Among timeshare exchange companies, Resort Condominiums International - RCI - is the largest and probably most recognized name.

Christel and Jon DeHaan first established Resort Condominiums Internationals (RCI) in 1974. The DeHaan’s plan was to manage the exchange of individually owned condominiums within a network of condominium owners. During the 1970’s, as more and more condos converted to timeshare properties, RCI converted as well. They shifted their focus from being a condo exchange company to becoming one of the first companies focused on timeshare exchange.

In 1996, Hospitality Franchise Systems, Inc., bought RCI and the following year, merged the company with CUC International, Incorporated. CUC International specialized in membership-based services and direct marketing strategies for credit card companies. In 1997, CUC merged with HFS Incorporated to form the new entity, Cendent. Cendent, now a powerful and respected keystone of today’s hospitality industry, continues to advance, going through many changes and re-inventions as it seeks to fill the needs and demands of vacationers and travelers worldwide.

What does not change about RCI is their continuing growth. Together, with their chief competitor, Interval International (II), the two companies handle ninety-five percent of the timeshare exchanges made every year. Currently there are more than three million members of RCI worldwide, who vacation at RCI’s 3,700+ affiliated resorts.

Today, July 7, 2008, RCI joins other timeshare and fractional ownership industry leaders at the UK based, Fractional Property Conference. The theme of this year’s conference is “Fractional ownership - a lifestyle and investment choice of the future.”

Learn more about fractional ownership by reading the previous Timeshare Authority blog posts:

• Another Perspective on Fractionals and Timeshare Ownership
• Timesharing as a Concept Will Increase Timesharing as a Practice