RCI Africa Salutes Industry Leaders at the 28th Annual Oscas Awards
The vacation exchange leader honours affiliates and associates
Johannesburg, South Africa (March 2016) – RCI, the global leader in vacation exchange and part of the Wyndham Worldwide family of brands (NYSE: WYN), celebrated industry leaders at the 28th Annual RCI Oscas Gala Awards this week. The gala event was held at the Premier Hotel O.R. Tambo in Kempton Park.
The Oscas Awards ceremony is held annually to acknowledge the successes of industry partners and their contributions to RCI in Africa. This year’s glamourous event was co-hosted by Dimitris Manikis, vice president of RCI Business Development, and Howard Nusbaum , CEO of ARDA (American Resort Development Association). Entertainment for the evening was provided by The Muses, Gerhard and Amor (two time World Exhibition and British Open Exhibition Champions), and Swing City (comprising Loyiso Bala, Nathan Ro and Graeme Watkins).
Seventy-two awards were handed out this year, including a Special Recognition Award for an act of valour. Six resorts were also upgraded in recognition of their improved performance.
Howard Nusbaum kicked off the event by presenting the Special Recognition Award to Meresh Sukdeo from Umhlanga Sands Resort. Sukdeo was honoured for saving the life of a child who needed to be resuscitated after a drowning incident in the resort pool.
The recipients of the Investment in Hospitality Awards were Breakers Resort, Chaka’s Rock Chalets, Champagne Sports Resort, and Sun Vacation Club, which have devoted significant amounts of money toward the renovation of their resorts, thereby elevating the image of the timeshare industry. Boulder Bay, Mabula Timeshare and St. Michaels Sands Hotel & Timeshare Resort were honoured with Long Service Awards for being affiliated to RCI for more than 30 years.
The RADA Business Support and Resort Operations Awards recognised the invaluable work done by the operations and back office staff who ensure the smooth running of our resorts and businesses. These included recognition for the managers and employees of the year in various categories. Dream Hotels & Resorts clinched the RCI RADA Technology & Innovation Award for re-launching a new website and opening a training and development school in Montagu.
The RCI Value Awards went to Caribbean Estates for its environmental initiatives and Sondela Nature Reserve for its community involvement and environmental projects. This year’s Category Awards were won by La Côte d’ Azur, a First Resorts property that won both the Top Resort Maintenance and Top Unit Maintenance Category Awards. Wilderness Dunes, managed by Legacy Hotels & Resorts, took the award for Superior Service in Hospitality as well as the award for the Top Check-in & Check-out category. The last category award went to Mount Sheba, a Forever Resorts property, for Excellence in Housekeeping.
Undoubtedly one of the highlights of the glittering event was the announcement of the Resort of the Year in the RCI Hospitality, RCI Silver Crown and RCI Gold Crown gradings. This year Vacation Recreational Services (VRS) clinched three of the five Resort of the Year titles: Gold Crown - Large was awarded to Ngwenya Lodge, Silver Crown Resort of the Year was awarded to Ekuthuleni in Hoedspruit, and Hospitality Resort of the Year went to Morrumbene in Mozambique. The Top Gold Crown Resorts - Small went to Millstream, an independent resort in Dullstroom, and the Top Gold Crown - Medium went to La Côte d’ Azur, a First Resorts Property in Margate.
The prestigious event culminated in the highly-anticipated announcement of General Manager of the Year Award. This award considers the resort’s overall rating, its hospitality rating and its service to guests. Last year’s joint winners, Brett Bailey and Jon-Kilroe Smith, handed over the prestigious trophy to Jackie Vincent of Millstream for her excellent management of a resort that has won the Resort of the Year Award four times in the past six years.
About RCI
RCI is the worldwide leader in vacation exchange with approximately 4,300 affiliated resorts in more than 100 countries. RCI pioneered the concept of vacation exchange in 1974, offering members increased flexibility and versatility with their vacation ownership experience. Today, through the RCI Weeks® programme, the week-for-week exchange system, and the RCI Points® programme, the industry’s first global points-based exchange system, RCI provides flexible vacation options to its 3.8 million RCI members each year. RCI’s luxury exchange programme, The Registry Collection® programme, is the world’s largest programme of its kind with approximately 200 affiliated properties either accessible for exchange or under development on six continents. RCI is part of Wyndham Destination Network and the Wyndham Worldwide family of brands (NYSE: WYN). For additional information visit our media centre or rciaffiliates.com. RCI also can be found on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.
View the Oscas award list here.