ARDA International Foundation and Mobius Vendor Partners Join Forces
Enhanced data collection and retrieval will facilitate industry analysis
WASHINGTON, DC, August 10, 2005. The ARDA International Foundation (AIF) has joined forces with Mobius Vendor Partners on an ambitious, long-term project to develop and manage an enhanced database system for the comprehensive timeshare data warehouse that AIF maintains as part of its critical mission as the central research organization of the U.S. vacation ownership industry.
The new, sophisticated data retrieval and storage system will facilitate industry research by speeding data retrieval from timeshare and fractional resorts across the country, establishing new national benchmarks of industry data, setting uniform data standards, and simplifying data collection. Upon completion, the database will be the broadest in scope in existence with a wider range of data. As part of the project, Mobius Vendor Partners has developed strategies for easing participation for industry players and creative methods for identifying new industry entrants.
"This very sophisticated and innovative database will help us take our research to a new level," said Howard Nusbaum, president and chief executive officer of ARDA. "As the vacation ownership industry continues to grow larger and more diverse with new and greater selections of product offerings, locations and vacation experiences, we need powerful research tools such as this significant database upgrade to continue to analyze where we've been and where we're headed."
There are an estimated 2,200 timeshare and fractional resorts operating in the U.S., including resorts in active sales and those sold-out. The data will be collected and maintained at the resort level and refreshed with annual updates. ARDA and Mobius will also develop a process to identify new entrants into the industry. The database will be designed as a Microsoft SQL Server 2000 relational database.
"Mobius Vendor Partners is honored to have been selected by AIF to develop the processes and underlying applications, along with managing the data collection. Our primary goal is to increase and broaden participation by creating a highly effective technological framework and process methodology," said Bill Morris, managing partner, Mobius Vendor Partners, LLC. "Though Mobius' knowledge of and experience in the industry will be of great benefit, success will only be achieved through a comprehensive solution, including the creation of appropriate databases, recognizing the need for effective and multiple response and communication tools, secondary research, and working directly with respondents."
The industry data to be collected and stored will touch on the many aspects of resort development and operations, including: general resort information, such as name, location, and internet URL; the resort development company; the homeowners' association; the management company; and the vacation exchange company affiliated with resort. Data on resort attributes to be collected include: type of resort; internal exchange program; active or sold-out sales status; product type, such as timeshare, fractional, or non-equity club; number of units; ownership structure; average price; maintenance fees; property taxes; rental programs; overall resort occupancy; inventory usage; and more. The elaborate system will minimize the chances of industry players experiencing duplicate questions on industry surveys.
The Foundation will utilize collected information to establish trends affecting the industry, perform regression or other quantitative analysis and to have data available to efficiently respond to basic and/or quantitative inquiries.
The ARDA International Foundation (AIF) conducts research and develops education programming for the timeshare industry. The American Resort Development Association is the Washington D.C.-based professional association representing the vacation ownership and resort development industries. Established in 1969, ARDA today has nearly 1,000 members ranging from privately held firms to publicly traded companies and international corporations with interests in timeshare resorts, community development, fractional ownership and resort communities. The membership also includes timeshare owner associations (HOAs), resort management companies, and owners through the ARDA Resort Owners Coalition (ARDA-ROC).
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
