What is Timeshare?
This is Not Your Father's Timeshare
No matter what you call it - timeshare, timesharing, or vacation ownership - the fact remains that timeshares are one of the fastest-growing segments of the leisure travel industry. Dating back more than four decades, the idea of timesharing or vacation ownership originated in Europe in the late 1960s. The United States was first introduced to timeshare in the early 70s. Today, timeshare sales exceed $10 billion industry worldwide.
Timeshare, a business historically driven by individual resort developers, is now being embraced by dozens of high-profile, luxury hotel entities such as Marriott, Hilton,Hyatt, and Sheraton. The product has further evolved with the entrance of the ultra luxury brands Four Seasons, St. Regis, and Ritz Carlton. With the excitement of timeshare far from waning, it is estimated there are over 5 million timeshare families worldwide. In less than 10 years, that number is expected to double.
Why Timeshare?
Besides wondering "what is timeshare" - many folks also wonder "why own a timeshare?"
Why do so many people choose timeshare as a means to vacation? Timeshare offers owners furnished luxurious vacation accommodations that may be purchased using future rental dollars. More importantly timeshare interests in a resort villa or cottage can be bought for a fraction of the cost and without the financial and physical responsibility of traditional whole ownership.
While most timeshares are sold as a deeded interest, providing a deed as just as in any other real estate transaction, which can be used and then passed on for other family members to enjoy. Other timeshares are sold as a right -to -use agreement, which provides usage of a resort property for a pre-determined period of time.
And of course depending on the timeshare you buy, timeshare can provide you with numerous ways to enjoy vacation flexibility each year. Many resorts offer fixed weeks, which provide you use of resort accommodations at the same week, time, and unit every year. Other resorts offer float weeks within a given season, giving extra flexibility in selecting a week inside the season you have purchased.To add even more selection, many developers have structured their timeshare programs for the use of vacation club points.
Timeshare Travel Exchange
Timeshare exchage is also a compoent of "what is timeshare." Vacation exchange providers, such as RCI or Interval International, provide an important component in owning a timeshare or vacation ownership week by offering exchange opportunities to other exciting resorts throughout the world. In addition to staying at their home resort, timeshare owners have the flexibility of exchanging weeks through the exchange networks at over 5000 resorts located around the world. For a nominal fee, owners may exchange their timeshares through Resort Condominiums International (RCI) or Interval International (II).
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