Fairfield Resorts Introduces FairfieldGetaways.com; Innovative Web Site Lets Consumers Select Timeshare Preview Vacation

Business Wire, Oct 4, 2001

Travel Editors & Writers

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 4, 2001

Fairfield Resorts, Inc. today announced the launch of an innovative new consumer vacation web site, www.FairfieldGetaways.com, which allows prospective timeshare buyers to take a proactive role in choosing timeshare "preview" vacations to the destinations of their choice.

These timeshare preview vacations are discounted travel packages that include high-quality accommodations and additional benefits such as theme park tickets, meal certificates, and coupon books for local merchants, at a cost often as little as one-fourth the full retail value of the vacation. These vacation offers are incentives to bring vacationing people to Fairfield Resorts' outstanding timeshare resorts and attend sales presentations in which no purchase of a timeshare interest is required to enjoy the vacation.

"Until now, people who were curious about vacation ownership had no simple way to access offers to tour resorts in a variety of destinations," said Bob Albertson, executive vice president of sales and marketing, Fairfield Resorts. "Instead, they had to wait for a direct mail offer or telemarketing call, which may not have featured a destination in which they were interested or may have arrived at a time when they weren't looking to travel. It was a very passive process."

After entering their state of residence on the home page, consumers can view a full list of offers available to them. They can read and print the details of each offer, including the terms and conditions; explore area attractions; and even purchase a getaway securely via the Internet or by phone. For residents of those states where Fairfield may not currently offer a timeshare product, Fairfield's travel agency provides discounted cruise and other travel packages to exciting destinations worldwide.

A "Vacation Profile" option allows consumers to request information via e-mail when new packages and destinations are introduced.

Current offers include two- to four-night getaways to popular destinations such as Orlando, Florida; the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee; Branson, Missouri; Williamsburg, Virginia; and Sedona, Arizona. These getaways are available at up to 80% off the retail value. More packages will be added over the coming weeks to Las Vegas, Nevada; Reno, Nevada; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Alexandria, Virginia; Anaheim, California; Destin, Florida; Nashville, Tennessee; and Southwest Colorado.

In addition to hotel accommodations, the getaways typically include dinner certificates, amusement park or show tickets, coupon books, and similar perks, creating a fun-filled getaway. Fairfield's full-service travel department also can assist with car rentals, airline tickets and hotel upgrades to round out the vacation experience.

"Our goal with this web site is to turn the timeshare marketing model upside-down," said Albertson. "Instead of guessing where someone might like to visit based on where they live, we now let the consumer tell us where they want to go. It's a powerful change."

Fairfield Resorts, with more than 340,000 vacation-owning households, is one of the largest vacation ownership companies in the world, specializing in the marketing and sales of innovative vacation and leisure products. Fairfield Resorts is a subsidiary of Cendant Corporation (NYSE: CD), a diversified global provider of business and consumer services primarily within the real estate and travel sectors.