Talk:Club Med

Unsigned and undated comment (pre-August 2014)

why is there one person's vacation photos from 1986 all over this page?

Disambiguation

I wonder if there should be a disambig page pointing to Mediterranean Union, given that it's called Club Med by the BBC ( http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/markmardell/ ), The Times ( http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article1813489.ece ), The Irish Times ( http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2008/0712/1215787862249.html ), Die Spiegel ( http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,539247,00.html ), The Guardian, Reuters, and innumerable other sources. Sometimes it's hard to remember its real name, since "Club Med" is used so much more commonly! 22:29, 12 July 2008 (UTC)

I just saw Club Med being used to refer to Greece, Portugal, Spain, and Italy . Not sure whether that's a common/accepted term (it's certainly not official, is it?), which is why I came here. Maybe someone knows more and can add some insight to the article / create a disambiguation. 87.78.3.205 (talk) 12:58, 17 March 2010 (UTC)

That's a condescending term, according also to the british Guardian . --62.1.24.60 (talk) 22:18, 9 May 2010 (UTC)

Advertising content

The "Relaunch" section of this page just sounds like an advertisement, and has no references for most of it. Where did all that data come from, about how much they spent improving all of those resorts, and the data about who goes to them now? Just looks like a marketing droid wrote it from the advertising talking points. Doviende (talk) 09:55, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

Update needed

This article needs serious updating since 2010! — Preceding unsigned comment added by 174.60.25.228 (talk) 03:17, 22 September 2012 (UTC)

Edits requested 5 March 2016 through 16 March 2016

Proposed draft

Club Med

Club Méditerranée, commonly known as Club Med, is a French corporation of vacation resorts found in many parts of the world, usually in exotic locations. It is considered the pioneer of all-inclusive resorts. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.192.159.216 (talk) 18:01, 5 March 2016 (UTC)

Foundation

The Club started in 1950 by former Belgian water polo champion Gérard Blitz []. Blitz, a Belgian, had opened a low-priced summer colony of tents on the island of Majorca. Trigano supplied the tents, and in 1953 Blitz wooed him into a partnership. The first official Club Med was built the next year in Palinuro, Salerno Italy. The original villages were simple with members staying in unlit straw huts on a beachfront, sharing communal washing facilities. Such villages have been replaced with modern blocks or huts with ensuite facilities. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.192.159.216 (talk) 18:04, 5 March 2016 (UTC) 98.192.159.216 (talk) 18:09, 5 March 2016 (UTC)

Expansion

In 1961, the company was purchased by the 35-year-old Baron Edmond de Rothschild [], after he had visited a resort and enjoyed his stay. With Rothschild financing, the number of villages increased greatly under the leadership of Gilbert Trigano [] from 1963 to 1993. Winter villages, providing skiing and winter sports tuition, were introduced starting in 1956 with the village at Leysin [] , Switzerland. In 1965 the first club outside the Mediterranean [] was opened, in Tahiti [] . The North American market was later entered with an "American Zone" of villages in the Caribbean [] and Florida [] where English rather than French was the main language.

Originally attracting mainly singles and young couples, the Club later became primarily a destination for families, with the first Mini Club opening in 1967.

The Club has also ceased to be a club in the legal sense, changing from a not-for-profit association to a for-profit public limited company (French SA) [] in 1995. The concept of membership has been retained with each customer charged a joining and annual membership fee.

Club Med 2 [] is a 5-masted cruise ship [] owned by Club Med. The sails are automatically deployed by computer control. Club Med 2 was launched in 1992 in Le Havre, France []. The ship, carrying up to 400 passengers with a crew of 200, cruises the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Atlantic [].

Diversification

In the 1990s, the Club's fortunes declined as competitors copied its concepts and holidaymakers demanded more sophisticated offerings. Serge Trigano [] took over from his father but was replaced in 1997 by Philippe Bourguignon [], former CEO of EuroDisney []. Bourguignon aimed to change the Club "from a holiday village company to a services company". The club took over a chain of French gyms, launched bar/restaurant complexes Club Med World in Paris [] and Montreal [] and commenced a budget resort concept aimed at young adults, Oyyo with its first resort at Monastir, Tunisia []. Thirteen new villages were planned for the new century. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Ila Mae Thie (talk • contribs) 18:10, 6 March 2016 (UTC)

Relaunch

The change in strategy was not successful and the Club fell deeply into loss in the downturn following the September 11, 2001 attacks [] in the USA. In 2002 a new CEO, Henri Giscard d'Estaing [], was appointed. A new strategy was announced, returning to a focus on the holiday villages and for upmarket vacationers. Oyyo, Club Med World Montreal and many villages, particularly those in North America or with more basic facilities, were closed. The Club returned to profit in 2005. In 2004, the hotel group Accor [] became the largest shareholder, but it sold most of its stake in 2006, announcing that it wished to refocus on its core businesses.[3] From 2001 on, the resort company worked to rebrand itself as upscale and family-oriented.

