January 20, 2010
Consumer advisory for Festiva owners and members
If you have been contacted by someone regarding the resale of your unit on the website listingdepartment.com, please be advised that this is NOT a Festiva affiliated company, nor can we verify their legitimacy.
We have had reports from several owners and members who have been contacted by e-mail or regular mail and we are currently investigating this company.
If you have received an e-mail from this or any other suspicious company please forward it to ownerservices@festiva.travel.
Please note that Festiva does not offer a resale program at this time. Further, if anyone from Festiva does contact you, their e-mail address will end with @festiva.travel. An e-mail from any other domain regarding your ownership or membership could be an illegitimate business and should be forwarded to us for further investigation.
For information on legitimate resale agencies and practices, please click here to read the Resale Guidelines from the American Resort Development Association (ARDA).
January 18, 2010
Festiva Hospitality Group creates Haiti Relief Fund
Thousands are feared dead and millions have been affected in Haiti by the devastating Jan. 12 earthquake and its aftershocks. People all over the world are doing what they can to help, but it will be a long, difficult road to recovery for the country and people of Haiti. They need all of the assistance they can get in the form of funds, supplies, water and food.
The earthquake has not only affected millions on the ground in Haiti, but has had an impact on the Festiva family as well. We have several employees and service providers at our Caribbean resorts and sailing destinations whose friends’ and families’ whereabouts are as yet unknown.
Immediate help is needed
Festiva Hospitality Group’s Charitable Fund has pledged an initial $1000 to the American Red Cross for Haiti relief. Festiva employees are able to make donations through payroll deductions. Guests can add to that by contributing a few dollars upon checking out of any of our resorts. No matter how small or large, every single donation will help whether it’s for immediate or long term needs as we cannot yet comprehend the extent of the damage.
You can also donate through the following organizations:
- American Red Cross has raised over $5 million through $10 donations. Text “Haiti” to 90999 to donate through your cell phone bill. Most wireless carriers are waiving messaging fees.
- Doctors Without Borders has treated over 1,000 victims, and an inflatable hospital with operating facilities should arrive soon.
- CARE is continuing to send emergency team members into Haiti, CARE is also distributing food.
- UNICEF has released $3.4 million in emergency funds and is focusing on the safety and care of children in Haiti.
- Oxfam will be flying in 10 tons of equipment including water, sanitation, health and shelter equipment and tools to help clear rubble in the search for trapped people.
Be wary of hoaxes
Unfortunately, there is misinformation circulating about certain organizations’ efforts and some are trying to make a profit from this terrible disaster through scams or hoaxes. Before you donate to any organization, particularly on the Internet, be sure that they are legitimate.
A Reuters article published today has tips to avoid getting scammed and useful information to determine whether a charity is legitimate. For example, be aware of e-mails sent to you from an unknown person or organization, donate to organizations rather than individuals and check out charity-watchdog group the American Institute of Philanthropy for a list of reputable organizations with specific relief operations now underway.
Rumors circulating about UPS shipping packages under 50lbs for free are not true. The UPS website explains that they have halted all shipments from individuals and local organizations to Haiti so that they can help organizations like Red Cross, UNICEF and CARE ship supplies there.
Rumors about JetBlue and American Airlines flying nurses and doctors to Haiti for free are also false. According to CNN, this hoax originated from an unknown source on Twitter. In fact, American Airlines has been sending relief flights full of supplies, food and water to Haiti. JetBlue is working with agencies such as the American Red Cross to transport relief workers to the Dominican Republic who have already been vetted by the Haitian Consulate, who then helps them get to troubled areas. At one point Thursday, the FAA halted all U.S. flights to Haiti because of lack of fuel and overcrowding on the runway.
Looking ahead
At Festiva Hospitality Group, we will continue to keep the people of Haiti and their loved ones in our thoughts. This far-reaching tragedy is deeply saddening and we will do all that we can to assist, and hope that you will too. A huge amount of help is needed right now, but there will be many long term needs as the country and its people go through a tough recovery process. If you aren’t able to help financially right now, think about saving a little every week and donating to an organization for Haiti relief in the coming months when resources may be running low.
