Timeshare Consumer Guide
Monthly News Letter
September 2005
Welcome to the August edition of the Timeshare Consumer Guide monthly newsletter. The aim of the newsletter is to provide current information that may be of interest not only to buyers, owners and sellers of timeshare but to the consumer in general. We aim to provide information regarding exchanges, resorts and up to date OTE News and other reliable sources.
IN THIS EDITION
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UK Loves Timeshare
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Condo Hotels – The Hottest Trend In Hospitality
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Timeshares Of The Bronze Age – The Carrick Project’s Findings
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Guatemala: Amatique Bay Resort & Marina Have Received 5 star award
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Travel Is Back – Americans Travelling Again
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EYE ON……LAS CASITAS
Interval International and Marriott’s Vacation Club International jointly commissioned an internet survey in January and February 2005 to better understand opinions regarding timesharing among UK leisure travellers.
Approximately 16 percent of UK adults are interested in purchasing vacation ownership products – this is about 7 million people. These figures show an increase of interest since a similar survey was carried out during 2003.
The research reinforces that the depth of product available worldwide now appeals to leisure travels of nearly every socioeconomic category. This range of product, in tandem with its geographic variety and people’s increased understanding of what timeshare offers when compared with traditional package holidays, is critical to the continued growth of the industry.
Most people now have a positive perception of timesharing. Key attributes were said to be understood by respondents: home – like accommodations (69 percent), exchange (65 percent), flexibility (62 percent), resort-style accommodations (60 percent), and securing quality holidays through prepayment (55 percent).
GOOD NEWS
Fifty one percent of survey respondents reported either a positive or neutral perception of timeshare. 12 percent not already owning a timeshare reported they were “somewhat" or “very" likely to purchase timeshare in the next 2 years. By comparison 24 percent of respondents currently owning timeshare said they were “somewhat" or “very" likely to purchase additional timeshare in the same time frame.
CONDO HOTELS – OLD NEWS BUT CATCHING ON
Condo Hotels are experiencing a major resurgence of interest by developers, financers and consumers.
Old? Condo Hotels first gained limited traction back in the 80’s in markets that included Latin America, Europe, and various destinations in the States.
Today however, condo-hotels are in the midst of a comeback with a certifiable boom that includes an estimated 30 projects in south Florida alone.
So, what is a Condo Hotel?
Although attractiveness of such properties can be clearly shown, creating a definition that applies to all such projects can be quite a challenge.
Experts and authorities from across several different hospitality sectors are contributing to the dialogue as hoteliers and timeshare and fractional developers are seeking a definitive description of the concept.
A typical description of a condo-hotel is a project with condominiumised individual units that may include a primary or secondary residential component. In such cases, it is necessary to address such issues as whether the same units are used for both purposes, or hotel-and condominium-use units are segmented on property, and whether there is a rental pool in which individual unit owners can participate.
Why the resurgence?
The reason for condo-hotel appeal, are probably due to financing, returns and cash flow.
Financing for such a project can be easier to obtain than for a hotel project, and returns can be better than for a residential project. The reason, developers can repay mortgages as and when individual units are sold, therefore producing a better cashflow, a vital part of running a resort. Another reasons being, that returns are higher, industry observers have noted a 15-25 percent higher selling price than traditional condominium units.
TIMESHARES OF THE BRONZE AGE
Historic attractions in timeshare resorts don’t have to form part of the resort; they can simply be preserved on-site. Club Dolmen in Malta has a 3000 year old stone circle – after which the resort is named – just 20 meters from the swimming pool area.
Prehistoric remains have been found at another resort in Scotland. “When we looked at the new Carrick project we considered all aspects of the environment, and we had a suspicion there may be items of archaeological interest," recalls Craig Mitchell, managing director of U.K.- based De Vere Resort Ownership. “Before we started, we invested ?60,000 in an archaeological investigation. There is evidence of a Bronze Age encampment in the Loch Lomond area."
Archaeologists spent months excavating there in mid-to-late 2004. Although they did not expect to unearth any valuable or significant discoveries, it has proven to be a veritable treasure trove. The site has revealed either artefacts or signs of habitation spanning most of the key historical periods in Britain.
On a scale of 1-10 for importance, it currently sits at an eight or nine. Key findings include Bronze Age cremation pots, Iron Age settlements, and an iron-working site, an early Christian cemetery, medieval corn – drying kilns, and a post-medieval settlement. "While much will be shipped off to museums, we will try to preserve and keep some aftifacts and sites so our owners can view some of these astounding finds", says Craig Mitchell.
