Properties

The Sundance Vacations travel community is elated! The U.S. celebrated a major victory recently when President Obama signed into law the first-ever national travel promotion and communications program to attract more international travelers to the U.S. This is a major step in addressing America’s decline in attracting overseas visitors to the U.S. during the past decade.

According to the US Travel Association, “The Act is in response to worrisome evidence that the U.S. is losing ground to other countries in the global travel market. The U.S. welcomed 2.4 million fewer overseas visitors in 2009 than in 2000, and the failure to simply keep pace with the growth in international long-haul travel since 2000 has cost the U.S. economy an estimated $509 billion in total spending and $32 billion in direct tax receipts, according to the U.S. Travel Association. The Travel Promotion Act will counteract this trend by creating a campaign to promote the United States as a premier destination and explain changing travel security policies to foreign visitors.”

“By signing the Travel Promotion Act, President Obama has acted to support the power of travel to serve as an economic stimulant, job generator and diplomatic tool,” said Roger Dow, president & CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. “This program will create tens of thousands of American jobs and help reverse negative perceptions about travel to the United States.” (US Travel Association Press)

Oxford Economics estimates that a successful national promotion will yield $4 billion in new spending annually, create 40,000 new jobs and generate $321 million in new tax revenue each year. The Congressional Budget Office reported that the Travel Promotion Act would reduce the federal deficit by $425 million over ten years!! For more information about the Travel Promotion Act, please visit www.poweroftravel.org or www.ustravel.org.

Sundance Vacations couldn’t be more excited! We welcome all international travelers to visit the plethora of Sundance Vacations properties located throughout the U.S, Mexico, and the Caribbean. What is your favorite Sundance Vacations property? www.sundancevacations.com

Do you love all of the snow that has recently hit Pennsylvania? If so, Sundance Vacations has a property in the Pocono’s, PA. The Woodfield Manor is a snow lover’s dream come true during the winter months. Just minutes away from some of the best ski slopes such as: Jack Frost Mountain, Alpine Mountain, and Camelback Ski Resort the Woodfield Manor is the place to stay during the cold winter months. Don’t like to be adventurous? Stay inside and eat beside the fireplace at the Chophouse restaurant right on site. Sundance Vacations guests have wonderful things to say about the Woodfield Manor. “We had a delightful time at the cottages on the property. They were very clean and cozy. The gas fireplace was such a great asset to keep the relaxed atmosphere. Dinner at the Chophouse was beyond words. Food was mouth wateringly delicious! Especially the dessert of the hour, peach cobbler. Everyone was so nice and kind. I have nothing bad to say! We will be coming back as soon as we can,” explained April K. of Allentown, PA. We know that many people have raved about the Woodfield Manor, but you know what they say, “you just have to see for yourself.” www.woodfieldmanor.com

Maybe you are sick of the snow and just want to go somewhere warm and sunny? One can dream right? Well, stop dreaming and make it a reality. Check out the numerous Sundance Vacations properties at www.planwithtan.com

Have you ever vacationed with Sundance Vacations? Did you stay at the Woodfield Manor? Let us know about your Sundance Vacations experience.

Although Sundance Vacations President John Dowd has been attending the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) meetings for the past 18 years, he recently joined the organization. ARDA is a Washington D.C.-based professional association representing the vacation ownership and resort development industries. Established in 1969, ARDA has approximately 1,000 corporate members ranging from privately held firms to publicly traded companies and international corporations with expertise in shared ownership interests in leisure real estate.

ARDA promotes the growth and development of the timeshare/vacation ownership industry through a variety of capacities: Advocacy, Networking, Business Partnerships/Bridge Building, Outreach, Knowledge, and Support and Development.

Sundance Vacations wasn’t a member of ARDA in the past, simply because it was more focused on timeshares. The industry is constantly changing, and ARDA now fits the Sundance Vacations product better. ARDA is redefining leisure travel. According to ARDA, “With today’s evolving vacation home market, consumers have an increasingly diverse marketplace and options in leisure travel; the growing variety of vacation home options includes Timeshare/Vacation Ownership; Fractional Ownership/Private Residence Clubs; Destination Clubs; Condo Hotels; and Traditional Second Home Ownership.”  

For more information visit www.arda.org

Dreaming of the warm sunshine on your face, walking in the hot sand, or how about a cool margarita poolside? Forecasts for 2010 predict that more people will be traveling, but the numbers are still well below what they were before the recession. Still, if you can afford to get away, interesting events will be drawing visitors to destinations around the world, from Shanghai to South Africa to Orlando, FL. And here’s a surprise, Mexico is turning up on some top 10 lists for 2010, despite the swine flu epidemic and worries over drug violence.

According to the Associated Press and the US Travel Association Website: Several destinations will be in the tourism spotlight in 2010 thanks to headline-grabbing events, including the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, Feb. 12-28; the FIFA World Cup soccer games in South Africa, for a month beginning June 11; and the Shanghai World Expo, May 1-Oct. 31, a 21st century world’s fair that organizers are hoping will attract as many as 70 million visitors.

Universal Orlando will open the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure this spring. The marquee attraction will be a high-tech ride called “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” that will take guests through scenes and rooms from the blockbuster Potter movies. EXCITING! Sundance Vacations offers many great properties in or near Orlando, Florida.

Universal Hollywood also has news for 2010. Its King Kong attraction, which burned down in 2008, is swinging back onto the Universal Studios Hollywood with a tram tour next summer. The new 3D attraction, King Kong 360, will transport visitors to Skull Island where they will witness “the eighth wonder of the world” tussling with dinosaurs and other critters. SCARY!

