While they’re not always understanding and compassionate, the timeshare owners who stay at Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club on Poipu Beach know the construction zone they’re in won’t always be such, said the resort’s general manager.
“Our guests are informed in advance via the reservations process that the first phase of the property is open with full facilities and services, while the remainder of the property continues under construction until June, 2004,” said Edgar Gum, Waiohai general manager.
“Waiohai Beach Club owners who have stayed with us see the future of what they have purchased, and are both excited and proud of their vacation ownership,” he said.
That doesn’t mean nobody grumbles about construction on other Waiohai buildings.
“Yes, we still receive complaints regarding construction. Everyone’s sensitivity level varies,” he said.
And his telephone rings also with calls from guests who check into their rooms and find the views from their lanais include the skeleton of the adjacent Poipu Beach Hotel.
“We always assist our guests with their issues in various ways,” Gum said. “People understand that it is not our property, and are hopeful that it will change in the future. Vacation ownership is a lifetime purchase, so they have a long-term perspective,” he added.
With the opening earlier this month of another of the new buildings, there are now 108 Waiohai units open. That is not even half of the project’s total number of units. “The remaining buildings will not open until 2004, in line with the project’s schedule,” Gum said.
Recently, Marriott Vacation Club International (MVCI), Waiohai’s parent company and the vacation ownership (timeshare) division of Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR), was named best sales organization at the inaugural American Business Awards presentation.
Some 500 nominations were received in the category.
“We continue to be honored by the many families who entrust us with their valuable vacation time,” said Alan Cervasio, MVCI’s vice president of customer relationship management strategy and associate development.
“I accept this on behalf of our talented associates who day after day perform with great dignity, integrity and passion for what we do,” Cervasio added.
MVCI and related Marriott brands make up a global organization of 7,500 associates at 61 resorts. There are 225,000 Marriott timeshare owners.
Business Editor Paul C. Curtis can be reached at mailto:pcurtis@pulitzer.net or 245-3681 (ext. 224).
