SINGAPORE (JANUARY 22, 2020) – President and Managing Director of International Operations for Wyndham Vacation Clubs, Barry Robinson, has been selected to lead the Asia Pacific Resort Development Organisation (APRDO), the industry body for timeshare in the Asia Pacific region. Mr Robinson now serves as President of the APRDO Executive Committee.

APRDO formed in 2019 to represent and advocate for its member businesses and enhance the success of the timeshare or vacation ownership industry, while also building consumer awareness and confidence in timeshare as an alternative to traditional holiday products. Its members include Hilton Grand Vacations, Anantara Vacation Club, Karma Group, Classic Holidays, Interval International, Marriot Vacations Worldwide, Wyndham Destinations and RCI, among others.

“I am honoured to have been chosen to lead the APRDO body and continue on its work in this diverse part of the world, where we are truly beginning to see consumers recognise the fantastic benefits and lifestyle that timeshare can provide its owners,” Mr Robinson said.

“The multitude of languages and cultures and the differences in legal systems between the many markets can make working in this region both an exciting and challenging experience, so it is important that our member businesses have the ability to work together to protect both industry and consumer interests.

“I would like to pay tribute to the work that our previous APRDO President, Bill Minnock, former Managing Director Asia Pacific at Marriot Vacations Worldwide, did with APRDO before his recent retirement and I am committed to further raising the profile of APDRO and the timeshare industry in Asia,” Mr Robinson added.

Other leadership appointments, effective from January 1, this year, include:

• Vice President – Jeff Bernier; Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing Asia, Hilton Grand Vacations
• Treasurer – Joe Hickman; Vice President/Executive Director, Interval International Asia Pacific
• Director – Martin Tolan; Regional Vice President of Marketing & Sales Asia Pacific, Marriott Vacation Club
• Secretary – Paul Mulcahy; Managing Director, RCI Asia Pacific, India & EMEA

To find out more about APDRO, please visit www.aprdo.org.

KUTA, INDONESIA (MAY, 2020): Wyndham Garden Kuta Beach Bali has helped locals take precautions against the spread of COVID-19 on the tourist island by building public washbasins for people and donating vitamins to at-risk communities.

International health authorities say social distancing and self-isolation are both key ways to minimise the spread of the coronavirus, while frequently washing or sanitising hands is an excellent precautionary measure.

Wyndham Garden Kuta Beach General Manager, Bagus Ngurah, has worked with industry colleagues to distribute 52 public washbasins for high-traffic areas like walkways and locations near temples and mosques. These basins come complete with a water tank, soap, and tissues to dry hands.

“As a result of COVID-19, there is unfortunately a very high demand for hygiene products, meaning that they are short in supply in certain areas and not affordable for many people. I was inspired to build these basins so everyone can clean their hands and protect themselves,” Mr Ngurah said.

As he sets up more basins, the initiative gathers more momentum in the form of greater public awareness and donations.

“Through corporate donors, hospitals and our personal friends, we have been able to raise approximately 88 million Indonesian Rupiah for more than 50 basins so far, and we have plans for more. It has been pleasing to see the community support because the only way we can defeat COVID-19 is by working together. These basins remind us of the importance of personal hygiene and give us all the opportunity to practice it,” he said.

The basins drain into existing infrastructure and locals are encouraged to refill them with soap and water when they run low.

The team at Wyndham Garden Kuta Beach has also worked with hoteliers and academics to donate 10,000 vitamin tablets to the village of Songan at Mount Batur to improve community health during this time. The village was chosen due to low ratio of health care professionals to people.

Wyndham Destinations manages the 155-room Wyndham Garden Kuta Beach along with three other Bali properties: Wyndham Dreamland Resort Bali, Wyndham Tamansari Jivva Resort Bali, Ramada by Wyndham Bali Sunset Road Kuta, and six other Indonesia properties in Lombok, Jakarta, Surabaya, Palembang and Solo through its local subsidiary, PT Wyndham Hotel Management.

