 The vacation ownership industry has become one of the most popular vacation options and one of the fastest growing segments of the travel and tourism industry.
Today, more than 3 million households own vacation intervals at nearly 5,400 resorts in 100 countries. Vacationers from 174 different countries are turning to vacation ownership resorts as their preferred travel destinations. North America remains the global leader with nearly half of all the resorts and approximately 3 million owners. Timeshare resorts are found across the globe in popular vacation areas near beaches, rivers and lakes, mountains and major cities. Timeshare resort developers today include many of the world’s leading hoteliers, publicly-held corporations and independent companies.
By locking in the purchase price of accommodations, vacation ownership helps assure future vacations at today’s prices at luxurious resorts with amenities, service and ambiance that rival the world’s top-rated hotels.
Through vacation exchange programs, timeshare owners can purchase an interval in one location and exchange it for other popular destinations around the world. With unparalleled flexibility and luxurious, fully equipped accommodations, vacation ownership allows consumers to plan and enjoy vacations that suit their individual lifestyles.
The most-frequently cited reasons why current owners purchased their vacation intervals are: the high-quality accommodations and service at the resorts where they own and exchange, the flexibility offered through the vacation exchange, and the cost-effectiveness of vacation ownership.
Nearly one-third of vacation owners have purchased additional vacation intervals after experiencing ownership. This tendency is even stronger among long-time owners. 41.2 percent of those who have owned eight years or longer have purchased additional intervals within that time.
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HOW VACATION OWNERSHIP WORKS
Emerging trends in the industry include development of properties that combine vacation ownership resorts with hotels, urban vacation ownership resorts in major cities, adventure resorts, and gaming resorts.
 Vacation ownership enables vacationers to enjoy a resort year after year for the lifetime of their ownership, while paying only a one-time purchase price and a yearly maintenance fee. Vacation ownership offers vacationers an opportunity to save on the escalating cost of vacation accommodations over the long term, while enjoying the comforts of a home in a resort setting. Truly a home away from home, vacation ownership provides the space and the flexibility to suit the needs of any size family or group. While most vacation ownership suites have two bedrooms and two baths, unit sizes range from studios to three or more bedrooms. Unlike hotels, there are no charges for additional guests. Also, unlike hotels, most units include a fully equipped kitchen with dining area, washer and dryer, linens, stereo, televisions, VCRs and more.
Timeshare resort amenities rival those of other top-rated resort properties, and may include: swimming pool, spa, tennis, golf, and exercise facilities. Other recreational options may include: boating, skiing, restaurants and equestrian facilities. Most timeshare resorts offer on-site or nearby sporting, recreational and social activities for adults and children. Many offer concierge services to assist owners and guests in visiting area attractions.
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THE ADVANTAGES OF VACATION OWNERSHIP
Unlike a hotel room or rental condominium, which require payment for each use at rates that often increase, vacation ownership enables vacationers to enjoy a resort year after year for the lifetime of their ownership, while paying only a one-time purchase price and a yearly maintenance fee. Timeshare ownership offers vacationers an opportunity to save on the escalating cost of vacation accommodations over the long term, while enjoying the comforts of a home in a resort setting. Truly a home away from home, vacation ownership provides the space and the flexibility to suit the needs of any size family or group. While most vacation ownership suites have two bedrooms and two baths, unit sizes range from studios to three or more bedrooms. Unlike hotels, there are no charges for additional guests. Also, unlike hotels, most units include a fully equipped kitchen with dining area, washer and dryer, linens, stereo, televisions, VCRs and more.
Timeshare resort amenities rival those of other top-rated resort properties, and may include: swimming pool, spa, tennis, golf, and exercise facilities. Other recreational options may include: boating, skiing, restaurants and equestrian facilities. Most timeshare resorts offer on-site or nearby sporting, recreational and social activities for adults and children. Many offer concierge services to assist owners and guests in visiting area attractions.
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TRAVEL THE WORLD THROUGH EXCHANGE VACATIONS
 Vacation Ownership offers owners the opportunity to trade their vacation week for a new or different vacation experience at comparable resorts around the world.
Most resorts are affiliated with an exchange company that administers the exchange service for its members. Owners, in turn, may elect to become members of the affiliated exchange company. To exchange, the owner places his or her interval into the exchange company’s pool of resorts and weeks available for exchange. The owner then chooses an available resort and week from the pool. The exchange company charges an exchange fee, in addition to an annual membership fee, to complete the exchange. Exchange companies and resorts frequently offer their members the additional benefit of saving or banking vacation time in a reserve program for use the following year.
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