Rioma Cominelli explains to delegates how to use a range of tools to improve the holiday experiences for owners and guests - or as she says, indulge their senses.

1. A New Dimension in
Owner Retention

2.  Graduated at the South African School of Marketing
 Author of the Timeshare Code practice in South Africa (1987)
 Longest standing executive of VOASA (1983-2010)
 Developed 12 resorts
 Timeshare sales – 65 000 owners & 2 Points Clubs
 Rentals of 300 000 nights per annum
 Increase in occupancies from 34% - 71% in 12 months
 Achieved top Timeshare sales for 3 consecutive years.

3. Aging owner base – currently 78 years
Owners began objecting to Maint. fee
Owners began to abandon weeks
Next generation could not be enticed
Value of weeks began to plummet
Maintenance fees became less collectable
Resort income deficits began to emerge
 Resort maintenance & quality deteriorated
Onsite Resales –difficult due to poor spread
Resales – limited success –no finance.

4.  Interviewed
5000 owners
and 5000 non
owners
 Independent
Mystery Guest
Programme to
visit resorts

5. 53% - “our kids aren’t keen to take over”
79% - “we’re too old to travel and enjoy”
54% - “our circumstances have changed”
81% - “there are better choices”
68% - “tired of resort & swapping
43% - “locked in and cannot sell.”

6. “ resort is tired/outdated ”
72% “can holiday better & cheaper”
58% “there’s little do to at resorts”
84% “concept is too long term.”

7. • How would you rate the resort overall? (1 – 10)
• Was the Resort Manager welcoming?
• Were you invited to "Meet the management”?
• Were staff friendly and helpful?
• Was the Manager visible during your stay?
• Did staff make you feel very special?
• Did the staff appear to enjoy their jobs?
• Was info given on what to do at the resort?
• Were you told often of the daily events taking place?
• Is the resort awesome, everything you want?
• Is the resort engaging with loads to do?
• Is the resort memorable and exciting?
• Would you choose to return to this resort?
• Would you recommend this resort to your friends?
• Is this resort one of your top 5 holiday options?.

8. Resort 1 Resort 2 Resort 3
1 How would you rate the resort overall? (1 – 10) 6 4 6.5
Yes No Yes No Yes No
2 Was the Resort Manager welcoming
3 Were you invited to a "Meet the management”
4 Were staff members friendly and helpful?
5 Was the Manager visible during your stay?
6 Did staff make you feel very special?
7 Did the staff appear to enjoy their jobs?
8 Was regular info given on what to do?
9 Were you told of the daily events taking place?
10 Is the resort awesome, everything you want?
11 Is the resort engaging with loads of things to do?
12 Is the resort memorable and exciting?
13 Would you choose to return to this resort?
14 Would you recommend this resort to friends?
15 Is this resort one of your top 5 holiday options?

9. All inclusive packages
• More Flexible
• Not locked in
• More things to do
•More affordable
Caravans and camping Cruising
Hotels and B&B’s

12. Large developers now all faced similar realities:
Too few weeks spread across several resorts
Too much to lose (i.e. maintenance fees)
Millions still to collect from purchasers
Very difficult to sell poor spread of weeks
Even more difficult to sell on site.

13. Developers repackaged abandoned weeks:
 Into Clubs and points systems
 Added “bells and whistles”
 Added easy finance
 Absorbed unsold inventory
 Worked with home owners.
• SALES EXPLODED AND NEW MARKETS OPENED UP
• Dream Vacation
• Holiday Club
• Star Club
• Club Trafalgar
• Flexi Club
• Premier Club
• Golf Club

14.  Massive surge in new sales on and off site
 Abandoned weeks - absorbed by various clubs
 Resorts were upgraded and improved
 Demand for resorts increased
 Rentals improved
 Product became more attractive
 Record sales
 Younger blood interested
 Maintenance fee collection improved
 54% of South African stock owned by Clubs
 Exit /Resale Strategy – Improved.

15.  Clubs won’t pay maintenance fees
 Clubs will take over resort
 Maintenance fees have to be paid for Clubs to survive
 Clubs support enhancements, to improve fulfillment
 Clubs drive rentals and mini vacations
 Resorts can protect democracy
 Abandoned weeks are readily absorbed.

16. TRUTHS
The way the guest “feels” is key to his opinion
 A well run Timeshare resort is no longer adequate
The more ”senses” engaged the better the rating
 Guests expectations are ever increasing
 Guest wants to have loads to do onsite.

17. • Daily room service
• Guest amenities (shampoo etc)
• Hot and cold towels
• Welcome and farewell parties
• In room hot beverages
• Food deliveries to apartment
• Hairdryers
• Service questionnaires
• List of “things to do.”

20.  Focus on Engagement
 Add new affordable experiences
 Add Revenue generating activities
 Create resort brands individually.

21.  Staff Profiling Systems
 Sustainable programmes
 Uniformed Professionals
 Empowering with recognition
 Cultivating innovation
Cross training/multi skilled.

22. Kids under 9
Pre teens under 13
Under 20s
Couples
Families
Chilled

23.  Morning, afternoon and evening
 Karaoke
 Puzzle building
 Picnics
 Craft markets
 Quiz shows / check your mate
 Bingo
 Staff shows & live performances
 Horse Riding/Paintball
 Seasonal Events (Easter/Valentines /
Christmas/ Halloween, etc)

29.  Midnight Feasts
 Wine Tasting
 Murder Mystery Evenings

32. Retail Outlets
Rental of premises
Conferencing
Hiring of Equipment.

38.  Energy saver bulbs
 Water wise shower heads
 Recycle Bins
 Natural water storage tanks
 Daylight sensors
 Geyser time control
 Geysers – reduce
temperatures
 Worm Farms
 Returnable bottles
Saving notices
 Salt water chlorinators
 Pool pump timers
Incentivsed saving
programmes

39.  Develop Resort Brands
 Websites
 Facebook and twitter
 SEO
 Mobile/ Email rental programmes
 Transacting online
 Customised software