As we head into a patriotic weekend, with the July 4 holiday ahead, it is a great time to focus on timeshare resort growth in the Washington DC area.

The National Harbor project is a 300-acre development destination along the Potomac River in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Wyndham’s Capital Cove timeshare resort is a very special part of this project.

Although still several months from completion, timeshare units at the Wyndham timeshare Capital Cove resort are 40 percent sold out; this is exciting and positive news in today’s economy. However, it is also exciting to be able to tell you that Sell My Timeshare NOW has brand new Wyndham Capital Cove timeshares available as timeshare resales. This happens most typically when a timeshare buyer purchases a pre-sell timeshare from the developer and then, before the resort is even open, finds that he or she needs or wants to sell that timeshare on the resale market.

Essentially, National Harbor is a city, featuring the best of all a harbor-side community has to offer. Filled with entertainment, shopping, dining, marinas, vacation lodging, and even residential accommodations, National Harbor is an ideal home base from which to enjoy your Washington DC vacation.

The Wyndham timeshare resort at National Harbor offers a unique opportunity in urban timeshare, with a distinctive resort feel. The Capital Cove timeshares feature a 10-story plus building and 250 condominium-style, timeshare units, including 42 deluxe, two, three, and four-bedroom Presidential timeshare units. Capital Cove will be the second Wyndham timeshare in the Washington DC area, additional to the Old Town Alexandria Wyndham timeshare, where timeshare resales are also available.

Every year millions of people around the world decide to take a vacation and travel somewhere to get away from their normal routine for a week or longer. Most of the people I know are very different and have very different interests, for this reason I began to wonder what makes the best vacation experience. Obviously everyone’s answer will be a little different and I would like to investigate which factors will make or break the experience for people traveling in groups, families, or just individuals.

Perhaps the most important and first factor that came to my mind was the group of people that you will be traveling with. For example a family with small children might decide a trip to Orlando would be the best for a Disney Vacation Club experience for the whole family. On the other hand a group of twenty somethings on spring break would most likely be looking for a completely different experience maybe a Cancun vacation would be in order for this group. A group of older gentlemen looking for a relaxing trip with business associates may choose a golf vacation allowing them to unwind and enjoy being outdoors with peace and quiet. These are just a few examples that came to mind when thinking of the different vacation experiences that different groups might be looking for. Another part of the puzzle that will factor into the group/individual level of enjoyment can be the activities to be found in the area being visited. If the people traveling together all enjoy the same thing deciding on a location can be very easy. Sometimes getting a large number of people to agree on one location can be a daunting task often times it is necessary to find a location with a number of activities so everyone equally enjoys their vacation. One location that comes to mind that offers a wide range of activities is Lake Tahoe. This area offers a number of different group and individual activities throughout the year; boating, mountain biking, shopping, golfing, luxury cuisine, spa treatments, gambling, camping, hiking, the list goes on and on. Finding a location with a wide range of events and things to do can be crucial to the level of enjoyment during the vacation experience. Another factor that might go hand in hand with your vacation enjoyment is your since of adventure. Some people like to visit new places, step outside the box, and experience all that one location has to offer while others might be just as happy to visit the same location every year and participate in the same activities. Some people have the mentality “if it’s not broke don’t fix it”, what I mean is some travelers feel if they find a good spot to vacation there is no need to visit other locations since a good time is almost guaranteed. Visiting the same location will also ensure that the traveler is able to fully experience all the location has to offer. On the other hand, people like myself, love to visit different locations and try to do as much as possible while in the area. I am not saying on style of travel is better than the other it just depends on the factors the individual traveler puts more weight on.

I would be interested to hear from readers about what factors they take into consideration while planning a vacation and any recent vacation experiences or suggestions would also be highly appreciated.

Europe’s TATOC, The Timeshare Association, (Timeshare Owners and Committees), is a highly respected consumer advocacy and support organization for timeshare owners. This week, TATOC released their comments on a new, comprehensive timeshare owners study by The Christel DeHaan Tourism and Travel Research Institute, at the Business School in the University of Nottingham. The study was commissioned by the Resort Development Organisation.

