Press Release
December 8, 2000
PHILIPSBURG, ST. MAARTEN -- Carlson Vacation Ownership, expanding Carlson Hospitality Worldwide's hotel brands
in the vacation ownership industry, and American Resorts International (ARI) yesterday announced an agreement to
flag the luxurious Oyster Bay Beach Resort on St. Maarten as a Radisson Vacation Villas property. The development
is Carlson Vacation Ownership's first vacation ownership property in the Caribbean and will be named the Radisson
Vacation Villas St. Maarten at Oyster Bay, effective January 2001.
Joining in the announcement of the new Radisson Vacation Villas St.Maarten at Oyster Bay were Amy Isom, senior vice president of Carlson Vacation Ownership; and Thomas L. Lupina, president of American Resorts International, owner and operator of the Oyster Bay Beach Resort.
"Oyster Bay is the perfect addition to our growing portfolio of Carlson Vacation Ownership properties," said Isom. "The property's upscale accommodations, ideal secluded location on the popular island of St.Maarten and the management's proven ability to successfully manage a timeshare property offers Carlson and ARI a win-win.
"It will give the resort a strong brand affiliation and provide vacation ownership customers with a taste
of Radisson's famed 'Yes I Can' service culture and Genuine Hospitality."
"We are thrilled to be part of the Carlson family," said Lupina. "As a Radisson property, we look
forward to greater name recognition, this allowing us to reach a wider audience."
Added Jan Borsje, the resort's manager, "This is an exciting time for our team. We expect our new relationship with Radisson and Carlson to open up our property and the island of St. Maarten to the large number of vacationers already familiar with the Radisson brand name and the strength and the depth of experience of their parent company, Carlson Companies, Inc., in hospitality, travel and marketing."
Radisson Vacation Villas St. Maarten at Oyster Bay is now halfway through a major enhancement project due to be completed in August 2001, including a total refurbishment of the resort's interior public spaces. The project includes the development of 84 new suites configured as studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units; remodeling of the 32 existing superior and deluxe rooms and junior suites; a new pool which overlooks the ocean and an expanded bar terrace and dining terrace. A second sports bar-themed restaurant and retail shops are also being added.
While these enhancements certainly add to the vacation experience of any traveler, they are specifically targeted towards the needs of vacation owners who expect spacious, suite-style accommodations and a wider range of on-property facilities.
The property is fully operational and offers a variety of vacation ownership packages and traditional resort packages. Radisson Vacation Villas St. Maarten is the first purpose-built vacation ownership property to open for Carlson Vacation Ownership.
"Vacation ownership is a lifestyle enhancing solution for those who are looking for freedom and flexibility to ensure travel today and for the years to come," said Isom. "Consumers have shown a growing interest in vacation ownership, especially when affiliated with a known and proven global lodging brand."
Radisson Vacation Villas St. Maarten at Oyster Bay remains an affiliate of Interval International, The Quality Vacation Exchange Company, thus allowing owners to exchange their vacation interests through Interval International's network of approximately 1,800 affiliated resorts around the globe. The property has earned the Interval International Five Star Award, recognizing resorts that provide exceptional vacation experiences.
An ideal vacation getaway, the resort sits nestled among the lush green palms on an eight-acre peninsula, which was once the site of an old Dutch fortress in the 17th century. The property's architecture features Moorish arches and natural stone towers with balconies. St. Maarten offers one of the most private and secluded island hideaways in the West Indies -- where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea. Prices at the Radisson Vacation Villas St. Maarten at Oyster Bay range from US$14,900 - US$18,900 per week.
The Radisson Vacation Villas St. Maarten at Oyster Bay has offsite sales offices in Chicago, Atlanta and Philadelphia - the first time Carlson Vacation Ownership has done this.
For more information about vacation ownership opportunities at Radisson Vacation Villas St. Maarten at Oyster Bay, contact Eric Smith or Chris Hurley at 800-231-8331.
Carlson Vacation Ownership was developed by Carlson Hospitality Worldwide as an extension of its hospitality
business into the readily growing vacation ownership business. Carlson Vacation Ownership's overall growth strategy
focuses on the licensing of vacation ownership properties in leading resort destinations under Carlson Hospitality
Worldwide's global hotel brands. Carlson Hospitality Worldwide is the first global company to offer multi-brand,
multi-tier franchising in the vacation ownership industry. Carlson Hospitality Worldwide is a division of the $31.4
billion Carlson Companies, Inc. whose affiliate operations include Carlson Leisure Group and Carlson Wagonlit Travel,
with travel agency locations in 141 countries, and Carlson Marketing Group, the largest relationship marketing
services company in the United States.
The Interval International Five Star Award is known as one of the most prestigious awards in the vacation ownership
industry, recognizing resorts that provide exceptional experiences. To qualify for the Interval International
Five Star designation, resorts must first be evaluated according to Interval's Quality Rating System - an objective,
quantitative assessment of the resort's location, vacation area, facilities. Accommodations and guest services.
After qualification, the resort must maintain high levels of exchange guest satisfaction monitored by a Customer
Satisfaction Index (CSI) and periodic on-site inspections by Interval personnel.
--------------------------
Joan Cronson, 763/212-1418 or jcronson@carlson.com
Resort: Tara S. Hutchinson/Richard S. Kahn
of Kahn Travel Communications, 516/594-4100