Timeshare History - Buy, sell, or Rent

Before we discuss the history of the timeshare and how timeshares evolved, I think its important to give a brief explanation of what a timeshare is. A timeshare is a form of vacation property ownership. The owners of the timeshare, share in the use and the costs of running the resort. The use of the timeshare is usually divided up among the owners over a specified period of time. There are many types of timeshare, but the most common form of timeshares are condominiums or cooperatives at vacation resorts.

The timeshare first originated in Europe in the 1960's. The popularity of commercial jets as well as the 60's carefree attitude helped revolutionize the travel industry. A French development company, The Societe des Grands Travaux de Marseille recognized the considerable growth in the travel and tourism industry and are one of two companies that began to offer the timeshare model. They are credited with developing the first ever timeshare slogan; "No need to rent the room; buy the hotel, its cheaper!" Like that, the timeshare was born. The first resort to adapt the timeshare was a ski resort in the French Alps called SuperDevoluy. At the same time, another company called Hapimag in Baar Switzerland also offered the timeshare model. The owners of Hapimag began purchasing resort properties in Italy, Spain, and Switzerland giving their members a choice of timeshare destinations.

The first timeshare in the United States started on the island of Kauai in 1969 by two men who later started Vacation Internationale. Those interested in the timeshare program were offered weeks that were sold on a leasehold basis. They also were the first to offer timeshares sold on a point system to give more options to timeshare owners. The first state in the continental U.S to offer timeshares was Florida. During the 1970's, many existing condo developments in Florida migrated towards the timeshare resorts model. In 1973, a joint effort by the Hyatt company and Innisfree companies offered the first "deeded ownership" timeshares. Shortly thereafter, Resort Condominiums International (RCI) debuted in 1974. RCI provided timeshare owners with the flexibility to exchange weeks between different timeshare resorts. This was a very attractive option to timeshare owners, one which they did not have before. To this day, RCI is one of the largest timeshare exchange companies in this world.

During the end of the 70's and into the early 80's the timeshare industry continued to grow. Driven by the popularity of timeshares, resorts all over the world were converting over to them. The timeshare appealed to people of all classes and backgrounds. The high class individual used the timeshare to travel to exotic resorts and new locations. Timeshares appealed to families and the working class individual for its ability to offer a lavish vacation at affordable prices. Throughout the 80s, as more people continued to see the benefit of the timeshare, the industry continued to grow. The timeshare industry expanded globally and seeing great success in Spain and Portugal. By 1990, timeshare was a household name and had expanded across Eastern Europe and Asia. Seeing the global success of timeshare, big hotel companies began to offer timeshare properties. With the backing of major hotel chains (Marriot, Sheraton, Ramada, Hilton etc.), timeshare sales reached record highs, as well as consumer confidence.

Today the timeshare industry is a multi-billion dollar industry. Timeshare resorts boast a worldwide offering of about 5400 resorts in over 100 countries. The United States alone accounts for approximately 45% of all timeshare owners. Backed by major corporations and global offerings, the timeshare industry is poised to expand ever more in the years ahead.

TIMESHARE HOT DEALS

Hilton Grand Vacations Club at Valdoro Mountain Lodge Ad #: 38470 Asking: $54000 Negotiable Rental: $2200 Negotiable At the foot of the slopes in Breckenridge, Valdoro Mountain Lodge is the perfect base for your Rocky Mountain lifestyle--just two hours from Denver in the heart of a recreational wonderland. Enjoy a comfortable lounge while relaxing in front of a warm fireplace. Valdoro's finest on-site amenities include a sundries shop, fitness center, indoor/outdoor pool, games room, single private spa treatment rooms, and two outdoor hot tubs with mountain views. Our luxuriously appointed units vary in size from studios to three-bedroom villas. Valdoro Mountain Lodge is the real life of Breckenridge .

