Leisure travel index finds timeshare owners consistently display more positive attitudes and behaviors towards travel than other Americans

ARDA has released the March results from its monthly AIF Vacation Ownership Sentiment Index, demonstrating a continued positive travel attitude from timeshare owners throughout the first quarter of 2024. The index, first launched in February 2023, provides a monthly pulse of timeshare owner sentiment and forward-looking anticipated behaviors relative to the broader traveler market to measure the overall health of the timeshare industry regularly.

Findings from the March index showed that timeshare owners are more than twice as likely than the average traveler to strongly agree that “there are some excellent travel deals to be found now” and are also more likely to strongly believe that U.S. economic conditions have improved over the past month.

Additional key takeaways from the March 2024 index, which include specific insights into the entire quarter, are as follows:

  • 63% of timeshare owners strongly believe that nothing is going to stop them from taking a vacation, compared to 43% of total travelers who said the same. This marks the second month of improvement, as 51% of timeshare owners said the same in January, and 57% said this in February.
  • Those who perceived timeshare to be an excellent value and who would recommend timeshare ownership also saw significant gains for a third straight month. Both measures have been up +20 points since January.
  • 71% of timeshare owners plan to upgrade their current timeshare or purchase additional timeshare product in the next two years, a +23% improvement over February results.
  • Timeshare owners are more than 50% more likely than the broader traveler market to spend more time and money on vacations over the next six months, and they are 65% more likely than that same group to have already made a reservation for their next planned vacation.

“Our Vacation Ownership Sentiment Index has provided us with data and insights that we have always known to be true – timeshare owners travel more, prioritize leisure time, and are very happy with their ownership,” said Jason Gamel, president and CEO of ARDA. “It’s no surprise that timeshare owners are inclined to travel more often, given the quality of accommodations and flexible booking options. As we look ahead to the summer travel season, the frequency of their travels isn’t just a plus for our industry – it’s also a win for other sectors, such as airlines, restaurants, and more.”

ARDA also released the following insights showing yearly trends:

  • The March Index climbed +17 points to 126.3, its highest showing since last August. Indices over 100 indicate positive sentiment.
  • The AIF Vacation Ownership Index has thus far shown seasonal peaks in March and August while showing general resiliency and positive scores throughout its first fourteen months of tracking.
  • For the tenth straight month, more than 70% of timeshare owners strongly felt that their most recent vacation was significantly better than the typical vacation.
  • Those timeshare owners who strongly agree that “nothing is going to stop me from taking a vacation” increased to its highest level in six months.

To view the Vacation Ownership Sentiment Index results from the first quarter of the year, and to access additional industry data and insight from ARDA, click here.

About ARDA

The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, Washington, DC-based trade association for the timeshare industry, representing more than 350 privately held and publicly traded companies. ARDA’s work — including proactive advocacy — touches every role within the timeshare industry. Developers, exchange companies, vacation clubs, timeshare resellers, timeshare owner associations (HOAs), resort management companies, industry vendors, consultants, and legal and regulatory experts are all part of the ARDA network, including popular companies such as Disney Vacation Club, Hilton Grand Vacations, Marriott Vacations Worldwide, Westgate, and Wyndham Destinations. As the U.S. is the global headquarters for the timeshare and shared ownership industries, ARDA is seen as a leader amongst its peers worldwide and regularly works with established and emerging associations and markets across the globe to help advocate for the interests of ARDA members and beyond.

Lauren McCommon, Director, PR and Communications at ARDA lmccommon@arda.org 321.281.5356