Singapore (September 2, 2014) - RCI, the global leader in holiday exchange and part of the Wyndham Worldwide family of brands (NYSE:WYN), recently welcomed two new affiliated resorts in China to its holiday exchange network. The new properties are Shangri-La Tusifu Resort in Shangri-La County, and Xishuangbanna Resort in Xishuangbanna Prefecture, both in Yunnan Province, China. The signing of these agreements expands RCI’s portfolio of resorts in China to more than 50 properties.
“These two new affiliations not only show a growing interest for shared ownership in China, but also reaffirm that RCI is offering an innovative and appealing product to both consumers and business developers,” said Gavin Cheong, business development director for North Asia, RCI Asia Pacific. “RCI continues to be committed to forming new alliances with quality resorts to offer the best exchange options for RCI members.”
Shangri-la Tusifu Resort is located in Shangri-La, which is a four-hour drive from Lijiang. Shangri-La means 'Land of Sacredness and Peace' in Tibetan, which mirrors the county’s breathtaking landscapes, sacred monasteries and lamaseries, magnificent snow-peaked mountains and tranquil lakes.
The property has an interesting historical background: during the Ming Dynasty, the minority tribal clans in Shangri-La were bestowed with official titles by the central government, which led to the development of the Tusi ruling system in the region. The 36-room Shangri-La Tusifu Resort is the restoration of the office and residence of Tusi officials, built more than 1,300 years ago.
The resort décor is reminiscent of ancient Tibet, with every piece of furniture, painting and ornament showcasing the rich Tibetan cultural heritage. RCI members can enjoy traditional Tibetan cuisine such as butter tea and yak meat at the onsite restaurant, or join the Tibetan song and dance performances organized by the resort for a unique cultural experience.
Xishuangbanna Resort is located in Jinhong, the capital city of Xishuangbanna Prefecture. Xishuangbanna is home to many different ethnic groups, and the home of the world famous Pu’er tea. The Mekong River flows through Jinhong City, creating a hub for travellers passing through China, Thailand and Laos. Opened in 2013, Xishuangbanna Resort has 110 rooms and suites, and is seven kilometres from Jinghong Airport. It is within walking distance to Jinsha Bay and Jiangnan Riverside Walk, while tourist attractions such as the Peacock Garden and Manting Park are within close proximity.
“In order to provide our members with quality leisure options and unforgettable travel experiences, we have chosen to partner with RCI, the world’s largest holiday exchange network,” said Zheng Huiyu, chairman of Luju Vacation Club. “Our members will not only be able to enjoy quality holiday options within China, but will also have access to thousands of travel destinations around the world. They can visit tropical beaches during China’s cold winter, take a multi-city tour around Europe or go on a cruise holiday with their exchange memberships.
"This affiliation will also boost Shangri-La and Xishuangbanna’s tourism growth, introducing the concept of holiday exchange and changing the ways people can holiday in the two regions," Huiyu continued. "I believe this will have a significant, positive impact for Yunnan province’s economic development.”
For more information, visit RCI.com or RCIAffiliates.com.
About RCI
RCI is the worldwide leader in vacation exchange with nearly 4,500 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® program, the week-for-week exchange system, and the RCI Points® program, the industry’s first global points-based exchange system, RCI provides flexible vacation options to its approximately 3.7 million RCI subscribing members each year. RCI’s luxury exchange program, The Registry Collection®, is the world’s largest program of its kind with approximately 200 affiliated properties either accessible for exchange or under development on six continents. RCI is part of Wyndham Exchange & Rentals and the Wyndham Worldwide family of brands (NYSE: WYN). For additional information visit our media center, rciaffiliates.com or The RCI Blog. RCI also can be found on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.
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Catherine Reynolds973-753-4662Catherine.Reynolds@rci.com