There have been many new clubs emerging into the destination club market this year. In addition to the newcomers, some clubs have merged; many established clubs have grown in both memberships and properties; and sadly, some haven't survived.

Club President Jonathan Harding provided SherpaReport with an update on the change of direction at Ciel.

We've heard that Yellowstone Club World is not currently soliciting new members.

Destination clubs are sprouting up all over the world. Southern Africa is no longer exempt from this trend in high-end luxury vacations. Dream Circle Destinations, headquartered in South Africa, is a new shared ownership destination club promising members a return on investment after a 12 year run.

Variety - this term often has a positive connotation; however, with private residence club (PRC) and luxury fractional reservation systems, variety can equal confusion. There are dozens of clubs out there and several different ways to organize usage plans.

SherpaReport recently spoke to Ben Addoms, Founder and Executive Vice President, of Quintess about the destination clubs growth, its new home developments and results from the recent member survey.

A home overlooking the 18th green of the Old Course at St Andrews has just been made available to 12 golf enthusiast owners.

Exclusive Resorts, the largest luxury destination club, has expanded its "Once in a Lifetime" program, now providing members with a total of 16 planned vacations in exclusive locations. Members can travel to 25 countries on 6 continents, including Fiji, Bhutan, Argentina and the Galapagos Islands.

Private Escapes just announced Coach George Karl of the Denver Nuggets as the newest member of Private Escapes Platinum Destination Club. According to the press release, Karl joined the growing destination club with his family to enjoy the attractive size of the homes, and the ability to share with business partners, other team coaches and family members.

Carefree Group, Inc. responds to its Carefree Lifestyle clientele by forming and launching Carefree Elite, a new destination club, in December 2007. "What sets Carefree Elite apart is that it's not a destination club. It's a lifestyle in itself," says Membership Director, Brian Spicciatie.

Fractional yacht ownership is a sensible and more affordable alternative to buying your dream yacht. Exotic locations with convenient transportation, flexible usage plans and managed maintenance mean you can enjoy all the advantages of yacht ownership without all the responsibilities. Eusamarine is testing the waters of fractional yacht ownership with its Global Superyacht Club and is poised to become one of the ultimate luxury yachting opportunities for vacationers.

The luxury vacation club Quintess, LRW has just changed its membership plans. The new plan structures bring it more into line with other clubs and should make it easier to compare Quintess to the other clubs.

Rocksure Property is launching a second fund to buy 6 luxury homes around the world, with an average value of £1m ($2m). Members of the fund enjoy free vacations and property appreciation. This fund follows the success of their first "Alpha" fund, which closed for new subscriptions in July.

Grand Resort Properties is a new destination club designed with Midwestern hospitality in mind - made for the millionaire next door. Following Exclusive's model for destination clubs, Brad Brown of Omaha, Nebraska decided to create a smaller Midwest version in late 2006.

Founded in 1962, Vail is recognized as the finest ski resort in North America. Readers of SKI Magazine have voted it the Number 1 ski resort destination in the United States a record 11 times in 15 years. With 5,289 acres of skiable acreage and 34 lifts, it is also the largest ski resort in the US.