10 September 2008
DUBAI, UAE - RCI, the global leader in vacation exchange, and one of the Wyndham Worldwide family of brands (NYSE: WYN), has formed a strategic alliance with the Levant Heritage Resort to market and promote Jordan's leading faith tourism timeshare development.
Developed by the Abu-Dhabi owned Global Management Group and located only 15 kilometres from the Dead Sea and half an hour's drive from the capital Amman, the Levant Heritage Resort is aiming to become the Kingdom's leading destination for religious tourists.
Geoff Ballotti, president and CEO of Group RCI stated, "As innovators in the timeshare industry, our new affiliation with Levant Heritage Resort not only adds a world-class resort to our global collection of nearly 4,000 upscale properties, but it also allows us to offer our members the chance to create a once in a lifetime experiential travel experience. This new affiliation is in line with our plan to continually try and add resorts that excite and engage our members with sought after vacation options in the most desirable locations."
Situated near to a number of prominent sites from the Holy Bible, the Levant Heritage Resort will include a 300 room resort and spa, with 75 units allocated to a timeshare programme. Residents and guests will also be able to enjoy the resort's various restaurants and leisure facilities.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Arshad Hussain, RCI Business Development Director, commented on the potential that exists for faith tourism in the region: "The promotion of Jordan's rich and varied history has proven to be a huge draw for travellers looking for a richer, more spiritual experience. The Levant Heritage Resort will help fill a niche in the market whereby visitors who want to enjoy the facilities of a five star resort can now do so whilst being situated next to some of the world's most important religious sites.
Jordan's tourism revenues reached JD 1.03 billion (US$1.45 billion) in 2007 and the country is targeting revenues of JD1.3 to 1.7 billion (US$1.83 to US$2.4 billion) in 2010.
The location of the tombs and shrines of companions of the Prophet Muhammad have proved popular with Muslim tourists who have begun to explore Jordan's historical treasures. Partly as a result of the country's expanding religious tourism sector, Jordan's tourism revenues reached JD 1.03 billion (US$1.45 billion) in 2007, and the country is targeting revenues of JD1.3 to 1.7 billion (US$1.83 to US$2.4 billion) in 2010.
"Jordan is truly the Holy Land, and is the one country in the region to offer a one-stop location that can meet the needs of faith-based travellers. We're delighted to conclude this agreement with Group RCI to showcase the uniqueness of the Levant Heritage Resort across the globe," commented Abdul Aziz Al-Laham, general manager, Levant Heritage Resort.
For additional information on the services offered to developers by Group RCI and how they can add potential value to leisure real estate projects, visit www.grouprci.com
- Ends -
About RCI
RCI was founded in 1974 when it introduced the concept of timeshare exchange. Today, RCI is the global leader in vacation exchange with the largest timeshare exchange network in the world and is a leading provider of travel services to businesses and consumers. RCI offers over three million members flexible vacation options at more than 4,000 resorts in more than 100 countries through its RCI Weeks, traditional week-for-week exchange program, and RCI Points, the industry's first global points-based exchange system. RCI delivers customized, integrated and results-driven solutions to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of its affiliates and consumers worldwide. RCI is a division of Group RCI, a global leader in leisure real estate and one of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies (NYSE: WYN). For additional information, visit www.rci.com or www.grouprci.com
About Levant Heritage
Established by Abdulaziz Al-Lahham and the UAE-based Global Management Group in 2005, Levant Heritage is an organization that caters to the growing demand for religious tourist developments in Jordan. With projects that include the construction of the Levant Heritage Resort and spa, tourism facilities located at the site of the Baptism, products from the Dead Sea as well as catering and sponsorship of annual religious celebrations, Levant Heritage is one of the premier providers of religious tourism activities and hospitality in Jordan. For additional information, visit www.LevantHeritage.com
For more information, please contact:
Media Contact - Middle East
Cassie Curtis
Marketing Services & Project Manager
Group RCI
Tel: +971 4 390 1660
Email: Cassie.Curtis@rci.com
DUBAI, UAE - RCI, the global leader in vacation exchange, and one of the Wyndham Worldwide family of brands (NYSE: WYN), has formed a strategic alliance with the Levant Heritage Resort to market and promote Jordan's leading faith tourism timeshare development.
