Tim Barker
of the Orlando Sentinel Staff
Posted January 15, 2001
Early today, more than 120 time-share salespeople are slated to be transferred from their old jobs at Sheraton's
Vistana Resort to begin the business of selling the newest member of the Starwood Vacation Ownership family.
Seventy or so members of the sales staff will remain behind to continue the work started when the flagship resort
-- which is expected to sell out in a year -- opened in 1980. But much of the company's attention will be focused
squarely on Sheraton's Vistana Villages, the first new project undertaken by the former Vistana since it was acquired
in 1999 by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.
The first phase of the south International Drive resort will have 200 units but it has space for 1,200 more.
The company also will be busy implementing a new ownership system that is essentially a cross between two popular
models used by the industry.
Traditionally, time-share companies would sell the actual property in one-week increments, giving buyers a deed.
Later, some companies began using points-based systems that give buyers a set number of points each year that can
be redeemed for time at the resort.
Starwood's new system -- Starwood Vacation Network -- will still offer buyers a deed for their purchase. However,
they will be able to convert the deed to points useable at other Starwood time-share resorts and hotels around
the world.
Get ready to Huddle
For three days this week, Florida's tourist industry will make its pitch to wholesale travel buyers from around
the world during the 27th annual Florida Huddle.
Beginning Wednesday at the Orange County Convention Center, more than 1,100 buyers and exhibitors will be networking
and making deals for vacation packages around the state.
The show, which closes on Friday, is credited with bringing millions of dollars in business to Orlando, and other
parts of the state, every year.
Hilton to build 3rd Vegas resort
Hilton Grand Vacations Co. is expanding in the Las Vegas time-share market, where it already has two resorts.
The Orlando-based time-share arm of Hilton Hotels is building a 33-story tower that will have 1,500 units. It will
be located on the northern end of the Las Vegas Strip.
Construction will begin this summer, with the first units ready for occupancy by early 2003.
Fairfield grows
Orlando's Fairfield Communities has acquired a small time-share resort near Disney's new California Adventure theme
park in Anaheim, Calif.
Dolphin's Cove Resort is a 136-unit complex that opened for sales three years ago. Fairfield also got the rights
to develop a 150-unit oceanfront resort in southern California.
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