In a media release just out, ARDA, the American Resort Development Association cites the State of the Vacation Timeshare Industry: United States Study 2011 Edition conducted by Ernst & Young, as showing a positive pattern for timeshares. Significant factors include:

• 80 percent of timeshare owners vacationed in their timeshare last year.
• Timeshare sales were steady with a slight increase over the previous year.
• Timeshare rentals continue to thrive as 10 percent of timeshare occupancy was by renters; a fact attributed to the expansion of timeshare rental programs.
• Last year, timeshare rental accounted for 7.9 million nights rented. Currently 82 percent of timeshare resorts offer some form of timeshare rental.
• Several leaders in timeshare increased their offerings to include timeshare points as well as (and sometimes in place of) fixed timeshare week intervals.
• 55 percent of new timeshare sales are from individuals who are new to timeshare.
• 45 percent of timeshare sales are from people who already own a timeshare.

As Howard Nusbaum, president and CEO ARDA explains, “People are still making budget-conscious decisions when it comes to travel, which is why the value proposition of timeshare products is so appealing to our approximately 8 million owners.”

Follow this link to read the full release by the American Resort Development Association.

Last week, ARDA (the American Resort Development Association) released a media announcement looking at American travel trends for 2011. Here’s some of the patterns they identified:

• Americans will be traveling more in 2011 than in the past few years.
• Trip Advisor estimates that 69 percent of travelers will take international trips this year with the top three destinations being Paris, London, and Rome.
• Trip Advisor predictions also show that in the US, top destinations are Las Vegas, New York City, and San Francisco.

Travel and Timeshare Sales and Timeshare Rentals

What does this renewed enthusiasm for travel indicate for timeshare sales, timeshare resales, and timeshare rentals? Many things, all of which are as good for timeshare owners as they are for the timeshare industry.

As more people discover the opportunities of timeshare rentals, the spacious accommodations and the great prices, travelers will quickly realize that their vacation dollars are going further, allowing them to travel more or stay longer. And timeshare owners who want to rent timeshares they currently own may find a larger and more competitive market for renting timeshare.

And as travelers take to the highways and skyways, timeshare sales companies and timeshare resale brokers will be able to market in targeted ways, recognizing in advance the trending interest in Las Vegas timeshare, New York City timeshare, San Francisco timeshare, and European timeshare. As Howard Nusbaum ARDA president and CEO, explains, “This resurgence of travel is terrific news for the timeshare industry. More travelers are beginning to understand the value and comfort of a timeshare vacation and with resorts in all of these popular 2011 destinations, vacationers will find exactly what they need.”

Follow this link to read the ARDA media release in full.

Let’s face it, you wouldn’t be reading about a timeshare resale or timeshare rental if you weren’t already a savvy consumer, who knows where the good deals are. But since many people have no choice but to travel for business, and all of us enjoy traveling for vacation and leisure, there is no such thing as too many good tips for travelers.

Whether your next trip is to your timeshare, involves a timeshare rental, or a hotel stay, here are four suggestions that will either save you money or enhance your travel experience—or will do both!

1. Turn to travel experts when it comes to packing your luggage. Two good places to start are TravelSmith and Magellan’s. Both offer packing tubes or bags that make it easy to pack clothing either by type or by outfit. Packing pouches that you use inside your suitcase reduce wrinkling, simplify your system, and make it more likely that you arrive at your destination with all the gear and apparel you meant to bring.
2. Know your perks and benefits programs. Most travelers never fully utilize all their frequently flyer miles, hotel discounts, or other benefits that come with their membership either in a travel association (such as AAA); as a timeshare owner, as a member of a timeshare exchange program; or because they carry a branded credit card. When possible, pick your memberships based on benefits you will actually use; learn what those benefits are; and then take advantage of them.
3. If you travel frequently or like to enjoy last minute vacation opportunities, keep a checklist on your computer and print as needed. A checklist makes it easy to remember all those small items that make travel more pleasurable. You might even consider keeping a suitcase or bag packed with all your basics so when last-minutes travel deals crop up, you are ready to take advantage of them.
4. Finally, wherever you travel, smile, speak up, and engage others in conversation. Beautiful scenery and thrill rides at the theme park are great, but nothing tops the memories you create when you meet new people, chat with the locals, and perhaps launch friendships you will keep for a lifetime.

Follow this link to learn more about great deals on last minute timeshare rentals.

Your Boston timeshare resale or Boston timeshare rental is a great place to spend the Labor Day Weekend holiday, enjoying the 26th Annual Gloucester Schooner Festival. Celebrated some 30 miles from Boston, in the charming nautical town of Gloucester, this event commemorates historic contributions of the fishing schooner and the seamen who sail them.

Gloucester is the oldest fishing port on the North American Atlantic coastline and its historic harbor will be filled with the billowing sails of more than fifty authentic schooners. There will be three sailing events (Traditional Small Craft Races; Parade of Sail; and the) Mayor’s Race) as well as a host of activities, good fun, and good food.

Go for the Friday night block party, featuring music, dancing, and cinema under the stars. Take the Saturday Walking Tour of Gloucester’s Working Waterfront, tour the US Coast Guard Station, and visit the Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center. Saturday night features the Parade of Lights and fireworks over the harbor. Sunday, you’ll want to witness the Parade of Sail, where all of the participating schooners hoist their sails and take to the harbor with fanfare and pageantry you’ll never forget.

Massachusetts Timeshare Vacation, Leave Your Daily Demands Behind

Experiencing old New England at the 26th Annual Gloucester Schooner Festival provides you and your family a chance to step back in time, leave behind the demands of your daily schedule, and live a page out of America’s colorful past. With all the options available to rent Massachusetts timeshare or exchange timeshare you already own, you don’t have to miss out on special New England getaways and relaxing holidays that offer you the fun and the relaxation you both deserve and crave.

American Express Business Travel has just released its annual Global Business Travel Forecast and Trends report, and despite a declining economy, travel prices are projected to climb. The report is typically published each September, but with the unpredictable economy, AMEX held off, wanting to better evaluate the impact of the rollercoaster stock market and the bailout.

US cities where business travel is always significant will see increases in hotel room rates, due in part to international visitors. The AMEX report predicts that in New York City hotel rates will increase by up to 9 percent over 2008 rates, while rates in Chicago will increase by about 8 percent.

Although air travel rates overall are predicted to remain the same or about the same in 2009 as in 2008, Amex see business class fares rising by approximately 2 percent. The report also points out that while fares themselves may not increase, the add-on pricing for luggage, in-flight refreshments, and other services, has added as much as 15 percent to the overall cost of air travel.

Businesses Need to Look to Timeshare Resales and Timeshare Rentals as Savings Solutions

Back in the days when timeshares carried many use restrictions; they didn’t make much sense for the business traveler. But today’s timeshare ownership is marked by choice and flexibility.

With timeshare rentals available around the world, companies can viably look at housing business travelers in more comfortable and spacious accommodations than a hotel offers at a substantially lower cost.

Corporate timeshare ownership offers a way for companies to reward employees, a venue for entertaining clients, or a destination for corporate retreats and strategy sessions. When timeshares once could only be used in increments of 7 days, there often wasn’t enough flexibility to make them a realistic option for most businesses. But today’s timeshare can often be used in 2, 3, or 4 day blocks, and sometimes, even one night at a time.

Virtually every company in America is looking for ways to cut back on expenses. Timeshare resales and timeshare rentals offer a savings option that has been relatively overlooked by most corporations, but if they are smart and seriously interested in saving money, business America will take another look at the opportunities in timeshares and timeshare resales.