ON THE MENU: Macdonald Hotels says it is confident it can continue to deliver despite the strained trading environment.

SCOTTISH hotel group Macdonald Hotels has turned in a resilient performance in the face of "very difficult market conditions", it revealed today.
Turnover for the six months to April 3 showed sales, including its share from joint ventures, were up by one per cent to £67.2 million.

But pre-tax profit at the Bathgate-based group fell by nine per cent to £6.2m as the effects of war, terrorism fears and economic uncertainty took its toll on tourism.

And Macdonald, which will see Patrick Dempsey from the giant Compass catering group take over as chief executive in August, said that second half trading was "still difficult".

But Britain’s eighth-biggest hotel group added it was "confident" that it can operate in the strained trading environment and would remain focused on delivering its medium-term strategic objectives, which include new hotels in Sheffield, Cardiff and the £30m redevelopment of the Aviemore resort.

Donald Macdonald, who will step up from chief executive to executive chairman following Mr Dempsey’s appointment, said: "This has been a difficult period for the hotel sector and trading conditions remain difficult. I am, however, confident in our ability to operate successfully in this environment and we remain committed to investing in and developing our portfolio, which will leave us well placed to maximise opportunities when the economic climate changes."

Macdonald, which employs about 6000 people, currently operates more than 100 hotels and resorts throughout the UK and Spain, including the luxury 100-bedroom Cardrona Hotel, golf and country club, near Peebles.

Turnover at hotels owned outright by Macdonald, including the Holyrood in Edinburgh, was up by one per cent to £32.7m, but operating profits slipped by two per cent to £7.3m. Macdonald sa
id that its income from management contracts was up by 12 per cent over the half to £4.5m, while pre-tax profits stemming from such contracts were up 17 per cent to £2.2m. Its resorts business saw a seven per cent sales drop to £7.2m, with profit dropping 13 per cent to £700,000.

"Timeshare sales have been weak - particularly in our Spanish resorts which have been quieter since the outbreak of war in Iraq, chairman Frank O’Callaghan said.

He added that a "lack of business confidence" had affected commercial and residential conference business in the six-month period.

"To compensate for this downturn, Macdonald Hotels aggressively focused on the lower margin, domestic leisure audience," Mr O’Callaghan said.

He added: "This strategy succeeded in generating a three per cent increase in occupancy to 63 per cent, although average room rates declined by two per cent to £73.29."


The full article appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper. By JIM STANTON DEPUTY BUSINESS EDITOR

http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/business/Macdonald-toughs-it-out-to.2430901.jp

The baggage handling system at Heathrow's Terminal 5 is now "generally working well", says British Airways Chief Executive Willie Walsh.

He said BA now had 400 volunteers working to clear the backlog of 15,000 bags which has built up at the airport.

"We are making every effort to reunite bags with their owners," he said.

Two hundred flights in and out of T5 were cancelled in its first three days. A further 54 will be scrapped on Monday and some may also be halted on Tuesday.

The fifth terminal had opened amid great fanfare on Thursday, but difficulties with the baggage handling system quickly derailed the operation.

Mr Walsh repeated BA's apology to passengers, saying "the service we provided has not been good enough."

The baggage handling system had experienced problems which had not come to light in testing, he said.

"These issues are being addressed as they arise by a team of engineers and IT specialists from BAA and BA", Mr Walsh said.
He said reuniting passengers with their luggage would take time, because "delayed bags must undergo enhanced levels of security screening".

This is being done manually because BA has been unable to use the Terminal Five baggage system to process the bags.

"We are sorry for the disruption and inconvenience caused to customers whose flights have been cancelled or whose bags have been delayed. We will not rest until our service has been restored to the high standard customers rightly expect." Mr Walsh added.

He said BA would continue to work towards increasing the number of services in the days ahead.

"Both British Airways and BAA have invested an enormous amount of time and effort to create Terminal Five.

"We remain confident that these early difficulties can be overcome, and that the terminal will be highly valued by customers and our staff in the near future and for many years to come."

'Full-blown tantrum'

But, at the airport on Sunday, some passengers remained critical.
Kerry Johnstone, 35, said she found out only upon arrival at T5, from the electronic board, that she faced an eight-hour delay on a flight to Copenhagen.

"Everyone has to find out when they get here," she said. "It's appalling that such a big organisation has got it so wrong. I can't check in, because they don't know what flight I'm going to be on.
"There was a two-year-old child screaming next to me. When one of the staff tried to make light of it, I said that was exactly what I felt like doing.

"I feel like having a full-blown tantrum but I'm too old."
Transport Minister Ruth Kelly said she had spoken to airport operator BAA and BA: "While the problems at Terminal 5 are for them to resolve, I have made clear that the government stands ready to assist.

"Everything possible must be done to deliver a better service for passengers who are unfortunately still facing disruption and delays to their journeys."

The Conservatives have called for an inquiry into the "chaos and confusion", with Shadow Home Secretary David Davis calling the situation "a dreadful national embarrassment".

Liberal Democrats home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne said the infrastructure project was an "incredible shambles" which "neither British Airways nor BAA seem to be able to put right quickly".
The problems have led BA to consider postponing the transfer of its long-haul operations at Terminal 4 to the new Terminal 5, which had been scheduled for the end of April.

"We haven't said we will alter the original plan," a spokesman said. "But obviously, in the light of what has happened in the last few days, it is prudent to review the situation."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7321564.stm

Now BAA wants to fingerprint passengers at ALL its airports

BAA is due to hold talks with watchdogs to try to press ahead with fingerprinting
Beleaguered Heathrow owner BAA wants to fingerprint passengers at all seven of its British airports, despite warnings that it may be illegal.

The Spanish-owned company was last week forced to delay plans to take fingerprints from passengers flying out of Heathrow's new Terminal 5.

The climbdown came 24 hours before the terminal opened after The Mail on Sunday had revealed that BAA risked "criminal action" from Britain's data protection watchdogs if it went ahead.

Deputy Information Commissioner David Smith said passengers told to give prints should do so "under protest".

But BAA wants to resurrect the plan, which saw passengers at Heathrow's Terminal 1 allegedly being told they had to give their prints or be barred from flying.

It says fingerprinting is needed so that domestic and international passengers can mix in airport shopping centres, and it warns that an incoming international passenger could switch tickets with an accomplice booked on a domestic flight and then enter the country without being checked by immigration.

BAA says it is due to hold talks with the watchdog to try to press ahead with fingerprinting.

It also owns Gatwick, Stansted, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Southampton airports.
Its spokeswoman said last night: "Fingerprinting is not being introduced in isolation at Heathrow. Biometrics is a BAA-wide project.

"Anything we do at Heathrow is planned to be BAA-wide."

