"Tourists don’t know where they’ve been, travelers don’t know where they’re going."
- Paul Theroux

Views & Interviews

Q&A: In conversation with Lisa Ann Schreier
on the International Timeshare Appreciation Day

January 2020

Lisa Ann Schreier is the driving force behind The Timeshare Crusader https://thetimesharecrusader.blogspot.com – a blog dedicated to helping consumers through the myriad of confusing information, as well as working with forward thinking organizations to be a catalyst for positive change. She is the creative force behind International Timeshare Appreciation Day, held annually on November 1st.

Author of two best-selling books, “Surviving A Timeshare Presentation – Confessions From The Sales Table” and “Timeshare Vacations For Dummies”, she also co-authored the college-level textbook, “An Introduction To Vacation Ownership Management.”

Lisa was a regular speaker and contributor to the National Timeshare Owners Association and the Florida Timeshare Users Group - in addition to being a featured speaker hosting an innovative Ask The Owners seigniorage at CRDA’s 2011 conference, as well as TATOC’s 2012 conference. Lisa also is a Guest Lecturer at the University of Central Florida, and recently taught a class on avoiding timeshare related scams in conjunction with the Center for Lifelong Learning in Celebration, Florida.

(Over to our interview with Lisa Ann Schreier)



Q: Lisa, please give us an update on “International Timeshare Appreciation Day”

2020 will mark the 8th celebration of this very special day that I created in an attempt to show all that is great about timeshare around the world.  I’ve been writing about timeshares for nearly 20 years and decided that the industry, the people within the industry and the owners themselves deserved a day to celebrate and share all the good news about timeshare.

There’s a dedicated Facebook page as well as a Twitter hashtag, #YES2TIMESHARE, to make it simple to share good stories with everyone. To date, we’ve had resorts, exchange companies and thousands of owners join in.

Q: What has the industry really done to address negative publicity around “timeshare” as a model?

I believe that the industry hasn’t done all that it can do to combat the bad publicity it’s garnered over the years. The best way for companies to deal with this public misconception of timeshare ownership isn’t to hide from it but to openly discuss the pros and cons; call out the bad apples for what they are and above all to highlight how great of an experience vacation resort ownership can be.

Q: How can stakeholders work together to project a positive, brighter image?

I’ve learned in the 7 years that I’ve been promoting International Timeshare Appreciation Day to associations, exchange companies, resorts and members is that those who aren’t willing to come together and discuss both the wonderful aspects as well as the challenges facing timeshare ownership probably have something to hide. In this day and age of consumers looking for companies and industries that operate in their best interests and with transparency, it’s vital for those in the timeshare industry to embrace that. International Timeshare Appreciation Day is a platform for the positives that sometimes get overlooked. It’s a win/win for both sides. 

Q: How can someone in the industry get involved?

It’s really quite easy. I’m a big believer that everyone knows their business and their constituents better than I do. I’ve created the platform. Whether you want to do a live stream and post it to social media, run a contest for your owners giving them an opportunity to share their stories, or something unique to your organization, there really aren’t any hard and fast rules other than it can’t be a pure advertisement. You have 364 other days in which to do that!

From the India region point of view, organizations such as AIRDA could encourage members to participate in International Timeshare Appreciation Day - this, and every November 1st. I can be the single-point resource for any AIRDA member as they plan their strategy for celebrating. I can be reached at lisaschreier617@gmail.com.

So, what are you doing on November 1st?  Hopefully, you and your owners/members will be celebrating International Timeshare Appreciation Day!


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What does an AIRDA membership mean to resort owners and developers? AIRDA comes in as your industry partner, conscience keeper and business catalyst - with a wide portfolio of support services.

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