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endeavors was the widespread overhaul of Divi
Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino and the prop-
erty’s on-site dive center, Divi Dive Bonaire.
Finalized in January 2016, the multimillion-dol-
lar project included updates to room interiors,
a full restoration of the freshwater pool area, a
refashioning of the existing Chibi Chibi restau-
rant, and the update and rebranding of the
resort’s second restaurant to match Divi’s
exclusive line of eateries, pureocean. (There
are four pureocean restaurants—one each
on Aruba, Barbados, St. Maarten, and now
Bonaire.)
The renovation also included the addition of a new 3,300-square-
foot (307 square meters) elevated sundeck and a 4,700-square-foot
(437 square meters) beach. Dubbed puresundeck, the new deck is
outfitted with loungers that offer unobstructed views of the Caribbean
Sea and, beneath it, the Calabas Reef.
At the dive center, the retail shop was upgraded, its dive class-
rooms and lockers received modern updates, and a fifth dive boat was
added to its fleet. Bonaire is a top Caribbean dive destination, and, as
such, these changes aimed to attract guests seeking an exceptional
diving experience. So far, they’re already paying off, Galaverna says.
“We sought to cement Divi Flamingo’s reputation as a destination
for luxurious, fun-filled dive trips,” he says. “Our guests have told us
they love the changes, and bookings in 2016 [were] even better than
expected.”
More Projects Underway
Even more development initiatives are in store at Divi Resorts in
2017, including menu and setting makeovers at two on-site restau-
rants and the completion of a wide-ranging revamp at Divi Dutch
Village Beach Resort on Aruba. Divi
aims to “update and improve the
dining options at all of our resorts,”
Galaverna says, including menu
overhauls completed in 2016. In
tandem with this effort, the Windows
on Aruba restaurant at Divi Village
Golf & Beach Resort is being refur-
bished. “We’re seeking to update
the atmosphere of this restaurant
to match its innovative, chef-driven
cuisine,” Galaverna says.
Also at Divi Village Golf & Beach
Resort, Mulligan’s Golf Café, Bar &
Restaurant is being converted from
an outdoor to an indoor eatery with
the addition of floor-to-ceiling win-
dows and air conditioning. “Our
guests have been asking for an
indoor casual dining option, and we
believe this solution will satisfy our
guests and drive sales,” he says.
The next resort receiving a major
facelift is Divi Dutch Village Beach
Resort. The first phase of work, which was completed in November
2016, included the addition of a lobby building and the total reno-
vation of five buildings (48 units). The exterior was updated and the
pool area was completely transformed with travertine tile, waterfalls,
cabana seating, and tropical palms.
In-unit enhancements feature new tiled floors, kitchen and bathroom
cabinetry, stainless-steel appliances, glass-tile backsplashes, and granite
countertops. “We’re well on our way to a complete modernization of Divi
Dutch Village,” Galaverna says. “I am really pleased by the overwhelm-
ingly positive reaction of our owners, members, and guests.”
Rewarding Loyalty
In addition to its approach to managing its properties, Divi is equally
innovative with its product offerings. In January 2016, Divi Vacation
Club launched a Club Loyalty Benefits program. The program features
exclusive discounts and VIP extras on vacation services and ameni-
ties. Benefits are broken up into three categories: club services, club
recognition, and club amenities.
Club services include membership pluses such as length of reser-
vation windows, guest certificates, and Interval Platinum membership
44
DIVI DUTCH VILLAGE BEACH RESORT
DIVI RESORTS GROUP DIVI LITTLE BAY BEACH RESORT, ST. MAARTEN
Divi Resorts Group
Developer: Each resort is developed independently: Divi Vacation Club is developed by
Divi Caribbean Club Ltd., a Cayman Island company
Headquarters: Reservations, customer service, and related services are provided by
DHMI in Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Divi Vacation Club is based
in the Cayman Islands
Product: 40-year right-to-use products and points-based vacation club membership
Resorts: Aruba: Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort, Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort, and Divi Dutch Village Beach Resort
Barbados: Divi Southwinds Beach Resort and Divi Heritage Beach Resort
Bonaire: Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino St. Croix, U.S.V.I.: Divi Carina Bay All Inclusive Beach Resort & Casino
St. Maarten: Divi Little Bay Beach Resort
Website: diviresorts.com, divivacationclub.com
FAST FACTS
APRIL – JUNE 2017 RESORTDEVELOPER.COM VACATION INDUSTRY REVIEW
DIVI SOUTHWINDS BEACH RESORT, BARBADOS
DIVI FLAMINGO BEACH RESORT & CASINO
(for Divi Vacation Club’s Platinum and President’s Elite tiers of club
membership). Club recognition features special add-ons, from in-room
arrival gifts to a personal dinner with the resort manager on the first
visit to a Divi Club Destination. Club amenities encompass discounts
and services that can be used while on vacation, such as preferred
golf tee-times and up to 30 percent off food and beverage.
And because the perks increase with each of its four tiers of mem-
bership, Club Loyalty Benefits encourages the purchase of additional
points. “The Club Loyalty [Benefits] program creates added value for
members every time they travel,” Galaverna says. “It incentivizes tradi-
tional timeshare owners to join [Divi Vacation Club] and take advantage
of the Loyalty Benefits. It’s also an opportunity for current members to
create more value for themselves each time they reload points.”
Since its implementation, members have been “overwhelmingly
enthusiastic” about the benefits the program provides, Galaverna
says. And from a sales perspective, the program is already paying
off, he adds.
“The DVC sales team has begun to see returning club members
tour and upgrade in order to receive more benefits, as well as more
points to use toward [ShortStay Exchanges], cruises, and new VIP
services provided by Interval International as part of their DVC mem-
bership,” he says. “The average DVC member has a much higher
points level in 2016 as compared to 2015, and we attribute that to the
introduction of the [Club] Loyalty Benefits program.”
Adding All-Inclusive
Another addition in 2016 that’s already proven successful: an all-inclusive
program for owners and exchange guests at seven of its properties.
Divi Resorts has offered an all-inclusive option to nontimeshare guests
for many years, and recently opted to open the program to traditional
timeshare owners and to Divi Vacation Club members. By purchasing
an all-inclusive package, everyone can enjoy unlimited access to din-
ing at the on-site restaurants and bars, nonmotorized water sports,
and a wide range of on-site activities, including tennis, basketball,
minigolf, volleyball, and more.
So far, the expansion of the all-inclusive program has been
“extremely popular,” Galaverna says. “We see this as a growing trend
among traditional owners, DVC members, and guests,” he adds. “The
convenience and savings resonate, and Divi Resorts do a great job of
providing first-class food and beverage options, as well as activities
and amenities as part of the package.”
Much More Than Exchange
Since Divi Resorts Group and Divi Vacation Club joined Interval
International’s Quality Vacation Exchange Network in 2014, they have
gained much more than an exchange partner. Interval International
worked extensively on the development and implementation of the
Divi Vacation Club, and has provided reservations and technology
support since its inception. Interval continues to maximize its rela-
tionship with Divi Vacation Club by including benefits of Interval
membership as incentives in its tiered Club Loyalty Benefits program.
The advantages of Divi’s partnership with Interval are not, how-
ever, one-sided. “Divi Resorts’ properties are a perfect fit for our
exchange network,” says Neil Kolton, Interval’s director of resort sales
and service for the Caribbean and Florida. “Thanks to their admira-
ble commitment to continual improvement, their exceptional resorts
in sought-after Caribbean destinations continue to meet and exceed
our quality standards.”
Jacquelyn Kalis, a writer and editor based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has
covered business, government, and travel for local, national, and international
publications.