Wyndham Garden Kuta Beach is positioned directly across the famous Kuta Beach and offers two pools – a family pool for children and a rooftop pool overlooking the ocean – an all-day dining restaurant, a bar, a day spa and meeting rooms for seminars and events.

NADI, FIJI (24 APRIL 2020) – In the midst of a tourism downturn caused by the global coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic, Club Wyndham Denarau Island is doing everything it can to support its displaced staff, including providing them with fresh meals and vouchers for groceries.

In late March, Wyndham Destinations Asia Pacific made the decision to close Club Wyndham Denarau Island until at least May 31, in order to ensure the safety of its guests and staff. The business also wanted to play its part to encourage people to stay at home, in line with the direction provided by national and international health bodies.

“With no guests currently staying at Club Wyndham Denarau Island, we are unable to provide work to some of the resort’s team,” said General Manager, Kaydee George. “We have a large team of employees and we are a tight-knit group with a great sense of camaraderie. It is in our heart to support one another, especially at a time like this.

“Just this week, we have provided our team members who are not working with $100 food vouchers for Shop N Save and hot meals – a small gesture to show we care. We have a reduced team onsite maintaining the resorts rooms, facilities and grounds and are looking for opportunities to keep others engaged – for example, we brought some additional staff back to help clean debris in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Harold recently.”

Wyndham Destinations Asia Pacific serves close to 60,000 owners who are part of Club Wyndham South Pacific, the region’s leading timeshare club featuring 51 resorts including Club Wyndham Denarau Island.

Ideally located just 15 minutes from Nadi Airport, Club Wyndham Denarau Island features a host of facilities including Mamacita Restaurant & Bar, The Beach Shack café and bar, a mobile coffee cart and swim up-pool bars at the lagoon-style swimming pool and adults’ only pool. The resort also boasts a children’s pool, day spa, gym, beach club, games room and 24-hour reception.

AIRLIE BEACH, QUEENSLAND (11 MARCH 2020) – Tides, the onsite restaurant at Club Wyndham Airlie Beach Whitsundays, will relaunch tomorrow night under new management with a fresh menu and an emphasis on locally sourced food at affordable prices.

Club Wyndham Airlie Beach was acquired by Wyndham Destinations Asia Pacific late last year and was quickly made available to the almost 60,000 owners who are part of the region’s largest timeshare club, Club Wyndham South Pacific.

The resort’s General Manager Malik Hayat said his team has been working on a new direction for Tides and is excited about unveiling it to club owners and locals at tomorrow’s relaunch.

“Our refreshed focus is about catering for a broad range of tastes through high quality food and a carefully considered menu featuring cultural diversity and different dietary preferences,” said Mr Hayat.

“The restaurant’s new management will concentrate on sourcing locally where possible – particularly when it comes to seafood – and providing competitive price points, so that Tides will become a go-to venue for Airlie Beach residents.
“We are looking forward to plating up at our relaunch and we are eagerly anticipating a full house of locals and guests keen to try our new meals for the first time.”

The restaurant’s menu features classics like nachos, Caesar salad and Greek salad alongside local seafood dishes: Whitsunday king prawns with rose marie sauce, and barramundi and chips. An Indian-style chicken curry, a specialty of the restaurant’s Chef Guatam, also promises to be a rare treat.

Sticky date pudding, vanilla bean panna cotta and homemade chocolate brownies are the options for dessert, while the restaurant also has an extensive wine and spirits list.

Bookings for tomorrow night can still be made by calling 4962 5100 and diners can receive discounts of 25 per cent on food. Patrons at the relaunch will also be entertained by local performer Mick Woodbridge. Moving forward, the restaurant will be open from Tuesday to Saturday between 11am and 9pm and will cater for restaurant and poolside dining, and room service for guests.

Boasting one, two and three-bedroom apartments, Club Wyndham Airlie Beach features an open-air restaurant and bar, infinity pool and spa, gym, conference facilities and undercover parking, all within easy reach of Airlie Beach’s popular attractions.