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=549612&in_page_id=1770

Timeshare is a concept known by many and deeply understood by many less. Two primary types of timesharing plans exist: deeded and non-deeded. A deeded timeshare offers consumers an ownership in the property while non-deeded types only provide a predetermined amount of time to use the property to buyers. Both plans are priced in proportion to the time of the year and the length of the time that the owner wants to purchase.

Before signing any contracts, it is important to understand exactly what owning a timeshare entails. With the proper knowledge, careful consideration and possibly professional advice should be combined in order to determine whether a timeshare is right for you.

The following points should be considered before buying a timeshare:

The main reason people purchase timeshares is to have a predetermined vacation destination. If you won't be able to use the facilities on a regular basis, it may not be practical to buy a timeshare. Also evaluate whether the timeshare will have a unit available when and where you want to use it.

Do not blindly believe any information someone tells you about the investment probabilities of a timeshare. Future values of timeshares are uncertain and resale of the units are nearly impossible.

So realize that if you purchase a timeshare, it is unlikely that you will be able to sell it at all or at least for much less than you paid for it. The fees associated with closing, brokers, and financing should also be considered as investment costs.

The cost of the timeshare, in its entirety, includes mortgage payments and variable expenses such as the cost to travel to the destination and the pesky annual maintenance fees that seem to rise every year in line with or ahead of inflation.

To effectively evaluate buying a timeshare, compare the cost of the timeshare with the costs of other types of accommodations at the locations you desire. Take into account the various types of amenities available at both destinations.

Avoid acting impulsively or from pressure. Look over the contracts carefully or have someone who knows about timeshares to review the contracts. Allow yourself a couple of days at least to analyze the situation completely.

Ask if the contract comes with a "cooling-off" period that will allow you to cancel for a full refund within a certain amount of time.

Be certain that everything guaranteed by the salesperson is written into the contract.

Know that exchange programs with other locations cannot be guaranteed. A trade should provide you with a timeshare comparable to your own.

Frequently a "gift" will be offered to people willing to listen to a pitch from a timeshare salesperson. The gifts are often of little real value and should not be a factor in determining whether you attend a presentation or not. Go to a sales pitch only if you are genuinely interested in possibly purchasing a timeshare.

It may be a good idea to consult with real estate agents, the Better Business Bureau, and local consumer groups to check out the history of the timeshare company before buying a timeshare.

If the timeshare you are purchasing has not yet been finished, get in writing a determined time by which the facility will be finished. Also request that an amount of the purchase price be held in escrow.

Learn about your rights if there is a problem with the builder or management company. Be certain that your contract includes a non-disturbance and nonperformance clause. A non-disturbance clause protects your purchase in the event of a third party default and a nonperformance clause permits you to retain ownership rights in the event that a third party purchases your contract.

If you are concerned and have questions about a timeshare you already own, call the Real Estate Commission in the state where your timeshare stands and the Correspondence Branch.

If you are currently the owner of a timeshare, beware of individuals who promise you that they can sell your timeshare for you at some cost to you. Many of these "companies" are scams, so be sure that you are dealing only with genuine sales companies.

Businesses that use questionable selling tactics work much like other telemarketing cons. You may receive a call or a postcard, telling you that the resale market for timeshares is "hot" and that they can promise you a quick sale equal to or more than the price you paid for the timeshare. Then they ask you for an advance fee of hundreds of dollars.

Currently the resale market for timeshare is poor, due to the fact that there is no secondary market for timeshares. At this time Americans own 1.5 million timeshares with 870,000 of those available for resale. 845,000 are priced far lower than their original cost.

Over the past two decades, only 3 percent of the timeshares for sale have sold, and the wide majority of those sold for less than their purchase price. This should prove that the claims of those scam resale companies are false.

If you do decide to sell your timeshare and are considering a resale company, remember a few points: Do not make any agreements over the telephone; ask for written material to be mailed to you for your consideration; Ask for references from the company; Ask the location of the company and from what state it operates; Ask if the company uses agents that are licensed in the state where your timeshare is located; Be wary of any company that charges an "listing" fee in advance.

To sum up, timesharing is a plan for leisure, not an investment. Timeshares shouldn't be considered as a way to make money. By asking yourself how much your vacation time is worth, you can determine whether a timeshare is right for you.

Written by OJ Fagbire

http://www.timesharesdaily.com/index.php/20070805130/Latest/-The-Truth-On-Timeshares.html

If you're buying foreign currency, be wary; charges can add a lot to the cost of a holiday

A holiday in Europe could cost you more than usual this year, as the pound flounders at record lows against a buoyant euro. But even if you end up paying more for hotels, food and shopping, you can save money elsewhere by organising your holiday money well in advance of going away.

There are so many foreign exchange options available cash, traveller's cheques, credit cards, debit cards and pre-paid cards that it's tempting simply to change a wad of money at the last minute and use whatever credit or debit cards are to hand once you reach your destination. But, thanks to all the associated charges, doing this is akin to throwing money down the drain.

Even if sterling recovers against the euro over the summer, or if you choose to go somewhere like North America, where the pound is very strong against the dollar, it is still worth planning ahead when it comes to your holiday money.

Finding the best foreign exchange deal

If you want to exchange money for hard foreign currency before leaving the UK, it's worth shopping around for the best deal from high-street banks, foreign exchange bureaux or online providers. Waiting until you get to the airport, ferry or train terminal will get you the poorest deals around providers in these places use the convenience of their location to incur hefty commission fees or charge you more through their exchange rates.

Even when planning ahead, comparing exchange rates is tricky as they change on a daily basis and there are hidden charges to take into account. Many foreign currency providers have scrapped commission fees for exchanging money but make up for it in their rates, for instance. And some add a handling charge for each transaction.

The only way to make certain you are getting the most for your pounds is to ask several providers how many dollars, euros or rupees they will give you after all charges, and then choose the one offering the best deal. You can do this online using websites such as moneysavingexpert.com they tend only to compare online providers, but this is no bad thing as online providers usually undercut their high-street equivalents anyway.

Paying for hard foreign currency with a credit card will incur a charge of 2 to 3 per cent because it is treated as an ATM withdrawal. But switch cards and some, but not all, debit cards charge you nothing.

Credit and debit cards: watch out for charges

By far the most popular and efficient way to withdraw and spend money once you are abroad is by using credit or debit cards. They rid you of the need to carry large sums of cash around, and you don't have to produce ID to use them.

On the other hand, you could find yourself paying unexpected charges every time you use them. This year alone, British holidaymakers will be charged 686m for using their cards abroad, according to the comparison website uSwitch.

The first fee to watch out for is the "exchange rate loading fee", which most credit and debit card companies add, at an average rate of 2.75 per cent, to all withdrawals and purchases made abroad. The only notable exceptions are Nationwide Building Society and the Post Office, who charge nothing.