Tahiti Village Ad #: 43040 Asking: $22000 Negotiable Rental: $1200 Negotiable Located just minutes from the Las Vegas Strip, Tahiti is a Polynesian-themed resort. Accommodations have a fireplace, television, DVD, and stereo system; and a separate whirlpool tub and shower in the deluxe suite. Guests will enjoy the spacious two-bedroom suites or the deluxe sleep-eight suites, both of which have a separate lock-off with a kitchenette. Amenities include two sand-beach swimming pools, poolside cabanas, putting green, concierge activity desk, and transportation to and from the Strip. The Tahitian themed resort includes 5 multi-unit residential towers surrounding a lushly landscaped courtyard with pools, hot tub, whirlpools, a lazy river, sand volleyball courts, a golf putting green, a reflecting pool with shade cabanas and other on-site amenities. Tahiti Village includes a 3-story, 42,000 square foot hotel style lobby and sales center building and a 6000 square foot 24-hour restaurant.: One Bedroom: One king bed. Sofa bed. Separate sitting area. TV with cable, pay movies, and DVD player. Stereo with CD player. High-speed and television Internet access (surcharge). Limited kitchen with granite countertop, microwave, refrigerator, coffeemaker, toaster, and cookware/dishes. Bathroom with single vanity and shower/tub combination. Iron with ironing board. Two Bedroom Two king beds and two queen sofa beds (room combines the one bedroom and one bedroom with full kitchen suites). Balcony or patio with one table and four chairs. View of city or pool. 1,551 square feet. 42-inch plasma-screen TV in master bedroom. High-speed and TV Internet access (surcharge). Cable TV with pay movies and DVD player. Stereo with CD player. Kitchen with stainless-steel appliances, granite countertops, full-sized refrigerator, microwave, four-burner stove, oven, coffeemaker, and cookware/dishes. Master bath with garden (jetted) tub, steam shower, and dual vanities. Second-bedroom suite with a limited kitchen, master bedroom, bathroom, and living area. In-room safe. One Bedroom Full Kitchen One king bed and one queen sofa bed. Balcony or patio with one table and two chairs. View of city or pool. 971 square feet. 42-inch plasma-screen TV in master bedroom. Cable TV with pay movies and DVD player. Stereo with CD player. High-speed and television Internet access (surcharge). Kitchen with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops; full-sized refrigerator, microwave, four-burner stove, oven, coffeemaker, and cookware/dishes. Master bath with garden (jetted) tub, steam shower, and dual vanities. Washer/dryer. In-room safe.

Westgate Lakes Resort and Spa Ad #: 29000 Asking: $21500 Negotiable Set on one of Florida's most scenic lakes, Westgate Lakes features comfortable resort villas with such amenities as a full kitchen, screened porch or patio, separate living and dining areas, leather furniture, and master bedroom with a color television and whirlpool bath. Just minutes from Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld, Westgate Lakes' guests enjoy lighted tennis courts, swimming pools, hot tubs, basketball, volleyball, paddleboats, planned adult and children's activities, and a full-service spa. The Westgate Lakes Resort and Spa offers studio, two-, and three- and four-bedroom accommodations. Jetted tubs and in-room safes are standard, and entertainment amenities include cable television, CD stereos, VCRs and/or DVD players and dial-up Internet access. Walt Disney chose Orlando for the site of his great theme park. He said," Orlando has the finest year-round climate in America.” It’s no wonder this area became the vacation capital of America. And the most cost-effective way, for your family to visit all the delights of Disney, is staying at the Westgate Lakes Resort, where timeshare ownership makes for a lifetime of holidays. It will take a lifetime to see all that is available here. This resort offers dining at the Smokehouse Grill, which features American fare and pizzas, and Sid's Deli, serving sandwiches, salads, snacks and espresso drinks. The Marketplace sells groceries and sundries, and barbeque grills and picnic tables are positioned lakeside. A business center contains six computers with high-speed Internet access and a laptop station, all available for a fee. Four pool complexes are complemented by poolside bars serving tropical drinks. The 3,000-square-foot health-and-beauty spa offers massage, body treatments, facials, yoga classes, saunas and jetted tubs. Childcare services are provided for spa guests. Additional amenities include a photo shop, video rentals, an arcade and organized guest activities. Dry cleaning and concierge services are provided.