What is Timeshare?

The Concept

The timeshare industry is over 30 years old, and generates revenues of over $9.4bn per annum. Today, there are 6.7 million timeshare owners worldwide, of which over one and a half million reside in Europe alone. Yet few realise the extent of timeshare's contribution to the economies of Europe and to providing all year round tourism and employment. 



The European Timeshare Industry 2008

Key Findings for 2007

General characteristics of the timeshare industry in Europe



How Timeshare Works

While the timeshare concept might be straightforward, the process by which it is turned into reality is somewhat more complex. The box below illustrates the principle stages in the chain that turns the concept into a product. Individual companies might undertake more than one of these activities – for example developers may market and operate their properties.
 



UK Timeshare Statistics May 2008

Resorts UK & Ireland:

  • England 74
  • Wales 10
  • Scotland 22
  • Ireland 7
  • Total 113


2002 Worldwide Timeshare Statistics

The figures below have been kindly provided by Ragatz Associates, a business unit of RCI, and are extracted from their “Resort Timesharing Worldwide: 2003 Edition Summary Report”.

Worldwide



The European Timeshare industry in 2001

  • 1452 resorts in 25 countries in Europe.
  • These resorts contain 83 026 units.
  • The average resort comprises 57 units.
  • Some 200 000 European citizens are employed as a result of timeshare’s economic activity.
  • 1.4 million families own timeshare in Europe.
  • Around 620 companies operate wholly or exclusively in the sector, and have a combined estimated turnover of € 2385 million.
  • The industry accommodates approximately 60-70 million bednights.