Views & Interviews

Q&A: Talking to Arathi Venkatesh of Bangalore

September 2015
Arathi Venkatesh is an Associate Director at Cognizant Technology Solutions in their Learning & Development (L&D) division. She is a Behavioral Assessments Expert, with a focus on Learning & Development. Arathi heads the Behavioral Assessments CoE; and her expertise is in the area of designing, recommending and implementing behavioral assessments. Based on the outcome of these assessments she also enables relevant training interventions that aim at employee development.

Being a key member of a team working with people, we sought her views on the feel-good-factor linked to vacations. Over to Arathi Venkatesh, on vacations and the benefits of timeshare.

Q: Our first question, do people really need that annual vacation?

A: Good question, and I’m glad you’re asking me that. From my point of view, people need to take their breaks from busy work schedules – as often as they can, and as often as they can afford to. Sounds exciting, but can be difficult if you’re in a high-pressure job or part of a team that has key deliverables right through the year. But I’m sure most of us can take that annual vacation to get away from regular work, and enjoy the outdoors – the wilderness beckons.

But from what I have seen, many people either choose not to go, or find some trivial excuse to give that vacation a miss. A vacation can work wonders, in terms of revitalizing your entire being – your mind, body and soul. You come back refreshed, and you come back wrinkle-free and smiling ear to ear.

Q: Now coming to your vacations – when did you last go on a timeshare holiday?

A: Well, we take our vacations pretty seriously, I would think. And I’m glad we have a timeshare plan with Club Mahindra. Our most recent holiday was at Club Mahindra Cherai, in March this year. We’ve been to many Club Mahindra properties and this one is easily our most favorite. The suites are part of a villa-like design and come with a personal Jacuzzi; the interiors are done nicely and even the fittings in the bathroom are pure luxury. For me, personally, the view of the lake from our window was mesmerizing – with the boats gently rocking in crystal blue waters. Watching the sun rise was another visual delight that helped me start my day, bright and early.

Q: What other timeshare locations have you been to with your family?

A: Other than Cherrai, we have been to Munnar, Coorg and Goa. Mahindra’s Coorg property is beautiful with lovely gardens, natural landscapes and some very authentic local cuisine. The lure of God’s Own Country is magnetic – with its beaches, backwaters and a setting that’s unspoilt by tourism.

In a sense, most timeshare locations are nice, but for us, beaches and hill stations are a particular draw.  I am so happy that timeshare companies are making their presence in popular beach-side locations, to offer vacation plans that are really value based and convenient.

Q: According to you, what are the plus points of a timeshare membership?

A: The first thing that comes to mind, is the convenience of a planned timeshare calendar – you know you have a holiday in store, every year - your membership both enables and ensures that. Without a timeshare plan, it’s difficult to ensure a regularity that I have now been accustomed to.

The second thing, of course, is that you get to travel with the family – and that’s nice. According to me holidays are times meant for togetherness and good times with the family.  I also like to think that timeshare gives you worry-free vacations – you have a nice place to go to, where the food is excellent, and the family finds lots of things to do.

The good thing about timeshare is the wide choice of options you can get in terms of resorts and locations in the chain. Your membership with RCI also opens up wide and interesting possibilities in the big wide world of timeshare and vacation ownership.

For me, timeshare is a lot more than a holiday plan for 25 years – it’s a feeling of belonging to a large family of hospitality professionals who care for you, and offer you the best in terms of facilities and service.