Hospitality and Related Services - Tourism: Principles, Practices, Philosophies - page 135

owners, 45 percent. On average, owners have owned the intervals for 8.26 years. They say beaches
(52 percent), attractions/entertainment (48 percent), and shopping (39 percent) are the most
appealing resort characteristics. The strongest motivators for purchasing were the certainty of quality
accommodations (93 percent), saving on future vacation costs (90 percent), and credibility of the
timeshare company (90 percent). Ownership experience is a positive 86 percent. On average, the total
number of guests on a timeshare vacation is 3.71, including the owner.

The Future

Timesharing will continue to increase in the United States because major companies, such as Disney,
Marriott, Hyatt, Four Seasons, Ramada, Accor, Starwood, and Hilton, have become involved and
brought quality, luxury, and respectability to the industry. Timesharing has evolved into a mainstream
vacation option. Today, timeshares are sold by some of the best names in the hotel industry and major
hotel chains are gaining a large share of the market.
An example is Marriott. It entered the vacation ownership industry in 1984 and began rede ning
the timeshare industry. Incorporating the signature quality, service, and hospitality expertise of
Marriott, a new product was created that offered the ownership of a first-class luxury villa and the
flexibility to experience great vacation destinations around the world. Marriott Vacation Club
International has successfully combined the bene ts of property ownership, Marriott quality
management, and fixed costs for a lifetime of vacations. Marriott has over 2,000 villas at beach
and ski resorts across the country. Over the past years, Marriott has re ned a low-key approach and
sold vacation ownership intervals to nearly 400,000 owners.

Camping and Campgrounds

Camping has a long history in many countries including the United States. Millions of campsites are
available to the tourist, both public and private. At one time camping meant roughing it and involved
setting up a tent or sleeping under the stars. Today travelers can still do that, or more likely they will
park a recreational vehicle, or rent cabins, cottages, or lodges. RV parks and campgrounds offer a wide
variety of amenities, activities, and services for the comfort of their camping customers. Many
campgrounds offer electricity, cable TV hookups, computer connections, wireless Internet service, hot
showers, and laundry facilities. The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds is the national
association representing over 3,700 parks and campgrounds in North America. The association is
headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia. Visit its Web site at www.arvc.org .

Lodging Organizations

In 2010, AH&LA celebrated serving the hospitality industry for a century (1910 2010). Headquartered

in Washington, D.C., AH&LA provides its 11,000 members with national advocacy on Capital Hill,
public relations and image management, education, research and information, and other value-added
services to provide bottom-line savings and ensure a positive business climate for the lodging industry.
As the voice of the $134 billion lodging industry, AH&LA serves as a valuable resource for timely
lodging news, statistics and expert comment.
In addition, AH&LA is partnered with 44 state associations to provide local representation and
cost-saving bene ts to members. Students are especially interested in AH&LA

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s Information Center
that answers questions about the industry and its Education Foundation that awarded more than
$550,000 in scholarships to about 370 promising students and lodging industry professionals in 2009.
AH&LA is a leader in hospitality education with its Educational Institute (EI). The Institute is a
source for delivering quality hospitality education, training, and professional certi cation that serves
the needs of hospitality schools and industries worldwide. EI provides materials for all levels of

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