Fractional ownership in now entering the domain of the wealthy and the uber rich. Here's an online resource for fractional ownerships in the private cars (!), jets, yachts, private residence clubs and destination clubs category.

The latest 'Ten reasons for not buying timeshare'. Valid or not? Seems like the author needs to read this ( Thanks, ARDA)

Good news about Timeshare in the Caribbean.

Not so good news about Timeshare in Aruba. For more about the country click.

Here's another 'Top Ten' again. Only this time, its for condo hotels i.e hotels in which some or all of the hotel's rooms are sold to individuals as condominium units with an optional rental program. These programs allow the consumer to place their unit into the hotel inventory for rental purposes for a share of the rental income generated.

The Sun sets on Sunterra? Not so sunny news here. Perhaps their silver lining could be in the form of - read our last newsletter? - Wyndham.

Timeshare sales climbed nine percent during 2005 to $8.6 billion over 2004 sales of $7.87 billion, according to a study of the U.S. vacation ownership industry conducted by Ernst & Young, LLP and released today by the ARDA International Foundation (AIF). The survey of 596 timeshare resorts throughout the country also showed increases in new owners, higher prices, and occupancy rates that far exceed U.S. hotels.

Occupancy at U.S. timeshare resorts averaged 82 percent in 2005, compared to a 67 percent occupancy rate for U.S. hotels during the same time period.

Full report here.

October 10, 2006
Bangalore