Fractional Ownership News

Interval reports increased interest in Caribbean

Vacation exchange provider Interval International has reported that its members are visiting the Caribbean in increasing numbers, and that U.S. resident leisure travelers who have indicated an interest in purchasing some form of shared ownership in the next two years also chose this market as a top destination of interest.

“Member demand for vacation exchange and resort rentals in the Caribbean is strong and we continue to affiliate new projects throughout the region,” said David C. Gilbert, executive vice president of resort sales and marketing for Interval International. “In today’s environment, shared ownership offers resort developers a compelling business model with multiple profit centers and higher occupancy levels than hotels. In the case of mixed-use projects, it also provides the potential for cost-saving operating synergies and reduced marketing costs.”

Interval reported that bookings into the Caribbean increased approximately nine per cent from January through November 2009, as compared to the same period in 2008. This is particularly encouraging in light of the global economic downturn that adversely affected overall arrivals to the Caribbean over the past year.

Additionally, the Future Timeshare Buyers: 2009 Market Profile revealed the Caribbean is one of the preferred international destinations of choice among U.S. resident leisure travelers interested in purchasing vacation time in the next two years, as 78 per cent indicate they want to vacation in the region.

In 2009, Interval expanded its resort network in the region through numerous affiliations, including Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort & Spa in St. Lucia, Gold Coast Aruba, Dawn Beach Club in St. Maarten, and Grand Laguna Beach and Los Altos in the Dominican Republic.

www.intervalworld.com

13/01/10

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