Timeshare is 'next growth sector', say tourism leaders

Vacation ownership, hotel apartments and other timeshare options have been tipped as the new wave of the future by speakers at the recent Arabian Hotel Investment Conference.

According to David Clifton, Interval International's managing director Europe, Middle East and Africa, the development of a healthy and well-legislated timeshare sector in Arabia will pay dividends across the board, right down to increasing average duration of stay.

"The consumer holiday profile here is focused on family travel, long stays and loyalty to key destinations, as well as a need for accommodation units larger than just a standard hotel room, so vacation ownership fits the bill perfectly," said Clifton.

"In addition, timeshare can help drive the average stay up to seven nights or longer - Dubai is currently hovering around two days only - which is essential for the ongoing development of the tourism sector."

Statistically, more than seven million people worldwide own timeshare at around 6,000 resorts in 95 countries, and industry sales volumes now exceed US$10 billion annually.

Clifton explained: "With all the major luxury hotel brands expanding their presence in the region, there will be tremendous choice and fierce competition to win customer loyalty - and vacation ownership is a proven mainstream hospitality product that offer loyal high-spending consumers that return again and again to a destination."

Interval International has been working with the government and key industry professionals to create a sound regulatory platform that provides consumer protection and allows legitimate businesses the ability to grow, and was involved in the recent timeshare awareness and best practice seminar, organised by Dubai's Department of Economic Development.

"The perception of the timeshare industry is improving rapidly and consumer owners at resorts developed by leading hospitality brands, as well as independents, have judged the product for themselves," said Clifton.

"Globally, timeshare is booming, recording double-digit annual growth during the past 20 years, helped by effective legislation as well as the entry in to the sector of named hotel and leisure brands."

A leading global timeshare exchange company, Interval International is opening a Gulf sales office in Dubai, based at the Dubai Airport Free Zone, which will work with developers to expand the number of Middle East resorts and destinations available to members.

The company, which launched in 1976 and has a global network of more than 2,000 resorts in 76 countries, already operates a sales and membership office in Egypt and has affiliated resorts in that country and Lebanon, and has also signed a deal with The Royal Club at The Palm, Dubai.