Destination Club News Recap: October 2010

By: Destination Club News
Date: November 1, 2010

Following an eventful September of 2010 dominated by the Ultimate Escapes bankruptcy, October was dominated by the fallout, including the departure of longtime Ultimate Escapes executives, the introduction of several new destination clubs, multiple special offers crafted specifically for Ultimate Escapes members, and potentially the final destination for club members.

Still reeling from the announcement of Ultimate Escapes bankruptcy, members of the club were quickly greeted with multiple options from new and old clubs alike. Quintess, the new second largest destination club in the world, created DUO, a new destination club with a focus on Ultimate Escapes members. Second Home Destinations, a club crafted for High Country Club members, would also make an offer to UE members. Boundless Journeys Club would formally launch, utilizing a no ownership model, captivating many of the former Ultimate Escapes members.

While members fielded phone calls and e-mails from clubs across the industry, one club was quietly working behind the scenes to acquire select assets from Ultimate Escapes: Demeure. The recently launched Canadian based club uses an exchange based system where members have the opportunity to contribute their own homes to the club's portfolio in exchange for discounts at other residences.

Ultimate Escapes and Demeure dominated talks within the sector, but a major bright spot was announced between the Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club and Ritz-Carlton Destination Club, giving members reciprocal access to the other's property portfolio.

Members of Ultimate Escapes are currently evaluating the various options available to them and will likely be much of the news during November, but we invite you to read more about the most notable headlines from October in the destination club space.

• Ultimate Escapes Committee of Unsecured Creditors Appointed
• Richard Keith Resigns As Ultimate Escapes Chairman
• Quintess Introduces New Destination Club: DUO
• Ultimate Escapes Continues To Pursue Member Owned Option
• DUO by Quintess Unveils Offer For Ultimate Escapes Members
• Second Home Destinations Presents Offer To Ultimate Escapes Members
• An Open Letter To Ultimate Escapes Members
• Burn Me Once: A Destination Club Meditation
• Exclusive Resorts and Quintess Confirm They Did Not Bid On Ultimate Escapes
• Second Home Destinations Introduces Offer For High Country Club Members
• Ultimate Escapes Accepts Bid For Bulk of Assets
• Destination Club Boundless Journeys Club Launches
• Would You Join A Destination Club Started By Executives Behind A Bankrupt Club?
• Demeure Selected As Successful Bidder For Ultimate Escapes
• Ultimate Escapes Updates Members About Demeure Agreement
• Susan Kime and Destination Club News Team Up To Offer Consulting Services
• Demeure Acquisition of Ultimate Escapes Impacts Destination Club Sector
• Demeure Looks To Take The Lead On Destination Club Regulation
• Demeure Prepares For Ultimate Escapes Transition Webinar
• Demeure Waives Annual Dues Increase For Ultimate Escapes Members
• Ritz-Carlton Destination Club and Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club Forge Partnership
• Second Home Destinations Contacts High Country Club Members
• Deadline For Demeure Transition Extended

If you are interested in learning more about destination clubs and the abundance of special offers and promotions currently available, request a free copy of our Destination Club Guide. Because of the Ultimate Escapes bankruptcy, we are revising it with even more pointed questions to ask and profiles of all of the new clubs that have launched in recent weeks.