Looking Forward to a Can-Do Year

2022 is already in full swing for the timeshare industry and at the top of every manager and executive’s list is: Get me some great people!

Throughout 2021 industry professionals grappled with the uncertainties after COVID. In keeping with the affirmative nature of people involved in a service industry such as ours, we made the best of it. Now that January finds us back in our daily routines, it’s time to regroup and recharge. Resorts were reopened; systems reengaged; marketing and sales reignited. This is truly a “can-do” industry!

The focus throughout the year was on rethinking and reinventing just about everything. From remote check-in and minimized on-site contact to a heavy focus on trying to find online solutions to marketing and sales; resort teams struggled to find solutions. But the key aspect of what makes our lives in the resort industry truly remarkable is the loving, sharing nature of the people.

Resort industry executives and their teams show they care through philanthropy that goes on throughout the year. (Take a look at the Christel House Open golf events each summer or the tremendous efforts of Send Me On Vacation to send breast cancer survivors on vacation each month.)

Timeshare companies support the community

Last year we heard that Breckenridge Grand Vacations awarded more than $1.1 million in cash and in-kind contributions through their Donor Advised Funds at The Summit Foundation and directly from the company through BGV Gives.

“This fall, BGV Gives received $422,196 in grant requests,” said Deb Edwards, BGV Gives Program Manager. “We take great pride in being able to support so many of our community organizations that provide important programs for our residents and guests. Our nonprofit organizations provide a myriad of critical and essential services, as well as quality-of-life offerings. Their contributions make living and working here so special.”

Breckenridge awards grants to local organizations during two annual cycles: one in the spring and another in the fall. During the 2021 fall cycle, grants were awarded as follows: Human Services – thirteen grants for $162,000, Education – twelve grants for $82,260, Art & Culture – two grants for $17,500, Environment – one grant for $20,000 and Sports & Recreation – three grants for $35,000.

Interval International, a leading provider of vacation services, held its 28th annual Holiday Toy Fest in conjunction with the City of South Miami at the Gibson Bethel Community Center. Since its founding 45 years ago, Interval and its employees have supported a variety of other community organizations and initiatives, including food drives and local charities.

Year after year, Resort Trades hears about community outreach efforts by virtually every timeshare resort entity including Bluegreen Vacations Corporation, Diamond Resorts, Disney Vacation Club, Grand Pacific Resorts, Hilton Grand Vacations, Holiday Inn Club Vacations/Orange Lake Country Club, Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation, RCI, Travel + Leisure Company (formerly Wyndham), Westgate Resorts, and Wyndham Destinations.

Practicing good citizenship

Last October, Travel + Leisure Co. (NYSE:TNL), the world’s leading membership and leisure travel company, published its 2020-2021 Social Responsibility Report detailing the company’s targeted strategy to make a positive impact on the world in four social responsibility focus areas: inclusion and diversity, environmental sustainability, philanthropy, and ethics and human rights.

In its new Social Responsibility Report – the first since Travel + Leisure Co. changed its name from Wyndham Destinations Inc. in February, following its acquisition of the iconic Travel + Leisure brand – the company demonstrates key milestones achieved in its social responsibility focus areas, including:

Reaching previous water withdrawal goals six years ahead of projection and resetting a new goal to reduce water withdrawal by 35 percent by 2025.
Establishing the Travel + Leisure Charitable Foundation and launching the Travel + Leisure Eatonville Scholarship Program to promote educational excellence within the Eatonville community – the oldest African-American-incorporated municipality in the United States.

Responding to the heightened global awareness of systemic racism and racial inequities by establishing a goal to increase diverse representation at the Director-and-above level across the organization, re-igniting the Global Inclusion & Diversity Council, and expanding associate-centric Diversity Resource Groups worldwide.
Developing the “We’ll Be Ready” return-to-worksite plan in response to the COVID-19 health crisis to prioritize the safety and wellbeing of its 17,000 global associates, as well as owners, members, and guests while continuing to deliver on its mission: to put the world on vacation.