TATOC endorsed the findings of the timeshare owners study, noting that it marks a changing public perception about the timeshare industry. Harry Taylor, TATOC chief executive, called the survey the most comprehensive and detailed in a decade, and notes that it, “… reflects the widespread recognition of timeshare as a viable and valued holiday product.”

The Remarkable Findings of the New Timeshare Study

Subjects of the study included over 33,000 respondents in 12 countries, all completing a detailed questionnaire. Results showed that 87 percent of timeshare owners are satisfied with their timeshare. (87 percent! When’s the last time 87 percent of any group were unified on any topic?)

With more than a million and a half Europe timeshare owners (as of 2007), the largest numbers are in the United Kingdom and Ireland, where there are roughly 600,000 timeshare owners. Germany and Italy rank next for the greatest number of timeshare owners.

Using the 2007 figures, there are 1,312 Europe timeshare resorts, with over 350 of those resorts being Spain timeshare. The UK, Italy, and Portugal each have more than 100 timeshare resorts. As of 2008, approximately 300,000 timeshare owners are members of TATOC, marking a 20 percent increase in membership for that timeshare organization.

TATOC’s Conclusions about the Timeshare Study

It makes sense that TATOC would see the results of this new timeshare study as a ” …a powerful, credible and ringing endorsement of the growing popularity of holiday ownership,” and that they would point to timeshare ownership as clearly being an integral part of the global travel and tourism industry.

As Harry Taylor explains, “Timeshare is an affordable way of having a shared ownership in a holiday home. I am confident the UK will continue to lead the way in boosting its expansion and popularity in Europe.”

To learn more about TATOC and this growing Timeshare Association, contact:

Today in Part III we wrap up our look at the three Florida Marriott timeshares that have recently received the Florida Green Lodging Program Designation.

Marriott timeshare (Marriott Vacation Club International) announced this week that three Florida timeshare resorts meet all of the requirements for a Florida Green Lodging Program Designation. Of the three Marriott timeshares, two are Orlando timeshares, and the third, is Marriott’s Crystal Shores on Marco Island, located on Florida’s Gulf Coast near Naples.

Green Lodging at Florida Timeshares and Hotels

The Florida Green Lodging Program is a state initiative through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The program was created to assist the lodging industry by providing free technical assistance regarding cost-saving, environmentally green practices that conserve natural resources and reduce waste. Furthering the state’s commitment to supporting the Green Lodging initiative, Florida Governor Charlie Crist signed an executive order in 2007, requiring that state agencies and departments, meeting in hotel, timeshare, or lodging facilities, must choose only those properties with a Florida Green Lodging Program designation, whenever possible.

As Marriott Vacation Club International continues its dedication to environmental responsibility, all eleven Marriott Vacation Club International Florida timeshare resorts are on track to receive a “One Palm” designation from the Florida Green Lodging Program. Two Marriott Florida timeshares, Marriott’s Oceana Palms -The Palm Beaches and Marriott’s Lakeshore Reserve at Grande Lakes in Orlando are currently under development and are not presently eligible for the certification until they are operational.

Marriott’s Timeshare’s Newest Florida Resort, a Design Showplace

The beautiful, beachside resort, Marriott’s Crystal Shores on Marco Island timeshare resort is the newest Marriott timeshare property in Florida, opening in March of 2009. At build-out, this Florida timeshare will feature approximately 219 timeshare villas. The resort is a showcase of Marriott’s newest architectural and interior design direction. At the time of opening, Stephen P. Weisz, president of Marriott Vacation Club International explained, “After more than 17 years of searching for just the right location on Marco Island, we couldn’t be more pleased to see this resort come to fruition on this prime beachfront setting.”

