Author: Staff Contributor

Europe’s TATOC, The Timeshare Association, (Timeshare Owners and Committees), is a highly respected consumer advocacy and support organization for timeshare owners. This week, TATOC released their comments on a new, comprehensive timeshare owners study by The Christel DeHaan Tourism and Travel Research Institute, at the Business School in the University of Nottingham. The study was commissioned by the Resort Development Organisation.

TATOC endorsed the findings of the timeshare owners study, noting that it marks a changing public perception about the timeshare industry. Harry Taylor, TATOC chief executive, called the survey the most comprehensive and detailed in a decade, and notes that it, “… reflects the widespread recognition of timeshare as a viable and valued holiday product.”

The Remarkable Findings of the New Timeshare Study

Subjects of the study included over 33,000 respondents in 12 countries, all completing a detailed questionnaire. Results showed that 87 percent of timeshare owners are satisfied with their timeshare. (87 percent! When’s the last time 87 percent of any group were unified on any topic?)

With more than a million and a half Europe timeshare owners (as of 2007), the largest numbers are in the United Kingdom and Ireland, where there are roughly 600,000 timeshare owners. Germany and Italy rank next for the greatest number of timeshare owners.

Using the 2007 figures, there are 1,312 Europe timeshare resorts, with over 350 of those resorts being Spain timeshare. The UK, Italy, and Portugal each have more than 100 timeshare resorts. As of 2008, approximately 300,000 timeshare owners are members of TATOC, marking a 20 percent increase in membership for that timeshare organization.

TATOC’s Conclusions about the Timeshare Study

It makes sense that TATOC would see the results of this new timeshare study as a ” …a powerful, credible and ringing endorsement of the growing popularity of holiday ownership,” and that they would point to timeshare ownership as clearly being an integral part of the global travel and tourism industry.

As Harry Taylor explains, “Timeshare is an affordable way of having a shared ownership in a holiday home. I am confident the UK will continue to lead the way in boosting its expansion and popularity in Europe.”

To learn more about TATOC and this growing Timeshare Association, contact:

Today in Part III we wrap up our look at the three Florida Marriott timeshares that have recently received the Florida Green Lodging Program Designation.

Marriott timeshare (Marriott Vacation Club International) announced this week that three Florida timeshare resorts meet all of the requirements for a Florida Green Lodging Program Designation. Of the three Marriott timeshares, two are Orlando timeshares, and the third, is Marriott’s Crystal Shores on Marco Island, located on Florida’s Gulf Coast near Naples.

Green Lodging at Florida Timeshares and Hotels

The Florida Green Lodging Program is a state initiative through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The program was created to assist the lodging industry by providing free technical assistance regarding cost-saving, environmentally green practices that conserve natural resources and reduce waste. Furthering the state’s commitment to supporting the Green Lodging initiative, Florida Governor Charlie Crist signed an executive order in 2007, requiring that state agencies and departments, meeting in hotel, timeshare, or lodging facilities, must choose only those properties with a Florida Green Lodging Program designation, whenever possible.

As Marriott Vacation Club International continues its dedication to environmental responsibility, all eleven Marriott Vacation Club International Florida timeshare resorts are on track to receive a “One Palm” designation from the Florida Green Lodging Program. Two Marriott Florida timeshares, Marriott’s Oceana Palms -The Palm Beaches and Marriott’s Lakeshore Reserve at Grande Lakes in Orlando are currently under development and are not presently eligible for the certification until they are operational.

Marriott’s Timeshare’s Newest Florida Resort, a Design Showplace

The beautiful, beachside resort, Marriott’s Crystal Shores on Marco Island timeshare resort is the newest Marriott timeshare property in Florida, opening in March of 2009. At build-out, this Florida timeshare will feature approximately 219 timeshare villas. The resort is a showcase of Marriott’s newest architectural and interior design direction. At the time of opening, Stephen P. Weisz, president of Marriott Vacation Club International explained, “After more than 17 years of searching for just the right location on Marco Island, we couldn’t be more pleased to see this resort come to fruition on this prime beachfront setting.”

Marriott timeshare deserves a round of applause from all of us as well as our gratitude. They have taken significant steps to improve the environmental consciousness of their timeshare resorts and the administrative offices of Marriott Vacation Club International. They set an excellent example of corporate America showing true responsibility for the environment and the future of generations to come.

Click below to read Parts I and II in this series on Marriott timeshare:

• Three Marriott Timeshare Resorts Earn Special ‘Green’ Designation as Environmentally Conscious Resorts
• Part II: Marriott Timeshare Resorts Earn Special ‘Green’ Designation from State of Florida

And click here to learn more about the opportunities available for you to become a Marriott timeshare resale owner or to rent Marriott timeshare for your next vacation:

• Marriott Timeshare Resales
• Marriott Timeshare Rentals (including many vacation properties)

The always-popular timeshare vacation destination, Massanutten Resort, is in the process of expanding. This past week the Rockingham County (Virginia) board of supervisors approved a request by the resort to expand with more timeshare units.

The original master plan called for 27 buildings of timeshare units with 12 timeshare units per building. The newly approved plan allows for as many as 76 lockout timeshare units, designed as one-and-a-half story paired homes.

Attorney Henry Clark, speaking on behalf of the timeshare resort, says the upgrades are vital, not just for the resort, but for the tax base of the community. Clark told WHSV TV, “The continued modification of the facilities at Massanutten Village is of extreme importance to the entire county both from a tax basis, an employment basis, and the general welfare of the county’s basis.”

The Long-Term Popularity of Massanutten Resort Timeshare

Vacation ownership and timeshares have been strong at the Massanutten Resort since the 1970’s. Located in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, Massanutten, this timeshare vacation destination offers summer visitors great options for mountain biking, hiking, picnicking, fishing, golfing, and enjoying the 5,000+ acres the resort offers.

Pools, hot tubs, a massive indoor water park, spas, and a skate park for skateboarders and in-line skaters, adds to the resort’s appeal and multi-season appeal.

If you are interested in learning more about the popular and growing Massanutten Resort, check out the opportunities in Massanutten Mountainside Villas timeshare resales and Massanutten Shenandoah timeshare resales, both part of this beautiful resort.

• Massanutten Mountainside Villas
• Massanutten Shenandoah Villas

A new report highlights opportunities for the Canadian timeshare industry, as Steve Luba explains.