Interval International, a leading global provider of vacation services and an operating segment of Interval Leisure Group (Nasdaq:IILG), yesterday announced that Welk Resorts Cabo – Sirena del Mar has joined its vacation exchange network. Overlooking the Sea of Cortez near Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, this is the first international location in the Welk Resorts portfolio launched by legendary entertainer Lawrence Welk.

“Those familiar with the Welk history know that we strive to ensure whatever we do at our resorts is done with the highest quality standards,” said Jon Fredricks, president of Welk Resorts. “Welk Resorts Cabo – Sirena del Mar, the newest addition to our family of resorts, clearly exemplifies this commitment to excellence.”

Craig M. Nash, chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Interval Leisure Group, parent company of Interval International, added, “We are very proud to welcome Welk Resorts Cabo – Sirena del Mar, Welk’s sixth property, to Interval’s worldwide network. The resort’s stunning location and full range of amenities carry on the tradition of quality that has made Welk Resorts one of the most respected independent brands in the vacation ownership industry.”

Set on a 65-foot bluff near the popular resort town of Cabo San Lucas on the tip of the Baja California peninsula, Welk Resorts Cabo – Sirena del Mar is being built in tiers to maximize its panoramic views of the Sea of Cortez and El Arco, the landmark stone arch. There are two pools on the seven-acre property and cascading decks have wet wall water features, a vanishing edge waterfall and spa, thatched palapas, and a fire pit. At the rim of the seaside cliff, a spiral staircase leads to a swimmable cove beach.

While the setting may be a world away from other resorts in the Welk Resorts portfolio — including the Welk Resort north of the San Diego suburb of Escondido, the 400-acre flagship property, and the Ozark Mountain-themed Timber Ridge Lodge in the heart of family-friendly Branson, Missouri — the quality and flexible, points-based product is very familiar to more than 43,000 owners at Welk Resorts. Sixteen of the 20 two-bedroom villas in phase one of Welk Resorts Cabo – Sirena del Mar are lock-off units, adding another layer of flexibility. (The remaining four units are two-bedroom penthouses.) The build out is scheduled to progress in five phases for a total of 222 units with a range of configurations, including one-bedroom junior suites.

All units will include luxury amenities such as whirlpool tubs, stainless appliances, multiple flat screen TVs, complimentary Internet access, and pillow-top king-sized beds.

Phase one owners and guests will be able to enjoy a range of on-site amenities including two outdoor pools (one with a swim-up bar), a fitness center, game room, an owner’s lounge and shop selling beverages and sundries. Just five minutes from the property, Cabo San Lucas offers the full spectrum of shopping, dining, golf and water sports.

Further reinforcing the value of ownership, new purchasers will be enrolled as individual members of Interval International, as well as Interval Gold®, its upgraded membership program. This gives them the opportunity to exchange their accommodations for those at other resorts in Interval’s worldwide network, as well as the ability to relinquish their resort weeks toward the purchase of cruise, golf, and spa vacations. They also will enjoy an extensive menu of benefits, including discounts on resort Getaways, ShortStay ExchangeSM, access to a personal concierge service available 24 hours a day via phone and e-mail, complimentary Hertz #1 Gold® membership, and worldwide hotel and dining discounts.

Interval International operates membership programs for vacation owners and provides value-added services to its developer clients worldwide. Based in Miami, Florida, the company has been a pioneer and innovator in serving the vacation ownership market for more than 33 years. Today, Interval has a network of approximately 2,500 resorts in more than 75 countries and offers its resort clients and about 2 million member families high-quality products and programs through offices in 26 cities in 16 countries. Interval is an operating segment of Interval Leisure Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: IILG), a leading global provider of membership and leisure services to the vacation industry.