On top of the loading fee, there may be a cash withdrawal fee of about 1.5 per cent for debit cards and 2.5 per cent for credit cards. Check with your card provider to avoid any shocks.

Perhaps the most alarming fee is linked to a recent trend among certain debit card providers to charge you a "purchase transaction fee" on top of the usual foreign exchange fee every time you use the card for spending. The mode average of this fee is 1.50, so if you buy something worth 5 you end up spending 6.50 make a lot of small purchases and the charges could add up to a hefty sum.

By now you might be feeling a little queasy at the thought of using your cards abroad at all. But there are ways to reduce the charges.

You could apply for a card that charges you nothing, even if you don't use it for the rest of the year. For credit cards, both the Post Office and Nationwide cards have no foreign exchange loading fees. The Saga card for over-fifties has no fee for the EU, but charges 1 per cent outside. For debit cards, the Nationwide Flexaccount Visa debit card has no loading fee and doesn't charge for withdrawing cash. It can take four weeks to get one of these cards, so plan early.

If you have no choice but to use a charge-laden debit card abroad, make sure you withdraw large sums of money so you can use cash for small purchases and reduce your fees. For example, by withdrawing foreign currency worth 300 using a Lloyds TSB debit card, you'd pay a fee of 1.50. If you made 30 transactions adding up to 300, you'd be forking out nearer 45.

Pre-paid cards and traveller's cheques

A newer and safe way to carry money around is a pre-paid card. You load as much cash on to your card as you think you'll need and then use it to withdraw money at ATMs or pay for goods. There may be a card issue fee the Virgin Prepaid MasterCard charges 9.95, for instance and other charges, so do check. The cards can be replaced fairly quickly if lost or stolen.

If you don't want to use cards at all, you might consider the trusty traveller's cheque. Although not as convenient as credit or debit cards for overseas spending you must first find a bank able to exchange them, and then produce your passport they are secure, as they guarantee your money back if lost or stolen. Traveller's cheques are available commission-free for foreign currency, although for sterling cheques there is usually a charge of about 1.5 per cent.

By Jacqui Canham#8232;

http://www.independent.co.uk/money/invest-save/planning-a-trip-then-plan-your-money-first-802026.html

The UK was among Singapores top five visitor-generating markets in February, with 51,000 visitors, a 1% increase on 2007. The increase confirms Singapores continued appeal to British travellers as a must visit destination and the importance of the UK market in reaching the ambitious 2008 targets the Singapore Tourism Board has set to achieve S$15.5 billion in tourism receipts and attract 10.8 million visitor arrivals.

In total, Singapore welcomed 811,000 visitors, representing a growth of 7.0% compared to the same month a year ago. This is a new record for visitor arrivals for the month of February. Visitor days were estimated to reach 3.2 million days, an increase of 20.2% in comparison to February 2007.

The other top visitor-generating markets in February were Indonesia (125,000), P R China (121,000), Australia (52,000) and Malaysia (50,000). The top five markets accounted for 49% of total visitor arrivals for the month.

Singapore gazetted hotels were estimated to reap S$174m in room revenue, representing a growth of 43.5% when compared with February 2007.

The Average Room Rate (ARR) in February 2008 was estimated at S$256, setting an all-time record and representing an increase of 43.7% over February 2007. The Average Occupancy Rate (AOR) for hotels was estimated to reach 79% in February 2008, posting a 3.8 percentage point decrease over February 2007.

This February fact sheet provides a summary of the key statistics on total visitor arrivals and information on the performance of Singapores top-15 visitor-generating markets. All comparisons made in this fact sheet are year-on-year comparisons with 2007.

www.traveldailynews.com/pages/show_page/25140

Thomas Cook is to launch its new airline on March 30, operating 42 aircraft from 11 bases in the UK.

ThomasCook Airlines, formed after Thomas Cook's merger with MyTravel, is set to carry 2.9 million passengers this summer to 78 destinations.
The first flight will go from Gatwick to Reus in Spain at 5.05am on March 30. There will be a special reception before boarding.

Thomas Cook Airlines managing director Frank Pullman said: "Overthe coming months we have a number of changes scheduled, all of which will add to the customer's enjoyment and comfort, such as increased seat pitches and new cabin crew uniforms."

A wider choice of movies on long haul flights and a new selection of in-flight products will be available. Those travelling in premium cabins will enjoy duvet quilts instead of blankets and u-shaped pillows.

by Chloe Berman

Full story www.travelweekly.co.uk/Articles/2008/03/28/27112/thomas-cook-gets-set-to-launch-new-airline.html

Transatlantic travel is set for a shake-up starting Sunday when a new EU-US aviation pact takes effect, leaving in the slipstream many old rules that discouraged competition on flights between the two continents.

After more than four bumpy years in the making, the new, so-called "open skies" agreement aims to ease long-standing restrictions on where US and EU airlines can fly in each other's territories.

Hopes are high on both sides of the Atlantic that the new aviation pact will help slash airlines's costs and travellers ticket prices' by dramatically boosting competition in the coming years.

The European Commission is expecting transatlantic air passengers will have eight per cent more flights to choose from by the end of June with as much as 20 per cent more out of London's Heathrow airport.

"Ticket price cuts which can't even be calculated today will follow," EU Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot said.

The new pact will sweep away the patchwork of bilateral aviation accords between the United States and EU nations, replacing them with a single pact between the United States and the whole European bloc.

Those 21 bilateral deals, some of which an EU court ruled to be illegal, meant that EU airlines could not make flights to the United States from outside their home country and restricted what airports they could use.

For instance, Irish carrier Aer Lingus was barred from flying from Dublin to Boston, the home of many Americans of Irish origin.

The EU estimates that the new pact could generate more than 26 million extra passengers over the next five years while creating 80,000 new jobs in the EU and United States combined.

However, the biggest immediate changes are due to affect lucrative transatlantic flights to and from London's busy Heathrow airport, from where only British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, United Airlines and American Airlines are currently allowed to fly to the United States.
But under the open skies pact, any EU or US airline that can get slots at Heathrow will be able to fly from the airport to the United States and at least six airlines, including four American carriers have plans to do so.

For instance, Air France aims to fly from Heathrow to Los Angeles whereas previously it could only fly transatlantic routes out of France.

"As a result of the agreement, consumers on both sides of the Atlantic will benefit from new air services that were not permitted in the past," the US' chief negotiator for the accord, John Byerly, said.

"For example, at London's Heathrow Airport, we're witnessing an aviation miracle as a Byzantine web of restrictions has now been lifted," he added.

Under the accord, any EU carrier can fly from anywhere in the bloc to any point in the United States, and then on to a third country, and vice versa.

But EU airlines will still not be able to operate domestic US routes, and nor will American carriers be allowed to fly between cities in the same European country.

