MARRIOTT TIMESHARE UNIT TO EXPAND CUSTOMER-SERVICE CENTER

Source: Marriott Vacation Club

April 25, 1999
Marriott Vacation Club International, the world's largest time-share company, is expanding its Orlando customer-service center and adding 350 to 400 jobs.

The center, which handles telemarketing, customer questions and resort reservations, ultimately will have as many as 750 employees, up from about 350 now, said Ed Kinney, senior director of brand advertising and communications. It serves the East Coast as well as some markets in Europe.

Pay ranges from $14 to $20 an hour for vacation planners, who perform a variety of services for resort owners and customers. Salespeople, who have real estate licenses, get a base wage and commission, making $70,000 to $120,000 a year, Kinney said. Some administrative support jobs at the center are paid less per hour than vacation planners.

The company has rented 50,409 square feet at Gran Park at the SouthPark section of Orlando Central Park in south Orlando. The service center will be relocated from quarters on Ellenor Drive, also in Orlando Central Park.

Marriott has other customer centers in Chicago, Salt Lake City and Irvine, Calif.

The company has 41 timeshare resorts worldwide, including five in the Orlando area. Last year, its sales reached $425 million, according to Vacation Ownership World, a magazine that tracks the industry. Kinney said sales this year are projected at $567 million.

Hiring for the new center is under way. Information is available by calling 1-800-800-4352, Ext. 3930, or through Marriott's Web site at vacationclub.com

Kinney said full- and part-time position are available.