Author: Staff Contributor

According to an article in Travel News Daily, a new report shows very happy timeshare owners in Europe. The research was compiled by The Christel DeHaan Tourism and Travel Research Institute at the Nottingham University Business School on behalf of the Resort Development Organisation (which was formerly the Organisation for Timeshares in Europe).

The comprehensive study of Europe timeshare and UK timeshare showed there are more than 1.5 million timeshare owners in Europe and that 87 percent of them say they are happy with their holiday ownership. Nearly 75 percent say they believe that timeshare accommodations are superior to other holidays they have taken in the past, and that timeshares provide a quality of accommodations that is important to them.

The study begins with the historic perspective of the impact Europe timeshares have had on the economy for more than 40 years. Results show a thriving industry that has a positive effect on local economies throughout Europe. Generating €3.2 billion in expenditures annually and employing nearly 70,000 people, the UK timeshare and Europe timeshare industry is clearly a strong influencer on the European economy.

“Timeshare is a concept that has truly come of age with many thousands of happy owners across Europe,” said Richard McIntosh, the Chairman of the Resort Development Organisation. “The quality of timeshare resorts is high which is why many owners see it as superior to other self catering holidays. With exchange options available, owners also enjoy the flexibility of being able to try out resorts across Europe and the rest of the world.“

There are 1,312 Europe timeshare resorts, which equals 67 million bed nights. Twenty-six percent of Europe timeshare resorts are Spain timeshares; fifteen percent are Italy timeshares, and UK and Ireland timeshare account for eleven percent.

McIntosh, who points out that Europe timeshares have an annual 72 percent occupancy rate, says, “Timeshare is a year round industry with owners as likely to visit in the winter months as the summer, spending money in the local community and providing jobs where they otherwise might not exist.“

Recognizing that timeshare holidays are enjoyed throughout the year, and that timeshare owners spend an average of 1,588 euros per vacation on goods and services in the area where they vacation, Europe timeshare is clearly a substantial boost to local and regional economies.

Travel New Daily quotes Professor Chris Cooper, Director, Christel DeHaan Tourism and Travel Research Institute as endorsing the report by saying, “This report is essential reading for all involved in the timeshare business, not only does it provide a detailed profile of timeshare owners, but it also examines their future intentions and preferences in the timeshare market place“.

To learn more about Europe timeshare, visit the website for the Resort Development Organisation.

Starting July 16, 2009, the Marriott Vacation Club timeshare program will change its timeshare points system by integrating Marriott Vacation Club properties into Marriott Rewards Categories.

The good news for Marriott timeshare owners is that as part of this change, their timeshare stays will now be eligible for Marriott’s Fifth Night Free program, which Marriott describes as follows, “Guests must reserve a stay for a minimum of 5 redemption nights at one hotel to receive the fifth night for free. The fifth night free will be automatically applied when guests reserve for a minimum 5-night redemption stay.”

Marriott Vacation Club Timeshare Assigned New Rankings

According to Marriott Vacation Club, the strategy behind the change involves assigning hotel category levels to the Marriott Vacation Club timeshare resorts. Most timeshare properties will be ranked as a category 5, 6, or 7, in the Marriott Rewards system. This means that a one-night stay will require 25,000 points; 30,000; or 35,000 points respectively, based upon a deluxe guestroom, and depending upon whether the resort is a category 5, 6, or 7 property.

Upgrading from a deluxe guestroom to a one-bedroom timeshare will require an additional 5,000 points per night; a two-bedroom timeshare will call for 10,000 more timeshare points; and a three-bedroom timeshare will be 15,000 more points per night, all above the base points requirement for that resort.

One simple way to look at this is that at a category 5 resort, the cost in points will be 210,000 points for 7 nights in a two-bedroom timeshare. That rate increases to 240,000 points for the same number of nights, and the same size timeshare unit at a category 6 resort, and 270,000 points at a category 7 resort. These numbers include the benefit of using your one free night that is available to you when booking five or more consecutive nights.