However, even that could eventually change as negotiations are due to start in mid-May on a new round of liberalisation to take up where the first stage left off.

The new talks will address in particular the thorny issues of foreign investment and voting rights in airlines.

Because while the new deal will lift restrictions on EU carriers buying stakes of more than 50 per cent in US airlines, their voting rights in a US company will remain capped at 25 per cent.

"The negotiations will be challenging, but so were the talks that led to the first-stage agreement," Byerly said. "I'm hopeful that with hard work and shared purposed, we can make progress once again."

The stakes will be high because if progress in the second phase proves elusive the Europeans have the right to decide in November 2010 to suspend some parts of the open skies accord coming into effect.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/news/transatlantic-flights-set-for-big-boost/2008/03/27/1206207263716.html

Group RCI announces major timeshare affiliation with Dubai's Bavaria Executive Suites Vacation Club

RCI, one of the Wyndham Worldwide family of brands, and the world leader in vacation exchange, has announced an agreement with Dubai-based Al Ghaith Holdings to affiliate the soon to open Bavaria Executive Suites with its timeshare exchange program.

Featuring no less than 450 one and two bedroom apartments, it represents the first timeshare development on Dubai's prestigious Sheikh Zayed Road.

Located at the cross roads of Dubai's new commercial and residential hub, adjacent to Dubai Media City and the access route to the Palm Jumeirah, Bavaria Executive Suites consists of two huge towers on either side of Sheikh Zayed Road. Offering easy access to many of the city's leisure and commercial attractions, including the nearby Mall of the Emirates, Jumeirah beach and several golf clubs, Bavaria Executive Suites will target both business and leisure visitors.

In addition to the apartments, the development includes 2100 luxury suites, all of which contain a comprehensive range of 5 star amenities. This includes a choice of 8 restaurant concepts, sports facilities, shopping arcades and the latest Angsana Spa. Forty fully equipped offices and a meeting center to accommodate 10 to 1,000 delegates complete Bavaria's compelling offer. 'We believe that this stunning project will change the way that people take holidays in this part of the world and our affiliation with Group RCI will enhance this even further' said Sheikh Ali Hamel Al Ghaith, Chairman of Al Ghaith Holding, the company behind the project.

Nick Turner, managing director of Group RCI Middle East said,

'The Bavaria Suites Vacation Club is a very exciting consumer proposition which will be one of the largest timeshare vacation clubs of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. We are delighted that the owner, Al Ghaith Holdings, has selected Group RCI to provide global services and benefits to future Bavaria Vacation Club owners.'


Turner explained that Group RCI was part of the team working with the local government on the policies of the new timeshare law regulating the shared ownership real estate industry. He said, 'This aims to be well thought through and protects the interests of the consumer, developer and brand of Dubai.'

http://www.ameinfo.com/151385.html

Buying a Timeshare - Tips for Buying a Timeshare Resale

Much like buying a car, most timeshares immediately depreciate on the resale market so it often makes little sense to buy one directly from the developer, especially since many timeshare corporations do not exercise right of first refusal for any resale transactions and therefore the values plummet. While this is not a great situation for the original owner, it is a terrific one for you.

You can frequently find timeshares selling for between a 25% to 75% discount on the resale market, and I've even seen fire-sale prices discounting from the original developer's price as much as 90%. You have a variety of options for buying a resale timeshare. You can even buy timeshares on Ebay. The auction site has hundreds of timeshares available on from sellers and it is my favorite place to pick up bargains, but you can also try Craigslist, your local Sunday paper's real estate section, websites such as Redweek.com and various timeshare forums where owners buy and/or trade with each other.

What you will want to keep in mind is that you don't want to be paying for the owner's inflated sense of their timeshare's value so do some research first. Even if you elect not to go the Ebay route, it pays to check out completed auctions and get an idea of prices for resorts that you might be interested in buying.

Also, if you are shopping on a timeshare resale website, investigate whether they actually make sales. Many timeshare owners hand their timeshares over to what is known as "postcard companies". These companies charge an upfront fee for the timeshare and then post it on their website with an unrealistic asking price. They often don't care if they even sell the property because they've made their money upfront collecting fees from the owners. If a website's listings look stale and don't appear to ever change, it's best to avoid even bothering to make an offer. You won't get the best price.

Once you do decide that you'd like to go ahead and buy, remember to negotiate. With the exception of Ebay, you will generally find that buying a timeshare is much like buying a house. The initial asking price is negotiable. I would start my offer at 50% of the asking price and then proceed from there. If the owner is just trying to get out from under an annual maintenance fee and has been trying to sell for quite some time, you just may get a bargain. For that reason, you'll likely find the best bargains are available in November and December, just before the new year's maintenance fee is due.

To browse some of the best timeshare bargains, check out the Timeshare Resales available for auction. You can also check out my Timeshare guide for a collection of articles on how to get the most out of your timeshare vacation, including a guide to Buying Timeshares on Ebay - By Emma Martin

Full Story http://www.losangeleschronicle.com/articles/56716

Indulge All Your Senses with the Ultimate Las Vegas Experience

#8232;(ARA) - Las Vegas, an ever-changing fantasy-land and global playground, has seen unbelievable growth since it sprung from the desert 100 years ago.#8232;#8232;The sights and sounds of Las Vegas are enjoyed by over 38.9 million visitors every year according to the Las Vegas Visitors and Convention Bureau. The best part of Las Vegas is it can be whatever you want it to be. It can be a relaxing experience with luxury pools, spa treatments and 5-star cuisine. It can keep you on the edge of your seat with elaborately decorated casinos, world-renowned shows and dance clubs that stay open until the early morning hours. Whatever you're craving, Las Vegas is a city with options to satisfy all your senses.#8232;#8232;The Strip is the center of the Las Vegas experience and is a coveted location to stay while you are there. In the past, people felt the need to sacrifice comfort to stay on the Strip and many travelers found themselves staying in cramped hotel rooms that were far from luxurious. Better options have emerged. With the arrival of opulent vacation ownership resorts designed by the world's leading hospitality companies, timeshare is becoming a very popular, luxurious and affordable alternative for discerning travelers.

Companies such as Hilton Hotels have created exclusive resorts and membership benefits unheard of 20 years ago. In the United States alone, 3 million households own 4.9 million weeks of timeshares according to timeshare exchange company Resort Condominiums International. #8232;#8232;Owning a timeshare guarantees you luxury accommodations right on the Strip. With easy access to all of the Las Vegas fun, you can simply walk out your door and start your journey to one of many intriguing destinations. When you need to relax, you can come back to your luxury villa, kick back and rest. #8232;#8232;Companies like Hilton Grand Vacations realize the high demand of quality resorts at prime locations such as the HGV Club on the Las Vegas Strip. Designed in a "Desert Deco" style, this exquisite new resort is ideally located on a 10-acre site, and features a variety of amenities designed to enhance your stay -- a state-of-the-art fitness center, heated swimming pools, interactive fountains and whirlpool spas. A seasonal pool bar and grill, an on-site deli and shop and lounges enhance the comfort of this spectacular new resort.


