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MAGAZINE READER SURVEY SHOWS
POSITIVE RESULTS
8
INSIDER
More than 60 percent of the respondents
to a reader survey said that a story or
piece of content in
Vacation Industry
Review
has compelled them to either
seek further information on the topic
or create industry contacts.
That statistic and other noteworthy
facts, findings, and trends were the
results of a recent survey — emailed
to more than 7,200 readers — that
shed light on assessing interest and
awareness of the magazine among its
readership base. “
Vacation Industry
Review
conducted the survey not only to ensure that content and
frequency of publication continues to meet readers’ needs, but
also to understand their online behavior and gauge their thoughts
on present and possible future content,” notes Torey Marcus, executive
editor of the publication.
Other results show that 42 percent of respondents pass on their
copy of the magazine to others within their organization to read,
suggesting that
Vacation Industry Review
appears to have a readership
beyond its initial distribution.
Respondents also indicated their desire for a digital, online version of
the magazine. Nearly half of all respondents (48 percent) said that they
would be interested in an online
Vacation Industry Review
containing
frequently updated content, and serving as a portal for relevant and
general industry information.
The survey also reveals topics that survey-takers expressed
interest in: modern day trends, such as millennial marketing,
wellness travel, social media, and sales strategies. In addition, news
about Interval, corporate and resort profiles, and technology topics
were also rated highly.
Interval and the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association’s (CHTA) Ed-
ucation Foundation jointly co-hosted a three-day set of training work-
shops last October at St. Maarten’s Simpson Bay Resort and Marina.
Nearly 90 hospitality associates employed by resorts across the island
participated in the workshops.
The intensive program included a series of participation-based
courses and seminars, and culminated with a graduation ceremony
attended by several prominent hospitality officials. According to Neil
Kolton, Interval’s director of business development for the Caribbean
and Southeast U.S. and CHTA Education Foundation board member, it
was the second training and development series sponsored by Interval
and the CHTA Education Foundation. The program was underwritten
in part by a US$15,000 donation made to the education foundation
by Interval and numerous participating member resorts based in
the Caribbean, including:
Aruba
— Aruba Beach Club Resort; Caribbean Palm Village; Costa
Linda Beach Resort; Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort; La Cabana
Beach Resort and Casino; La Quinta Beach Resort; Marriott’s Aruba
Surf Club; Paradise Beach Villas; Playa Linda Beach Resort; Renais-
sance Aruba Resort & Casino; and Eagle Aruba Resort & Casino
Bahamas
— Harborside Resort at Atlantis
Barbados
— Ocean Two Resort & Residences
Bermuda
— The St. George’s Club
Cayman Islands
— Morritt’s Tortuga Club and Seven Mile Beach
Vacation Club
Curaçao
— The Royal Sea Aquarium Resort
Mexican Caribbean
— The Westin Lagunamar Ocean Resort
Puerto Rico
— Aquarius Vacation Club
®
at Boquerón Beach; and
Aquarius Vacation Club
®
at Dorado del Mar Beach Resort
St. John, USVI
— Grande Bay Resort & Residence Club
St. Kitts
— Marriott’s St. Kitt’s Beach Club
St. Lucia
— Bay Gardens Beach Resort
St. Maarten
— Dawn Beach Club; Oyster Bay Beach Resort; and
The Villas at Simpson Bay Resort & Marina
From left to right, the Hon. Stuart A. Johnson, St. Maarten’s minister of tourism, economic
affairs, traffic and telecommunications; Karolin Troubetzkoy, CHTA Education Foundation
chairman; Neil Kolton; Ricardo Perez, St. Maarten Timeshare Association vice chairman;
and Wyb Meijer, St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association executive director.
Interval, CHTA Co-Host Hospitality Training Workshops