Interval International, a prominent worldwide provider of vacation services and an operating business of Interval Leisure Group (Nasdaq: IILG), announced a long-term affiliation agreement with Cialco S.A., owner and operator of Cialcotel, one of Ecuador’s leading boutique hotel companies, and EQRooms C.A., the operator of its vacation program, Rooms Ecuador. The agreement encompasses seven existing properties, as well as others that become part of the program.
The resorts are located near Ecuador’s many natural and cultural attractions: beautiful beaches and ecological reserves in the warm coastal region; lakes, volcanoes, and colonial cities such as the capital, Quito, in the central Andes highlands; and Inca ruins in the south sierra near Cuenca.
“We are pleased to see Cialcotel enter the industry and take advantage of the potential growth opportunities that shared ownership offers in the region,” said Marcos Agostini, Interval’s senior vice president of resort sales and business development for Latin America. “Consumers interested in traveling throughout Ecuador will be able to purchase vacation time and enjoy a wide range of experiences.”
“As we expanded our product line, the expertise provided by the seasoned Interval team — including innovative point-of-sale technology — has proven invaluable,” said José Luis Alvarez, president of Cialcotel. “Along with global exchange options, our members will appreciate Interval’s leisure programs, member benefits, and excellent customer service.”
Among the properties included in the agreement are Patio Andaluz Hotel, located off the historic main square in colonial Quito, one of the first UNESCO World Heritage sites and the world’s highest official capital city.
Also in the mountainous central region, Roka Plaza Hotel is in historic Ambato, hacienda-style Rumipamba de la Rosas is outside the town of Salcedo, and Sangay Spa Hotel is in Baños city.
Playa Coaque in Jama, Manabí, which is currently under construction, and La Piedra Hotel in Bahía de Caráquez, are on the scenic Pacific coast near lush green forests, thermal pools, and other naturally beautiful attractions.
Hotel Carvallo is a 19th-century mansion in the historic center of Cuenca, a UNESCO World Heritage site in southern Ecuador.
New purchasers at Rooms Ecuador will be enrolled as individual members of Interval International and will also become Interval Gold® members, entitling them to a number of flexible exchange opportunities and upgraded benefits and services. These include Interval Options®, the ability to exchange their resort week toward a cruise, tour, golf, or spa vacation; ShortStay Exchange®; Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® membership, which gives them the opportunity to earn bonus points for up to two free weekend rental days; US$25 Getaway discounts; special offers at hotels, restaurants, and retail outlets worldwide; and VIP ConciergeSM for personal assistance, 24/7. Members purchasing at a higher level will join at the prestigious Interval Platinum® and receive all the Interval Gold advantages, plus an array of best-in-class leisure and lifestyle benefits and services. These include priority Getaway viewing; US$50 Getaway discounts; free Guest Certificates; Platinum Escapes; and special offers at hotels, restaurants, and retail outlets worldwide.
About Interval International
Interval International operates membership programs for vacationers and provides value-added services to its developer clients worldwide. Based in Miami, Florida, the company has been a pioneer and innovator in serving the vacation ownership market since 1976. Today, Interval’s
exchange network comprises more than 2,900 resorts in over 80 nations. Through offices in 16
countries, Interval offers high-quality products and benefits to resort clients and approximately 2 million families who are enrolled in various membership programs. Interval is an operating business of Interval Leisure Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: IILG), a leading global provider of non-traditional lodging, encompassing a portfolio of leisure businesses from exchange and vacation rental to vacation ownership.
