Latest news with #ARDA
Associated Press
07-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
A Smarter Way to Travel: Why More Families Are Turning to Vacation Ownership
New industry research shows steady growth in vacation ownership among younger families seeking value, consistency, and quality time 'Modern families want vacation destination options,'— Travis Bary, Co-President of Capital Vacations MYRTLE BEACH, SC, UNITED STATES, July 7, 2025 / / -- In a time when families are prioritizing meaningful travel, vacation ownership is seeing a resurgence, particularly among younger generations. According to the 2025 ARDA State of the Vacation Timeshare Industry report, vacation ownership in the U.S. has grown to over 10 million owner families, with millennials and Gen X now making up more than 53% of new purchasers. Capital Vacations, one of the fastest-growing resort management and vacation ownership companies in North America, is seeing that trend firsthand. 'Families are recognizing that vacation ownership offers more than just a place to stay—it provides a dependable framework to explore new places, reconnect, and make travel a consistent part of life,' said Travis Bary, Co-President of Capital Vacations. 'It's about owning time and making space for what matters most.' Economic Confidence Meets Travel Desire Amid rising hotel rates and unpredictable travel costs, many vacationers are opting for a model that offers long-term savings and locked-in value. ARDA's 2025 research indicates that owner satisfaction remains high, with the majority citing value benefit and accommodation quality as top reasons for purchase. Vacation ownership also aligns with the subscription mindset younger consumers embrace—offering both structure and flexibility through club models like the Capital Vacations Club, which provides access to dozens of destinations across the U.S. Designed for Today's Travelers 'Modern families want vacation destination options,' said Travis Bary, Co-President of Capital Vacations. 'Whether they're planning a beach escape in Florida, a mountain retreat in the Smokies, or a coastal adventure in the Carolinas, our ownership model makes that possible—year after year.' With flexible usage, access to multiple destinations, and digital tools that simplify planning, Capital Vacations is helping a new generation of owners redefine what smarter travel looks like. To explore these destinations and more, or to learn about Capital Vacations Club and its portfolio of culturally rich resort experiences, visit ### About Capital Vacations® Capital Vacations is reimagining the travel experience by connecting Independent Resorts with travelers through our technology platform and vacation products. We partner with over 200 Independent Resorts across the U.S. and Caribbean, deploying strategic value-add tools that allow Independent Resorts to increase revenues across multiple channels. In addition, we service over 1,000,000 travelers a year with a hyper-focus on the owner and guest experience and the creation of long-term relationships. Visit Travel. Gather. Smile. Repeat. Andy Kovan Capital Vacations +1 843-251-6415 email us here Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Associated Press
04-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
New Industry Data Proves Vacation Ownership to be a Powerful Inflation Hedge
Consumers Can Lock In Tomorrow's Vacations at Today's Prices 'It's not just a vacation—it's a travel decision that pays dividends in memories and value.' — Travis Bary, Co-President of Capital Vacations MYRTLE BEACH, SC, UNITED STATES, July 4, 2025 / / -- With travel costs continuing to rise year-over-year, more vacationers are turning to vacation ownership as a way to guarantee future getaways without breaking the bank. According to the 2025 ARDA State of the Vacation Timeshare Industry Report, the average cost of a hotel stay has increased by more than 21% in the past five years—making predictable travel options like vacation ownership more appealing than ever. Consumers who own vacation ownership interest(s) seen firsthand how this empowers their families to take control of their travel plans, lock in savings, and ensure high-quality vacations for years to come. 'With a one-time purchase and consistent annual fees, our owners can vacation at premium resorts without worrying about rate hikes, blackout dates, or fluctuating prices,' said Travis Bary, Co-President at Capital Vacations. 'It's not just a vacation—it's a travel decision that pays dividends in memories and value.' How Vacation Ownership hedges against inflation: • Price Protection: Owners prepay at today's rates, protecting themselves from rising accommodation costs. • Consistent Value: Predictable annual maintenance fees with increase caps ensure cost certainty for long-term travel planning. • Exchange Power: Access to networks like RCI and internal Capital programs lets owners trade weeks for experiences in new destinations—without added inflationary pressure. Today's traveler is looking for more than just a quick getaway—they want dependable, meaningful experiences that don't carry hidden fees or unpredictable costs. That's where vacation ownership stands apart. To explore these destinations and more, or to learn about Capital Vacations Club and its portfolio of culturally rich resort experiences, visit . ### About Capital Vacations® Capital Vacations is reimagining the travel experience by connecting Independent Resorts with travelers through our technology platform and vacation products. We partner with over 200 Independent Resorts across the U.S. and Caribbean, deploying strategic value-add tools that allow Independent Resorts to increase revenues across multiple channels. In addition, we service over 1,000,000 travelers a year with a hyper-focus on the owner and guest experience and the creation of long-term relationships. Visit Travel. Gather. Smile. Repeat. Andy Kovan Capital Vacations +1 843-251-6415 email us here Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Zawya
18-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
African Refiners & Distributors Association (ARDA) Executive Secretary Joins African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 in Support of Africa's Growing Downstream Sector