Some of the reasons that people are choosing timeshare ownership include:

#8232;#8232;* Value - Timeshares provide luxury vacations that you own and will save money.

#8232;#8232;* Flexibility - Timeshare ownership guarantees your high-end Las Vegas experience, and gives you access to an exchange program which can include ocean and river cruises, and vacations at any of the Hilton locations around the world.

* Luxury - From studios to three-bedroom penthouses, rooms provide a vacation experience unlike anything you can experience in a hotel room.#8232;#8232;

* Convenience - Condos have full kitchens and large living areas equipped with plasma TVs and a washer and dryer. You get all the comforts of home combined with all the excitement of Las Vegas.

#8232;#8232;Companies like Hilton Grand Vacations often promote their properties through discounted packaged tours. For a limited time, Hilton Grand Vacations Club is offering visitors highly discounted stays at their Las Vegas resort. Simply visit www.HiltonGrandVacations.com to learn more and register for your Las Vegas experience.

http://www.dailyregister.com/articles/2008/03/26/ara/travel/1138.txt

Royal Caribbean seeks British godmother for Independence of the Seas

(26 March 2008)
Olympic gold medallist Sir Steve Redgrave is to front the search for a British godmother for cruise ship Independence of the Seas.
Royal Caribbean International has launched the nationwide search for the cruiseline's newest and largest ship, which launches in Southampton next month. Redgrave is one of a panel of company executives and guest judges who will selectthe godmother.

Typically the role of godmother is reserved for dignatories or celebrities, with past godmothers including Her Majesty Queen Sonja of Norway, actresses Lauren Bacall and Whoopi Goldberg, singer Gloria Estefan, tennis player Steffi Graf and champion wheelchair marathon athlete Jean Driscoll.
But in a break with tradition, Royal Caribbean is looking for an ordinary British woman who has done extraordinary things to become godmother of the new ship. She will demonstrate she has gone above and beyond the call of duty and dedicated time and effort to improve the well-being and future of young people under the age of 18 in her community.

All potential godmothers must be nominated viaa dedicated website, searchforagodmother.co.uk. To enter applicants must explain in 250 words or less why they, or someone they know, would be the ideal godmother for Independence of the Seas.
The winner will have her portrait hung on board the ship, receive an honorary role in the official ship naming ceremonies and enjoy a decade of cruising for two with RCI.
Nominations for the godmother are being taken from today.

http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/Articles/2008/03/26/27074/royal-caribbean-seeks-british-godmother-for-independence-of-the.html

Perspective Magazine to Launch New Consumer Version for Owners of Timeshare, Points, Fractional and Private Residence Club Vacation Products

Plans are underway to launch an independent consumer magazine for the timeshare and shared ownership market by the company that already produces the most read independent B2B publication for the same market.

London, United Kingdom, March 27, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Perspective International Ltd, who produce Perspective Magazine (http://www.theperspectivemagazine.com) have revealed that a consumer version, nicknamed Owners Perspective will be released initially online in July 2008.

The new magazine will also be grown on a global level, covering all markets around the world and delivering the latest news, exclusive interviews, resort reviews, destination guides, new products, owner experiences, reader offers and much more

The decision was made based on the increasing number of timeshare owners subscribing to the existing business version of the magazine. Rather than trying to adapt Perspective Magazine to suit owners also, we have decided to launch a second publication specifically for them. Says Paul Mattimoe, President & CEO of Perspective International Ltd, This way we can take the core content of the original magazine, but then tailor the rest to suit the consumer rather than the business side of the industry, providing both a much needed independent resource for existing and potential owners as well as a new and diverse advertising platform for businesses.

Subscriptions to the new magazine which are free of charge have already started at http://www.ownersperspective.com in readiness for the launch in July and a number of key companies and associations within the industry are supporting the initiative by asking their members to subscribe and support the publication.

A print version is planned for release by the end of the year, although the online version, as with Perspective Magazine will also always be available.

For more information visit http://www.ownersperspective.com

Full story http://www.pr.com/press-release/78144

Timeshare Auctions Becoming More Popular: Holiday Teams With Timeshare Users Group (TUG)

SEATTLE, March 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Demand is growing for timeshare
auctions. After recently auctioning a record number of timeshares to its
customer base, Holiday Resales, a division of Holiday Group, has teamed
with the Timeshare User's Group (TUG) to offer member-only auctions.

An active on-line timesharing community, Timeshare Users Group has been
serving timeshare owners' needs for over 14 years, and provides a variety
of services that enhance their awareness and understanding of the industry.

From March 26 through noon PDT March 28, TUG members may bid on any of
322 timeshare properties. Timeshare weeks that were priced from $800 to
$2500 or more are now available to the highest bidder. Minimum bid is just
10 cents, with no reserve price. Please visit http://www.tug2.net for
membership information, or email to auctions@hgauction.com for information
on the upcoming auction.

Timeshare purchases can be complex, and the potential pitfalls of
owner-to-owner auctions via eBay are many: Who transfers the ownership? Who
takes care of the legal paperwork? How do I know what I'm really buying?
What guarantees do I have? Private auctions via Holiday's auction
marketplace eliminate the risk and offer all the benefits of vacation
ownership at deeply discounted prices.

"TUG members are savvy timeshare owners who know the value timeshares
offer," said Gail Bennett, Holiday's Director of Sales. "We're happy to
bring them what we think is the best value available today in the timeshare
marketplace."

Related Information

Holiday timeshare auctions:
http://auction.holidaygroup.com/register.php.



Timeshare Users Group Webinar:
http://www.holidaygroup.com/webinar/Timeshare-TUG.php

About Timeshare Users Group

The Timeshare Users Group ( http://www.tug2.net ), founded in 1993, is
a self-help organization composed of timeshare owners and anyone else
interested in timeshares and timesharing. TUG provides timeshare owners
with an unbiased source of consumer-oriented information on Timeshare
resorts and the timeshare concept. TUG collects reviews and ratings for
over 4000 timeshare resorts from TUG Members and volunteers who have
actually been to these Timeshare resorts and provide this data, along with
area activities, sites to see, and places to eat.

About Holiday Group

Holiday's online timeshare business connects thousands of vacation
buyers with discount timeshares every year. Founded in 1992, Holiday was
one of the first timeshare companies to host a comprehensive Web site.
Holiday is headquartered in sunny Seattle. Please visit
http://www.holidaygroup.com for more information.

