Government Will Be Helping You Market Your Timeshare Resale … Indirectly

When the US Senate passed the ‘Travel Promotion Act‘ earlier this month, US tourism and travel benefited directly but timeshare owners looking to sell timeshare may have benefited as well.

S.1023, the “Travel Promotion Act,” creates a public-private partnership for the purpose of promoting the US as a premier travel destination and to better explain US security policies to the potential travel market. This may not sound like a big deal until you learn that once it is put in place, the program is estimated to create 40,000 US jobs, drive $4 billion in new consumer spending, and reduce the federal budget deficit by $425 million.

The Travel Promotion Act is expected to drive millions of new visitors to the US with research showing that foreign visitors spend an average of $4500 per person, per visit. More visitors, more tourists, and longer vacations in the US all potentially add up to more timeshare buyers and timeshare renters.

Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, says, “Nearly every company, city, state, and developed nation understands the power of promotion. By getting in the global game, America will create tens of thousands of new jobs and strengthen its image in the world as visitors leave with an improved perception of our country and her people.”

Bill Marriott, chairman and CEO of Marriott International, which includes Marriott hotels and Marriott timeshares, is a strong supporter of the new legislation. He points out, “In 2008 the US welcomed fewer overseas visitors than we did in 2000, despite the fact that 48 million more people were taking overseas trips to countries around the world. So, the pie grew big, but the U.S. got a smaller piece. It’s high time we start marketing ‘Brand America’ and let people know we’re open for business.”

I couldn’t agree more, and best of all, none of the money to fund the program will come from taxpayers, which makes it a doubly beneficial to the American economy.