Anibor Kragha, Executive Secretary of the African Refiners&Distributors Association (ARDA) – a pan-African organization that serves as the voice of the continent's downstream sector – will speak at this year's African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference. Taking place on September 29-October 3 in Cape Town, the event is the largest gathering of energy stakeholders on the continent. Kragha's participation will contribute to discussions on the downstream sector, covering challenges, opportunities, trends and projects. This comes as many of Africa's major oil and gas producers – including Nigeria, Angola, Algeria and the Republic of Congo – pursue bold strategies to strengthen domestic petroleum value chains. These efforts aim to reduce refined petroleum imports and improve fuel security. ARDA plays a key role by promoting strategic collaboration, policy advocacy and industry innovation. Recently, the association called for the creation of an African downstream register to better support projects. At AEW 2025: Invest in African Energies Kragha is expected to outline the benefits of such a register and highlight ARDA's strategies to drive downstream expansion. AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit for more information about this exciting event. Refinery development is a critical priority for many African countries, with several major projects underway to boost regional fuel distribution and lower costs. Angola is advancing three new facilities aiming for a combined capacity of 445,000 barrels per day (bpd), including the 60,000 bpd Cabinda refinery (expected online in 2025), the 200,000 bpd Lobito facility and the 150,000 bpd Soyo project. Nigeria's Dangote Refinery, Africa's largest at 650,000 bpd, is progressing toward full operational capacity. In the Republic of Congo, the Fouta Refinery, designed to produce 2.5 million tons of petroleum products annually, is slated to begin operations by the end of 2025. South Africa plans to rehabilitate the SAPREF refinery, which has been closed since 2022. The refurbishment aims to raise capacity from 180,000 bpd to 600,000 bpd, opening new opportunities for affordable fuel supply. Beyond refineries, several African countries are prioritizing cross-border pipelines to boost exports and regional fuel distribution. Notable projects include the 1,443-km East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline linking Uganda's oilfields to Tanzania's Port of Tanga and expected to start operations in 2026. Nigeria's $25 billion Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline will traverse 13 West African countries over 5,660 km to connect Nigerian gas fields with European markets via Morocco, with production targeted for 2029. Meanwhile, a planned $13 billion pipeline running from Nigeria through Niger to Algeria, spanning 4,128 km and delivering 30 billion cubic meters of gas annually, aims to facilitate regional exports and deeper African collaboration. While these developments mark significant progress toward expanding fuel distribution in Africa, achieving downstream ambitions requires substantial investment. Kragha's participation at AEW 2025: Invest in African Energies is expected to provide valuable insights on sector challenges and opportunities, fostering new deals and partnerships. 'In order to end energy poverty by 2030, Africa must significantly scale up investments across the downstream sector,' says Ore Onagbesan, Program Director of AEW 2025. 'By shifting from an export-driven to a domestic-focused mindset, the continent can unlock greater value from its oil and gas resources. Organizations like ARDA recognize the critical role refining, pipelines, petrochemicals and terminals play in enhancing energy security across Africa.' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
Hospitality Net
12-06-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Holiday Inn Club Vacations Celebrates Completion of First Luxury, Six-Bedroom Homes at Orange Lake Resort
Holiday Inn Club Vacations Incorporated, an international vacation ownership company, today marked a major milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of the first phase of The Residences at Orange Lake Resort. The expansion includes three completed six-bedroom luxury homes and one fully furnished model home, now ready to welcome multi-generational travelers seeking a high-end, private-vacation experience. The ceremony comes just shy of two years after the company broke ground on the project on August 8, 2023. The event included remarks from company and industry leaders, including John Staten, President and Chief Executive Officer of Holiday Inn Club Vacations; Jorge Reyes, Regional Vice President of Operations for Holiday Inn Club Vacations; Jason Gamel, President and CEO of the American Resort Development Association (ARDA); Mike Campbell, HICV Vice President of Sales; and Robert Agrusa, President and CEO of the Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association (CFHLA). Built with family connection, comfort, and luxury in mind, each Residence spans more than 5,575 square feet and features: Six bedrooms and six bathrooms with dual master suites Large entertainment spaces with 85" TVs and surround sound Private screened-in pool with sun shelf, hot tub, and fire pit area Game and fitness rooms Chef's kitchen with island seating and dining room to seat 20 Outdoor kitchen and covered patio Smart home technology and personal golf cart use The Residences are now available for preview through the model home, with the first three homes ready for stays later this summer. Priority booking will be offered to Holiday Inn Club members. Originally opened in 1982 by Holiday Inn founder Kemmons Wilson, Orange Lake Resort has grown into a 1,100-acre flagship destination featuring more than 2,400 villas across four villages. The property offers guests a wide range of amenities including a lazy river, four golf courses, restaurants, mini golf, sports courts, and more. Hotel website
Zawya
12-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Can the African Energy Bank Transform the Continent's Refining and Downstream Future?