“At Travel + Leisure Co., we are proud of our ability to positively impact the travel industry through responsible tourism as we deliver on our environmental, social, and governance strategy,” said president and CEO Michael D. Brown. “Our progress is fueled by our commitment to inclusive, responsible, and sustainable growth, which enables our organization and its stakeholders to thrive. While our company name has changed, our beliefs remain steadfast: with hospitality and responsible tourism at the heart of all we do, we bring out the best in people and places around the globe.”

During the summer of 2021, Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. announced Habitat for Humanity International as the newest national partner in its corporate social responsibility program – HGV Serves. HGV is donating $100,000 to Habitat for Humanity to support employee volunteerism for new home builds and home repair projects in local communities across the country.

HGV team members in select markets across the country will have the opportunity to volunteer for home build and home repair projects in their communities through the end of 2022. In addition to supporting affordable housing and providing assistance to homeless and vulnerable populations, HGV Serves focuses on disaster relief, the veteran community, and youth development.

We are honored to support Habitat for Humanity’s critical work of creating access to affordable shelter and ensuring families and children have a decent place to live,” said Mark Wang, president, and CEO of Hilton Grand Vacations. “Our incredibly passionate and dedicated team is also always looking for ways to support our local communities, and we’re excited to kick off team builds in many of the cities we call our home”

“Hilton Grand Vacations and Habitat for Humanity have a shared commitment to building strong and thriving communities,” said Julie Laird Davis, vice president of Corporate and Foundation Relations at Habitat for Humanity. “The company’s support, along with volunteer participation from their employees, will make a meaningful impact on the lives of many Habitat homeowners seeking a new path toward stable and independent lives.”

Career opportunities…find your métier

For those who are people-focused, a career in the timeshare resort industry offers good pay, the opportunity for advancement, and typically a pleasant, convivial environment. Giving people memorable and often life-changing vacations can be an uplifting experience. Because your ‘guests’ are owners, you can usually find them to be ready to engage with you. Plus, your co-workers are hospitable and warm. Like you, they are drawn to this industry because they care for people.

I think Travis Bary, COO of Capital Vacations, summed it up when he said, “I believe the resort industry is a wonderful career path, enabling employees to have a positive impact on the lives of those we serve. We ultimately set the stage that allows guests the ability to create some of the moments that matter in their lives.”

Many resort companies are offering bonuses and top wages. “We continue to examine our compensation strategy to ensure we remain competitive and able to attract top talent,” commented Ada Soriano-Grzywna, Senior VP of Resort Operations for Bluegreen Vacations. “We have increased wages and offered sign-on bonuses where warranted. We have also adjusted wages for existing associates, recognizing, and rewarding their tenure and past performance.”

If you are an individual considering a step up to a career in this industry, I’d advise you to study the industry and speak with others who are currently working in it. ARDA.org is a good resource to learn more about the advocacy aspects of the industry. If you’re reading this article, you are probably already familiar with our magazine, Resort Trades, and our website, ResortTrades.com, which are also good resources. We post news releases and original articles on the site frequently. Plus, you may also wish to subscribe to the online “Resort Trades Weekly,” in which we highlight what we see as important news items each week.

As you work to market yourself for this or any industry, you will find our YouTube [YouTube.com/ResortTrades] videos presented by Sheryl Cattell to be game-changers. Sheryl Cattell is a certified lead instructor at BizHack Academy and creator of the LinkedIn Business Edge – a course to help you use LinkedIn to grow your business. Look for “#LinkedIn Tips and Tricks with Sheryl Cattell” and “New Tips to Build Your Business through Linkedin #B2B”.

Sharon Scott Wilson, RRP, is publisher of Resort Trades, Resort Trades Weekly, Online Members Directory and produces frequent webinars and online events. Subscribe to Resort Trades Weekly, https://resorttrades.com/emagazine/ and to our channel “Resort Trades” on YouTube.