In Monday’s The Timeshare Authority blog, I shared my thoughts with you in a post titled: Timeshare Sales and the Great Reality Check. That timeshare blog post was written in response to an article that appeared in USA TODAY.

Timeshare owners need and deserve more good opportunities to resell timeshare. And I am not disputing that there are timeshare scam companies and timeshare fraud companies that promise everything and deliver little to nothing. These companies are an urgent problem that both legislators and the industry needs to address.

But the article was one-sided and that is frankly, never acceptable journalism. When you take on an industry so unfairly, you can do a great deal of damage to a lot of people. Not only does the timeshare industry contribute significantly to local tax bases through real estate and property tax, but it employs millions of workers worldwide, from sales to advertising, to resort staff, housekeeping, golf course maintenance … and the list goes on and on. And consider the secondary and tertiary impact of timeshares.

Timeshare vacationers spend money on travel, food, entertainment, and shopping. In so many ways, they boost an economy and contribute indirectly to the employment of others. As tourism has dipped and in some cases nose-dived across the country, occupancy rates at timeshares have outstripped those at hotels. And there are even more subtle ways that timeshare contributes to the economy, such as the proven productivity and health benefit for people who vacation regularly.

So with all of this in mind, I thought you might enjoy what others in the timeshare industry had to say in response to the same article that started my rant:

Lisa Ann Schreier, author of Timeshare for Dummies, and respected authority on the timeshare industry, wrote:

NTOA President, Ed Hastry, of the National Timeshare Owners Association, a consumer protection organization comprised of timeshare owners acting in the interest of timeshare owners, wrote:

Lisa and Ed, I couldn’t have said it better myself.

The next meeting of the National Timeshare Owners Association (NTOA) is scheduled for Sunday, January 31, in Orlando, Florida.

To attend a National Timeshare Owners Association meeting, you must be a member of the NTOA, but timeshare owners agree that the benefits of membership make joining a worthwhile investment. As the National Timeshare Owners Association explains, “You will not be disappointed … Have you been frustrated with not knowing where to turn for the real truth? Have you made one too many mistakes in using your timeshare, because no one informed you? Then, accept this opportunity; join us on Sunday, January 31.”

National Timeshare Owners Association members benefit from:

• Free admission to networking conferences featuring timeshare experts.
• Monthly news and tips from timeshare owners and experts.
• The only comprehensive “bible” on timesharing available exclusively through NTOA.
• Huge discounts on buying timeshare.
• Security and members-only discounts on selling timeshare.
• No membership fees and minimal costs for timeshare exchange.
• Discounted costs and liability protection for renting timeshare.
• Reduced closing costs for direct timeshare transfers.
• Minimal interest fees for financing timeshare or refinancing timeshare.
• Legal help for managing a timeshare in wills, divorces, charitable donations, and more.

For more information about attending this or other NTOA timeshare owners educational events, contact the National Timeshare Owners Association, by emailing hastry@aol.com or calling (410) 719-0064.

Or download an NTOA membership form by clicking the link below:

• Membership Application 2010

Perspective Magazine released an interesting study of the readership of Owners Perspective Magazine in the publication’s November edition. Their justifiable point is that Owners Perspective Magazine offers an effective venue for advertisers who want to get their message to timeshare buyers, timeshare owners, vacationers who consider buying timeshare in the future and even travelers who rent timeshare.

But in the process of making this point, the publication also offers all of the timeshare industry, as well as individuals who want to sell timeshare, a reliable profile of who is interested in buying timeshare or who may want to buy timeshare soon.

Profile of Timeshare Owners and Prospective Timeshare Buyers

The timeshare survey shows that the most popular countries for timeshares owned are:

• Europe timeshare (including UK timeshare) at 57 percent.
• US timeshare (which includes always-popular Hawaii timeshare) and Canada timeshare at 31 percent.
• Asia timeshare and Australia timeshare at 7 percent.
• Caribbean timeshare and Mexico timeshare at 3 percent.
• Middle East timeshare and Africa timeshare at 2 percent.

The average age of timeshare owners and owners of vacation property is between 56 and 62 but the average age of those who are interested in buying timeshare is between 42 and 48. They are 54 percent males and 46 percent females, and include 42 percent that are currently non-owners of timeshare but who want to buy timeshare in the future. Another 36 percent are current timeshare owners; 16 percent own fractionals; and 6 percent who are overseas property owners.

The Perspective Magazine article describes its readership as, “… more highly educated on average … technologically hip and like to compare prices. … they have an understanding of the pros and cons of vacation ownership and they’re aware of (timeshare) scams. They demonstrate an aversion to OPCs and scratch cards, they don’t trust telemarketers, and they are generally suspicious of sales techniques.”

