Guest of Honor, a program that provides complimentary resort stays to active-duty military veterans and their families, was launched today by Holiday Inn Club Vacations Incorporated.
Holiday Inn Club Vacations also announced a partnership with Vacations for Vets, a program administered by In Honor of Our Troops (IHOOT). This nonprofit organization works with hospitality brands to provide complimentary lodging to active-duty military and veterans.
Beginning Memorial Day weekend, nine military families will spend a week at Holiday Inn Club Vacations properties across the United States, including Orange Lake Resort in Orlando, Florida; Desert Club Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada; Villages Resort at Lake Palestine in Flint, Texas; and Oak n’ Spruce Resort in the Berkshires in South Lee, Massachusetts.
Holiday Inn Club Vacations gave over 10 million Club points to kick off the program. By collecting contributed points from Holiday Inn Club members, the Company will continue to provide complimentary stays to military members in the future.
“At Holiday Inn Club Vacations, we believe that travel not only brings families closer together but truly strengthens their bonds. Our brave military members, along with the dedicated families who take on the important role of loving and supporting a service member, deserve this more than anyone,” said John Staten, President and Chief Operating Officer at Holiday Inn Club Vacations Incorporated. “Our Club members fully understand the immeasurable benefits of traveling together, so we are confident they will embrace this great new program with open arms.”
“For the selfless men and women who serve our country, a vacation is far more than a chance to relax with friends and family. It’s an opportunity to heal as they transition back to civilian life, along with time to reconnect with loved ones,” said Philip Strambler, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of IHOOT. “We are grateful for our partnership with Holiday Inn Club Vacations, as it allows our team to bring these life-changing experiences to even more members of our military.”
Active-duty military members and veterans should go to ihoot.org to apply for a stay through Vacations for Vets.
Holiday Inn Club Vacations Incorporated is a resort, real estate, and travel company with 28 resorts, 7,900 villas in 14 U.S. states, and more than 365,000 timeshare owners. Its mission is to be the most loved brand in family travel by providing easy-to-plan, memorable vacation experiences that strengthen families.
The Company, based in Orlando, Fla., has been a leader in the vacation ownership industry since 1982. It was founded by Holiday Inn’s founder Kemmons Wilson with the opening of the Company’s flagship property, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, at Orange Lake Resort, near Orlando’s Walt Disney World® Resort.
Holiday Inn Club Vacations has a resort portfolio covering the United States today. While actively seeking development, modernizing its member engagement model, and establishing an industry-leading workforce passionate about the guest experience, the Company has retained key family values faithful to its majority ownership by the Wilson family throughout its existence.
When the badly injured began arriving at Walter Reed Army Medical Center over 20 years ago, In Honor of Our Troops (IHOOT) was founded as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Philip Strambler, a Vietnam-era USMC officer, served as the medical center’s Director. He saw firsthand how difficult and traumatic the transition from military to civilian life might be, particularly for those who were permanently disabled. So he founded IHOOT and its Vacations for Vets program to meet these needs.
Vacations for Vets helps reconnect and repair good family relationships by providing rest, recovery, and rehabilitation. Active-duty military and veterans with proof of honorable service and their relatives and friends are eligible for free lodging for up to eight days and seven nights. The application is only available online at www.ihoot.org.
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