Set to launch in June 2025 with an initial $5 billion in capital, the African Energy Bank (AEB) is positioned to catalyze a shift in Africa's energy sector. Established by the African Petroleum Producers' Organization (APPO) in partnership with multilateral financial institution Afreximbank, the AEB aims to mobilize capital for upstream, midstream and downstream energy projects, addressing a continent-wide investment shortfall estimated at up to $50 billion annually. By providing accessible, Africa-focused financing, the AEB is expected to reduce dependency on foreign capital and imports, especially in the downstream sector where over 80% of refined petroleum products are currently imported. The AEB's role in advancing refining capacity and downstream development will take center stage at this year's African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025 conference – taking place from September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town. As Africa's premier platform for energy dialogue and investment, AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 will spotlight the AEB's potential to transform Africa's energy landscape. Driving Refining Capacity Through Local Investment Despite holding over 125 billion barrels of oil and 620 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, Africa continues to struggle with insufficient refining capacity, forcing nations to export crude oil and re-import refined products at a premium. Institutions such as the African Refiners and Distributors Association (ARDA) have long-advocated for investment in modernizing and expanding Africa's refining infrastructure. Current projections indicate that African petroleum demand will increase from 4.1 million barrels per day (bpd) to 5.3 million bpd by 2040 – a trend that underscores the urgency of building self-sufficient refining systems. As such, the AEB – headquartered in Abuja, Nigeria and scheduled to begin operations in the second quarter of 2025 – is uniquely positioned to support strategic investment across Africa's downstream and refining sectors. With an ambition to grow its asset base to $120 billion, the bank is positioned to unlock domestic value chains and catalyze large-scale projects that meet the continent's rising demand for petroleum. Momentum in Downstream Expansion Recent developments across the continent reflect growing momentum to scale refining capacity. Angola expects phase one of the Cabinda refinery to begin operations in 2025, bringing 60,000 bpd to the market. The country has a goal to increase capacity to 445,000 bpd and is on track to reduce imports of derivatives by 14% by 2026. Nigeria's 650,000-bpd Dangote Refinery began producing diesel and aviation fuel in 2024, marking a significant milestone for domestic processing. Similarly, upgrades to the Port Harcourt Refinery and ongoing expansion to Ghana's Sentuo Oil Refinery highlight national efforts to meet growing demand. Equatorial Guinea's recent agreement with Shanghai SupeZet to build a new refinery and expand the Bata facility further illustrates the strategic push toward local processing. These efforts not only reduce import dependency but also create jobs, enhance energy security and promote regional trade in refined products. Aligning Regional Integration and Investment Africa's refining and energy infrastructure ambitions are closely tied to broader goals of economic integration. The African Continental Free Trade Agreement, ratified by more than 48 countries, creates a platform for cross-border energy projects by removing trade barriers and harmonizing investment policies. It also supports the development of regional supply chains, enhancing the commercial viability of shared infrastructure. The AEB will play a central role in supporting these regional ambitions by working with over 700 African financial institutions and APPO member states to channel funding into integrated, cross-border energy systems. By reducing the time, cost and risk associated with project development, the bank could accelerate the pace of infrastructure buildout across the continent. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber. About African Energy Week: AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit for more information about this exciting event.