Remember that these facts are not based on timeshare owners across the board but specifically on timeshare owners who also read Owners Perspective Magazine. However, one can’t help but assume that this look offers a reliable overview of timeshare ownership and timeshare interest.

And the takeaway? Don’t let the naysayers fool you. Timeshare owners are not frustrated and dissatisfied with their timeshares and vacation ownership; even in a declining economy, occupancy rates are around 80 percent and reported satisfaction rates even higher at 86 percent, according to a recent study from Smith Travel Research.

Neither are timeshare owners a group who were duped into making a purchase they did not understand. Timeshare and timeshare resales are a strong industry that has served millions and millions of timeshare buyers and timeshare renters well, and that continues to make improvements to all aspects of its products and services.

Here’s a link to some of the Frequently Asked Questions by timeshare buyers and those who are looking to buy timeshare in the future: http://www.sellmytimesharenow.com/timeshares/index/content/buyerfaq/

You could be visiting a Disney theme park free this year. And if you are a Disney Vacation Club Member, (Disney timeshare owner) or you have a Disney timeshare rental, then you will be enjoying the benefits and savings that go along with Disney timeshare, Disney timeshare resales, and Disney timeshare rentals on top of your theme park ticket savings.

Give a Day, Get a Disney Day

For 2010, Disney is launching its new “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” promotion designed to encourage volunteerism. In order to participate in the program you must sign up online at: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/disneyparks/en_US/WhatWillYouCelebrate/index?name=Give-A-Day-Get-A-Disney-Day

You and up to eight members of your family can participate (children must be age six or older) by volunteering to serve in one of hundreds of volunteer opportunities available across the US. Once your participation in a designated volunteer activity has been confirmed by the HandsOn Network, (the volunteer-focused arm of Points of Light Institute), you will receive an email with instructions on how to print your Disney theme park voucher. Full details are available at the Disney Give a Day, Get a Disney Day website.

If you use your free pass at Disneyland® Resort in California, you can redeem your voucher for a 1-day ticket to either Disneyland® Park or Disney’s California Adventure® Park. If you choose Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida, you can redeem your voucher for a 1-day ticket to one of the follow: Magic Kingdom® theme park, Epcot®, Disney’s Animal Kingdom® theme park, or Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ theme park. (Tickets are not valid for admission to a Disney Water Park admission, DisneyQuest® Indoor Interactive Theme Park or Disney’s World Wide of Sports® Complex.)

With this kind of savings, a Disney vacation becomes more affordable than ever. Now image how much you can save by buying right-priced Disney timeshare resales or enjoying a Disney timeshare rental?

Across the US, Disney has been sharing its message about the program. Here’s a YouTube video of the Disney Give a Day, Get a Disney Day promotion in Dallas, Texas.

One of the Disney Vacation Club’s most popular timeshare resorts, the Saratoga Springs Spa, has announced plans to renovate and refurbish its pool area. Planned for the Orlando timeshare is a new 3300 square foot, zero-entry access pool, plus a 146-foot water slide, a hot tub, and a 1600 square foot water play area for the kids.

This new pool will be triple the size of the one in the Paddock area of the Saratoga Springs Resort timeshare, while also affording a substantially larger pool deck with more chairs. New outside dining is planned with a ‘quick serve’ facility that will offer hamburgers and fries and may offer a refillable mug station, as well.

What Makes Saratoga Springs Such a Disney Timeshare Favorite

Located in Lake Buena Vista, Florida (an Orlando timeshare), Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa was built to capture the charm of the New York resort town of Saratoga Springs, known for its famous horse racing and the charm of its genteel lifestyle.

The resort’s Victorian architecture, streams, lakes, and hiking and biking trails, lend a far-away, quaint feel to this busy Disney timeshare that—just past the lush greenery and calm—is at the hub of the Walt Disney World Vacation Resort.

Disney Vacation Club timeshare remains popular with Disney timeshare owners year-in and year-out, with overall member satisfaction consistently ranking around 90 percent.

Follow these links to learn more about Disney timeshare resales or Disney timeshare rentals at the Disney Vacation Club Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa timeshares.

TATOC (The Association for Timeshare Owners Committees) has released more information about its upcoming 2010 annual timeshare conference. This year’s event is scheduled from Friday, March 26 to Sunday, March 28, 2008, and will be hosted at the Nottingham Belfry in Nottingham, England. Note: this is a rescheduled date for the event in order not to conflict with the ARDA 2010 Convention and Expo.

TATOC is one of the European timeshare industry’s oldest and most respected timeshare associations and was established with a mission to, “… safeguard and enhance the timeshare holiday experience for existing and prospective users and to be the voice of owners.” Last year’s TATOC Timeshare Conference, held in Warrington, England, was an outstanding success, a pleasure to attend, and a unifying and uplifting event for timeshare industry participants. Word is, this year’s conference will be even better.

