Timeshare Contributes to Hawaii’s Popularity

Why is Hawaii so popular? Do we really have to ask? What other destination offers such a variety of gorgeous beaches, heavenly scenery and wide variety of activities? Where else is it more conducive to bringing the entire family on vacation, where you still might find a secluded beach all to yourself, and where you can feel right at home, but still enjoy a culture quite different from your own? And it's all pretty easy to get to for most of us. 

Timeshare Helps Break Hawaii’s 2015 Visitor Record

"Total visitor arrivals hit a record in 2014, and we'll hit another in 2015,” announced Carl Bonham, executive director of the University of Hawaii economic research organization. He spoke at a recent Chamber of Commerce Hawaii event that explored a new wave of timeshare customers. In the fourth quarter 2014, Hawaii greeted 182,284 visitors—a 4.4 percent increase in timeshare visitors above the same period in 2013. Other data showed that Oahu hotel room rates have risen by double digits, possibly influencing the shift in tourist behavior to timeshare and vacation rentals. Repeat travelers are exploring alternative places to stay.

Hawaii Tourism Authority data shows timeshares were up 4.9 percent for the first three months of the year.  It's no surprise to those of us in the timeshare industry. A timeshare resort is the perfect place to stay in Hawaii. Condominiums offer lots of room for families to spread out in, extra bedrooms and baths, kitchens to use to save money on meals, onsite activities and prime locations, often beachfront with ocean views.

Timeshare supports the economy of the people and communities of Hawaii. President and CEO of ARDA, Howard Nusbaum reports, "Timeshare generates 4,000 jobs, $100 million in wages, and $67 million in tax revenue annually in Hawaii". He added, "Hawaii is the most sought-after timeshare destination, with nearly $1 billion in sales. At 85.2 percent you’ve got the highest timeshare occupancy in the U.S".

A Few of the Major Developers

Marriott is one of the major timeshare/vacation club developers in Hawaii according to a recent report released by Sharket.com, a free website that supplies data for the timeshare industry. Three of Marriott’s developments in Hawaii are ranked in the top 5 of all the Marriott resorts: 
  • #2 Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club Resort in Oahu
  • #3 Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club
  • #5 Marriott’s Kauai Beach Club
Disney is another major player. Its multi-million dollar, Aulani Disney Vacation Club in Oahu was voted #1 in Travel + Leisure’s 2014 Top Family Hotels in the U.S.A. Disney also offers cruises around the islands.

Starwood Resorts has multiple locations on all four of the islands, as does Hilton Grand Vacations.  California based, Grand Pacific Resorts has three locations in Princeville on Kauai—Makai Club Resort, Alii Kai Resort and the Hanalei Bay Resort.

Most Popular Exchange Islands

There’s no easy answer to this question as each island offers its own uniqueness and attractions, but most polls put the islands in this order:
  1. Oahu
  2. Maui
  3. Kauai
  4. Hawaii (Big Island)

Mexican Resort Development Association (AMDETUR) holds 29th Annual Conference

The Mexican tourism industry is vibrant. The country’s beautiful beaches, historic ruins and colorful culture keep visitors returning again and again. The Mexican Resort Development Association, (AMDETUR), will share ways to maintain the vibrancy of the industry at its upcoming 2015 convention. Mexico's tourism industry has rebounded from the slump of 2009 to double-digit growth in foreign exchange earnings and flow of international tourists in 2014. But to keep up the momentum, industry experts feel they must continue to create products to attract the attention of tourists, and to keep (as the title of the convention states), Reinventing the Tourism Industry and Vacation Ownership.

The conventions runs from June 22-24 in Mexico City at the Westin Santa Fe. The hotel's location in the trendy Santa Fe business district is just steps away from the Bancomer Convention Center where attendees will be treated to an impressive line-up of speakers.

The Speakers

Blanca Rodriguez – Managing Director, Banyan Tree Capital Mexico and Sandor Valner - Executive President, Walton Street Capital - Mexico, featured panelists for the opening presentation, Generating Growth and Expansion Strategies
Sean Russell – Territory Manager Americas, Trip Advisor, - Vacation Experiences through the Customer’s Voice
Gareth Price – Sales Director, Vallarta Adventures - Innovating Experiences for Customers.

The Focus

This year's focus is to offer insight into new trends and political strategies, as well as new marketing and product strategies that allow the continuous development of the sector, with a focus on the importance of the vacation ownership industry and its role in economic growth.

Another area to be considered is the implementation of information technologies and how they must be used in the operation of tourism development. The industry must adapt policies, strategies, planning, marketing, sales, along with communication and services to provide greater customer satisfaction and exhibit their ability to adapt to the new technologies.


Attendees can also tour the Expo-AMDETUR to find the best suppliers in the vacation ownership industry. For more information visit AMDETUR

More Help is Here for Timeshare Owners - and it’s Free!

Whether you're new to timeshare or have been an owner for a long time, you may have questions about timeshare that you need to get answered. It could be a question about exchanging, or advice on using your timeshare to the best advantage, or maybe you’re thinking about reselling. The Canadian Resort Development Association (CRDA) is here to help with its recently launched site, ASK CRDA, a free service to owners that’s powered by the National Timeshare Association (NTOA). 

What to Expect

According to a press release posted by PRWeb.com, ASK CRDA offers assistance on all aspects of vacation ownership, providing a mix of customer service, education, and issues management to help ensure favorable timeshare experiences. ASK CRDA also provides referrals and assistance vetting companies to make sure they meet all the government requirements and adhere to CRDA's strict Code of Ethical Conduct. Owner education in such areas as timeshare resales, rentals, transfers, financing and points systems, exchange programs and more are also available. Helpline experts can also serve as moderators in helping to resolve owner/developer issues.

How it Works

Getting the information you need is easy. You can directly call the "Ask Desk" helpline toll-free at 844-544-CRDA (2732), Monday-Friday, 9:00 – 5:00 p.m. EST, or submit questions 24/7 at the online Ask Desk. Industry experts are ready to help.

Other Resources

The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) offers a wealth of owner information on its site, from the latest in regulatory and legislative issues to questions about buying and selling and how to avoid scams, and much more. On the ARDA website check out, ARDA-ROC, HOA Outreach, AIF/Foundation and ARDA Resort Buyers Marketplace. ARDA's VacationBetter website has an Owner Advice section that gives useful tips directly from other timeshare owners.

Owners Supporting Owners

Timeshare forums for owners and potential owners can be a good place to get answers to your questions and advice from others who may have already had experience with the issues you are concerned about. Inside these forums owners share their experiences about owning, selling and buying timeshares. They can be used to choose a resort or location for your next vacation, find out about potential scams and how others avoided or handled them, and learn about bargains or how to use points. Questions about the ins and outs of successful exchanging and making the system work for you, or issues on maintenance fees or resort improvements, are freely discussed in these forums.  


Many timeshare and vacation companies have their own forums and/or use social media platforms for owner communication. There's Wyndham Owner's Forum, Occidental Vacation Club uses Facebook for postings, and Trip Advisor has a Timeshares/Vacation Rentals Forum to name a few.  Rental/exchange sites like RedWeek.com and RCI also offer forums and information for owners. 

Photo Credit: www.crda.com