• by Jack Loechner , Staff Writer @mp_research, October 10, 2006

Satisfied Timeshare Users Spend More Than Travelers

According to a new study by The American Resort Development Association International Foundation (AIF), Conducted by Ragatz Associates, timeshare has improved the vacation experience for owners. The vast majority of all owners (80.3 percent) express satisfaction with their timeshare purchase; 75.7 percent say owning a timeshare has increased their looking forward to vacations, and 68.4 percent say owning a timeshare has increased the amount of time on vacations. And, the study found that about 25 percent of recent buyers expressed interest in purchasing additional timeshares.

Howard C. Nusbaum, ARDA's president and CEO, said "The study findings... show that timeshare owners are committed travelers and savvy purchasers. By attracting a steady stream of repeat visitors who stay longer and spend more than the average traveler, timeshare resorts accrue a host of economic benefits to the surrounding region."

According to the study:

• The average timeshare visitor spends 8.6 nights per vacation in the resort area where their timeshare is located
• The average timeshare party spends $1,334 per timeshare vacation
• The average size of timeshare visitor parties is 3.8 persons

Of all owners:

• 35.8 percent personally used their own timeshare purchase during the past 12 months
• 47.4 percent exchanged or space banked it
• 4.4 percent rented it out
• 2.9 percent gave it away
• 9.5 percent of time owned by all owners went unused during the last 12 months

The study found that the average recent buyer attended 2.6 sales presentations before making a purchase. Of recent buyers, 57.4 percent purchased directly from a developer; 24.9 percent purchased from a home owners' association; 10.5 percent acquired their timeshare as a gift, inheritance, or from some other source; and 7.2 percent purchased from a pervious owner.

Most attractive resort area characteristics (% of recent buyers)
Attractions, entertainment	61.0%
Ocean beach	50.3
Mountains	36.2
Lake	24.2
History, culture	23.8
Golf	22.1
Tropics	20.1
Gaming, gambling	14.8
City, urban	13.2
Snow skiing	11.9
Desert	9.5
Source: AIF, September 2006

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