In 2006 and 2007, Club Med and its partners dedicated a total of $530 million to renovate and revamp the group’s portfolio of offerings. 2006 saw Club Med close five of its more rudimentary resorts and upgrade many others (Club Med Cancun, November 2006, Mexico ; Club Med La Caravelle [], Guadeloupe [] , November 2006; Club Med La Plagne [], French Alps [; Club Med Opio [] in Provence, France []; and Club Med Ixtapa Pacific, Mexico [] 2007). Three of Club Med's oldest resorts have recently gone through a major re-vamp: Club Med Bali [], the oldest Club Med outside France, has recently gone through a 15 million dollar make-over; Club Med Ria Bintan [], with a 10 million dollar make-over; and Club Med Punta with a 40 million one. 2007 saw Club Med open its first 5 Trident Resort, La Plantation d'Albion in Mauritius, 2008 saw a second 5 trident resort opened, Marrakech Le Riad in Morocco, the cruise ship owned by the company, Club Med 2, was renovated in 2010 and launched as the third 5 trident resort.

In 2008 Club Med launched a new advertising campaign "Where Happiness Means the World." More than 25 million euros were invested in this campaign in 24 countries. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Ila Mae Thie (talk • contribs) 18:18, 6 March 2016 (UTC)

Chinese Acquisition

In February, 2015, Fosun International Ltd’s Gaillon Invest II [] and the Silverfern Group [] finalized a takeover deal of Club Méditerranée S.A.[4] The acquisition culminated a bidding war that began in May, 2013, which was conducted by Gaillon, a special investment vehicle used by Fosun, to execute its bidding for Club Med.[5] The two-year-long war boosted the price of the company from the initial €541 million “friendly bid” in 2013 up to the final sale price of €939 million ($1.07 billion). Gaillon Invests chairman, Jiannong Qian [], believes that Chinese ownership of the company is crucial to tap into China’s huge population of potential tourists.[6] — Preceding unsigned comment added by Ila Mae Thie (talk • contribs) 18:22, 6 March 2016 (UTC)

Services

Each resort provides a list of services and activities in one single package. This includes lodging, food, and use of facilities, sports activities, games, and shows. Certain items such as premium alcoholic beverages previously required the use of beads or tickets as a form of payment; this is not required anymore.

Staff

Club Med staff is called "GOs", or Gentils Organisateurs (Genteel Organizers). Clients are "GMs", or Gentils Membres (Gracious/Nice Guests/Members). The resort is known as a village. The resort manager is called the chef de village (Village Chief).

The special feature of Club Med is that the GOs and GMs play, dine, drink, and dance together every day and night. Outdoor buffet dining (usually on tables of eight, mixing GMs and GOs), daytime sport-playing, and evening shows with extensive audience participation, are part of the holiday experience. A particular institution is the communal dance or crazy signs led by the GOs at varying intervals during the day and evening (the frequency varies by village). The dance steps for each song are standard across the organization with some new ones introduced each year. The evening shows, often requiring detailed choreography, are also standardized and include both new and established routines. "Hands Up (Give Me Your Heart)" by Ottawan [] is regularly played to accompany the crazy signs during the evening shows.

GOs are moved between villages and many work both winter and summer seasons. All GOs, regardless of their area of specialty (a sport or administrative function), are expected to regularly participate in both the show and "crazy signs". Their work is supplemented by locally-recruited support staff such as cleaners and cooks, known as "GEs" or Gentils Employés (Gracious/Nice Employees). There are 15,000 GOs of 96 different nationalities working in the villages around the world and most of them reside in the village. MIlthie (talk) 18:51, 6 March 2016 (UTC)

Slogan

The Club's 2006 advertising slogan was: "Discover the new Club Med, refined, exceptional, and a la carte". In 2008 Club Med launched a new worldwide advertising campaign entitled "Where Happiness Means the World". Previous Club Med advertising slogans included "The Club Med Vacation... The Antidote to Civilization", and "Club Med... Life as It Should Be". The 2013 advertising slogan changed to "And what’s Your Idea of Happiness" in order to engage consumers by asking a question. In 2016, the Club Med slogan took a turn to revive the "Antidote to Civilization" promise by asking people to disconnect from their daily grind and - "Escape a la Club Med." — Preceding unsigned comment added by Ila Mae Thie (talk • contribs) 18:31, 6 March 2016 (UTC)

