Q&A Interviews

Q & A with Deon Viljoen

Southern Sun Lifestyle Resorts

Director of Operations

Please tell us how Southern Sun Lifestyle Resorts fits in to the Southern Sun group of companies?

[Deon] The Southern Sun Group has 5 unique brands. Southern Sun Lifestyle Resorts is the Resorts brand for the Southern Sun Group in South Africa. Herewith a list of the Resorts in the brand.

Umhlanga Sands Lifestyle Resort “identity - Kid is King” and Cabana Beach Lifestyle Resort “identity – a Timeless Classic” in Umhlanga. Both these two Resorts are fixed week timeshare Resorts and operate a successful rental pool and re sales service.

Beacon Island Lifestyle Resort  “identity – the Place to Be Seen” in Plettenberg Bay is quoted as being the most photographed Resort in SA. Beacon Island Lifestyle Resort is a fixed week timeshare property and also has a rental pool and re sales service.

Sabi River Sun Lifestyle Resort adjacent to Hazyview, “identity – The Heart of the Lowveld” has a Southern Sun hotel as well as fixed week timeshare Chalets, a magnificent golf course and wildlife.

The Drakensberg Sun Lifestyle Resort “identity – The Pearl of the Mountains”, central Berg area, has a Southern Sun hotel, fixed week timeshare Apartments and fixed week timeshare Chalets. When you think of the Drakensberg Sun Lifestyle Resort think National Geographic – one of a handful Platinum environmentally operated Resorts in Africa.

Pine Lake Lifestyle Resort just outside White River “identity – Gateway to the Country”, has fixed week timeshare Chalets and a true gem. Riverside Lifestyle Resort is an icon on the Vaal River ideal for conferences, family holidays and water sports. The Caledon Casino Hotel and Spa has the legendary and historical hot mineral baths and renown for conferences and family holidays.

All Southern Sun Lifestyle Resorts offers extensive entertainment for the whole family and are operated as 4 star Resorts.

Which is your flagship vacation ownership resort?

[Deon] Each Resort is unique in its destination, in fact in most cases, defines the destination. Its not possible to choose a flagship as they all are. Which is why I always holiday at work!

How are you involved with VOASA (Vacation Ownership Association of Southern Africa)?

[Deon] All of our timeshare Resorts and business units are members of VOASA, I serve on the board and I am the current chairman of VOASA.

You are working hard at getting the industry to collaborate and work together, how do you foresee key players within our vacation ownership industry working together in order to educate and support consumers?

[Deon] VOASA has truly come of age over the last few years and now represents all sectors of the vacation ownership industry in SA. Relationships between all the industry sectors has never been better and with its new and updated strategy, VOASA is set to engage all communities in the vacation ownership industry in Southern Africa.

You mentioned at the recent VOASA 2009 conference that you are very environmentally conscious as a company, and looking for ways to become greener. How are you implementing eco-friendly services within your organisation?

[Deon] The Southern Sun Group has a stated environmental management strategy and all of our Hotels and Resorts has implemented a range of best practice standards. Its not only the right thing to do, it makes economic sense and pleases our staff and guests.

Southern Sun Lifestyle Resorts recently affiliated with Interval International for global exchanges – how does benefit your owners?

[Deon] Southern Sun Lifestyle Resorts has created its own exchange company, SunSwop, which has been affiliated with Interval International. By doing this, Southern Sun Lifestyle Resorts has been able to ring fence Southern Sun timeshare weeks, specifically for the benefit of Southern Sun timeshare owners’ exchanges.

By contracting Interval International a competitive exchange environment has been established in South Africa for the benefit of all.

What changes within the vacation ownership industry do you envisage for 2010?

[Deon] VOASA will be playing a critical role and in many legislative and regulatory issues in 2010 and we will see an expanded engagement from VOASA with all of the communities in the vacation ownership industry in SA.

Harley or Ducati?

[Deon] If you actually want to experience riding a motorbike, Harley Davidson. If you want to wonder what happened or where you have been, I’d say Ducati!