Developed by the Abu-Dhabi owned Global Management Group and located only 15 kilometres from the Dead Sea and half an hour's drive from the capital Amman, the Levant Heritage Resort is aiming to become the Kingdom's leading destination for religious tourists.
Geoff Ballotti, president and CEO of Group RCI stated, "As innovators in the timeshare industry, our new affiliation with Levant Heritage Resort not only adds a world-class resort to our global collection of nearly 4,000 upscale properties, but it also allows us to offer our members the chance to create a once in a lifetime experiential travel experience. This new affiliation is in line with our plan to continually try and add resorts that excite and engage our members with sought after vacation options in the most desirable locations."
Situated near to a number of prominent sites from the Holy Bible, the Levant Heritage Resort will include a 300 room resort and spa, with 75 units allocated to a timeshare programme. Residents and guests will also be able to enjoy the resort's various restaurants and leisure facilities.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Arshad Hussain, RCI Business Development Director, commented on the potential that exists for faith tourism in the region: "The promotion of Jordan's rich and varied history has proven to be a huge draw for travellers looking for a richer, more spiritual experience. The Levant Heritage Resort will help fill a niche in the market whereby visitors who want to enjoy the facilities of a five star resort can now do so whilst being situated next to some of the world's most important religious sites.
Jordan's tourism revenues reached JD 1.03 billion (US$1.45 billion) in 2007 and the country is targeting revenues of JD1.3 to 1.7 billion (US$1.83 to US$2.4 billion) in 2010.
The location of the tombs and shrines of companions of the Prophet Muhammad have proved popular with Muslim tourists who have begun to explore Jordan's historical treasures. Partly as a result of the country's expanding religious tourism sector, Jordan's tourism revenues reached JD 1.03 billion (US$1.45 billion) in 2007, and the country is targeting revenues of JD1.3 to 1.7 billion (US$1.83 to US$2.4 billion) in 2010.
"Jordan is truly the Holy Land, and is the one country in the region to offer a one-stop location that can meet the needs of faith-based travellers. We're delighted to conclude this agreement with Group RCI to showcase the uniqueness of the Levant Heritage Resort across the globe," commented Abdul Aziz Al-Laham, general manager, Levant Heritage Resort.
For additional information on the services offered to developers by Group RCI and how they can add potential value to leisure real estate projects, visit www.grouprci.com
- Ends -
About RCI
RCI was founded in 1974 when it introduced the concept of timeshare exchange. Today, RCI is the global leader in vacation exchange with the largest timeshare exchange network in the world and is a leading provider of travel services to businesses and consumers. RCI offers over three million members flexible vacation options at more than 4,000 resorts in more than 100 countries through its RCI Weeks, traditional week-for-week exchange program, and RCI Points, the industry's first global points-based exchange system. RCI delivers customized, integrated and results-driven solutions to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of its affiliates and consumers worldwide. RCI is a division of Group RCI, a global leader in leisure real estate and one of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies (NYSE: WYN). For additional information, visit www.rci.com or www.grouprci.com
About Levant Heritage
Established by Abdulaziz Al-Lahham and the UAE-based Global Management Group in 2005, Levant Heritage is an organization that caters to the growing demand for religious tourist developments in Jordan. With projects that include the construction of the Levant Heritage Resort and spa, tourism facilities located at the site of the Baptism, products from the Dead Sea as well as catering and sponsorship of annual religious celebrations, Levant Heritage is one of the premier providers of religious tourism activities and hospitality in Jordan. For additional information, visit www.LevantHeritage.com
For more information, please contact:
Media Contact - Middle East
Cassie Curtis
Marketing Services & Project Manager
Group RCI
Tel: +971 4 390 1660
Email: Cassie.Curtis@rci.com
© Press Release 2008