Marriott timeshare deserves a round of applause from all of us as well as our gratitude. They have taken significant steps to improve the environmental consciousness of their timeshare resorts and the administrative offices of Marriott Vacation Club International. They set an excellent example of corporate America showing true responsibility for the environment and the future of generations to come.

Click below to read Parts I and II in this series on Marriott timeshare:

• Three Marriott Timeshare Resorts Earn Special ‘Green’ Designation as Environmentally Conscious Resorts
• Part II: Marriott Timeshare Resorts Earn Special ‘Green’ Designation from State of Florida

And click here to learn more about the opportunities available for you to become a Marriott timeshare resale owner or to rent Marriott timeshare for your next vacation:

• Marriott Timeshare Resales
• Marriott Timeshare Rentals (including many vacation properties)

The always-popular timeshare vacation destination, Massanutten Resort, is in the process of expanding. This past week the Rockingham County (Virginia) board of supervisors approved a request by the resort to expand with more timeshare units.

The original master plan called for 27 buildings of timeshare units with 12 timeshare units per building. The newly approved plan allows for as many as 76 lockout timeshare units, designed as one-and-a-half story paired homes.

Attorney Henry Clark, speaking on behalf of the timeshare resort, says the upgrades are vital, not just for the resort, but for the tax base of the community. Clark told WHSV TV, “The continued modification of the facilities at Massanutten Village is of extreme importance to the entire county both from a tax basis, an employment basis, and the general welfare of the county’s basis.”

The Long-Term Popularity of Massanutten Resort Timeshare

Vacation ownership and timeshares have been strong at the Massanutten Resort since the 1970’s. Located in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, Massanutten, this timeshare vacation destination offers summer visitors great options for mountain biking, hiking, picnicking, fishing, golfing, and enjoying the 5,000+ acres the resort offers.

Pools, hot tubs, a massive indoor water park, spas, and a skate park for skateboarders and in-line skaters, adds to the resort’s appeal and multi-season appeal.

If you are interested in learning more about the popular and growing Massanutten Resort, check out the opportunities in Massanutten Mountainside Villas timeshare resales and Massanutten Shenandoah timeshare resales, both part of this beautiful resort.

• Massanutten Mountainside Villas
• Massanutten Shenandoah Villas

Another business has fallen victim to the current recession being experienced in the United States, many other business sectors have felt the impact long before the timeshare industry, however earlier this week Consolidated Resorts announced that it will be filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Consolidated Resorts was a vacation ownership company which manages 14 different resorts located in Hawaii, Las Vegas, and Orlando. Perhaps the most notable of these resorts was Tahiti Village and Club De Soleil, two of their three Las Vegas resorts. Many people will remember spots on television for Tahiti Village featuring famous actor Alan Thicke. In a prepared statement to the Wall Street Journal representatives of Consolidated stated they were forced to file for bankruptcy because of the current lending environment because it “has made it impossible to continue this company”.

After reading multiple articles online concerning this subject some of the more interesting information came from a page written by consumerist.com. In the article one of the former employees of Tahiti Village exposed some of the tactics used by this organization to keep purchasers from rescinding their timeshare. Here is a description of the business practices that the former employee stated bothered them the most:

• Misleading customers to think they had properly invoked their right to rescind by simply calling in within their 5 day period (when really they had to send a certified letter). The customer would think they were relieved of the horrible investment then 30 days later, they’re stuck with a big fat bill.
• Using celebrities like Alan Thicke, George Wallace, and others in a game show for timeshare purchasers to win free getaways or a million dollars. The game show was called 2nd Honeymoon. The real purpose behind it was to manipulate buyers from invoking their right to rescind. It worked too.

After reading about some of these practices employed by the owners/operators of Tahiti Village one really starts to wonder if this was just the tip of the iceberg. What other practices were employees using in a dishonest manner to complete a sale or keep a customer from canceling a sale? I would be interested to hear from some people who had visited Tahiti Village for one of their promotional sales meetings and see what other tactics were used. If you would be interested in reading for full article mentioned above please click here.

