Founded over 50 years ago, the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, and member-driven business community. Focused on issues affecting the vacation ownership and resort development industries putting the company at the forefront of advocating on behalf of America’s resort developers and timeshare owners — both on Capitol Hill and in state houses across the country.
ARDA is the trade association for the timeshare industry and is comprised of over 350 companies of both privately held firms and publicly traded corporations. ARDA’s active, engaged members have extensive experience in shared ownership interests in leisure real estate known for helping to make sure that the business community thrives representing 95% of the timeshare industry. The community extends abroad as well; in addition to the 1,540 resorts located in the United States, many ARDA members have resorts around the world — including the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, and Asia. ARDA is part of the international timeshare community through the Global Alliance for Timeshare Excellence (GATE), made up of member organizations from Brazil, Asia Pacific, Australia, Canada, Europe, Mexico, and South Africa.
Each year the ARDA organization hosts a networking conference allowing all of its members to connect, share, exchange and build relationships. During these important conferences an awards ceremony is held recognizing participating companies amongst different categories from operational to administrative levels. El Cid Vacations Club and El Cid Resorts is extremely proud to share that this year the 2023 ARDA Awards honored El Cid Resorts with the Philanthropic Award to the El Cid Foundation and its Director Mrs. Wanda Thompson, who has been leading the organization impacting lives and communities for 23 years now.
The El Cid Foundation was established in 1998. A non-profit organization committed to strengthening and improving the well-being and quality of life of all who work at El Cid Resorts, including employees but also their families. The foundation also looks to aid and support the community and the environment in which the resorts are located. These values are adopted and implemented within our family vacation destinations in Mazatlán, Cozumel and Cancun-Riviera Maya. In 2018 the El Cid Foundation build the first sustainable elementary school in Mazatlán “Ana Isabel Saenz Unger” elementary school. More recently refurbished a day care outdoor playground in Puerto Morelos named “Aquiles Serdan”. In addition to these massive projects that the El Cid Foundation takes on the foundation also offers aid and extended support in the areas of education and living conditions for employees and their families through:
- College and University scholarships for employees and/or their children; currently funding 116 participants.
- Vouchers to pay for uniforms and school supplies.
- Available literacy programs for employees, their children and partners.
- Open onsite education for those who are looking to finish either in elementary, middle or high school.
- Provide advice and support to employees in need of childcare.
El Cid Resorts and the El Cid Foundation also extend help to employees with:
- Monetary loans.
- Offer the possibility of acquiring hotel furniture and utensils at affordable prices.
- Free transportation to and from work for employees
- Organize festivities for employees’ children
- Instituted a home improvement program.
- Wellness fairs
- Vaccinations
- Physical health check ups
Important affiliations and relationships with NGO’s (Non-Governmental Organizations) are established with the hope that these partnerships can support, aid, protect and give hope to those in need. Yearly and in some cases monthly donations are made to certain NGO’s. Some of these among others, include:
- Red Cross (Mexico)
- Niños con Cancer (Children with Cancer)
- Centro de Atencion Multiples (Help Center for Special Needs)- A partnership with El Cid Foundation currently employs 8 co-workers with special needs.
- Centro de Integración Juvenil- A program that contributes to mental health and drug demand reduction through prevention and treatment programs
El Cid Resorts is humbled and tremendously proud of this particular award and through the El Cid Foundation vows to continue putting forth the livelihood and wellness of its employees and communities.