To get some deals on airfare, it’s key that you sign up for frequent flyer programs, e-mail alerts, and Airline Twitter feeds. The big trend with airlines happened in 2009, when many airlines used different marketing channels to go directly to consumers with promotion codes and offers.

Go Ahead-Get Away! Check out Sundance Vacations right now and go on your dream vacation.

Are you looking to book a vacation? Are you anxious to see the Excess Inventory list? Gosh, website redesign can be a pain in the neck! Our sister company Travel Advantage Network who currently fulfills all vacation requests and needs for Sundance Vacations is undergoing website redesign.

 The new site is going to be so much more beneficial to customers. The site will feature a new career area, property listings with better and more up-to-date photos, and customers will now be able to search by city, resort, region, and start date! The site is set to launch on January 8^th, 2009!

Until the TAN website is complete, please call 1-800-976-6968 to hear an automated listing of excess inventory and contact 1-800-223-0088 ext. #3 to speak to a reservationist.  The reservationist will be able to give information about the inventory, take requests, check availability, and book a location for you.

If you have any questions, you may call New Client Services at 1-800-264-3802, Mon. - Fri. 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. or TAN at 1-800-223-0088 Mon. - Fri. 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

One of the biggest benefits of working for Sundance Vacations is having the ability to help families reconnect.  This may seem corny to some folks, but we as Americans are so overwhelmed with hectic schedules. From work, to soccer practice, to school fundraisers, yoga class, and everything that ties up our lives…people in general NEED to take time as a family to reconnect.  With the value of our vacations…families can now afford to take much needed R&R and yet not feel guilty spending near the amount of money down the traditional way-retail.  If I am to make a difference in people’s lives, I believe I may have found my ‘calling’ at Sundance Vacations!  I can’t put money in people’s pockets nor can fix obstacles in their lives.  But, I can save them money and offer them the opportunity to enjoy LIFE.  Are you working to live or living to work?

-Shannon Hobaugh-Holtzinger (Harrisburg)

A Sundance Vacations Customer recently wrote a letter of “Thank You” for their Free 3 Night Royal Caribbean Cruise Vacation. The following is the letter Sundance Vacations received:

“Hello, I just wanted to thank your company (Sundance Vacations) so much for the all exclusive 3 Night Royal Caribbean vacation. I could not believe I won! When I got the phone call from your office saying I was picked from a drawing at the Lancaster Barnstormers game, I almost fell out of my chair! I came to your office in King of Prussia, PA and picked up my prize and now I’m getting ready to hit the seas and take my first plane ride! Thank You Sundance for the Free Vacation! It is a blessing to for me to get a trip I would never see myself in! When I do vacation, it’s mostly spent going to this lake about 10 miles away from home and camping with family. So this is going to be a huge difference! Thanks again, Dustin.” –Dustin Kipple

Thank you for your kind words Dustin! We hope you enjoy your Cruise vacation with Sundance Vacations.
Have you traveled with Sundance Vacations? If so, where have you stayed?

The Jersey Shore’s cutest tradition, Wildwood’s annual Baby Parade celebrates its 100th anniversary on August 6th. The first batch of charming and delightful youngsters participated in the Wildwoods Baby Parade in 1909. Ever since, this event has become a shore tradition, drawing huge crowds of locals and tourists with a soft spot for beautiful babies parading down the famous Wildwoods Boardwalk in decorated strollers and floats. This year’s special Centennial Celebration is sure to draw even bigger crowds to the 100th Anniversary of the First Baby Parade.

The 100th Anniversary of the First Wildwoods Baby Parade will take place at 6pm, Thursday, August 6, 2009. Registration for the event starts at 5pm at the Wildwoods Convention Center. The parade starts at the Wildwoods Convention Center, proceeding up the famous Wildwoods Boardwalk, and ending at 16th Street in North Wildwood, where winners and awards will be announced. Be sure to come out and celebrate a century of fun, tradition and cuteness on Thursday, August 6, 2009 at the Wildwoods Baby Parade!

Looking for a place to stay? Sundance Vacations has numerous places on the Jersey Shore. Try Key Largo, Esplanade, Leaming Avenue, or Mali Kai. http://www.sundancevacations.com/beach-resorts.html

*Photos are courtesy of the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority and the Best of NJ website.*

When thinking about vacations which I do every day at Sundance Vacations, a few things come to mind; relaxation, spending quality time with loved ones, the beach, golf, funny drinks with umbrellas in them, and no set routine. Although all of those things are great, I do have to say my favorite part is the anticipation. The countdown!! 12 days..11 days..10 days..9 days to go. Getting passports ready, shopping for vacation clothes, cleaning my golf clubs, packing, finding out who’s going to take care of the dogs. To many people this part is stressful. However, for me it’s like Christmas morning when I was 8 years old. Just the thought of what’s about to happen gets me excited.

In the beginning of June I and my girlfriend Helena booked an Excess Inventory week to the Village Inn and Spa in St. Lucia. Yes! That’s right $198 for 8 days 7 nights in a resort that retails for $180 a night. This will be our first full week vacation together in 3 years. Since booking the trip I’ve been doing a lot of research on the Island. There is so much we are looking forward to. The Village Inn and Spa is an all-inclusive resort, a number of restaurants and bars at the resort itself. St. Lucia had a drive in volcano. I can’t wait to zip line. The thought of being harnessed to a cable zipping from tree to tree in the jungle is exhilarating. The resort also offers 3 rounds of complimentary golf at St. Lucia’s champion golf course to any guests that stay 5 nights or more.

There’s so much to look forward to. That to me is what anticipation is all about. We leave on August 2nd and return on August 9th. I defiantly will not blog to all of you while on vacation. NO WAY. However, when I return I’ll tell you all about it.

-Danny McGowan (King of Prussia)