Hilton Grand Vacations - Product Development/Management Department or Team of the Year

Company: Hilton Grand Vacations
Company Description: Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. (HGV) is recognized as a leading, global timeshare company. With headquarters in Orlando, Florida, HGV develops, markets and operates a distinguished collection of brand-name, upscale vacation ownership properties in highly desired destinations around the world.
Nomination Category: Product Management Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Product Development/Management Department or Team of the Year

Nomination Title: The Beach Resort Sesoko Presales Launch

Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. (HGV) is recognized as a leading, global timeshare company. With headquarters in Orlando, Florida, HGV develops, markets and operates a distinguished collection of brand-name, upscale vacation ownership properties in highly desired destinations around the world.The company recently acquired the largest independent timeshare operator, Diamond Resorts International, bringing 92 resorts and almost 400,000 owners to HGVs’ existing 62 luxury properties and over 325,000 owners.

Expanding into the APAC region in 2017 with the announcement of its first timeshare resort in Asia with Hilton and Mori Trust, the company has since increased its Japanese ownership base by 20% (totaling 68,000 Japanese owners). The Beach Resort Sesoko marks HGV’s 12th property in the APAC region, underscoring HGV’s dynamic development strategy and strong management capabilities in Japan.

In 2019 and 2020, HGV has been recognized by numerous organizations and publications as shown in the supporting materials. Theseaccolades highlight just a few examples of how HGV creates opportunities to grow, generates incremental value, and capitalizes on new resort opportunities in the APAC prefecture.

HGV’s APAC achievements since 2019 include expanding resort development across the region with the addition of two resorts, the opening of a second sales gallery in Okinawa, as well as two marketing desks in Japan, including the first desk at Itami Airport. Even further, presales were launched for two upcoming APAC resorts – The Beach Resort Sesoko in Okinawa and Maui Bay Villas in Maui, Hawaii, which also falls under the company’s APAC region and speaks to the growth and varied types of vacations the company is able to offer. We want to call special attention to The Beach Resort Sesoko presales and the team behind these efforts, whose accomplishments are made even more impressive considering the current COVID-19 pandemic.

HGV created innovative approaches to increase sales and encourage travel amidst these unprecedented times, starting with a focus on domestic sales efforts. With domestic travel being of increasing interest for Japan travelers - who account for 70% of total visitations to Okinawa - the sales team ensured they had a cohesive approach with the marketing and club teams to successfully implement owner and new buyer strategies, execute on-site sales safely by adhering to HGV’s Enhanced Care Guidelines, and close on off-site sales thanks to efficient technology and strong communication processes.

In a time when the hospitality industry was at a standstill, HGV implemented a multi-prong sales strategy to effectively create sales opportunities for this highly anticipated resort.

Learning from its successful sales experience with the opening of its first Japan resort, The Bay Forest Odawara, a series of virtually-adapted trainings were offered to team members prior to the start of sales to share department initiatives and highlight successful practices as well as make needed adjustments for better outcomes. All the training materials and resources were made available on the internal website to ensure resources and best practices were accessible.

Compared to the sales that were secured at Odawara galleries in the first three months following The Bay Forest Odawara opening, there were 17 times more sales for The Beach Resort Sesoko in the same timeframe. This increase was made possible by encouraging team members to take the Japanese Real Estate License Exam (Takken). With the nation's average passing rate at 17.6%, HGV was thrilled to have greatly exceeded this with a 31% average passing rate throughout exams in 2020. This increase in certifications made Sesoko sales possible at all our galleries in Japan.

This increase is also due to the growing synergy with Hawaii, whose sales team was able to secure 12 online sales for Sesoko in the first three months following the presales launch.

By partnering with JALPAK and the Japanese government’s travel promotion program, GO Travel, HGV was able to effectively launch a one-of-a-kind Okinawa marketing promotion, featuring booking assistance via travel related services and supporting local businesses through a passport program with deals for restaurants and activities in Okinawa.

Copies of the following planning guides and press releases have been included as support materials for this nomination. You can find more information on HGV’s website at www.hiltongrandvacations.com .
https://www.hiltongrandvacations.com/en/news/press-releases/silver-stevie-award-apac

2019 – 2021
The Beach Resort Sesoko Presales Launch
Hilton Grand Vacations to Expand Hawaii Portfolio, Offer First Property on Maui
Hilton Grand Vacations Opens Ocean Tower by Hilton Grand Vacations Club
Hilton Grand Vacations wins 12 ARDA Awards at annual conference
Hilton Grand Vacations named a top company in Hawaii by Hawaii Business Magazine
Hilton Grand Vacations Wins a Gold Stevie® Award in 2020 American Business Awards
Hilton Grand Vacations Introduces its Enhanced Care Guidelines, Creating an Even Cleaner and Safer Stay for Travelers
Hilton Grand Vacations Wins 13 ARDA Awards
Hilton Grand Vacations Announces Official Name for Upcoming Okinawa Resort, Opens Sales Gallery in Hilton Okinawa Sesoko Resort
Hilton Grand Vacations Wins a Silver Stevie® Award in 2020 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards
Hilton Grand Vacations Named Top Company in Hawaii by Hawaii Business Magazine
HGV Wins Five Stevie Awards
HGV Develops First Timeshare Resort in Okinawa, Begins Sales
Hilton Grand Vacations to Acquire Diamond Resorts, Creating the Premier Leisure Operator with the Broadest Offering in the Vacation Ownership Industry
Hilton Grand Vacations Opens Fukuoka Lounge in Japan