The TATOC Conference is open to attendance by TATOC members and nonmembers, and for sponsorship participation.

Booking forms and sponsorship opportunities are available at: www.timeshareassociation.org or call: 01612373611 for more information.

For a look back at the 2009 TATOC Conference, click the links below:

• The Message at TATOC for Timeshare Resales
• Sell My Timeshare NOW Says “Thank You” to TATOC for an Outstanding Conference
• What I Missed at The Association for Timeshare Owners Committees Conference

With record levels of unemployment, many people are looking for ways to add to their credentials, expand their options, and increase their appeal to prospective employers. Although there have been layoffs and cutbacks in the timeshare industry (primarily linked to the impact of declining credit lines for expansion or consumer financing), there are still new job opportunities in timeshare management, timeshare sales, and timeshare resales, and certainly reason to believe there will be even more timeshare industry opportunities as the economy rebounds.

A College Degree in Timeshares

So are you aware that you can earn a Bachelor of Science degree with a specialization in Vacation Ownership and Timeshare Management? That’s right….not just a college degree in hospitality management, but an actual specialization in timeshare.

One university offering this targeted program is Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida. As the university describes its program:

Timeshares and Vacation Ownership are a Changing Industry

At Sell My Timeshare NOW, we have always believed that timeshares and vacation ownership have not begun to reach their true potential. There are millions of timeshare owners who consistently report high levels of satisfaction with the product, but they are not necessarily the ones you hear about in the media.

As I have said before, yes, there are timeshare scams and timeshare fraud. There are, from time to time, individuals who will take your money and offer you nothing but empty promises in return. But unfortunately, there are unethical people and bad apples in every industry. While bad news tends to make headlines, there are millions of happy timeshare owners and timeshare renters vacationing, and enjoying timeshare ownership that will never be headline news.

Don’t be fooled. Timeshares are a strong industry that bring a great deal of satisfaction to many people, and if you are looking for a new career path, they could be an ideal direction for you.

It has been just one year since Holiday Inn Club Vacations timeshare launched its cobranded resorts though an alliance between IHG and Orange Lake Resorts. And despite coming into the timeshare market at one of the most challenging times in the history of the industry, Holiday Inn timeshares/Orange Lake Resorts are a remarkable success.

The unique branding alliance between the two hospitality companies is structured so that Orange Lake Resorts, as a privately held company, continues to own and operate the timeshare resort properties. IHG comes into the timeshare sales industry to help market the properties, yet without the financial burden of a capital investment.

As Christian Hempell, vice president New Business Delivery, the Americas, IHG explained in an interview with Financial, “This is the tale of two systems coming together to create a better timeshare business model. The unique nature of the two-system alliance means that we at IHG can concentrate on promoting the timeshare resorts through the power of Priority Club Rewards and our world-class distribution channels.”

Here’s how Hempell explains the result of combining the two brands, “Orange Lake can capitalize on their 30 years of proven timeshare success in the top leisure market in the US, one of the strongest management teams in the timeshare industry, and their strong balance sheet with existing capital to invest in growth. By focusing on the strengths of publicly-traded IHG and privately-held Orange Lake Resorts, we’ve made Holiday Inn Club Vacations an industry success story.”

What’s Holiday Inn Timeshare Doing to Attract New Timeshare Owners?

A new call transfer system introduced by IHG has delivered approximately 1000 phone calls per day to Orange Lake timeshare resorts from Holiday Inn hotel guests who are interested in learning more about becoming timeshare owners. And in 2010, Holiday Inn Club Vacations resorts expects an additional 5000 guests to tour Holiday Inn Club Vacation timeshares, all interested in buying timeshare and becoming new timeshare owners. Since the co-branding of Orange Lake Resorts timeshares and Holiday Inn Club Vacations timeshares, Orange Lake Resorts has seen a fourteen percent increase in the number of timeshare tours.

And as Holiday Inn Timeshare Resorts and Orange Lake Resorts continue to thrive and grow, creating many satisfied new timeshare owners, they are also helping to anchor the timeshare industry, and are making powerful and positive contributions to the US economy. Orange Lake Resorts has hired 700 employees so far this year. Starting with one resort—Orange Lake timeshare—Holiday Inn timeshare resort properties have already expanded to include six timeshare properties across the US.

Don Harrill, president and CEO, Orange Lake Resorts, says, “It’s been an exciting year for us, and we’ve not even seen the full impact that we expect as a result of our alliance. Next year, we’ll welcome thousands more guests to our resort destinations who are being introduced to Holiday Inn Club Vacations—and for some, timeshare—for the very first time. We are proud to present a product that can enhance vacation lifestyles for more families, with a brand that’s known and trusted worldwide.”

