DAE Invitational Golf Classic Returns to Taupo
DAE is hosting its second annual DAE Invitational Golf Classic in Taupo, New Zealand, from 10th to 14th May.
It follows on from the success of last year’s inaugural tournament, which saw around 70 local and international players take part in the 5-day friendly tournament, with close to 100 expected this year.
“Our inaugural Golf Classic in May 2014 attracted DAE members from as far as Perth to take part in the unique friendly competition, which is fantastic for the Taupo region,” said DAE’s Regional Manager, Australia New Zealand, Gary Fog.
“We’re bringing back the 9-hole format, which proved to be extremely popular with the players last year, as well as introducing an 18- hole Ambrose on Sunday to kick things off. “Importantly, the 9-hole format allows plenty of time to soak up everything else on offer around the local Taupo area, including lake and river cruises, fishing, glass blowing, and other activities.
“This style of competition week gives people a reason to travel – benefiting the Taupo region and our members, who get to experience something different while on holiday.”
The peak timeshare industry body, the New Zealand Holiday Ownership Council (NZHOC), has again put its support behind the DAE Golf Classic.
“The timeshare industry contributes over $10 million in expenditure by resorts and guests to the Taupo region annually,” said NZHOC Chairman, Martyn Rix. “It is events and experiences like the DAE Golf Classic that drive further engagement of timeshare owners and keep occupancy levels of timeshare resorts up near an average of 90%* year round.
“Not only did last year’s tournament attract 70 players, on average each golfer was accompanied by a partner, with many even bringing up to four other family and friends along for the week – boosting the economic impact even further.”
Mr Fog said the interest in this year’s tournament had grown substantially. “We look forward to welcoming back local members and even more DAE members to join us for a great week at the DAE Invitational Golf Classic in Taupo.”
Wyndham Takes on its Own Greatest Shave for Charity
Brave employees from one of the Gold Coast’s largest corporate employers, Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific, have taken on the challenge to shave or colour their hair for Wyndham’s Greatest Shave.
Key members of the Executive and Senior Management teams had their hair shaved or coloured to support the Leukaemia Foundation through Wyndham’s philanthropic program, Wishes by Wyndham.
The company has been raising money throughout April and May leading up to the event, with the goal of raising $7,500 towards the cause. Wishes by Wyndham was launched in 2012 and has raised more than $140,000 to date towards various charity organisations supporting those in need.
One of the brave employees, Terri Sinclair was the first to put her hand up to shave her long locks off in support of her mother, who was recently diagnosed with a very aggressive form of blood cancer known as Acute Myeloid Leukaemia.
“Having my mother diagnosed with Leukaemia earlier this year, the Leukaemia Foundation is a cause close to my heart so I decided to take part in Wyndham’s Greatest Shave,” Terri said.
I have been blown away with the support from my colleagues, both with those signing up to shave or colour their hair as well as those who have donated to us.”
The Executive and Senior Management team members soon followed in support of their colleague and the Leukaemia Foundation, which provides personalised and practical support for people living with blood cancer and their families.
The Leukaemia Foundation has invested millions of dollars into research for better treatment and cures with the annual World’s Greatest Shave raising a record $20.3 million alone.
“The Leukaemia Foundation of Queensland is so delighted by the level of enthusiasm and support by the team at Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific,” said Leukaemia Foundation Regional Event Coordinator, Kim Redman.
“Approximately six Queenslanders a day are diagnosed with a blood cancer and it can happen to anyone at any age at any time. Funds raised by Wyndham staff will contribute enormously to fund vital research for a cure as well as assist patients undergoing treatment through accommodation, financial and emotional assistance,” she added.
Eight employees shaved their hair, including Senior Vice President Resort Operations and Property Development, Matt Taplin and Senior Vice President Sales, Kieran McKenna, while three employees coloured their hair including Senior Vice President Legal, Tiffany Rose.
Trip Advisor – The Sebel Melbourne Filnders Lane. 5 Time Winner of the Certificate of Excellence
Accor Vacation Club’s The Sebel Melbourne Flinders Lane Apartments has just been granted the Certificate of Excellence Hall of Fame Award. This unique accolade is granted only to those businesses that have won the Certificate of Excellence for five consecutive years. The Certificate of Excellence can be earned only by receiving consistently great reviews on the world’s largest travel site which is an outstanding achievement.
Classic Holidays Takes Indigenous Job Training One Step Further
Gold Coast-based Resort and Club Management company, Classic Holidays, is taking part in a new training program delivering practical work-ready skills to Indigenous job seekers on the Gold Coast.
Developed by Coolangatta-based Registered Training Organisation One Step Further in conjunction with Indigenous job search provider MatchWorks and Yakka Employment Services, Yarn n Yakka prepares Indigenous job seekers for Gold Coast hospitality and tourism jobs.
Fifty indigenous students will take part in an eight week Certificate III in Hospitality (Tourism) with One Step Further, which will include practical skills delivery and on the job training at several Classic Managed Resorts on the Gold Coast.
