Showing posts with label ARDA International Foundation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ARDA International Foundation. Show all posts

State of the Industry: 6th Year of Growth!

7/20/2016 Unknown
The 2015 numbers are in and we are pleased to announce another great year of substantial growth in our industry! Here are some highlights from the 2016 State of the Timeshare Industry Study conducted by Ernst and Young for ARDA International Foundation (AIF).

Sales Volume $8.6 Billion

Sales volume rose by nine percent in 2015 from $7.9 billion in 2014 to $8.6 billion in 2015. That’s the second largest increase percentage-wise since the recession!

Timeshare Resorts in U.S. at High of 1,547

In 2015 there were 1,547 timeshare resorts in the U.S. representing about 200,720 units. The average resort size was 130 units. Occupancy rates were up to nearly 80 percent, a two percent increase.  In comparison, the hotel occupancy rate was only 66 percent. Vacationers are loving their timeshares!

Average Sales Price for Timeshare at $22,240

That's a nine percent increase over 2014. Howard Nusbaum, President and CEO of ARDA was thrilled with our industry's performance in 2015 and said in a recent press release, "Timeshare offers a flexible vacation experience anywhere in the world. And with over 70% of the properties being two or more bedrooms, families are enjoying the space for everyone to actually relax and the privacy for individual or group time while on vacation."

Interesting Facts Quiz

Here’s a quiz to test your knowledge of the industry and see if you know the answers to some of the other interesting findings from the study. Don’t look at the answers before you choose!
  1. What is the most common type of resort? 
  2. Which resort has the highest occupancy?
  3. What state has the most resorts?
  4. What state has both the highest average occupancy and highest maintenance fees?
  5. What region has the lowest average maintenance fees?
  6. What state has the largest resorts?

Answers to Quiz

  1. Beach Resorts
  2. Theme Park Resorts
  3. Florida
  4. Hawaii
  5. Northeast ($690 per interval)
  6. Nevada (230 units on average)

For even more information, see ARDA's State of the Industry infographic at www.arda.org/foundation.

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Everything to Love About ARDA World 2015!

4/15/2015 Unknown
The Marriott World Center's pristine course was the
perfect kick-off for ARDA World 2015!
No one has ever said the Timeshare Industry is boring, and this year's events at ARDA World continue to prove it definitely isn't! And, no one has ever said the industry wasn't charitable, which it is. The industry kicked off its premier annual event, ARDA World 2015, by exhibiting both attributes. 

Charity Poker Event

Track Results helped to start the conference off right by hosting the Second Annual Poker Night on Saturday at the Marriott World Center in Orlando. The event raised $50,000 for the benefit of Send Me on Vacation, an organization that provides women with breast cancer once-in-a-lifetime trips with their loved ones. For some women these trips provide a chance to rejuvenate after months of battling the illness, for others, it may be the last chance they have to travel with their families. The poker tournament is a way for ARDA World attendees to enjoy a night playing poker, blackjack, or roulette while raising money to send more women on these life-changing trips.

AIF Golf Tournament

The ARDA International Foundation (AIF) led the way on Sunday, with its 14th Annual AIF Open Golf Tournament. Participants had a challenging but enjoyable time on the beautifully landscaped course at the Marriott World Center's Hawk's Landing Golf Club. AIF is the entity of ARDA that fulfills the industry’s research and education needs, including identifying consistent and ongoing benchmarks, expanding research, analyzing technological changes and impacts, and enhancing the public’s knowledge of the timeshare industry. AIF relies on fundraising events like the golf tournament to produce research, studies and educational programs that advance the industry.

ARDA World Kick-Off Party

Following the golf tournament Sunday was the ARDA World 2015 Kick-Off Party. The event featured plenty of food, drink and even outdoor games. During the Kick-Off Party, ARDA-WIN Advantage, one of the sponsors of the event, presented its WINspiration Award to Lani Kane Hanan, EVP Marriott Vacations Worldwide. ARDA-WIN advantage is a women-centric group that focuses on networking, mentoring and diversity/inclusion within the vacation industry. The WINspiration Award is given to the member that has shown excellence in philanthropic service, leadership, and in contributions and support made to WIN. 

ARDA World continues until Friday with educational sessions, committee meetings, an Awards Gala Dinner and the closing Breakfast of Champions featuring two-time NHL Stanley Cup Champion, Bill Clement. More information can be found directly on ARDA's website!

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Who’s Buying Timeshares Now?

11/26/2014 Unknown
New timeshare buyers are a diverse group according to a recent Shared Vacation Ownership study from ARDA International Foundation (AIF). Younger and culturally diverse, these new buyers are fueling the timeshare industry's current growth mode of 7.9 percent up from 7.2 percent in 2012. 

What Defines the New Buyers?

Howard Nusbaum, president and CEO of ARDA says, "We're excited not only about the fact that sales are up in our industry, but also about why they are up. While existing owners continue to enjoy the lifestyle and purchase more timeshare, it's the new owners that are responsible for the majority of qualified new sales." Statistics from the Shared Vacation Ownership study show just who these new buyers are and the reasons they can qualify for a timeshare purchase.

