INTERVAL TRAVEL INDUCTED INTO CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES´ "WINNER'S CIRCLE" FOR THE FIFTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR
Miami, FL, April 2, 2004 – Interval International, a leading global vacation exchange company, today announced that Interval Travel has been inducted for the fifth consecutive year into Carnival Cruise Lines´ "Winner's Circle." This honor is awarded to travel agencies that exhibit excellence in promoting and selling the "Fun Ship" cruise experience and demonstrate exceptional professionalism and outstanding support of the Carnival product.
"We understand the critical role that our agency partners play in our ability to bring Carnival products to leisure travelers," said Bob Dickinson, president of Carnival Cruise Lines. "Our 'Winner's Circle' program was established to recognize high volume agencies, such as Interval Travel, that have displayed significant success in their field and exhibit the highest levels of professionalism."
"We place tremendous value on providing superior customer service to our member families, so we are very pleased to receive this honor recognizing our cruise advisors´ exceptional performance," commented Jeanette Marbert, chief operating officer of Interval International. "Our members enjoy cruising and Carnival offers an exciting menu of options that expand the vacation experiences we provide to them."
Research has shown that Interval's U.S. members are more than three times as likely than the typical U.S. adult to have taken a cruise vacation in the past three years. In addition, research indicates that six out of every 10 Interval U.S. members intend to take a cruise vacation in the future.
The Interval Travel Cruise Desk has operated since 1997 in response to the increasing interest in cruising and services the needs of the company's North American consumer member families. In 1999, Interval introduced its cruise exchange option, which allows members of Interval's upgraded benefits program, Interval Gold, to trade their timeshare week towards a discount on a cruise vacation.
To celebrate their induction into this elite group, the staff of Interval Travel was presented with a commemorative plaque featuring a three-dimensional version of a Carnival "Conquest Class" vessel. This award is on display at the company's Miami-based global headquarters.
Carnival Cruise Lines is a member of the exclusive World's Leading Cruise Lines alliance, which also includes Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Seabourn Cruise Line, Costa Cruises and Winstar Cruises. Together, these members share a commitment to quality and value, offering cruise vacations that appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets and sail to some of the world's most exciting destinations. Carnival is the leader in the contemporary market of the cruise industry.
Since 1976, Interval International has led the vacation ownership industry with innovative products and the highest levels of quality, service and value complemented by a global network of 2,000 resorts in 75 countries. With its headquarters located in Miami , Florida , Interval employs nearly 1,700 people worldwide and serves its developer clients and more than 1.5 million member families through 26 offices in 17 countries. Interval provides its members – timeshare owners from around the world – with a variety of exchange services and year-round travel related benefits to enhance their vacation experiences. Interval International is an operating business of IAC.
The Interval Travel Cruise Desk is a Cruise Lines International Association Booking Agency or "CLIA" certified.