“Classic Holidays is committed to cultural equality and inclusion across all areas of our business,” said Chief Operating Officer, Carole Smith. “We welcome the opportunity to assist Indigenous job seekers towards gaining meaningful employment in tourism and hospitality.”
CEO of One Step Further, Jo-Anne Smith, said the practical elements of working within the Classic group of companies would develop the employability of indigenous job seekers and benefit the industry through diversity.
“Yarn n Yakka represents a significant shift in the way Indigenous training programs are delivered, by providing the on the job experiences the participants need to become workready,” said Ms Smith.
“We are thrilled to have the support of Classic Holidays in welcoming these Indigenous students into the workplace – it is equally important for our local businesses to embrace these participants as an opportunity to gain well trained staff who are prepared for the workforce through quality learning.”
Yarn n Yakka participants will undertake a week of MatchWorks’ Deadly Yakka employability program followed by eight weeks of skills training in a Certificate II or III in Hospitality (Tourism), including workplace experience, as well as the support of an Indigenous Mentor
The program was launched at Coolangatta on Friday 8 May at Classic Holidays’ Beach House Seaside Resort.
Changes Proposed to Training for Financial Services Staff
The Federal Government via ASIC Consultation Paper 212 and the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services’ inquiry is proposing to lift the professional, ethical and education standards in the financial services industry. This proposal is recommending highly enhanced training and education standards for the financial planning industry.
Should the recommendations be approved, this will also capture all sales staff in the timeshare industry. This is inconsistent with the previously granted carve out under FOFA. Subjecting the timeshare industry to the same level of education and training requirements as the financial services industry will be detrimental to the future of the timeshare industry in Australia.
ATHOC has sent off a submission to Treasury in response to this raising or concerns of the impact this will have on the Australian Timeshare Industry. Meetings will also be held with a number of Federal MP’s to discuss our concerns.
Please contact us or go to the members only section to see a copy of the submission.
Avenues for sale of tenant-in-common interests in title-based timeshare schemes – One of the biggest issues facing sold out properties in Australia
• Members of title-based timeshare schemes hold shares in the timeshare company (Club) and a tenant-incommon interest in the associated real property (Resort).
• The constitution of the Club enables a member’s shares to be forfeited in certain circumstances, including if the member has failed to pay their levies. In order for the Club to sell a delinquent member’s interest to another person, the person must acquire the delinquent member’s share and tenant-in- common interest. However, the provisions of the Club constitution do not facilitate the ‘forfeiture’ of a member’s tenant-in-common interest in the Resort. Accordingly, the Club must adopt alternative means in order to recover a delinquent member’s tenant-in-common interest in order to sell their interest in the scheme to another person.
ATHOC currently has our solicitors looking at options on how we might best try and resolve this issue without it costing the resorts a huge amount of money.
Adverse Possession
Advising on whether the Club can obtain a delinquent member’s tenantin-common interest in the Resort via a claim for adverse possession. Adverse possession is gaining legal ownership of the property on the basis that the Club has had uninterrupted and exclusive possession to the tenantin-common interest for a substantial period of time.
Sheriff’s Auction
Advising on the methodology to procure the sale of the tenant-incommon interest by way of Sheriff’s Office auction within the confines of the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules, applicable NSW property legislation and Sheriff’s auction process in a manner which overcomes hurdles experienced to date
TRUSTEE SALE Advising on the availability of, and (if available) the process for, obtaining a court order to appoint a trustee to facilitate the sale of a delinquent member’s tenant-in-common interest in the Resort.
ICE Take to the Island for Training
Last week was training time for the managers, supervisors and team leaders of ICE Vacations with the executive team training their peers and colleagues at Couran Cove Resort on South Stradbroke Island. This sunny resort saw the team take part in lectures and discussions on team building, effective management, saw a greater focus on customer-centric ideas and opportunities, new HR practices and more – each one designed to refresh, renew and build on skills and knowledge the management team already possess in abundance.
One of the highlights of the day was a Scavenger Hunt that roamed across the island, into sand, splashing through water and mangroves, under bushes and more – it was such fun! Managers competed in team and individual challenges before being tied together, 3 each team, to search the grounds for interesting items – something clear, something blue, grassy or alive were just a few! The hardest thing to find was a feather! Would you believe it! Although there were birds singing everywhere, no feathers! After gathering everything else, scrabbling under bushes and climbing trees, one manager almost went for a swim in the pool while chasing a duck… “I was going to bring the whole duck, honest!” she laughed. The whole day was a lot of fun, hard work and definitely exciting.
Each and every manager, team leader and supervisor returned invigorated with a renewed sense of purpose to engage and excite our own teams to be the best that they can be, to look for and take opportunities to work together for the promotion of our suppliers, our brands and our company, and to ensure that our customers get more than they expect when it comes to customer service and sales management and make their holiday dreams come true.
ICE Vacations are confident in the knowledge that they are more than prepared to meet the challenges of today’s travel and leisure industries head on – GO TEAM ICE!
