Travel: Timeshares Vacations
Time Share Promotions, Presentations and Vacation Deals for 2008
Mnay of the popular timeshare promotions are on hold. Some timeshare promoters have halted their web promotions due to the slowing housing economy. Yet, there are still some vacation deals still available.
Find the current time share presentations for 2008 on the right hand column.
Connect with the most popular timeshare presentations and vacations through these links.
Timeshare vacation promotions are still being offered throughout the year. Request complimentary information to learn more about specific offers and accomodations.
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Find a Timeshare Promotion Offer in Your City or State:
Hawaii time share promotions
Texas timeshare ownerships
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Time Share News Index:
Timeshare Vacations: a good investment
Timeshare vacation ownership was born in the '60s, the age of the commune. When you buy time shares, you buy time and you share a vacation property, whether condo, home, or boat. If you buy a timeshare, you're getting tomorrow's luxury resort vacation at today's prices--in perpetuity.
Timeshares Today
As the timeshare business has evolved, it's become more complicated, though the premise remains the same: the timeshare owner buys tomorrow's luxury vacation in a highly desirable location today, reducing the cost of future vacations to a low timeshare maintenance fee.
In order to tap the vacation market, timeshare developers use promotion strategies. They offer inexpensive vacations in resort areas to tourists willing to attend timeshare presentations as a part of their vacation package to encourage you to buy a time share. It's a win-win approach to buying and selling.
Timeshare costs
Time of year and desirability of location determine your purchase cost, with average prices ranging from 7K for studios to 13K for a three-bedrooms, according to timeshare giant RCI. You'll pay taxes, cleaning and maintenance fees, and annual dues whether or not you use the property. Your timeshare will be affiliated with an exchange company, so you can trade your vacation time and location for another of equal value, if you choose. You'll pay a nominal exchange fee.
Timeshares: Buying time
Timeshare time can be floating (choose your week) or fixed (same week each year). Fixed weeks run January-December, so Week 7 is President's Day and Week 51 is Christmas. Holiday or peak season (Red) weeks are the prime "real estate" of the timeshare market. White or Amber weeks have middle value, Blue or Green off-season weeks have least. Time value trades, so don't buy off season unless you really want it.
The Timeshare Market
The average selling price for a time share week in 2002 was $10,600 globally and $14,200 in the United States. That year, timeshare sales reached $5.5 billion. The potential market for timeshares is large: less than 3% of American households currently own a timeshare, even though the vast majority of timeshare owners (84%) enjoy their timeshares.
The average American timeshare owner is mature and married, with a median income of $79,000. If you enjoy great deals on vacations, consider purchasing a timeshare and investing in your future travels.
Discounts, incentives, and vacation packages
Timeshare resorts offer discounts and vacation packages to potential buyers. Crammed with freebies and incentives--tickets to tourist attractions, meals, or gift vouchers--these "vacations" include an ownership tour and sales presentation. Don't go, if you can't take pressure. Do go to get the timeshare experience. Be sure to talk to other owners. Ask about the quality of maintenance and whether they'd buy again.
American or Global?
About 1,600 of the 5,400 time share resorts scattered around the globe are located in the U.S., with the bulk of those in sunny Florida and California. However, adventurous owners can buy in China or South Africa or 270 other countries.
Timeshare purchases in the U.S. and Europe are protected and regulated by the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) and the Organisation for Timeshare in Europe (OTE), which protect buyers and discourage unethical sales practices.
Recommended Resources
Corinne Walker's Timeshare Purchaser's Checklist <www.tug2.net>
Resort Condominiums International <rci.com>
The Timeshare Beat < www.thetimesharebeat.com>
2008 EMOL.org Travel Entertainment Magazine. All rights reserved.
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Time Share Promotions and Vacation Deals:
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 Hyatt Vacation Club
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 Take Better Vacations More Often
and Enjoy A Complimentary Gift from Trendwest
3 Days in Las Vegas, San Francsico or Los Cabos, Mexico- roundtrip airfare for two adults plus accomodations for 2 nights and $40 in dining credit. OR
4 Days in San Diego, Anaheim, Big Bear or Oceanside- 3 nights plus choice of $50 gift card from the Home Depot, Best Buy or Macy's.
With Trendwest ®, the exclusive developer behind the WorldMark, The Club® vacation ownership program, you can take an ideal vacation every time. Instead of locking you in to a certain time at a certain place like most vacation ownership companies, Trendwest gives you the flexibility to travel exactly the way you want.
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Can't find a good timeshare vacation package?
Try a discount vacation package instead-
and skip the presentation requirement!
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Current Vacation Packages:
Travelocity Promotional Codes
 Southwest Airlines Vacations
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Interested in a more exclusive, luxury vacation?