Timeshare Traveler Episode 41… What happened to the Vistana / Marriott Merger?

[dougp26364]

The DRI product is a mess of a product in and of itself with deeded weeks, a points overlay product and not only a trust product, but several different trusts with different resorts in the various trusts. Let’s not forget that DRI managed and lost the management contracts in a few resorts, but they have inventory they sold in those resorts (Gatlinburg Town Square for instance).
It seems to me that HGVC has as much of a messy situation to deal with as MVW/Vistana

 

[dioxide45]

The DRI product is a mess of a product in and of itself with deeded weeks, a points overlay product and not only a trust product, but several different trusts with different resorts in the various trusts. Let’s not forget that DRI managed and lost the management contracts in a few resorts, but they have inventory they sold in those resorts (Gatlinburg Town Square for instance).
It seems to me that HGVC has as much of a messy situation to deal with as MVW/Vistana

I was thinking the same thing. Only HGV product is simple, with a weeks overlay program. No trusts to deal with. What looks like will happen is Hilton understand there will still be two products in the future. A lower level Hilton Vacation Club and another level of Hilton Grand Vacations. They will likely integrate with an exchange program, perhaps utilizing the existing DEX or something similar. It seems that Marriott is trying to reinvent the wheel and if it was as simple as integrating Vistana into the existing DC program, they could have been there long before the pandemic hit.

 

[dougp26364]

Where Hilton differs from Marriott is that they quickly assigned a point value for the integrated product. I’m not sure why MVW is having such a difficult time with this concept. I think once MVW agrees on a point equivalent figure, things should move more rapidly along.

 

[dioxide45]

Where Hilton differs from Marriott is that they quickly assigned a point value for the integrated product. I’m not sure why MVW is having such a difficult time with this concept. I think once MVW agrees on a point equivalent figure, things should move more rapidly along.

I suspect the problem is that inside VAC the strategic direction for the new product/program isn't coming from the top. They are letting internal (perhaps competing) groups hash it out. When you lack a single decision maker, things take forever. Perhaps Hilton is taking a different approach.

 

[dougp26364]

Whatever their reason, they’re giving customers a solid excuse to not buy today. If HGVC gets their product to their owners first, MVW should be embarrassed, but that’s just my opinion

 

[Fasttr]

Whatever their reason, they’re giving customers a solid excuse to not buy today. If HGVC gets their product to their owners first, MVW should be embarrassed, but that’s just my opinion

Yet, according to this, they are buying.

Marriott Vacations Worldwide 4th Quarter 2021 Earnings Call

I listened to the Marriott Vacations Worldwide 4th Quarter 2021 Earnings Call this morning. Not a lot of stuff TUGgers would be interested in, but there were a few things. Here are the high points: 4th quarter 2021 was their highest quarterly adjusted EBITA since being spun off over 10 years...

tugbbs.com

MVC seems to do well “selling the confusion”. Lack of clarity allows sleazy sales folks to sell using scare tactics and misinformation.

 

[dioxide45]

Yet, according to this, they are buying.

Marriott Vacations Worldwide 4th Quarter 2021 Earnings Call

I listened to the Marriott Vacations Worldwide 4th Quarter 2021 Earnings Call this morning. Not a lot of stuff TUGgers would be interested in, but there were a few things. Here are the high points: 4th quarter 2021 was their highest quarterly adjusted EBITA since being spun off over 10 years...

tugbbs.com

MVC seems to do well “selling the confusion”. Lack of clarity allows sleazy sales folks to sell using scare tactics and misinformation.

Sadly this is true. I would like for someone to ask in one of their investor calls if they are aware that their sales staff is using the new non existent product to sell their current one. Upper management is well aware this happens and continues to let it happen. State attorneys and real estate commissions really need to do a better job with timeshare sales. The problem is they are likely paid (through political donation and lobbying) to look the other way.