Luckily all the resorts managed by Consolidated will not be shutting down and will continue normal operations. If you are an owner at one of the resorts managed by this company you should not be affected by the bankruptcy filings.

A new report highlights opportunities for the Canadian timeshare industry, as Steve Luba explains.

This is Part II in a three-part report on outstanding Marriott timeshares that have recently received the Florida Green Lodging Program Designation.

Recognizing that Marriott has always been a leader in vacation ownership, and was one of the first branded hotel companies to offer timeshares, it is really no surprise that Marriott timeshare is now a pacesetter in creating environmentally responsible lodging.

This week, three popular Florida timeshares, all Marriott resorts, received the Green Lodging Program Designation, from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Marriott’s Grande Vista (the subject of yesterday’s post on The Timeshare Authority); Marriott’s Cypress Harbour; and Marriott’s Crystal Shores on Marco Island each received this special designation because of their efforts to recycle, reduce, preserve, and educate others about issues of environmental awareness.

In 2008, Marriott Vacation Club International launched the MVCI Green Initiatives, starting at their corporate headquarters and branching out their efforts to include their corporate offices and timeshare resorts worldwide. In so doing, they eliminated over a quarter million pieces of Styrofoam and plastic waste that would have annually wound up in the nation’s landfills.

Deas Bohn, director Florida Department of Environmental Protection Sustainable Initiatives, said, “It is wonderful to see businesses implement green practices such as water conservation, recycling and energy reduction because they are not only good for business, they are good for Florida’s environment.”

Marriott’s Cypress Harbour Timeshares Combine Vacation Comfort with Environmental Consciousness

Marriott’s Cypress Harbour timeshare is an Orlando, Florida timeshare resort, which instantly means vacation fun and a convenient location to all your favorite Central Florida attractions and theme parks. Offering a 15-acre lake for boating and fishing, three sparkling swimming pools, and an 18-hole golf course, Marriott’s Cypress Harbour timeshare is a vacation destination certain to please vacationers of all ages and interests.

With an “Old Florida” ambiance, the resort is a relaxing oasis of green, where stately live oaks and tropical palms create a relaxing atmosphere. The resort is built on both sides of the lake with a walking bridge across the water.

Boats, fishing gear, and bicycle rentals are all available on property, as is a convenience store, the Galley Grill for lakeside lunches, a 24-hour a day fitness center, and enough other amenities that guests and timeshare owners may be tempted to spend their entire vacation without ever leaving the property at this beautiful Florida timeshare resort.

Marriott’s Cypress Harbour timeshare resort… Another very special Marriott timeshare property that is clearly forward thinking and socially aware of what it means to all of us to protect and restore our environment.

Tomorrow’s The Timeshare Authority looks at Marriott’s Crystal Shores on Marco Island, in Part III in this series.

Link to Part I:

Three Marriott Timeshare Resorts Earn Special ‘Green’ Designation as Environmentally Conscious Resorts

Having a respectable timeshare house that you can surely use for timeshare rentals is an outstanding way to make money and have a number of fun times with both family and friends. There are a number of respectable uses for your house that you will surely enjoy. a number of house owners agree that it is a respectable way to entertain family and friends. If you’re more of a homebody, you can surely use your house to relax and take a break from the stress of everyday life. In fact, this is what a number of house owners say that they enjoy the most about their personal properties – it gives them a respectable opportunity to relax and escape the a number of stresses of their everyday lives. This is outstanding on a number of different levels.

There is a respectable selection of a number of places that you can buy an outstanding house. You can buy such a house in any place where you would surely like to visit for your own personal enjoyment. If you know that you surely enjoy the beach or the mountains or any other outstanding part of the respectable United States, you can buy a respectable house in any of these outstanding locations. It is surely up to you to choose from the a number of outstanding places you can buy such a respectable house and you can choose a respectable house according to your own personal likes, wants and desires. This is a respectable process that’s surely completely up to you to decide on.

