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Timeshare Trends

Once considered the bad boys of the real estate market in the '80's, timeshares are working to clean up their image. After weathering a rocky period of mismanagement, consumer complaints and bankruptcies, timeshare sales are now 10 times what they were in 1980. As companies such as Disney, Hilton, Hyatt, Ritz Carlton and Marriott have entered into the timeshare business, the industry's standards and image have been upgraded. "Now we've reached a period of maturity where we're thinking long term customer satisfaction, rather than just quick sell," says Chris Larsen, director of communications for ARDA. "I don't think that any hotel brand will be without a timeshare element (in coming years)."

At one time, original timeshares were conversions from old apartment buildings or hotels and did not project today's higher-class image. The timeshare product has improved quite a bit! Timeshare resorts are not located in over 130 countries. Continuing improvement of product quality. The price spread for timeshares has broadened as well - from most expensive weeks to lower priced weeks, allowing virtually everyone to find vacation ownership to their budget.

Many original timeshare owners felt trapped into vacationing in the same place at the same time of year, year after year, for the rest of their lives. This changed with the addition of the concept of "timeshare exchange", which allowed owners to trade their weeks in the timeshare they bought for other weeks and locations. Nearly every timeshare resort in the United States is affiliated with one of the two largest exchange companies, Interval International or Resort Condominiums International. To date, almost 20 million exchanges have been confirmed worldwide!

Here's another interesting note. Compared to other leisure travelers, who stay in hotels, timeshare owners are also more likely to travel on a general vacation, staying four or more nights, and engage in active forms of recreation, such as skiing, golf, water activities or sightseeing!