Story : http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/03-24-2008/0004779257&EDATE=

Teletext Holidays is launching an online agency, having secured an Atol, and has plans to become an Abta member.#8232;#8232;The site, This is Travel, was set up last April and operated as a portal for OTC, part of lastminute.com, which provided the technology and fulfilment. Now, the OTC contract has been terminated and Teletext Holidays will operate the This is Travel brand as its own online agent. #8232;#8232;This is Travel will fulfil all bookings inhouse, with technology provided by Traveltek.
#8232;A statement from the company said: The site was originally launched to allow Teletext Holidays to monetise the growing demand for component purchasing and dynamic packaging previously served unprofitably by a media model.#8232;
Teletext Holidays managing director Matt Cheevers said: The market we operate in has changed dramatically over the past few years. It has been clear to me for some time now that we must continue to review our entire operation and business model.#8232;
While we remain a media-led organisation, our plans to expand This is Travel will allow us to achieve enhanced revenues from markets we previously had to ignore.#8232;
Cheevers said This is Travel would co-exist with our existing advertising clients and not dilute revenue.

http://www.ttglive.com/c/portal/layout?p_l_id=61139&CMPI_SHARED_articleId=462016&CMPI

Article by Charlotte Walsh

Tuesday, 25 Mar 2008 09:44
European ski resorts enjoyed freezing temperatures and significant snowfalls this weekend, which is great news for people planning a last minute ski holiday.

The Easter wintry blast delivered fresh snow, including good powder on the upper slopes.

Ski resorts across Austria continue to have the best skiing conditions after the weekend's dump.

In France, the ever popular Meribel in the Three Valleys had heavy falls of snow over the weekend after a snow-free spell.

Val d'Isere is now reporting 152cm of snow on the lower slopes and 180cm on the highest slopes.

The La Plagne/Les Arcs region is looking even better, with reports of 210 cm of snow at 2,000m and 280cm on the pistes at the top of the mountain.

This is one of the largest ski areas in the world with over 420km of piste.

The ski season is far from over.

http://www.travelbite.co.uk/news/travel-advice/travel-tips/latest-snow-report-great-news-last-minute-ski-holidays-$1215101.htm

Fifteen ports on Europes West Coast have launched a campaign to promote a new cruise destination encompassing seven countries, seven leading cultures, and seven well-known capitals. The 15 ports, Hamburg and Bremerhaven (Germany); Ijmuiden, Amsterdam, and Rotterdam (The Netherlands); Antwerp (Belgium); Cherbourg, St. Malo, Brest, Nantes, La Rochelle, and Bordeaux (France): Santander and Vigo (Spain): and Lisbon (Portugal), founded the Atlantic Alliance to market themselves as a unique and attractive cruise destination offering many exciting possibilities of intermarries.

Europes West Coast is a treasure trove for travelers seeking exclusive experiences beyond what has become conventional luxury, said Dirk Moldenhauer Managing Director, Hamburg Cruise Center and Managing Director of the Atlantic Alliance, at Seatrade 2008.

Until now, Europes Atlantic seaboard has been regarded by the cruise industry as a transit and repositioning area between the Mediterranean and the Baltic. But the Atlantic Alliance members will offer cruise passengers many more and extraordinary experiences such as rich cosmopolitan cultures, great shopping, sophisticated food and wine, and the grand capitals of Europe, all in one cruise.

The Atlantic Alliance expects more ports and tourism boars to join. In August 2008, the group will issue a brochure providing the cruise lines with all necessary information about theme cruises and touristic highlights.

Full story: www.traveldailynews.com/pages/show_page/25056

Record prices for both crude oil and refined jet fuel are threatening to send U.S. carriers spiraling toward deep losses, drastic service cutbacks, job cuts and, perhaps by year's end, an industrywide cash crunch.
A year ago, airline managers were talking about the return of a profits cycle in 2007 that would grow larger this year and extend into 2009 or even 2010. Now, they're grounding and selling planes, trimming service on marginal routes and eliminating it on others where there's no hope of making money. They are cutting jobs, rolling out more service charges and to the consternation of travelers raising fares almost weekly by amounts never seen before. They're also watching their cash balances closely and nervously.
Prolonged oil prices above $110 a barrel could do what all the airlines' long list of problems in the last seven years have not drive one or more out of business. That's a worst-case scenario, however. The government's Energy Information Administration forecasts crude oil prices will average $94 a barrel this year. And airlines have a well-established record of surviving the most horrible business conditions.
But even if expectations of prolonged triple-digit oil prices prove wrong, no one expects them to fall back near last year's average of $72 a barrel, which was then perceived as painfully high. So U.S. carriers are certain to spend much more on fuel this year than they did last year $2 billion more in Delta's (DAL) case at current oil prices, for example.
That means the USA's air carriers appear headed toward the kind of huge losses they rang up in the post-9/11 years before earning very modest profits in 2006 and 2007. In recent reports, several industry analysts have projected those losses could range from $1 billion to $9 billion.

Full story : http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/travel/2008-03-24-jet-fuel-costs_N.htm

Plans to fingerprint passengers using Heathrow's new fifth terminal have been challenged by the UK's data protection watchdog.
The Information Commissioner's Office has warned airport operator BAA that the security measure may breach the Data Protection Act.
BAA confirmed that it was in negotiations with the Commissioner over the fingerprinting of passengers, but insisted that there was no prospect of the row delaying Thursday's scheduled operational opening of Terminal 5.
The fingerprinting plan will affect all domestic passengers using the 4.3 billion terminal, officially opened by the Queen earlier this month, as well as international passengers transferring onto internal flights.
The move will allow domestic and international passengers to mingle in the shops, cafes and bars in Terminal 5's vast departure lounge.
Prints will be taken when passengers first go through security, and then checked at the gate, ensuring that the individual boarding the plane is the same person who first checked in.
Without a security measure of this type, it might be possible for a terrorist to arrive at Heathrow on a transit flight, then exchange boarding passes with a colleague in the departure lounge and join a domestic flight to enter the UK without being checked by immigration authorities.
The Home Office said that BAA was required to ensure that arrangements at Terminal 5 did not breach border security, but that there was no requirement for this to involve fingerprinting.

Full story : http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/uk-news/2008/03/23/airport-fingerprint-plan-challenged-91466-20661967

The cost of holidays in Europe is set to soar this year as the growing strength of the euro adds to tourists' shopping, bar and accommodation bills. Six months ago it would have cost 67 to buy 100; now it costs 78 after a 16 per cent fall in the value of the pound against the euro. Financial experts predict that the trend is likely to continue.
'This is having quite an impact over here,' said Kevin Mountford, a financial expert at Moneysupermarket.com. 'From a tourist perspective, you now have to be careful not to leave your currency exchange until the last minute.' A meal for two in a typical French restaurant with drinks and coffee at the end of last year would have cost 52 on average, according to price research from the Post Office. The same meal just a few months later would now cost 60.

