non-profit organization to provide scholarships and special assistance to Caribbean hotel industry personnel and students. Over the past five years‚ the organization has raised an average of $75‚000 per year and awarded approximately 20 scholarships per year.
“The Caribbean represents the number one international travel destination for Interval International members and includes some of the world’s finest timeshare resorts‚” said David Callaghan‚ vice president of resort sales and service for Interval International. “We are very proud to partner with the CHF in supporting its important goals relative to the education of the tourism industry’s future leaders.”
“Interval International and its affiliates play a significant role in helping us provide educational opportunities for scholarship recipients in our region‚” said Parle. “We really appreciate their commitment to this important initiative. The ongoing relationship between Interval International and the Caribbean region continues to be a positive and beneficial one.”
The Caribbean resorts that made a contribution to the scholarship fund include: Aquarius Vacation Club at Embassy Suites Hotel ® Dorado del Mar Beach & Golf Resort (Puerto Rico); Casa del Mar Beach Resort (Aruba); Hyatt Hacienda del Mar (Puerto Rico); Island Seas Resort (Bahamas); La Cabana Villas (Aruba); Oyster Bay Beach Resort (St. Maarten); Pelican Resort Club (St. Maarten); Royal Palm Club (Aruba); ESJ Towers (Puerto Rico); and The Village at the St. James’s Club (Antigua).
“We are very grateful to our Caribbean affiliates who contributed to the CHF‚” noted Callaghan . “The contribution announced today would not be possible without their support.”
The Caribbean has proven itself to be a very popular destination among current owners of the vacation ownership product. According to Interval International’s 2003 U.S. Membership Profile‚ a study of the key demographics‚ psychographics and social preferences of United States resident members‚ conducted by Simmons, an Experian Company Bureau‚ Inc.‚ the Caribbean was ranked as the number one destination of choice by members when traveling internationally.
As a Strategic Partner of the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) and a Board Member of the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Education Foundation‚ Interval has been a long-time supporter of the tourism industry in the Caribbean. Interval is committed to understanding the unique needs of the Caribbean region and providing products and programs tailored to this market.
Since 1976‚ Interval International has led the vacation ownership industry with its hallmarks of quality and innovation. Interval has a global network of over 2‚000 resorts in 76 countries‚ and serves its developer clients and more than 1.7 million members - worldwide timeshare vacation owners - through 27 offices in 18 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 part of IAC‚ which operates leading and diversified businesses in sectors being transformed by the Internet‚ online and offline. Other IAC companies include Ticketmaster‚ HSN‚ Lending Tree‚ Citysearch‚ and Entertainment Publications.
