HVS International is a global consulting and services organization focused on the hotel, restaurant, timeshare, gaming and leisure industries, will set up the first asset management company (AMC) for managing hospitality assets in India. To be set up in the next six months, the AMC, besides managing assets, will provide advisory services to hotels and related commercial establishments. The new HVS company will provide a wide range of support to its clients in the areas of acquisition and due diligence, market repositioning, franchise and management company analysis and evaluation and contract negotiation assistance.

The domestic hospitality industry is going to witness huge expansion from players such as Indian Hotels Company, Marriott, Hilton, Starwood, Accor, Golden Tulip and Hyatt.

A new survey shows that 14 per cent of active leisure travelers in America are now interested in purchasing timeshare. It represents a four-point increase over the percentage recorded the previous year and translates into a potential market of 9.2 million households on a national basis. The survey - the National Leisure Travel Monitor - is co-authored by Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown & Russell and Yankelovich Partners. Regarded as one of the most accurate barometers of the future travel intentions of Americans, the results are calculated from a national sample of 1,650 active adult leisure travelers', 300 more than last year.

Other highlights include: -

• Familiarity with the concepts of timeshare and vacation ownership continued to grow: for "timesharing from 68% of active leisure travelers in 2000 to 86 percent in 2006; for "vacation ownership" from 39% of active leisure travelers in 2000 to 59% in 2006;
• The most increase in awareness of timesharing was observed within the diversity markets ( African-American, Hispanic & Asian) from 68% I 2005 to 77% in 2006;
• More than one out of every four active leisure travelers familiar with the concepts of timesharing or vacation ownership expressed interest in attending a timeshare sales presentation or in accepting an offer for a two to three-day mini-vacation package.

Interval International has marked its 30th anniversary this year. Since its founding in 1976 as "The Quality Vacation Exchange Network," the company has a global network of more than 2,000 resorts in over 75 countries and a member base of 1.8 million families. Interval is focusing on developing business in emerging markets throughout the world, along with traditional regions that are experiencing renewed vitality. Interval's 30th anniversary celebration also will include client appreciation and employee recognition events at the company's global locations throughout the year.

April 28, 2006
Chennai