Sample Initial Post for HFT3273 Discussion 1
(that is complete, demonstrates knowledge of the material and
enhances students’ understanding through incorporation of external sources)
I chose “vacation club”, used UCF Library “OneSearch” and narrowed the results to four years (2010-
2014) because I am interested in current news. Scanning the results, I noticed a lot of news about
management companies, so I did a new search using “vacation club” and “management company”. I
found an article entitled “Timbers Resorts Announces Addition of the Former Ritz-Carlton Club –
Bachelor Gulch to the Timbers Collection Portfolio”. I was intrigued by the mention of the former Ritz-
Carlton Club, but recall that our textbook in Chapter One talks about the entrance of the major lodging
brands in to the timeshare industry in the 1980s and 1990’s which led to the rapid growth of timeshare
sales during that time. The story explains that Timbers Resorts will replace the Ritz-Carlton
Management Company as manager and operator of Ritz-Carlton Club Bachelor Gulch and the property
will be renamed.
I was fascinated by the change in management and renaming, however, upon reading the article, the
President of RCC BG Condominium Association says this was the right fit for their members and it will
return the club to its original vision strictly as a Private Residence Club. I went to the Ritz-Carlton Club
website to understand what a Private Residence Club is and learned that it is a points-based equity
ownership program in a real estate trust. Four Seasons Hotels has a similar program. What could Ritz-
Carlton have done to comprise the original vision and how can the club members change the brand from
Ritz-Carlton? Why would they want to?
Sample Reply Post for HFT3273 Discussion 1
(that is a substantive reply that responds to a classmate’s question, demonstrates knowledge
of the material and enhances students’ understanding through incorporation of external sources)
Your initial post caught my attention, Susan, because I did not use “vacation club” as my search term,
but I do work for the Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes. I asked my manager if they knew anything about the
Ritz-Carlton Club and they put me in touch with a friend of theirs who works for Ritz-Carlton Club
Commented [A1]: Demonstrates knowledge of the course
materials
Commented [A2]: Enhanced comment using relevant external
sources
Commented [A4]: Enhances the post with relevant external
sources