Domestic tourism boosted by Timeshare

Timeshare holidaymakers contribute at least £205 million to the UK economy each year and help sustain hundreds of jobs in local communities, according to the Organisation for Timeshare in Europe.

In a round table debate on the benefits of the industry, the OTE and representatives from various companies, including Hilton International and De Vere Resort Ownership, argued that timeshare’s contribution to domestic tourism was not fully appreciated.

The OTE’s figures show that 112 companies own resorts in the UK, providing direct employment to 20,000 people and indirect employment to 7,000.

Hilton International Grand Vacations Company managing director Richard McIntosh said its Craigendarroch property in Ballater, Aberdeenshire, had brought a new lease of life to a highland village which previously had a declining community and a waning tourist appeal.

The property was opened in 1985 and its 99 lodges now have 97.4% occupancy. Numerous shops and restaurants have opened in the past 20 years to cater for the timeshare holidaymakers.

“The Craigendarroch is easily the biggest employer in the area and Ballater is now a thriving, year-round tourist destination, which simply wouldn’t have happened without the timeshare property,” said McIntosh.

Craig Mitchell, managing director of De Vere Resort Ownership, which has Cameron House in Scotland as its flagship property, added: “Resort hotels have large seasonal variances in occupancy. They can all sell July and August, but it is much harder to sell January, when we get about three hours daylight per day in Scotland.

“Also hotels have large fluctuations between midweek and weekend occupancy, but timeshare properties are constantly busy. At Cameron House we have between 500 and 600 people living there every day, and those kind of numbers can sustain local restaurants and provide employment.”

Beverley Hoyle, from timeshare exchange company RCI, said hoteliers were increasingly including timeshare in their resort complexes because of the high levels of occupancy.

“Timeshare people are more resilient about going on holiday when there is an economic downturn or security issues,” said Hoyle. “They have the attitude that they have already paid for their holiday, so they are going to take it, while other people may defer their trips.”

Frank Chapman, chairman for OTE UK and MD of Clowance House in Cornwall, said timeshare companies should get more support from tourist boards.

“These properties are a good alternative to people buying second homes, which can cause a lot of resentment in communities when they are only occupied for one or two months a year,” he said. “We don’t get much support from tourist boards, they are not good at promoting areas out of season.”

Report by Jeremy Skidmore