Interval International

We share news 7 days a week here on The Timeshare Authority blog. That’s a lot of blog posts each year and the opportunity to cover a great variety of topics. So when one phrase hits our research files over and over again, we pay attention. Lately, the words “Brazil timeshares” have caught our eye, frequently popping up in the travel and tourism news.

What You Already Know about Brazil Tourism

In the vacation industry, it is a well-known fact that Brazilians love to travel to the US where the exchange rate is favorable for them and shopping can be enjoyed without the tariffs, tax rates, and transportation costs that add to the price of goods sold in Brazil. In fact, the US Commerce Department says more than 1.5 million Brazilians vacationed in the United States last year and in Florida, (the favorite Brazilian tourist destination) Brazilians outnumbered all other international tourists. Brazilian tourism is so important to Florida that in 2011, Disney hired 54 Portuguese-speaking “Super Greeters,” to assist Brazilian tourists in its parks, while SeaWorld Orlando offers classes for its employees to learn the basics of the Portuguese language.

Last week, the US government announced the names of the US private sector forum members who will serve the next term on the US-Brazil CEO Forum. The forum, which is scheduled to meet in October in Washington DC, was created to provide both President Obama and Brazilian President Rousseff with recommendations on opportunities to advance the US-Brazil bilateral relationship. Meeting twice annually, the forum addresses timely topics including streamlining the Visa process, air travel, education, and the recent US-Brazil Tax Information Exchange Agreement.

Brazil Timeshares: The Perfect Storm (In the Best of Ways)

However, the subject of Brazilian tourism has taken on a new dimension in recent months that goes beyond the billions of dollars Brazilian tourists pump into the US economy each year, spent at hotels, resorts, restaurants, theme parks, and malls. With an emerging middle class, the Brazilian economy is seeing both technology and tourism explode with growth. The upcoming 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics, both scheduled for Brazil, are spurring a surge in Brazilian vacation accommodations as a hot investment item, including growth in Brazil timeshares.

At the same time, internet use is growing rapidly in Brazil with the country recently reaching over 100 million Internet users. Online travel booking in Brazil will surpass its $7.5 billion in online travel sales from last year. And if there was ever a right time for timeshare resort developers to look at building Brazilian timeshares or acquiring properties to rebrand as timeshares and fractionals, well, this looks like that perfect time.

Other Recent News about Brazil Timeshares from The Timeshare Authority blog:

• Interval International Adds Brazil Timeshare: Encontro Das Aguas Thermas Resort
• Is Brazil Timeshare Heating Up?
• Interval Adds Residence Waterfront to its Network of Vacation Exchange Resorts

Only a few weeks back we looked at the issue of Brazil timeshare (see: Is Brazil Timeshare Heating Up?). Now we are noting the addition by Interval International timeshare exchange of Encontro Das Águas Thermas Resort, a fractional property in Caldas Novas, Goiás.

Known for one of the largest hot-spring aquifers in the world, Caldas Novas, Goiás, is located in central Brazil. The luxury resort, Encontro Das Aguas Thermas Resort, is currently under construction, and expected to be available for your next vacation by early 2014. At build-out, the resort will offer three buildings and a total of 384 one- and two-bedroom units. With contemporary décor, modern furnishings, and fully equipped kitchens, the new Encontro Das Aguas Thermas Resort will attract vacationers, seeking the therapeutic relaxation of the hot springs, paired with a spa, sauna, fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, on-site cinema, gourmet restaurant, and 24-hour room service. Each luxury unit will provide its guests upgraded electronics  for staying connected and plenty of boating, jet skiing, and hiking for ‘disconnecting’ and relaxing fun.

Ricardo Assuncao, partner in RMEX Construtora e Incorporadora Ltda., developer of the resort says, “We’re excited to enter the shared ownership industry and collaborate with Interval, a company known for its quality network and consumer benefits.

Assuncao adds, “Our objective is to make our resort one of the area’s finest and we look forward to hosting Interval members who will be able to enjoy the many treasures of Caldas Novas.”

Brazil timeshare has been around for decades, so why is it suddenly getting hot? In fact, Brazil timeshare is a concept that has probably taken a good 10 years to become an “overnight success.”

But the question remains, “why the upsurge now?”

Brazil is recognized as one of the BRIC economies—that’s Brazil, Russia, India, and China. (Note: this list is sometimes identified as BRICS, with the more recent inclusion of South Africa to the list).

All of these countries have, in the past decade, seen the emergence of a rising middle class; a group of people who are gaining an expendable portion of their incomes along with the opportunity for leisure and vacations.

Although many economists believe that at least in the case of Brazil, this growth is tapering off now, it has nevertheless given rise to some 40 million Brazilians who have climbed from a lower to a higher economic group.

According to Samantha Gore, sales manager for Brazil based uv10.com, RCI saw 402% growth in Brazil timeshare sales between 2005 and 2010, closing 25,000 timeshare deals in Brazil in 2012. This contrasts sharply to five years earlier, when the number was only 1,500 Brazil timeshare deals closed.

Just last month, Interval International announced its affiliation with Residence Waterfront, an upscale condo-hotel in Alagoas, Brazil. Jardim Atlántico Beach Resort. (See: Interval Adds Residence Waterfront to its Network of Vacation Exchange Resorts) Brazilian tourists have long made a powerful mark on the US economy. For example, in 2011, Brazilian tourism to the US increased 26 percent, to 1.5 million, with an estimated expenditure of $8.5 billion during their vacations.

And now for the second  important question to consider: Could this be the perfect time to buy Brazil timeshare resales?

Other related news from The Timeshare Authority blog:

• Interval International Timeshare Exchange Adds Oceanfront Brazil Resort

The upscale condo-hotel, Residence Waterfront, located in Alagoas, Brazil, has now become another vacation exchange option for members of Interval International. A very special property from its inception, Residence Waterfront is situated overlooking the ocean near Maceió.

To make the vacation experience even more amazing is the fact that this purpose-built property includes a white sand, private beach for guests. Phase I on Residence waterfront offers 20 one- or two-bedroom units and six penthouse units, that feature covered roof terraces and dramatic views of Ipioca Beach.

“Maceió is such a sweet spot on the coast of Brazil that we have already begun expanding Residence Waterfront. The 20 one-bedroom apartments in the second phase will sit just behind the current building, still only 65 feet (20 meters) from the white sand,” said Gian Piero Berneri, managing director of Havengrid do Brasil Ltda., developers of the resort. “Our partnership with Interval International is an important aspect of our vision for Waterfront and we look forward to welcoming its members who visit on exchanges.”

Marcos Agostini, the Interval International senior vice president of resort sales and business development for Latin America, adds,“Waterfront is the brainchild of several Italian real estate and tourism professionals, who are extending their successful operations into shared ownership. We are delighted to add this impressive resort to our worldwide network.”

… No doubt Interval International timeshare exchange members are delighted the beautiful beachfront property is part of the Interval network of vacation exchange, too.