Hat tip to IHG, Orange Lake Resorts, and all the visionaries that got this obviously successful venture going. What you’re doing is good for the timeshare industry, good for timeshare owners, and very good for the economy.

The Timeshare Authority posts on IHG and Holiday Inn timeshares:

• Holiday Inn Timeshares Not Slowing Down in this Economy
• Another Major Hotelier Entering the Timeshare Resort Industry
• Orange Lake Timeshare Resorts Expanding in Vermont
• New Look at Orange Lake Country Club Timeshare

Sunday, November 1, 2009 in Venice, Florida, the National Timeshare Owners Association will hold their last Owners Seminar of the year.

This is your chance to get important tips on buying or selling timeshare. Learn how to avoid timeshare scams with straight talk from a panel of industry experts on hand to answer all your timeshare questions.

The National Timeshare Owners Association (NTOA) was founded to educate timeshare owners, answering the questions and offering the solutions that are often hard to find. You know what it is like; when you want to buy timeshare, everyone wants to be your friend, with developers and timeshare sales companies bombarding you through calls, mailers, and timeshare sales presentations. But once the ink is dry (or even before), these people often seem to disappear leaving you to scramble for answers to your questions.

Here are some of the timeshare industry experts who will be on hand in Venice, Florida to answer your questions:

• Bill Southworth from Interval International
• Keith Trowbridge from Executive Quest Inc.
• Brian Rogers from Timeshare Users Group

The National Timeshare Owners Association explains the value of attending one of their “Members-Only” educational events:

“You’ll experience all the best features of NTOA membership in those few hours: straightforward answers, ethical guidance, exclusive discounts, and the priceless tips, alerts, hard-won experience, and support of other timeshare owners. With the information you gather in one of these conferences, you’ll recoup your low membership fee many times over.”

To attend a NTOA conference and enjoy all the many timeshare owner benefits of NTOA, click here. For more information, call the office: (410) 536-0064 or email info@nationaltimeshareownersassoc.com

Since the media seems to prefer to cover more stories of timeshare scams and problems than the testimonials of the many very happy timeshare owners, it can be easy to get the impression that timeshare is the only part of the vacation industry where unscrupulous people try to make money by preying on others.

But when you hear the recent accounts of house stealing, you realize that no industry can be fully insulated—no matter how hard they many try.

House stealing is a crime on the rise and while it shows up in all areas of real estate, privately owned vacation homes can be especially vulnerable.

The crime begins with the identity theft of the vacation home owner (although any property can be at risk). At a vacation home, it can be especially easy to set up mail delivery to the physical address because the absentee owner might never realize this has occurred. However, even safeguarding your mail delivery is not enough to protect you. Home stealers can also operate without access to your mail.

The criminal then uses standard forms for real estate transfer (available at any office supply store) to transfer your vacation home property (at this point they have fake IDs to prove they are “you”) to whomever is their working partner in their crime or even back to their own real identity. Now they appear to own your home, which they can then sell or refinance—either way, keeping any cash for themselves.

Some vacation home stealers take photos of the property to make it easier to sell it online. Out of state buyers may not visit the home for many months. Little will that buyer know that the photos (which could be real pictures of your vacation home or could be photos of any other property) and the keys he received to the front door are totally bogus.

Self Defense for Vacation Home Owners

Owning a vacation home you only visit occasionally has always come with its own measure of challenges, including maintenance, security, and ongoing repairs that all fall to the homeowner. Now it seems that the risk of scams, fraud, and house stealing have become part of the package too.

Here’s what the FBI advises to help you protect yourself, “From time to time, it’s also a good idea to check all information pertaining to your house through your county’s deeds office. If you see any paperwork you don’t recognize or any signature that is not yours, look into it.” They also suggest that you be vigilant about getting to the root of any documents you receive in the mail that are related to a mortgage or property transaction. Don’t just assume that because they aren’t from your mortgage company that they are a paperwork error. They could be the tip of the iceberg to a serious crime, of which you may be the victim.

The Timeshare Alternative

Owning timeshare means vacation ownership where you only pay for the days and nights you are entitled to use the property—and not for all the days your schedule wouldn’t permit you to be enjoying it anyway.

Timeshare ownership means that someone is always at your resort property, 365 day a year. Your timeshare vacation home is never a vulnerable empty site, prey to criminals.

When repairs or maintenance is warranted, your timeshare is covered. Your annual fees, along with the fees of all the co-owners at your timeshare resort, take care of not only the cost of the service but the property management to get the job done and follow up that it is done properly.

Owning a timeshare or timeshare resale gives you vacation opportunities at your favorite destination, but, let’s face it, it eliminates many of the vacation homeowner headaches and concerns.