Even if sterling does recover over the summer, tour operators agree their prices with hotel and apartment owners well in advance so the current exchange rate will be felt by those heading for some winter sun. The Post Office found that the rising strength of the euro is likely to be felt most by holidaymakers used to enjoying the relatively low costs of Malta and Cyprus, which both switched to the euro in January. Before the 2002 switch to the euro, Spain and Greece were the cheapest of Europe's major holiday destinations. To add to holidaymakers' financial burden, the cost of spending on credit and debit cards overseas is also rising, according to website uswitch.com. A number of card companies have recently started charging customers a flat fee every time they use their debit card abroad, on top of the foreign exchange fees they already pay.

People looking to buy property overseas will also be affected by the sharp drop in the value of sterling. A 150,000 house in Spain a year ago would have cost a UK buyer 105,000; now it would cost 120,000. 'On the positive side, the cost of property has fallen in many European countries, but the problem is that any gains are now being offset by this poor exchange rate,' said Mountford. 'On the flip side of the coin, friends going to the US for their holidays are now enjoying better value for their money than ever.'

British holidaymakers in the US have been able to take advantage of a strong exchange rate over the past few months, with one pound buying almost two dollars. A recent survey by Halifax Insurance predicted an increase in long-haul mini-breaks, which it dubs 'breakneck breaks'.

Eastern Europe's emerging city-break destinations, such as Krakow, Tallinn, Riga and Dubrovnik - which are in countries not yet using the euro - could also be set to benefit, predicts the Post Office. Bulgaria offers the cheapest European holiday, according to travel agent Thomas Cook. Amid the financial crisis, UK operators are hoping for a boost for British holidays, with foreign tourists taking advantage of the favourable exchange rate.

For full story:

Article by Lisa Bachelor of The Observer, Sunday March 23 2008

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2008/mar/23/foreigncurrency

MEXICO BEACH, Fla. -- Marilyn Theus peddles costume jewelry, chipped china plates and other so-called junktiques on the roadside between Port St. Joe and Mexico Beach. On Tuesdays, she's joined by a friend who markets fresh shrimp from the site overlooking the turquoise waters of St. Josephs Bay.



The vendors are part of the local charm of Florida's Forgotten Coast (www.forgottencoastline.com), which stretches along the Gulf of Mexico from Mexico Beach to about 100 miles east to St. Marks. Mom and pop motels, bait shops and undeveloped beaches dot the coast south of the Apalachicola National Forest.

But a new $330-million international airport, pushed by the St. Joe Co. and political leaders over the objection of environmentalists, is scheduled to open in early 2010 on a 4,000-acre site north of Panama City. It could mean big changes for these quiet oyster and shrimping towns, long bypassed by tourists.

Formed by the duPont family to harvest timber for paper products in the 1930s, the St. Joe Co. is now a developer and owns some 700,000 acres of undeveloped Florida land mostly in the Panhandle, making it the state's largest private landowner. St. Joe donated the 4,000 acres to relocate Panama City's existing airport and owns 78,000 acres of undeveloped property surrounding the new airport.

Along the Forgotten Coast, the state -- with the help of a land donation from the St. Joe Co. -- recently rerouted 4 miles of U.S.-98, the major east-west coastal highway, to improve the traffic flow in the area and make way for development. High-end vacation homes began replacing motels and RV parks a decade ago. In sleepy Port Saint Joe, trendy interior decorating stores have opened near the local Piggly Wiggly.

"We aren't forgotten anymore," said Brad Hart, a commercial painter who has lived in the area for 30 years. The national mortgage crisis has slowed the bulldozers and construction cranes, but building continues.

The airport has withstood legal challenges from environmentalists, a local pilots group and others who have argued it is unnecessary and will destroy environmentally sensitive wetlands. The lawsuits continue but the future of the new airport -- the first since Sept. 11, 2001 -- appears increasingly certain to both supporters and opponents.

"We did our battle, and we were unsuccessful," said Fred Werner, a Panama City pharmacist and amateur pilot whose organization, Friends of PFN -- the FAA's designation for the existing Panama City airport -- sued to block the new airport.

Werner objects to the airport as a "corporate welfare scheme," which he says will benefit the company in future decades by ensuring tourists easy access to the region.

Proponents of the airport relocation, including the St. Joe Co., argue the existing airport's runways are restricted by St. Andrews Bay, that it's vulnerable to flooding in tropical storms and hurricanes, and that the area needs a larger, regional airport capable of handling international flights for long-term growth.

Despite the lawsuits, Randy Curtis, the airport's executive director, said it appears the construction schedule is on track for the new airport to open in early 2010.

On a recent Friday afternoon, campers played horseshoes at the El Governor RV Park in Mexico Beach. Their motor homes were parked on a vacant lot overlooking the white-sand beach and turquoise waters stretching below the nearby El Governor Hotel. But campground manager Jerry Metz fears beachfront camping is part of a bygone era.

"You never know what the economy is going to do, but I'm assuming it will go up and then all of this stuff is going to sell," he said, sweeping his hand toward nearby vacation home and condominium projects.

These aren't the high-rise condos of Panama City Beach. They are homier and built in the local architectural style using a clapboard design with brick driveways and white picket fences. They are designed to appeal to a wealthier market than the traditional Panama City Beach crowd.

Finding a place to park an RV isn't as easy as it used to be, said Metz, who estimates there are only two or three such places left in the region. The Forgotten Coast will soon become just like Panama City Beach, he said.

Camper Walter Pumphrey enjoyed riding his Harley-Davidson along the winding beachfront highway with breathtaking ocean views. But the highway has been rerouted around Windmark, a vacation home development under construction by the St. Joe Co.

Motorists now drive through a thick pine forest until they reach the town of Port St. Joe, but plans call for an additional section of highway to be rerouted and bypass Mexico Beach.

"They are taking beauty out it; it's hard to explain, but nothing is the same," Pumphrey said.

Full story : http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080323/FEATURES07/803230528/1032

Parents said a big No Prime Minister to Gordon Brown as they placed him bottom of a poll to find the celebrity family the nation would most like to join on holiday. Gordon Brown and family, who tend to holiday in the Prime Ministers native Scotland, were beaten by Conservative leader David and Samantha Cameron.

But both politicians were beaten by The Beckhams, Madonnas family and celebrity chef Jamie Oliver and family, who topped the poll by award winning family travel website takethefamily.com with 67% of the vote.

Takethefamily managing director Lucy Ace said: More and more families are getting together to holiday in larger groups; It lets you hire a bigger villa and means your kids have other children to play with. So we though it would be fun to see who would be the ultimate family to join on holiday.

Unfortunately for the Prime Minister and to a lesser extent Mr Cameron, this was one election they didnt win. They found Jamie Olivers family a much more appetizing prospect.