Villages

Main article: List of Club Med villages []

Most villages are designed for families, with villages providing daytime supervised facilities for children: the "Baby", "Petit", "Mini", "Junior's" clubs and 12 Passworld facilities worldwide which offer a special hang out space for 11- to 17-year-olds. The villages are now divided into three different types:

• Family resorts: villages with children's Clubs and activities for teenagers, offering relaxation and leisure activities, and welcoming families, couples and friends.
• Resorts for everyone: villages with no Club facilities for children and teenagers but welcoming couples, families and friends.
• Resorts for adult only: adults-only villages, from 18 years, offering entertainment, relaxation, sports, and leisure activities to friends, singles, or couples.

As of November 2015 the resort company operates 65 villages in Europe, Africa and Middle East, North America, Mexico, the Caribbean, South America, Asia, Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Ila Mae Thie (talk • contribs) 18:34, 6 March 2016 (UTC)

Villages in North America

Club Med Sandpiper Bay, US

Club Med Sandpiper an all-inclusive sport resort designed for active families comprised of the Tennis Academy, Golf Academy, Beach Volleyball Academy, Fitness Academy and Triathlon Academy. [] — Preceding unsigned comment added by Ila Mae Thie (talk • contribs) 18:36, 6 March 2016 (UTC)

Villages in Mexico

CLUB MED CANCUN YUCATAN, MEXICO

Club Med Cancún Yucatán is on the southern end of Cancun's Hotel Zone. The resort has three restaurants, all meals and drink are covered by Club Med's all-inclusive policy. This location has a Mini Club Med for children ages 4 and 10 and Club Med Passworld for ages 11-17 with G.O. supervision. This resort includes water sports equipment, wakeboarding, windsurfing, waterskiing, and sailing and includes lessons.

CLUB MED IXTAPA PACIFIC, MEXICO

Club Med Ixtapa Pacific was the first resort on Playa Quieta, north of Ixtapa’s main two-mile hotel strip. [] The all-inclusive resort includes meals, sports lessons, childcare and water sports. Some of the activities offered are the flying trapeze, tennis, sailing and archery. Kids Clubs offered at the resort are the Baby, Petit, Mini, and Juniors Club Med.

— Preceding unsigned comment added by Ila Mae Thie (talk • contribs) 18:38, 6 March 2016 (UTC)

Villages in the Bahamas

CLUB MED COLUMBUS ISLE, BAHAMAS

Club Med Columbus Isle near one of the top 5 wall diving destinations in the Caribbean. Activities offered are scuba diving, yoga, wakeboarding, windsurfing, amongst many others. The resort includes oceanfront accommodations, oceanfront massage. []

CLUB MED TURKOISE, TURKS AND CAICOS Club Med Turkoise one of Club Med’s last remaining 18+ locations. Activities offered are scuba diving, tennis, flying trapeze, windsurfing, and snorkeling. Near one of the top 5 wall diving location in the Caribbean with a dedicated dive center for scuba. [] — Preceding unsigned comment added by Ila Mae Thie (talk • contribs) 18:40, 6 March 2016 (UTC)

Villages in the Caribbean

CLUB MED PUNTA CANA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Club Med Punta Cana features the largest beach in the Dominican Republic (and Haiti?) and includes 75 acres of tropical gardens. Activities offered are windsurfing, flying trapeze, tennis lessons, golf, soccer, volleyball, and Club Med CREACTIVE [] by Cirque du Soleil []. CREACTIVE allows GMs to learn and try more than 25 Cirque du Soleil inspired activities, including acrobatic bungee.

Club Med Punta Cana opened a new adult’s only Zen area, designed to provide adult guests with peace and serenity. The Zen Oasis section has its own concierge, an Olympic sized pool with in-water lounge chairs, a separate lap pool, and a private beach area.

A new beach restaurant, Indigo Beach Lounge at the resort provides waterfront dining from an all-day restaurant. The restaurant closes after dinner, and once the restaurant closes, the venue re-opens as a nightclub. [] — Preceding unsigned comment added by Ila Mae Thie (talk • contribs) 18:43, 6 March 2016 (UTC)

Villages in the French West Indies

CLUB MED LA CARAVELLE, GUADELOUPE

Club Med La Caravelle an all-inclusive resort with beach access. Activities include, many water sports and land sports, a flying trapeze, and oceanfront spa treatments. This resort offers Petit, Mini, and Junior Clubs with appropriate G.O. supervision. Two restaurants including The Hibiscus and Biguine are also within the resort. []

CLUB MED BUCCANEER’S CREEK CLUB, MARTINIQUE

Club Med Buccaneer's Creek is located on the southeastern part of the island of Martinique, 1.9 miles south-southwest of Le Marin. []

Facing Diamond Rock, the resort's bungalows neighbor a coconut grove and beach and feature amenities like air conditioning, sea views and flat-screen TVs. This resort includes The Club Med Spa by PAYOT, scuba diving, and island excursions at extra costs. 