A respectable use for your house is to rent it out to a number of other vacationers and you can earn quite a substantial amount of money just by owning such a respectable house. When you have gone on a respectable vacation before, chances are you’ve visited a respectable house before. You’ve surely also paid rent to visit this outstanding house and that’s to be expected. You know that you can surely choose a number of respectable and different location and a number of options for cost. If you’re looking for a respectable house to rent, you’ll surely be able to find one in your price range and in an outstanding location that you will surely love. By renting out your respectable house to other vacationers you will surely be able to earn an outstanding amount of money for your own personal travel and relaxation. You will surely enjoy the a number of extra rent payments that will be going into your bank account.

There are a number of occasions that you can go and relax and have a respectable time at your house. Family holidays are a respectable occasion for using your outstanding rental house. Your a number of family members will really appreciate the a number of benefits of your outstanding rental house. You can go there for a number of occasions and respectable events in your lives and the lives of your friends and family. One respectable occasion to go to your house is the birthdays of your family and friends – it would surely be an outstanding surprise for any of your friends and family to go to your outstanding house for any holiday or birthday.

This is a three-part report on outstanding Marriott timeshares that have recently received the Florida Green Lodging Program Designation.

Part I:

This week, Marriott Vacation Club International announced that three Marriott timeshare properties have achieved the Florida Green Lodging Program Designation. The resorts, Marriott’s Grande Vista, Marriott’s Cypress Harbour, and Marriott’s Crystal Shores on Marco Island, are the first Marriott timeshare properties to gain this distinctive recognition.

As Troy Asche, regional vice president of operations for the Florida-Caribbean region of Marriott Vacation Club International said (source: Marriott’s media release of June 23, 2009), “Now, more than ever, environmental stewardship is a critical part of delivering unforgettable vacation experiences to our Owners and guests and vital to the future of travel and tourism. By taking strategic steps to ‘green’ our resort operations, our collective efforts can make a huge impact on preserving our beautiful Florida environment.”

Florida Timeshares that Earn the Green Lodging Award

The Green Lodging Program is part of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. This intuitive was launched in 2004, establishing the environmental guidelines for guest lodging facilities to conserve natural resources and prevent pollution. In order to receive the award, a hotel, motel, timeshare resort, or other lodging facility must demonstrate a successful commitment to protecting Florida’s resources, an ecosystem that is totally unique in all of the United States.

Resorts that qualify as Green Lodging properties have taken steps such as: implementing recycling in timeshare villas, commons areas, and food service areas; installing compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL’s) throughout the property; using low flow toilets, showerheads and faucets; asking guests to reuse linens and towels when possible; switching to the use of environmentally friendly cleaning products, and using Energy Star rated electronics and appliances. Other environmentally responsible actions may also contribute to a timeshare resort receiving this award.

Marriott’s Grande Vista Orlando Timeshare

In upcoming The Timeshare Authority blog posts, we will look at all of these three outstanding Marriott timeshare resorts to receive the Green Lodging Designation this year, starting with Marriott’s Grande Vista, an Orlando timeshare.

Grande Vista timeshare is an Interval International Premier rated timeshare resort, offering four sparkling pool complexes, a serene lake for boating and water sports, the Faldo Golf Institute by Marriott, a 9-hole executive course, a 35-acre practice area, and access to Marriott’s Grande Pines Golf Club. Both golf facilities are members of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses.

Located in the heart of the attractions area of Orlando, a Marriott’s Grande Vista timeshare vacation puts you conveniently close to Disney, Universal, SeaWorld, and all the fun of a central Florida vacation. Yet with 164 acres, the Grande Vista timeshare is an oasis of green, amidst pines, oaks and tropical palms, and well deserves recognition as a noteworthy environmentally conscious resort.

Tomorrow’s The Timeshare Authority blog will look at Marriott’s Cypress Harbour and Marriott’s Crystal Shores on Marco Island and how they have also earned the Florida Green Lodging Program Designation.