Westgate Resorts to cut over 350 jobs as part of mass layoff

Westgate Resorts is cutting more than 350 jobs at one of its Orange County locations, according to a layoff notice filed with the Florida Department of Commerce.

A total of 357 employees who work at the 8680 Commodity Circle offices of Westgate Resorts will be laid off by the company, effective August 30, the June 28 notice said.

In a statement, Westgate said the layoffs were part of a merger between the company’s marketing and operational support teams to “provide a better experience for owners and guests”.

The timeshare resort company urged employees affected by the layoffs to apply for other open and available positions throughout Westgate. It had to report the pending layoffs to the state as they impact at least 50 employees.

Westgate owns seven resorts in Central Florida and 22 others across the country, as well as the Cocoa Beach Pier. It employs more than 10,000 people, according to its website.

Members of the tele-sales team at Westgate will take the biggest hit, with 59 individuals laid off from their department. Other sales representatives, concierges and reservations are among others to be laid off.

Westgate Resorts, the timeshare company founded by business magnate David Siegel in 1982, is one of Central Florida’s largest privately held corporations.

Siegel stepped down as CEO of Westgate earlier this year , ceding his role to longtime executive Jim Gissy.

According to the American Resort Development Association, about 10 million U.S. households own a timeshare and the average transaction price rose to from $17,460 in 2020 to $23,940 in 2022, a 37% increase over two years.