FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Michelle Wade
August 5, 2002 mwade@icegallery.com
(602) 749-2119
Press Release: ICE Gallery
August 6, 2002
PHOENIX, AZ -- The International Cruise & Excursion (ICE) Gallery, the largest provider of cruise exchange
programs in the Vacation Ownership industry, announced a 58 percent increase in income for the first six months
of 2002-confirming that consumers are continuing to cruise despite dismal reports of some sectors in the travel
industry.
ICE Gallery, a cruise exchange company within the vacation ownership industry that allows owners to trade their
resort weeks toward all-inclusive cruise vacations, has shown record growth in its five-year history, expanding
revenues exponentially as its reputation builds as an innovator in the vacation ownership industry. With more than
3 million U.S. households marked as timeshare owners according to the American Resort Development Association,
ICE Gallery provides owners an additional vacation option with their vacation ownership purchase.
Strong sales and increased membership renewals are key elements in ICE Gallery's increased profits. An extremely
strong "Wave Season"-the period of January through March when cruise passengers typically book their
cruise vacations-lead ICE Gallery into a strong second quarter which produced half-year sales of more than $12
million, a 68 percent increase over the same period in 2001.
According to John Rowley, President and CEO, ICE Gallery's success can be attributed to an increase in cruise commissions
and a 100 percent increase in bookings over 2001's January to June revenues. In addition, as a nod to the company's
incredible record of service and selection, membership renewals and upgrades have increased by more than 72 percent
as well-a revenue center built by customer loyalty and high satisfaction ratings.
"Cruising delivers the highest satisfaction rating of any leisure vacation opportunity," says Rowley.
"As the largest provider of cruise vacations in the vacation ownership industry, our program features all
cruise lines, all cruise ships, itineraries and sailing dates. We guarantee the lowest rates available to vacation
owners and provide expert information and superior service and values. Everything is provided as part of our complete
ICE Gallery membership, which is just one of the many reasons for our mid-year results 2002."
In discussing ICE Gallery's future, Rowley points to its continued role as an innovator in the vacation ownership
industry. This year, the company has launched another program specifically for timeshare owners-the Seven Seas
Seven Continents program. This collection of experiential vacations allows owners to trade their vacation weeks
toward such vacation packages as African safaris, European biking, hiking and cooking tours, even Around the World
cruises.
"ICE Gallery is now offering the world to vacation owners, and our members are responding positively to the
new Seven Seas Seven Continents program," says Rowley. "We know that ICE Gallery is one of the major
benefits to timeshare ownership-owners are recognizing that as well."
The Phoenix-based International Cruise & Excursion (ICE) Gallery is the largest provider of Cruise Exchange
Programs in the Vacation Ownership industry. ICE Gallery currently has more than 600 affiliated resorts, which
represent more than one million Vacation Owners worldwide. ICE Gallery provides cruise programs and marketing services
to vacation ownership resorts through offices in the United States, Mexico, South Africa, United Kingdom, Austria,
Malaysia and Australia and is the recipient of the 2000 ACE Innovator Award (ARDA Circle of Excellence Award) for
its innovative Cruise programs.
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Hollie Costello
Corporate Communications Manager
ICE Gallery
13450 N. Black Canyon Hwy., Ste. 280
Phoenix, AZ 85029
Tel: 602.749.2192
Fax: 602.216.2777