LETTER FROM CHAIRMAN

October 12, 2012

This time, I want to talk about timeshare from a different point of view. I’d like to go beyond growth trends and indicators of change, to see how our industry actually gives back to communities around timeshare locations.

The last five years and more have been upbeat for vacation ownership in India. Visible contributors have been the steady recovery of the economy, the consequent rise in affluence and affordability. And when the economy grows it also benefits domestic tourism.


In turn, domestic tourism increases commercial buzz through employment and small business viability around tourist hubs. Some of you may be surprised to know that there are states in India that largely depend on tourism for their revenues – the larger the revenue, the more these states can plough back into development activity.

Within this significant tourism pie, vacation ownership is a fast evolving industry. And we are beginning to see visible changes in the delivery models of timeshare experiences – it’s no longer just the location, but value adds around the holiday such as golf, trekking, river rafting, jungle safaris and new-adventure sport. The new mix of inputs is clearly aligned to the dynamics of younger prospects and what they expect on a vacation.

If you look at the current geographical spread, timeshare promoters have based their operations around popular tourist hubs, sea front locations and hill stations. Current and future growth will be in uncharted territories and undiscovered locations with great tourist potential - where timeshare activity will contribute to local commerce, employment and economic activity.

So, while numbers are useful in understanding viability and potential, we need to take stock of real time development around these locations. And this usually happens from the ground up.

Timeshare resorts will need to employ local teams for building, construction and putting the project together. While design could come from the outside, it’s the local input that comes into play on project execution - with civil engineers, project managers and a supporting work force. And for those in permanent employment in kitchens, restaurants, housekeeping, front office and administration, there would definitely be a process of training and orientation - which again contributes to the building of local skills and talent.

If you can stop young job seekers from leaving small towns by giving them employment and career opportunities, they can give back a great deal to their home towns, communities and families. And look at the band of commercial activity their earnings will support: food, clothing, shelter, medical care, shopping, vehicles, schooling, entertainment … an ever widening circle, with extended reach and value generation.

What can be more comforting than that?

B. S. Rathor
Chairman, AIRDA

At AIRDA, we constantly see the need to carry out meaningful surveys on the economic contribution of timeshare in the regions our resorts are located. AIRDA has thus taken a lead role in this “knowledge quest” and our newest study is in the areas of Coorg, Uttarakhand, and Goa.

Among the key findings here was the extent of economic activity generated, which was found to be extremely significant. In the ultimate analysis what we have on the table is a very encouraging picture based on information gathered and analysis done on these focus markets.

For more information on this report, please email us at: info@airda.org