In an industry where innovation and customer service are key components of success, Vacation Innovations (VI) stands out as a beacon of excellence. For more than 25 years, VI has been a trailblazer, continuously evolving to meet the demands of the timeshare industry. With the acquisition of SellMyTimeshareNow.com (SMTN) in 2012 and Holiday Systems International (HSI) in 2020, the company has leveraged its strengths to provide a truly comprehensive travel solution for the timeshare industry, while also providing opportunities for growth and career progression for its employees.
The strategic acquisition of HSI in July 2020 marked a significant milestone for VI, broadening its capabilities and enhancing its suite of travel solutions. This investment not only solidified VI’s position as a leading travel service provider; it also highlighted its commitment to growth and excellence across all operational fronts. The company has optimized the products and services offered under the HSI brand, driving tour generation services for major developers in Mexico and setting the groundwork to collaborate with developers within the U.S. in coming years.
Vacation Innovations has built a reputation as a leading travel provider and developer of award-winning, travel-related rewards programs and technology, producing some of the most sophisticated software and user interfaces in the travel industry. The company has served as a trusted partner for decades, offering best-in class travel services and industry-leading expertise in vacation ownership solutions for consumers and developers. Leveraging its strategic relationships, the company has grown to provide more than 2 million members with exceptional travel experiences across multiple brands, an increase of more than 1.5 million from 2022. With a significant focus on providing white-labeled travel platforms, the company has expanded its presence to provide travel services in collaboration with more than 2,500 affiliates and partners and has paid more than $200 million in maintenance fees to the timeshare industry over the course of the company’s history.
VI’s wide range of products and services has helped serve the company’s clients more effectively by offering lead generation and customizable technology solutions, driving significant numbers of tours to developer partners. The company has invested heavily in updating not only the technology that is at the core of its products and services, but also the customer experience, refreshing branding and key product enhancements across multiple existing travel platforms and launching several custom-built solutions for strategic developer partners.
Most significantly, Vacation Innovations launched a first-of-its-kind program, Maintenance Fee Protection, at the end of 2022 that provides reimbursement of maintenance fees to an expanding group of timeshare owners. The program has seen exponential growth, distributing $600,000 in reimbursements to owners in 2023 and over $5.4 million in 2024—an 800% year-over-year increase. Not only does this product help improve owner and general public perception of the industry, but it also helps ensure that maintenance fees are being paid, contributing to the financial health and sustainability of timeshare owners’ associations and the industry as a whole.
VI’s dedication to delivering top-tier products while serving as an employer of choice has never been stronger or more apparent, and it is getting noticed. Vacation Innovations was named one of Orlando Sentinel’s Top Workplaces for three consecutive years (2022-2024), a testament to its commitment to employee satisfaction and organizational culture. The company recognizes the importance of providing best-in-class benefits to its nearly 275 employees. In addition to offering competitive, comprehensive insurance, as well as 401k with six percent company match, VI also offers paid maternity and paternity leave for new parents and flexible working arrangements. The company has allowed many employees to either remain working remotely or in a hybrid format in the midst of the return to office trend impacting many organizations and employees across the country. And, of course, VI’s employees enjoy access to its signature discounted travel platform and resort weeks.
Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of VI’s corporate culture, and the presence of minority and female executives in its C-suite is a clear indication of its commitment to equality and empowerment. The open-door policy for all employees fosters a transparent and inclusive work environment, encouraging open communication and idea sharing.
VI and its employees have a history of fierce dedication to supporting the underserved, championing causes from animal rights to homelessness. The company’s teams have rallied around VI’s charity of choice, Miles To Go Charities, a nonprofit started by company CEO Chad Newbold’s 9-year-old son, providing thousands of bags of essential supplies to homeless individuals in Orlando and Las Vegas.
Without question, Vacation Innovations epitomizes what it means to be a Best Overall Company in the vacation ownership industry – no other organization comes close to serving the needs of consumers, industry partners, or its own employees with more care and professionalism.
