AQUARIUS VACATION CLUB AT EMBASSY SUITES HOTEL® DORADO DEL MAR BEACH & GOLF RESORT HONORED FOR SUPPORTING CHA & CTO EDUCATION FOUNDATIONS
Miami, FL, May 10, 2006 — Interval International recently honored Aquarius Vacation ClubTM at Embassy Suites Hotel®-Dorado del Mar Beach & Golf Resort in Puerto Rico, for its support of educational scholarships in the Caribbean. In recognition of its generous donations to the Caribbean Hotel Foundation (CHF), the education arm of the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA), and the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Education Foundation, Interval recently presented resort representatives with a commemorative plaque in Puerto Rico.
Interval and its affiliated resorts are long-term supporters of CHA and CTO efforts to provide scholarship opportunities for Caribbean nationals pursuing studies in the tourism and hospitality industries and to date have donated $120,000.
"We give our sincere thanks to our resort affiliates who contribute to this worthy endeavor because their participation and ongoing commitment allows these scholarship funds to continue to flourish," said Dmitri Pekhterev, region manager for the Caribbean, resort sales and service, for Interval International. "Through these scholarship funds, we hope to have a positive impact on the education of the youth in the Caribbean who will, in turn, benefit the tourism industry."
"We are very pleased to support the CHA and CTO efforts to educate Caribbean students in the hospitality and tourism professions since these areas are so vital to the region's economy," commented Cleofé Rubí, president of Mora Development Corporation. "Providing more students with an opportunity to build thriving careers in Caribbean hospitality and tourism will ensure regional growth and development for many years to come."
The Caribbean Hotel Foundation (CHF), the education arm of the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA), 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. Over the past six years, the CHF has raised an average of $80,000 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.
The CTO Education Foundation was established in 1997 as part of CTO's effort to demonstrate its commitment to the development of highly skilled tourism personnel in the region. Since its inception, the CTO Foundation has provided 90 scholarships and study grants to deserving Caribbean nationals amounting to more than $500,000.
This beachfront property, with a championship Chi Chi Rodriguez signature 18-hole (PAR 72) golf course with beautiful ocean and mountain views, is located in the exclusive Dorado area of Puerto Rico. The Dorado del Mar Beach & Golf Resort consists of 265 units with 46 timeshare units, 55 condo hotel units, and 174 hotel suites. Resort amenities are comprised of a business center, souvenir shop, The Paradise Café restaurant, The Calypso Lounge, The Lagoon Pool & Grill, lagoon swimming pool overlooking the beach, sun terrace, whirlpool, spa, sauna and fully-equipped fitness center, game room, Kids Club, clubhouse, two tennis courts, deep-sea fishing, bicycle rentals and other 18-hole golf courses.
Interval International, a leading vacation ownership exchange company, is celebrating 30 years of quality and innovation. Interval has a global network of more than 2,000 affiliated resorts in over 75 countries, and serves its developer clients and in excess of 1.8 million member families through 28 offices in 19 countries. The company provides a variety of services and year-round travel-related benefits to enhance members' vacation experiences. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, Interval International is part of IAC/InterActiveCorp, which operates leading and diversified businesses in sectors being transformed by the Internet, online and offline. Other IAC companies include Ask.com, Citysearch, Entertainment Publications, HSN, LendingTree, and Ticketmaster.