Buffet styled dining offered at three restaurants; Pays Mélés, Lô's, and Asian-Creole dinners. [] — Preceding unsigned comment added by Ila Mae Thie (talk • contribs) 18:45, 6 March 2016 (UTC)

Club Med Villas and Chalets

Club Med is constructing and selling 40 Club Med Villas at La Plantation d'Albion on the island of Mauritius. Ranging from 2-4 bedrooms and priced between €992,000 and €1,590,000, each villa comes furnished, with air conditioning and features its own swimming pool. Owners can take part in the amenities and activities in the village. Additionally, owners can allow Club Med to rent out their villas when they are not occupied. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Ila Mae Thie (talk • contribs) 18:46, 6 March 2016 (UTC)

In Popular Culture

The Club Med style of vacation was satirized in the 1978 film, Les Bronzés [] (released in English as French Fried Vacation) directed by Patrice Leconte []. Sequels Les Bronzés font du ski and Les Bronzés – Amis pour la Vie were released in 1979 and 2006 respectively.

The 1983 film Copper Mountain: A Club Med Experience [], starring Jim Carrey [] and Alan Thicke [], is a quasi-commercial for the now-closed Club Med village in the U.S. ski resort [] at Copper Mountain [], Colorado [].

The 1986 ABC [] TV movie Club Med stars Jack Scalia [] and Linda Hamilton [] as a Club Med manager and guest, respectively, who fall in love.

In the Pink Panther series, The Pink Panther makes a reference to Club Med in the episode "Momma's Boy".

The Simpsons []

• In the episode "Bart Gets Hit by a Car" [], one of Dr. Nick Riviera's [] diplomas reads "Club Med School".
• In the episode "Little Big Mom" [] , Bart [] says that he and Homer [], who have been sent to a leper colony [] in Hawaii due to a since-discovered trick played on them by Lisa [], plan to "put our fake sores back on, then jump into Club Med and scare the normal".
• In the episode "Wild Barts Can't Be Broken" [], Bart and some other kids have to clean an advertising billboard as a punishment for breaking a curfew and Chief Wiggum [] tells them: "Don't forget to clean under the jowls. That spot is Club Med for mildew!"

The song "Shake Your Rump" [] off the Beastie Boys [] album Paul's Boutique [] features Mike D [] "chilling at the beach, down at Club Med".

In 2004, a Korean TV drama broadcast by MBC titled First Love of a Royal Prince [] was filmed in Club Med Bali, Sahoro [] , and Bora Bora [] . In the drama, the main actress, Sung Yu-ri [] , played Kim Yu Bin, a GO. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Ila Mae Thie (talk • contribs) 19:04, 6 March 2016 (UTC)

Criticism

Club Med was criticized in graffiti [] during the May 1968 student uprising in Paris as "a cheap holiday in other people's misery".[9] That line was given a nod to in the opening lyrics of the Sex Pistols [] song "Holidays in the Sun". []

— Preceding unsigned comment added by Ila Mae Thie (talk • contribs) 19:05, 6 March 2016 (UTC)

Hi Ila Mae Thie. Unfortunately, your proposed text is too promotional and does not adhere to Wikipedia's neutral point of view policy. Wikipedia is not a vehicle for advertising, marketing or public relations, but the purpose of your proposed text is clearly to win over prospective customers and investors. As such, it cannot be added to the article unless it is substantially rewritten. The most obvious red flags are phrases that are frequently used in press releases, but are not appropriate for an encyclopedia. These promotional terms include phrases such as "all-inclusive" and "designed to provide adult guests with peace and serenity." Just as importantly, watch out for sentences that sound vaguely positive, but don't actually tell the reader anything specific. They should be condensed and written more tersely. Thanks, Altamel (talk) 19:42, 17 March 2016 (UTC)

Reading this makes it sound like Club Med is a dismal failure...

In fact, it's been successful for about 75 years, but you wouldn't know it by reading this article. You must think Club Med is "far-right". Bwa ha ha ha ha 75.169.229.160 (talk) 22:44, 21 January 2025 (UTC)