RCI Celebrates 50 Years …Has It Really Been That Long?

Comments from Paul Mulcahy, managing director for RCI North America

How does RCI plan to celebrate its 50th Anniversary on Feb. 4 and throughout 2024?

In honor of five decades as the leader in timeshare exchange, RCI is introducing a variety of member deals and messaging designed to celebrate the past – and inspire excitement for the future. From an interactive timeline, commemorative history video, and member and affiliate testimonials and travel deals to a special digital issue of RCI Magazine, these materials and more can be accessed in one convenient hub: www.RCI.com/50. We look forward to celebrating with members and affiliates all year long, but especially at the upcoming ARDA spring conference, where you’ll definitely feel the RCI 50 presence.   

Briefly tell us what RCI does for any readers unacquainted with the company.

RCI is the world’s first vacation exchange platform. Our 3.5 million members use the RCI network to exchange time at their home resorts for a stay at more than 4,000 affiliated resorts in approximately 110 countries. This provides members with better value, added flexibility, and more adventures to share. As “The New Shape of Travel,” RCI also offers our members great deals on hotels, activities, flights, and more, making us the ultimate global travel companion.

In addition to facilitating travel for our members, RCI is dedicated to supporting the affiliate properties within our vast network by continually investing in new tools and products to help resorts reach their goals. From inventory and HOA management to contact center solutions and sustainability strategies, RCI connects our affiliates with meaningful resources to help them move the needle.

Please introduce yourself and describe your position with RCI.

I’m Paul Mulcahy, Managing Director RCI North America & Global Marketing and Sales. I oversee the RCI North America business, as well as Marketing and Sales for RCI globally.

Before RCI, I was Senior Vice President Commercial and a member of the Executive Committee at Mövenpick Hotels and Resorts where I spearheaded the hospitality firm’s commercial and digital transformation.

I was born in Ireland, am a fluent French speaker, and have lived and worked in several countries across the EMEA region, which has afforded me experience in leading many international teams. I hold an MBA and a master’s degree in economics. I am married with two children, and in my down time I enjoy cooking Asian cuisine, travelling, catching up with friends, and windsurfing.

To what do you attribute RCI’s success?

RCI pioneered the concept of vacation exchange back in 1974. The added flexibility the RCI network provided to timeshare owners made vacation ownership more accessible to a wider segment of vacationers, helping the timeshare industry explode. Over the past five decades, we’ve introduced a variety of other travel products and services, becoming the ultimate travel planning companion for members. Since the beginning, RCI has also remained committed to continually evolving to meet members where they are, proving to be an invaluable resource for our affiliates.

Can you explain RCI’s relationship with Travel + Leisure Co.?

Wyndham Destinations acquired the Travel + Leisure brand and renamed itself Travel + Leisure Co. (NYSE: TNL), the new parent company of RCI, in 2021. RCI sits under the company’s Travel and Membership business line, which also offers industry-leading technology and membership travel brands, all of which help facilitate all your vacation dreams.

What new products/services has RCI recently introduced?

In recent years, RCI has introduced several new or updated member and affiliate focused products and services. To meet the increased demand for diverse and extraordinary travel experiences, RCI has continually launched new travel and vacation options. Members can now enjoy savings to these destinations through either a cash purchase or with products like Exchange Plus, where currency can be used alongside cash for additional savings.  As part of our commitment to affiliates, we continue to strengthen our partnerships by providing custom solutions for their owners, enhancing the overall value of vacation ownership.

What are your plans for the future growth of the company?

As we embark on our sixth decade, our mission is to provide more to our RCI Members and affiliates. We’re committed to delivering an abundance of benefits, enhanced flexibility, increased value, and expanded travel opportunities within RCI membership. Our dedication to maintaining the highest hospitality standards across our resort portfolio will continue as we broaden travel options for our members, providing more freedom to travel the world. In collaboration with our affiliates, we will continue to innovate and contribute to the growth of vacation ownership, reaching new milestones together and achieving our shared goals. Here’s to 50 more years of exploring more places together!