Exclusive Resorts, the largest luxury destination club, has expanded its "Once in a Lifetime" program, now providing members with a total of 16 planned vacations in exclusive locations. Members can travel to 25 countries on 6 continents, including Fiji, Bhutan, Argentina and the Galapagos Islands.
ER's introduction of the "Once in a Lifetime" program in April with 4 pre-planned and personalized vacations was a response to members' desire for adventurous, more remote vacation opportunities, according to Rachel Neumann, ER's director of corporate communications. The expansion of the program from 4 to 16 experiences supplements the club's $1 billion real estate portfolio of luxury residences around the world.
ER's excursions are slated to take place in 2008 and 2009 and are available to members for an additional cost above their annual membership fees. The fees include costs not normally associated with a club stay, including airport transfers, food and beverages. Prices are available only to members upon request. "Once in a Lifetime" vacations are scheduled in the following places for families, couples and adventurers:
For Families:
- Caribbean holiday cruises
- Walt Disney World resort
- Western Ranch, Colorado
- Biking in Loire Valley, France
- Eastern and Western Mediterranean Cruises
For Couples:
- Le Sereno and Le Toiny, St. Barts
- Koh Samui, Thailand
- Wakaya Club, Fiji
- South of France
For Adventurers:
- Southern African Safaris
- Antarctic Expedition
- Skiing in Patagonia, Argentina
- Biking in Provence, France
- Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan
- Eastern African Safaris
- Galapagos Expedition at Sea
"Consistent with general luxury travel trends, our members are continually seeking a combination of style and luxury, comfort, ease-of-travel and adventure," said Jeff Potter, chief executive officer. "We have assembled a collection of 16 vacation experiences that provide an unprecedented level of personalized service and customized programming from the world's leading travel providers. We are proud to say that our members want every vacation they take to be an Exclusive Resorts vacation."
Because Exclusive Resorts offers "Once in a Lifetime" trips to destinations not already in its property portfolio, members stay at luxury resorts, such as the Disney Grand Floridian, and on a remote island in the Galapagos.
Exclusive Resorts' 3,000+ current members can take advantage of the "Once in a Lifetime" program in addition to ER's property portfolio which includes 350 residences, with 125 more in development, in 40 locations worldwide.
It's certainly an interesting move for destinations clubs to start to offer other travel alternatives in addition to their luxurious vacation homes. This puts Exclusive Resorts directly in competition with upscale travel companies such as Abercrombie & Kent and Butterfield & Robinson. Most members of destination clubs will use the clubs for some but not all of their travel during a year. So as a member becomes comfortable with a destination club and as the club gets to know the members preferences, it makes sense all ways round to have a variety of travel opportunities in one place.
