It’s high-time for annual financial assessments among destination clubs, and the 2009 outlook for Ultimate Escapes seems to be leaving more questions than answers. The club is seeking about $20 million from its members to cover an operating budget shortfall; a move that has understandably generated a considerable amount of buzz on the destination club forums. Many of the details have unfortunately been kept under wraps, but there’s no shortage of speculation on the forums.

Ultimate Escapes is currently the second-largest destination club, with about 1,300 members. The third-largest destination club, Quintess, made a similar move in mid-December, asking its members (including the ones on their resignation list) to pay higher annual dues to ensure the club’s health moving forward. The members approved the decision in mid-December.

When we spoke with Ultimate Escapes’ management in November of last year, all indicators pointed to good financial health in the club. We are currently reaching out to the club’s management to discuss the contrasting details of the 2009 assessment.