They are younger and more diverse 

  • Almost 10 years younger than conventional owners - median age of 39
  • 42% are African American or Hispanic

They are highly educated, employed, have families, own homes 

  • 72% are college graduates
  • 79% are married or in a committed relationship 
  • 51% have children under age 18
  • 72% are employed full-time
  • $94,800 is median household income
  • 91% own a home

They do their research before they purchase

  • 75% had some form of experience with timeshare before purchasing
  • 35% attended multiple sales presentations
  • 44% vacationed at the resort before they bought
  • 42% experienced timeshare by renting first

They understand value

  • 36% bought their timeshare to save money on vacations
  • 31% bought a timeshare for the vacation flexibility it offers

More Good Signs

Other trends from the Shared Vacation Ownership study showed that the overall purchase price of a timeshare rose to an average of nearly $20,000. Timeshare owners are spreading their vacations evenly between summer, fall and spring, and 40% are as likely to travel under 500 miles as they are to travel 1000 miles or more. Though 75% of owners vacationed at a timeshare resort, the study showed 16% converted their timeshare to a different type of vacation-related purchase such as a cruise or airline ticket. 

Sources





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ARDA International Foundation Promotes Professional Growth for Success

11/05/2014 Unknown
ARDA kicks off its fall conference on November 12th in Washington, D.C. It;s sure to offer many opportunities for attendees to learn about key timeshare issues, set goals for the future and network with colleagues, but ARDA is not just about conferencing a few times a year.  ARDA International Foundation (AIF) offers a continuing source of education programs. What began in 1982 as a research tool to keep up with the rapid growth and change of the timeshare industry now has evolved into much more. AIF offers timeshare industry members multiple opportunities for professional growth.

AIF Education 

Timeshare professionals who are looking to gain expertise in a certain area of the industry need look no further than AIF's education programs. Through AIF, education participants can increase their industry knowledge, develop skills and earn professional designations including the Associate Resort Professional (ARP), Registered Resort Professional (RRP) and Certified Timeshare Supervisor (CTS).  

University Partnerships = More Industry Awareness

As a means of bringing new people into the timeshare industry, AIF partners with universities to provide resources to build course curricula, and internship programs to familiarize students with the industry. AIF's scholarship programs offer networking opportunities for both students and professors that help to bring them closer to the timeshare community on a personal level.

Suppliers also Benefit

Those supplying goods and services to the timeshare industry can earn AIF's Supplier Certification designation. It's a win-win situation. Suppliers become more knowledgeable of the industry, the characteristics of timeshare buyers, and trends and legal issues. Timeshare buyers gain savvy suppliers who know what the industry needs and can provide the best services.

Easy and Convenient Access to Learning

AIF offers easy and convenient access to professional development opportunities through its online learning platform.  Professionals may participate in self-study-courses, downloadable research, and webinar presentations accessible through computer or smart phone. Courses like Timeshare 101 teach the basics to industry newbies. Partnership Strategies helps timeshare professionals strengthen their customer skills with new ways to market and service the timeshare product.

Leadership Development

ARDA LEAPS is a program specifically designed to nurture and develop future ARDA leaders. The one year program requires nomination by an organization. As part of the selection process, nominated candidates must submit a 500 word document on why they should be in the program. After completion of the year long program, ARDA LEAP's candidates are encouraged to continue service to the industry such as mentoring new LEAP candidates, and participating on an ARDA committee.

Future of the Industry

As the timeshare industry continues to grow and evolve, it is important that those of us working in the industry continue to grow and evolve too. Professional development opportunities for industry professionals and education partnerships that develop awareness of our industry, help to keep the industry growing and thriving.


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Why Get an ARP or RRP Attached to Your Name?

8/20/2014 Unknown
If you are interested in enhancing your knowledge of the timeshare industry for career advancement or for your own personal growth, then an ARP or RRP designation may be just what you're looking for. 

What are these Designations?

The Associate Resort Professional (ARP) and Registered Resort Professional (RRP) are the ultimate designations for the vacation ownership industry. These titles by your name enhance your professional credibility and demonstrate your commitment to the industry through continued education. The timeshare industry is rapidly growing and evolving, and it pays to keep on top of all the changes. ARDA's International Foundation makes it easy for you to do just that.

ARDA’s International Foundation’s Learning Center

To get started on obtaining the ARP or the RRP, click here. AIF offers the entire program online from start (submit your application) to finish (print out your certificate upon successful completion of the course work). You do your course work, take tests, and earn and track your designation credits all online.

Requirements:

  1. Both ARP and RRP designations require the passing of the AIF Qualification Test and it's probably a good place to start the process. The test accesses and measures your knowledge of the timeshare industry. Before taking the test, you’ll want to study The Timeshare Industry Resource manual. It’s the definitive source for all the key topics relating to timeshare. Whether you are an industry veteran or new to the business, this manual is your "go to" source for all that's timeshare.
  1. Applicants for the ARP and the RRP designations are also required to be an ARDA Advantage, Trustee, or Chairman’s League member in good standing. ARP’s are expected to have a minimum of 2 years of industry experience and 6 credits. RRP’s need at least 5 years of experience and 10 credits.

The Time to Act is Now!


If you've been thinking about raising your profile in the timeshare industry, now is the time.  September 15th is the next deadline to get started on the designations. Don’t you think you owe it to yourself and the industry?

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