INTERVAL INTERNATIONAL AND WELK RESORTS
EXTEND AND ENHANCE LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIP
Miami, Florida, January 9, 2012 - Interval International, a prominent worldwide provider of vacation services and an operating business of Interval Leisure Group (Nasdaq: IILG), and Welk Resorts, a well-established leader in the vacation ownership industry, today announced the renewal of their master affiliation agreement. The multi-year contract extends the relationship established in 2004 and comprises six existing properties in four sought-after markets, as well as future development.
“Our commitment to excellence is seen in everything we do at our resorts, beginning with the design and amenities to delivering the best service to our owners,” said Jon Fredricks, president of Welk Resort Group. “Renewing our partnership with Interval ensures that we will also be able to continue providing industry-leading programs and benefits to members, including the opportunity to exchange their vacations through Interval’s renowned resort network to some of the most highly demanded destinations around the world.”
“We’ve greatly enjoyed working with Jon and the Welk team, who are among the most respected professionals in the shared ownership industry,” added Craig M. Nash, chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Interval Leisure Group. “We’re very proud to enhance our relationship and offer our members many more years of exceptional experiences at the outstanding Welk locations.”
The resort portfolio includes Welk Resort San Diego, where it all began in 1964 with legendary bandleader Lawrence Welk’s purchase of hundreds of undeveloped acres in Southern California. Today’s high-quality vacation community spans 450 acres and contains three projects: Welk Resort Villas, Villas On The Greens, and Mountain Villas. Designed in a low density, suburban style, the flagship resort offers one- and two-bedroom units with high-end features and finishes, each with golf course or mountain views. Owners appreciate an array of on-site amenities: rounds of golf on two 18-hole courses, both listed on Golf Digest magazine’s list of “Best Places to Play”; five recreation centers with pools, water slides, and splash pads; tennis courts; and a restaurant, market, and deli. True to Welk’s entertainment heritage, visitors can also take in live Broadway-style shows at the 300-plus seat theater.
Welk Resorts Desert Oasis is situated just north in Cathedral City, adjacent to Palm Springs. The luxurious one-bedroom villas are well-appointed, with garden or poolside views. Guests can choose from a range of top-of-the-line amenities, such as swimming pools and a fitness facility, as well as the championship Cathedral Canyon Golf and Tennis Club.
The rustic-style Lodges at Timber Ridge is nestled in the picturesque countryside in Branson, Missouri, also known as the “Live Music Show Capital of the World.” Its two-bedroom lock-off units are constructed of rough-hewn timber and decorated with an Ozark Mountain theme. This family friendly destination has an on-site entertainment complex with retail stores, a 2,200-seat live performance theater, along with a restaurant, and the “Splash-a-Torium” recreation center with indoor/outdoor pool, indoor waterslide, and play area.
The latest addition to the Welk family of resorts is its first outside the United States: Welk Resorts Cabo – Sirena del Mar in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Set on a 65-foot bluff on the tip of the Baja California peninsula, the property was built in tiers so that each elegant unit has panoramic views of the Sea of Cortez. On-site amenities include two pools, a swim-to bar and cascading decks with wall water features, fitness center, restaurant, and access to a private beach cove.
Welk Resorts will continue to enroll new vacation owners as Interval Gold® members of Interval International. Members have the opportunity to exchange their accommodations for those at other resorts in Interval’s worldwide network, as well as the ability to relinquish their resort weeks toward the purchase of cruise, golf, and spa vacations. They also enjoy an extensive menu of Gold benefits, including discounts on resort Getaways, ShortStay ExchangeSM, a personal concierge service available 24/7 via phone and e-mail, complimentary Hertz #1 Gold® membership, and special offers at hotels, restaurants, and retail outlets worldwide.
About Welk Resorts
Founded in 1955 by Lawrence Welk, the late entertainment icon, Welk Resorts is one of the most respected independent brands in the vacation ownership industry today. Welk remains a privately held, family-owned company led by President Jon Fredricks, who is the grandson of Lawrence Welk.
Fredricks has established the Welk Resort group of properties as top vacation destinations. With more than 20 years of experience in hospitality, real estate, and finance, he has helped the company realize unprecedented growth by fostering profitable expansion projects and internal
corporate growth. The company has developed and/or operated more than 1,100 luxury vacation units, villas, and hotel rooms in San Diego; Maui, Hawaii; the Palm Desert area; Branson, Missouri; and Cabo San Lucas. The corporate offices are located in San Marcos, California.
The mission of the company, “Our family creates vacation memories to cherish for a lifetime,” is reflective of the strong company values that promote both tradition and family. For more information, please visit www.welkresort.com. Welk Resorts can also be found on Facebook and Twitter (@welkresorts).
About Interval International
Interval International operates membership programs for vacationers and provides value-added services to its developer clients worldwide. Based in Miami, Florida, the company has been a pioneer and innovator in serving the vacation ownership market for 35 years. Today, Interval has an exchange network of approximately 2,600 resorts in over 75 nations. Through offices in 15 countries, Interval offers high-quality products and benefits to resort clients and approximately 2 million families who are enrolled in various membership programs. Interval is an operating business of Interval Leisure Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: IILG), a leading global provider of membership and leisure services to the vacation industry.
