DAE Forges Record Growth In 2014

Award-winning vacation exchange provider, DAE, achieved record transactional growth across their various regions around the world in 2014, making it the company’s most successful year on record.

The opening of DAE’s office in Cairo, Egypt in February catapulted DAE’s growth in the emerging market. Starting with 22 members joining DAE’s free worldwide exchange program, the region now services close to 5000 members from 10 different nationalities.

Egypt’s staff numbers also grew exponentially throughout the year in line with the impressive member growth, from 2 people to now a team of 19 employees providing dedicated services to members in the local market.

DAE’s US office moved to larger premises in Phoenix, Arizona, to cater for the increased growth in both members and employees.

Throughout Asia, DAE China embarked on a Service Upgrade Strategy in 2014 that included a new Chinese website to improve the overall user experience and engagement for Chinese members.

The introduction of a value-added package to book members’ flights and organize visas – leveraged through the popular We Chat mobile technology platform – saw DAE China’s exchange sales volume increase by 40% each month since June, as well as boosting customer satisfaction rates.

Impressive year-on-year growth was also witnessed in South Africa, where DAE’s office completed a Resort Registration Program which resulted in 17,500 new members joining DAE – a 49% YOY increase in membership, corresponding with a 68% increase in weeks deposited in South Africa.

CEO of DAE, Francis Taylor, said 2014 was an important year of celebrating how far the company had come from its humble beginnings, as well as the forging of new partnerships to drive future growth.

“In 2014, DAE Europe celebrated its 15th anniversary, reminding us what an important role DAE has played in the timeshare industry in the UK and Europe,” he said.

“The focus for DAE always remains on customer service – and our growth is driven only by customer demand. Along with growth in membership comes new initiatives to continuously improve our levels of customer service – and that is the case across all the regions we operate in.

“This year, we launched our DAE Award of Excellence across our partner resorts in Australia and New Zealand to recognize resort staff who provide members with outstanding service, and we partnered with resorts in New Zealand to host the inaugural DAE Invitational 45 Hole Golf Classic in Taupo – our first themed holiday week for members.

“We also facilitated staff exchanges and training to continue to provide the very best service to our members across every region.

“Upgrades continue to our digital platform, with DAE leading the advancements in online booking technology, providing the best online user experience for our members to use our simple and affordable exchange platform.

“And we have introduced new products and services to add even more value to our members who have a higher propensity to travel more frequently – with daeExtra and daeRewards piloted in the US.”

Mr Taylor said the successful year would be followed up in 2015 as the company continues to grow from strength to strength.

“We look forward to continuing to expand our membership around the globe, and just as importantly showcasing our strengths as an innovative and viable exchange partner to various businesses within vacation ownership.”