Marriott Vacation Club launches new web site
The site contains more than 700 pages offering potential new owners with hands-on information covering everything from the history of Vacation Ownership and comprehensive resort listings to speaking online with a MVCI Counselor in real-time.
"With so many people logging onto the web regularly, this site creates an opportunity to provide further awareness of MVCI and greater consumer access to our resorts," said Peter Watzka, senior vice president, marketing and sales. "In 1984 when Marriott entered the Vacation Ownership industry, we redefined the way vacations were offered to consumers with a low-key, "counselor-based" approach offering prospective new owners information and assistance in utilizing their leisure time to the fullest. Now through the Internet we're taking it one step further, as potential owners can browse the information-rich site at their leisure and contact us as needed."
The site provides a state-of-the-art showcase of the MVCI system of resorts and takes the visitor on an extensive tour of each individual property. In addition to destination highlights and a description of resort amenities, the web site uses the latest technology including iPIX images featuring 360 degree virtual tours, local weather including up to the minute forecasts and year-round temperatures as well as interactive street maps for the location of each resort.
When a prospective owner requires more information or wishes to purchase via the Internet, they have three options: fill out a secure online form; contact a Vacation Counselor via telephone; or chat live, online with a counselor for a two-way dialogue. The "one-on-one chat" feature allows the Marriott representative to take the visitor on a guided tour of the web site.
"Since our sales efforts surpassed more than $700 million last year alone and our daily sales are increasing via the Internet, the opportunity for tremendous e-commerce growth is very realistic," continued Watzka.
Homestore.com, Inc. (Nasdaq: HOMS) is the leading supplier of online media and technology solutions to the home and real estate industries, serving both consumers and professionals. Homestore.com, Inc.'s family of web sites includes the Homestore.com™, REALTOR.com®, HomeBuilder.com™, SpringStreet.com™ and HomeFair.com™ web sites. Homestore.com™ features the widest-range of home and real estate related information on topics including finance and insurance, home improvement, décor, lawn and garden, and home electronics, among others. Consumers can view over 1.4 million new and existing homes for sale and find broker and agent services on REALTOR.com®, the official Internet site of the National Association of REALTORS®. Consumers searching for new homes can find more than 130,000 models, new homes and built-to-suit plans on HomeBuilder.com™, the official new homes site of the National Association of Home Builders. Consumers interested in renting an apartment will find listing information from more than 45,000 properties in more than 6,000 cities on SpringStreet.com™. Comprehensive moving and relocation information on the Internet is available from HomeFair.com™. Homestore.com™ content is also available through distribution relationships with America Online, Excite @Home and Netscape. Technology subsidiaries of Homestore.com, Inc. include WyldFyre Technologies, the leading developer of software used to access multiple listing service data and property photos; Top Producer Systems, North America's #1- selling provider of leads management and marketing software for real estate professionals; and The Hessel Group, the provider of technology-driven solutions and services to the relocation industry.
MVCI is the recognized, worldwide industry leader in Vacation Ownership with 50 resorts in 28 destinations. The more than 175,000 vacation owners not only benefit from the "Marriott vacation experience," but also a flexible program with options such as priority week(s) exchange within the MVCI portfolio, trading their week(s) for Marriott RewardsÒ points or exchanging within Interval International's global system of 1,800 resorts in more than 75 countries.
For more information on Vacation Ownership, please visit our web site at www.marriottvacationclub.com or call (800) 332-1333.
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MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. (NYSE:MAR) is a leading worldwide hospitality company with over 2,300 operating units in the United States and 59 other countries and territories. Marriott Lodging operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Ramada International brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott, Ritz-Carlton and Horizons brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its ExecuStay by Marriott division; and operates conference centers. Other Marriott businesses include senior living communities and services, wholesale food distribution and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. The company is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has approximately 154,000 employees. In fiscal year 2000, Marriott International reported systemwide sales of $19.8 billion. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com.
SOURCE: Marriott