An Open Letter To Ultimate Escapes Members

By: Destination Club News
Date: October 14, 2010

Each morning, we open our inbox to see new messages from destination club executives detailing for us their newest plans and projects, potential members asking about clubs they are considering, and others looking for more information about the state of the industry. Earlier this week, we received a message from an Ultimate Escapes member who wished to remain anonymous titled "An Open Letter To Ultimate Escapes Members." As the world's second largest destination club continues through their very public bankruptcy filing, we thought it would be nice to post that message for our readers.

Ultimate Escapes has met a truly untimely demise. You have lost more money than most people in the world make in a year. The vacations you had planned with your family and friends have been canceled. You were wronged. You were lied to, deceived, and in some cases it was probably criminal. Your trust was breached, and for many of you, that cannot be repaired...

But take this to heart. You are OK. You have a roof over your head, friends and family who care about you, and have tasted what - by most people’s standards - is the good life. Odds are, you will continue to do so.

I know...you didn’t get where you are now by allowing yourself to be taken advantage of in business, or by making poor financial decisions. But stop beating yourself up.

Seriously.

This wasn’t a business decision you made. This was a decision that was based on the life you lead, and the way you spend time with the people who are important to you.

This is NOT your fault.

You were sold a bill of goods, and the part of you that looks after your friends and family...the protector, the provider that you are in your day to day life saw a chance to do something great and fun and a little magical for your family...and for yourself. And so you signed up...maybe you traveled for 7 years, maybe you only took one trip 7 months ago. But you did it. Maybe it was the best trip you ever took. Maybe it was the worst. But in the end, you joined a destination club for the right reasons, and now more than ever those reasons need to ring true.

Quality time with the people who are most important to you in the world.

I know it hurts like hell...some of you are embarrassed, some of you are furious...but none of you are at fault.

If you would like to voice your thoughts on Ultimate Escapes or the destination club industry, you can always contact us at contribute@destinationclubnews.com. We look forward to hearing from you.