ARDA Hawaii Timeshare Association Giving Back to Youth in Hawaii
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
The American Resort Development Association (ARDA-Hawaii), has awarded scholarships to two Hawaii teens headed for the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism.
Presented by the Hawaii Chapter of the American Resort Development Association, both recipients, Fabrienne Cariaga, a graduate of Maui High School and Ciara Allen, a graduate of Lahainaluna High School, have been part of the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism (AOHT) available in their high schools, which is a program currently offered in over 110 high schools across the US.
Daniel Dinell, ARDA-Hawaii Chair and Vice President of Hilton Grand Vacations Club, explains, “The timeshare industry is a growing segment of the visitor industry so we are pleased to offer scholarship support funds to students who are interested in pursuing a career in the hospitality industry.”
Both of the scholarship recipients plan, that upon graduation from the collegiate program at the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism, they will return to Maui and work in the visitor industry there.
The Bigger Picture of the Hawaii Timeshare Industry
Hawaii timeshare is where United States timeshare began. In 1968, select hotel rooms and suites in Hawaii began converting to timeshare. With the first oil crisis of 1973, Hawaii timeshare developers began aggressively converting condominiums into timeshares, recognizing that as the price of oil drove travel costs upward, Hawaii vacationers needed options for vacation accommodations at controlled prices.
Today Hawaii timeshare remains a vital part of the tourism industry and an important contributor to local economies in Hawaii. Hawaii timeshares make up roughly 10 percent of the state’s lodging industry and as of 2010, accounted for $511 million in tax revenues to the state; 34,420 jobs; and some $4.5 billion in spending.
Beautiful Hawaii timeshares are some of the most popular vacation ownership destinations in the world. Hawaii timeshare owners can afford a luxurious Hawaiian vacation, knowing that the price of their accommodations is locked in for a lifetime.
Whether it is boosting the economy or providing academic scholarship opportunities, the timeshare industry continues to give back to the people of Hawaii, in appreciation for how they share their beautiful islands with millions of tourists who visit there each year.
