New Study Logs An 87 Per Cent Satisfaction Rate By Owners Of Timeshare
June 29, 2009 by Perspective Magazine | Timeshare & Fractional ReviewsA European survey that reveals 87 per cent of owners are satisfied with their timeshare is a powerful, credible and ringing endorsement of the growing popularity of holiday ownership.
According to The Timeshare Association, TATOC, the study also heralds a sea change in public perceptions of timeshare while recognising it as an integral part of the global travel and tourism industry.
An independent consumer body, TATOC – the Timeshare Association (Timeshare Owners and Committees) -is run by timeshare owners for timeshare owners.
Based on a detailed questionnaire completed by 33,000 respondents in 12 different countries, the survey also showed the majority of owners rated their timeshare experience over other self-catering holidays.
In 2007 more than 1.5million European households owned timeshare. The UK & Ireland has the largest market share with close to 600,000 owners, followed by Germany and Italy.
The findings are a key element of a comprehensive study by The Christel DeHaan Tourism and Travel Research Institute, based at the Business School in the University of Nottingham.
Harry Taylor, TATOC chief executive, says the survey is the most comprehensive and detailed in a decade, reflecting the widespread recognition of timeshare as a viable and valued holiday product.
In rating timeshare, owners cited quality of accommodation, exchange opportunities and the credibility of the resort vendor as the most important factors in their decisions to buy.
Based on 2007 data, there are 1,312 timeshare resorts in Europe – most are in Spain where there are more than 350. The UK, Portugal and Italy each has more than 100.
In 2008, TATOC bolstered its resort membership by 20 per cent, accounting for some 300,000 timeshare owners.
Mr Taylor said: “Timeshare is an affordable way of having a shared ownership in a holiday home. I am confident the UK will continue to lead the way in boosting its expansion and popularity in Europe.”
In recent years the shared ownership principle has been applied to new and innovative products and services. They range from traditional weekly intervals to floating time, points’ programmes, fractional ownership, destination and private residence clubs as well as condo-hotels.
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