Themed Travel Clubs: The New Trend in The Destination Club Industry Allows Travelers to have it Their Way

(ST. GEORGE, UTAH) – January 30, 2006 – Customization is not only a new option for the savvy consumer, it’s an entitlement. From fragrance to automobiles and now luxury travel, companies in the know are vying to create unique, customized products to reach this discriminating set. Recognizing this trend, The Markers introduced the first destination club exclusively for avid golfers in 2005, becoming the first to bring the customized travel club concept to the luxury travel market. Since its inception, The Markers has successfully captured the sentiment of the custom traveler by providing memorable golf experiences and access to luxury homes located in the most prestigious golf destinations worldwide.

“As hybrids of the popular destination club, themed clubs appeal to discriminating travelers with individual passions such as wine, fly-fishing and of course, golf,” said Mitch Brinton, co-founder of The Markers. “Themed clubs are the natural evolution of an industry that caters to the affluent traveler as they target a particular interest and then build a memorable experience around it.”

The destination club industry offers a unique twist on traditional luxury travel: members have access to a portfolio of high-end residences worldwide for a one-time membership fee. Themed destination clubs offer all of the same amenities found in traditional clubs but are driven by their member’s individual hobbies and desired experiences. For example, a themed club aimed at wine enthusiasts whisks members off to the vineyards of France to stay at a medieval mansion, while a regionally-based themed club offers busy families the chance to get away to a drive-to destination without having to travel across the globe. Most themed clubs have an on-site concierge to take care of every detail from arranging tee times and booking spa appointments to stocking the refrigerator prior to a member’s visit. Homes typically average approximately $1 million and feature luxury amenities such as state-of-the-art appliances, electronics and luxury furnishings.

Introduced in 2005, the Utah-based Markers is the first themed club in the sector. In addition to offering a portfolio of homes in premier golf locations, The Markers also provides golf experiences including an annual club championship, members-only golf excursions such as a VIP Tour of the PING factory and Tour Player’s custom club fitting and a member/guest excursion to the 2006 US Open at Winged Foot Golf Club, and the M3: the Markers Mobile Mansion, which will be available for members to tour the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Alabama. Not to be overlooked are the concierge services, luxurious amenities, preferred tee times, reduced greens fees, a rental car parked in the garage at most homes, golf clubs for demo use and some of the latest golf technology in-house. The club also attracts members with its unique equity model where members own a percentage of the club that owns the real estate portfolio.

World Golf and PGA Hall of Fame inductee Billy Casper and his family recently joined The Markers, opting to own a Partner membership which is designed for four friends and/or business partners to collectively share Club privileges.

“I was drawn to the passion for golf that drives The Markers, which is something that cannot be found in any other golf vacation available,” said Casper. “Destination clubs are an ideal way to travel, but The Markers is the only club that offers my family what is most important to us – enjoying our own beautiful second homes in many of the world’s best golf locations.”

Since 2003, destination clubs have made their mark on the travel world with membership sales surpassing $500 million in 2004, and forecasts for the next three years exceeding $1 billion according to Oregon-based Ragatz Associates. With the industry now established, many industry experts anticipate the emergence of more specialized clubs in 2006 as the nation is spending more disposable income on leisure and travel. Themed clubs are the first variation of the traditional destination club.

The first concept of its kind, The Markers launched in April 2005 with four locations in St. George, Utah; Cabos San Lucas, Mexico; Southern Pines, North Carolina; and Scottsdale, Arizona; and has since added properties in Kiawah and Daufuskie Islands in South Carolina. In addition, three-to-six more properties are planned for the first quarter of 2006. Only available to 325 exclusive members, The Markers offers three membership options: Fairway, Partner and Corporate memberships which carry entry fees of $285,000, $325,000 and $375,000 and annual dues of $14,500, $16,500 and $18,500, respectively. A select few Charter Memberships are still available with a $90,000 discount on the membership deposit and waived annual dues for the first year.

About The Markers
Founded in April 2005 by business and marketing entrepreneurs Mitch Brinton and Ron Wade and PGA Champions Tour Professional Bruce Summerhays, The Markers is the first club to combine the benefits of private golf club membership with the amenities of a destination club. Created exclusively for the golf purist, The Markers provides access to a portfolio of luxury homes situated among the world’s most renowned golf destinations as well as once-in-a-lifetime golf experiences including an annual club championship and international golf excursions. The Markers currently has seven residences and the portfolio will ultimately include 36 national and international locations. For more information visit The Marker’s Web site at www.TheMarkersClub.com or call (800) 745-0065.