The full poll results were as follows:

Which celebrity family would you most like to go on holiday with?:

67% : The Jamie Olivers
15% : The Beckhams
10% : The Madonna / Ritchies
7% : The Camerons
1% : The Browns

Full story http://www.traveldailynews.com/pages/show_page/24985

Personally I would prefer none of the above as they all bore me Yawn

The golden sands of Vietnams 3,400-kilometer coastline scored its first internationally renown brand March 19 when Hyatt Hotels & Resorts broke ground on an expansive beach resort in Vietnam. Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa on China Beach joins the Park Hyatt in Ho Chi Minh Citys first district as the second Hyatt property in Vietnam.

Worldwide, Hyatt operates 750 hotels. Its other beach resorts in Southeast Asia include Hyatt Regency Hua Hin in Thailand, Grand Hyatt Bali and Bali Hyatt in Indonesia, and Hyatt Regency Kuantan Resort in Malaysia.

While some excellent beach resorts have opened in Vietnam, none possess the brand appeal of the Hyatt, said Peter Ryder, CEO of Indochina Capital, the resorts developer. We expect that Hyatts reputation will attract legions of new travelers to Vietnam from around the world.

Scheduled to open in early 2010, after a US $100 million investment, the resorts 226 guest rooms will be complemented by residential developments, including 150 condominium and 30 two-storey oceanfront villas for sale.

This setting is renown throughout Asia for two reasons China Beach and the Marble Mountains, said Grahame Carder, vice president of marketing Asia Pacific at Hyatt Hotels & Resorts. Were building on 650 meters of beachfront, and were at the foot of the legendary Marble Mountains. In Vietnam, we cant think of a better combination of cultural appeal and tropical getaway.

Indochina Capitals vision for this project is a testament to the groups ambition to put Vietnam on a par with the worlds most distinguished destinations for travelers, said Carder. Were proud to be associated with a project of such magnitude.

As Vietnams third largest city, Danangs rising appeal as a destination has prompted the inclusion of a convention center, anchored by a 500-square-meter banquet hall.

The wider world is just waking up to this region, said Ryder. The days of Good Morning, Vietnam are long over, and the Hyatts enthusiasm for this project attests to that.

Full story http://www.traveldailynews.com/pages/show_page/25018

Timeshare takes to the air with Arabian Falcon; Industry pioneer addresses SKAL gathering

Entrepreneur, Al Mohannad Sharafuddin, encourages tourism industry to embrace vacation ownership model

www.vacationownershipinvestment.com


Al Mohannad Sharafuddin, Chairman, Arabian Falcon Holidays, urged Dubais tourism leaders to think seriously about incorporating timeshare into their product mix, at a recent gathering of the Dubai Skal Club.

Some 50 members of Dubais tourism elite, including hotel operators, travel agents and destination management companies (DMCs), gathered at The Montgomery Golf Club last week to discuss the latest travel trends and business opportunities presenting themselves in Dubai.

As guest speaker, Al Mohannad Sharafuddin extolled the virtues of adding vacation ownership to mixed-use tourism developments in Dubai.

The last decade has seen Dubai become a global tourism icon because of its unrivalled economic growth. Vacation ownership has been the fastest growing sector of the worldwide travel and tourism industry for a decade. It is therefore natural that vacation ownership in Dubai is ready for success, Sharafuddin said.

Vacation ownership has unlimited potential in the market. The current estimated penetration rate for timeshare in the Middle East is only around one percent, he pointed out.

Talking to hotel operators and travel agents, Sharafuddin explained that vacation ownership adds value to any mixed-use tourism development, as it produces loyal customers who are willing to spend that little bit extra on securing a comfortable holiday experience.

The timeshare model fits in naturally with the way in which Middle East travellers like to take vacations. The larger unit sizes, often boasting two or three bedrooms, are an ideal product offering, he remarked.

Sharafuddins company, Arabian Falcon Holidays, has lead Dubais timeshare industry with the complete sell out of the emirates first timeshare resort, the 50-unit Royal Club at The Palm, Jumeirah, last year.

Arabian Falcon Holidays is now promoting its second iconic property, Royal Club at Downtown Dubai, which will boast 100 spacious apartments overlooking the worlds tallest tower, Burj Dubai.

Arabian Falcon Holidays believes in the Middle East region, especially Dubai, and we have been active in this part of the world for the past 12 years, said Sharafuddin.

As sales and marketing agent for Royal Club at Downtown Dubai, Arabian Falcon Holidays is working hard to educate the market on the benefits of timeshare membership. The company operates a high-tech sales gallery and employs a number of fully trained sales and customer service representatives.

Sharafuddin was also a guest speaker at the recently concluded Vacation Ownership Investment Conference 2008 (VOIC), which took place March 11-12 in Dubai. At the conference he also shared his experiences as a Middle Eastern timeshare sales and marketing pioneer.

VOIC 2008 is supported by Interval International, a leading provider of exchange, travel, and leisure services to resort developers and vacationers worldwide, and will be held at the Arabian Court, One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Details of VOIC can be found on www.vacationownershipinvestment.com

Full details available http://www.albawaba.com/en/countries/UAE/223867

A man with a rucksack has run into the path of an aircraft at Heathrow Airport - sparking a major security alert.

He jumped the perimeter fence shortly after 2pm and was tackled by armed officers on the northern runway.

There was a controlled explosion on the bag and early reports are that no explosives were found.

"The use of the northern runway was temporarily suspended while police dealt with the incident," a BAA Heathrow spokesperson said.

"The incident ended at about 3.50pm when the northern runway came back into full use.

"The southern runway remained fully operational throughout the incident.

"Some short delays have occurred as a result, but we expect to return to normal later this afternoon."

A British Airways spokesman said: "Flights will obviously be disrupted due to the closure of the runway."

Sky correspondent Mark White said the security scare comes ahead of the opening of a new terminal at Heathrow.

"Security is tight, especially with what is happening tomorrow morning with the opening of Terminal 5," he said.

"Her Majesty the Queen will be in attendance to open it and it will be a big day for BAA."

The state of the art new building is a major landmark in the airport's expansion.

However, a spokesman for climate change protest group Plane Stupid denied any involvement.

"What we know is that it was a lone man and he was carrying a rucksack, which is worrying in itself," White said.

"And he was determined to get airside."

He added: "The question the police will want to answer, and answer quickly, is what this man was doing airside."

Scotland Yard said anti-terrorist officers were aware of the incident but it was being dealt with by local police.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "I'm satisfied everything is now being done to ensure security at Heathrow is intact.

"We are determined to protect all passengers and all staff who go through Heathrow and every other airport."

It is the second time in recent weeks security has been breached at the airport.

Protesters walked on to the runway last month and climbed on to a Boeing 777 before unfurling a banner in protest against the airport's expansion.