Did you know the spend for the cruise industry was the same as the spend on vacation home rentals. By 2010, the spend on vacation home rentals will exceed the cruise ship industry on an annual basis.

While Hawaii’ is a premier destination in itself, the island of Maui offers guests the ultimate Hawaiian experience from adventure and touring to pure rest and relaxation. While the 2nd largest of the Hawaiian island’s, it is also one of the least populated (less than 139,000 residents versus Oahu with over 900,000 residents) allowing guests to this island paradise to enjoy the many charming and quaint towns on the island, all welcoming and each unique.

Known for its spectacular beaches, there are 81 spanning 120 miles of coastline. If you tire of the beaches, head uphill, literally to the Haleakala Crater, roughly the size of Manhattan Island and watch the estimated 3,000 humpback whales which visit each winter enjoying the warm ocean waters. Of course, the many activities will enchant (the waterfalls of Hana) and delight, playing golf on courses visited by PGA professionals.

For the foodie, each day is truly paradise from breakfasts of fresh tropical hand-picked fruits and macadamian-nut pancakes to delights from the surrounding sea. Maybe bar-b-que is to your liking as the local chef prepares succulent pig on a spit combing tradition with an Asian flair.

Yet Maui is not all rest, relaxation and adventure. With the many events year round, visitors will enhance their vacation by partaking in the many opportunities including:

Music: John Legend on Maui, September 10th at the MAAC Castle Theater

Photography: The Maui Photo Festival and Workshop, September 16th – 20th at the Hyatt Regency Resort and Spa bringing world-class photographers to one of the most photogenic locations in the world.

Golf (Professional):The Kapalua LPGA Classic an annual event tales place on the Bay Course with the top female golfers will compete for a $1.5 million purse from October 12th to 18th.

In January (4th – 10th), an elite field of champions from the 2009 PGA Tour will compete in the season opener of the SBS Championship at Kapalua Resort’s Plantation Course. Golfers including two-time defending champion Stuart Appleby, Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, David Toms, Jim Furyk and Davis Love III are scheduled to play with the balmy trade winds enveloping them as Bethpage Black, a distant summer memory sits frozen under a coating of snow and ice.

In one of the respected hospitality journals I almost skipped an obscure article mentioning hoteliers and resorts in beach destinations are actually reaching full occupancy and many are either sold-out for August to Labor Day or have raised rates based on demand. A couple of ideas from The Society:

1) Availability: Contrary to the above there is still availability if you are willing to be flexible. Of course beach properties within close proximity of major metropolitan areas have witnessed increased demand from their “drive-time” markets. Thus, consider beach destinations beyond the 2-4 hours of a major city or even better, consider a destination beach. The beaches of The Rivera Maya (check out options from Akumal-Villas, please mention The Society) are glorious during the summer as are many options in the Caribbean with rates in-line with their mainland counterparts.

2) Location: While beachfront and within walking distance of the beach is always in demand, consider “biking distance” from the beach. For example, in East Hampton, NY, by crossing Main Street, rates drop, yet you are still within biking distance of the beach. If driving distance, even with attractive pricing, be sure to ask if a) parking is available and b) if a permit or related is needed and provided by the homeowner or management.

3) Post Labor Day: Granted, not a true summer vacation, post Labor Day can be most attractive. For beaches along the Atlantic Seaboard, the water temperatures are actually highest in September and October. Bermuda is glorious during September and October as the crowds depart and the beaches become a private sanctuary.

4) Last-Minute: When searching TheSociety.com, be sure to call the management companies. While the house you desire may be booked, be sure to ask if an alternative may be available. Be flexible, while the 3-bedroom may be booked, consider a 2 or 4 bedroom, you never know the deals which may be available.

Subscription to our Global Bundle continues to exceed our conservative estimates concerning property affiliation. Our property/estate managers and homeowners who have partnered with the Global Bundle have indicated an up-tick concerning inquiries from “those who understand and appreciate the value and luxury of a high-end vacation residence rental.”.

The unique diversity of partnerships within the Global Bundle ensure messaging to an affluent audience ranging from age from the mid 30’s to mid 70’s. For example, inquiries from The duPont Registry are oriented to younger families and friends traveling together. Those from The Robb Report seem to inquire concerning large estates for multi-generational families. Our recent mention in the Wall Street Journal has attracted the elusive incentive travel client in search of discreet options beyond the notoriety of Las Vegas (BTW, The WSJ may soon be a partner site within the Global Bundle). For those unaware, the Global Bundle offers:

• Full on-line advertising/marketing/PR solution
• Global exposure to an affluent target market
• Affiliation with eight (8) other respected luxury market portals
• One Listing
• One Calendar
• One Annual Fee
• The Ultimate in Simplicity and Value

As we at The Society continue to provide our partners with the most attractive opportunities to target market to the affluent consumer, we would like to introduce you to The duPont Registry, one of the select vendors affiliated with our Global Bundle.

The duPont Registry is unique in its targeted demographics which we suggest is the next generation of wealth. The average age of the reader/viewer of The DuPont Registry is 36 with an annual household income of $345,000 and average household net-worth exceeding $2,000,000 USD.  Unlike other publications concentrating on real-estate as a niche, the duPont Registry is considered a “lifestyle publication” with a wide-range of editorial features and opportunities embracing the many facets of the affluent lifestyle.

As with many storied print publications, The duPont Registry has embraced the web and has exceeded their conservative projections concerning viewers due to the younger demographic associated with their publication. The following statistics should impress:

• Average 350,000 unique monthly visitors
• Average 6,000,000 page views monthly
• 151 countries visit the site monthly

We are very proud to be working with The duPont Registry, one of the truly storied entities in the luxury real estate and lifestyle industry and poised to be dominant with the next generation of wealth within the United States and worldwide. By affiliating with The Society’s Global Bundle, you the homeowner, property/estate manager will have immediate access to this most in-demand demographic of younger wealth and be able to present and influence their future vacation and purchasing decisions.

For additional demographic and editorial information concerning the duPont Registry,  please click here: media kit.