The Middle East is ripe for timeshare, according to David Clifton, Managing Director, Interval International, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia.
Clifton makes the call in advance of (next month’s) Vacation Ownership conference, VOIC 2008, and as international industry experts too continue to voice the region’s potential as the next timeshare hot spot.
He said that regional developers and investors are following suit and are gearing to add the timeshare product to their hospitality portfolio.
Interval, a leading provider of vacation services, is further readying for the regional boom by bringing in hospitality expert, Jose Ventura as its Executive Director, Resort Sales & Services for the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Ventura (photo attached) will be based in Interval’s Dubai office and will help drive Interval’s expansion strategy.
According to Clifton, in his new role, Ventura will oversee Interval's presence in the UAE and direct the day-to-day sales and service activities : “He will also assist in servicing Interval's existing affiliated resorts, facilitating sales and marketing support, as well as building Interval's developer client base in the region.
"Jose is already a great asset to Interval as we continue to grow our business in this exciting sector which is set to be one of the region’s most dynamic vacation ownership destinations.”
Ventura has extensive experience within the leisure and real estate industries. He has worked for some of the most prestigious names in hospitality including Hyatt, Ian Schrager International, Marriott, Ritz Carlton and Le Meridien.
Prior to joining Interval, Ventura was managing director for Pam Golding Vacation in Property, a division of Pam Golding Property, South Africa’s largest independent real estate companies.
VOIC 2008
Meanwhile, more than 150 industry chiefs representing the main players in the region’s burgeoning timeshare and fractional ownership sector are set to meet at the industry’s foremost networking event, Vacation Ownership Investment Conference - VOIC 2008 (Tuesday March 11 & Wednesday March 12, 2008).
VOIC 2008 is supported by Interval International, a leading provider of exchange, travel, and leisure services to resort developers and vacationers worldwide, and will be held at the Arabian Court, One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Details of VOIC can be found on www.vacationownershipinvestment.com
Event Patron: Arabian Falcon
Platinum sponsors: Dubailand, Dubai Vacation Club, Emerald Vacation Group, Preferred Residences, Swarovski
Gold sponsor: Generator, Fulbright & Jaworski LLP
Silver Sponsor: iBAHN
Lunch sponsor: Free Bird
Endorsers: GE Money, Marriott Vacation Club International, PricewaterhouseCoopers, WATG, World Travel & Tourism Council
Media sponsors: Hotels, Perspective International, Vacation Industry Review