GUATEMALA: AMATIQUE BAY RESORT & MARINE RECEIVE 5 STAR AWARD
Amatique Bay Resort & Marina has received the Interval International Five Star Award. Located on Amatique Bay on the Caribbean Sea, the resort features 61 spacious units set amid exotic tropical gardens on the northeast coast of Guatemala.
Visitors can enjoy numerous amenities such as restaurants, a bar, a discotheque, swimming pools, water slides, kids’ club, supermarket, conference centre, and marina. Additional activities including aerobics, volleyball, driving range, PADI diving centre, fishing, and sailing are available on-site or near the resort.
Guatemala is characterised by diverse ecological systems and unique landscapes; guests at Amatique Bay Resort & Marina can visit turtle and iguana nurseries, follow eco-trails, or take tours of botanical gardens and exhibits, all close at hand.
TRAVEL’S BACK – AMERICANS ARE TRAVELLING AGAIN
Americans are travelling at levels not seen since 1999.
The percentage of adult Americans who have taken at least one overnight trip to a destination more than 75 miles from home has risen to its highest level since 1999, notes the recently released Yeswich, Pepperdine, Brown & Russell?Yankelovich Partners 2005 National Leisure Travel MONITOR.
The nationally projectable survey of 1,650 adults revealed that 58 percent of American adults took such a trip during the past 12 months (up from 49 percent last year), of which one-third took at least one trip primarily for business, and more than 9 out of 10 (93 percent) took at least one trip primarily for pleasure.
The study also indicates that demand for both domestic and international leisure travel services will continue to grow in the year ahead, regardless of worries about safety and security or the fluctuating price of gasoline.
An estimated 7 million U.S. households are interested in buying timeshare over the next few years.
The “Next Generation" of leisure travellers, GenXers and Echo-Boomers (adults born since 1965), show the highest interest in vacation ownership.
Almost nine out of ten leisure travellers (86 percent) are familiar with the concept of timesharing, while half (49 percent) are familiar with the concept of vacation ownership (a 4 percent increase from 2004). Of those familiar with the concept, the percentage of individuals owning vacation time has stayed stable at 11 percent.
EYE ON ……… LAS CASITAS, Lanzarote
WimPen’s beautiful one and two bedroom villas at Las Casitas adjoin the picturesque fishing village of Playa Blanca.
Built in traditional Moorish style with white walls and beautiful natural woodwork, they are set in landscaped gardens, with the resort centred around a large, heated swimming pool.
The interiors are light, spacious and comfortable with satellite television and the highest standards of furnishings throughout. Each villa has its own garden and patio complete with barbecue and garden furniture.
The wide range of facilities available at Las Casitas
Include the superb swimming pool, with heated
children’s pool, two floodlit tennis courts.
A small restaurant, large barbecue area and bar
provide a focal point to meet new friends and relax
over a meal or a long cool drink.Las Casitas is about 50 minutes drive from the airport.
Accommodation
One Bedroom: Villa with one twin/double bedroom, bath/shower/wc- fully fitted kitchen –
two sofa beds in lounge – maximum occupancy of
4 persons regardless of age.
Two Bedroom: Villa with two twin bedded rooms, one bath/shower/wc-fully fitted kitchen – two sofa beds in lounge – maximum occupancy 6 persons regardless of age. (cot maximum age of 18 months).
Lanzarote
Nearby is the pretty coastal village of Playa Blanca set in a sheltered bay with a gently shelving beach of fine golden sand. A quiet peaceful resort, it has an attractive promenade with sea front cafes, bars and restaurants.
Playa Blanca is only a short drive from the lively resort of Puerto del Carmen and the beautiful beaches of Papagayo.
Lanzarote is the most easterly of
The Canary Isalands. Charmingly
unspoilt by modern high rise
developments and dramatically
beautiful, Lanzarote is like nowhere
else on earth. Volcanic eruptions over
two centuries ago shaped the landscape
as it is today, leaving some part barren
and sparse, and others lush and green,
producing a surprising number of
locally grown fruit and vegetables.
Resale Price Ranges:
1bed sleeping 4 from ?1750 per week
2bed sleeping 6 from ?2500 per week
Resort Price Ranges:
1bed sleeping 4 from approx. ?2950
2bed sleeping 6 from approx. ?4500
Each of the subjects in this publication are based on various facts provided by trusted sources including the OTE.
Editor: David James
Previous Editions:
July 2005 Newsletter
June 2005 Newsletter |