Receiving Your Marriott Rewards Credit for Marriott Timeshare Stays

Remember that in order for a Marriott Vacation Club International owner to ensure receiving Marriott Rewards credit for Marriott Vacation Club International nights, he or she should present his Marriott Rewards member ID at either the time of check-in or check-out. The option for Marriott timeshare owners to count timeshare nights towards qualifying for the next level of Marriott Rewards Elite status, went into effect last June 30 (2008) but still comes as a surprise to many Marriott timeshare owners.

The new timeshare points system applies to reservations booked on or after the July 16 effective date. If you have already scheduled to use your timeshare points after the effective date the timeshare rates at the time of booking will prevail.

You may wish to also visit Marriott Vacation Club Rewards FAQs, if you have additional questions.

ARDA (the American Resort Development Association) has introduced its annual contest for timeshare owners. Enter your vacation photo, story, or short video (up to 3 minutes) depicting a special timeshare vacation memory and you could win a $1,000 American Express gift card. Your entry should represent a special timeshare vacation memory, according to ARDA, that had a meaningful effect on your family, your health, or your overall enjoyment of life.

ARDA has always promoted the fact that taking regular vacations is not just fun, it’s good for your health and well-being. Last year, ARDA launched a new website, VacationBetter.org with the purpose of spreading the message, and encouraging more people to simply “Vacation Better”.

Since the contest runs from May 15, 2009 until August 31, 2009, if you don’t already have that special timeshare vacation memory, you have all summer long to buy timeshare resales or rent timeshare and MAKE a memory.

Statistics show that more than 47 million Americans will not use all of their vacation days, proving that we don’t all “get it” when it comes to the importance of leisure time and days spent on holiday. Yet, perhaps the ease, convenience, and long-term value of timeshare, are reasons that, according to Owners Perspective Magazine, “…vacation ownership properties are experiencing more than 80 percent occupancy rates as of March 31, 2009.”

VacationBetter.org will award 3 first place winners, one for photography, one for their written story, and one for video. In each of those categories, there will also be a second place winner, who will receive a $250 American Express gift card. For the complete contest rules, click here.

Before Sell My Timeshare NOW releases the new HOT 100 List next week, I want to remind you about the favorite timeshare resorts that made the top ten on last year’s list. For anyone who is considering buying timeshare, or who wants to sell timeshare or rent timeshare, comparing this year’s list with the favorites from last year could provide interesting and helpful insights. The timeshare properties that made the Sell My Timeshare NOW HOT 100 List are those that were advertised on our website and received the greatest number of offers to buy or rent.

Marriott timeshare had four resorts in the top ten last year. Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club was number 10; Marriott’s Newport Coast Villas timeshare was number 7; Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club timeshare was number 6; and Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club timeshare was number 4.

The Manhattan Club, a signature urban timeshare, was number 9. Harborside Resort at Atlantis in the Bahamas, a unique resort that combines elements of a casino, water park, and beachside timeshare, was number 8.

Hawaii timeshares, always popular, accounted for three of the top 10 spots, including the already mentioned Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club, Diamond Resorts Ka’anapali Beach Club timeshare, which was number 5 on the HOT 100 list, and Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas, which was number 2.

Orange Lake’s West Village, now under the umbrella of the Holiday Inn brand, was HOT 100 timeshare number 3, while all the fabulous multi-destinations resorts of WorldMark by Wyndham timeshare ranked at the very top, having received the greatest number of offers to buy or rent.

The new HOT 100 list has seen a few changes although several of these well-liked timeshare properties remain at the top. I think you may be surprised by the INCREASES in both the number of offers to buy timeshare or rent timeshare on the top 10 list and across the top 100. When you see the numbers, you may think twice about whether we are in an economic recession or not. What the numbers validate is the timeless interest in timeshare. No matter the economy, timeshare resales are an opportunity with a global market and are widely recognized as offering great vacation value at your favorite destinations.