ARDA Announces Vacation Ownership Sentiment Index Results for Second Quarter of 2024
Leisure travel index finds timeshare owners were more resilient than other leisure travelers about economic outlook in first half of the year
Washington, D.C. (July 29, 2024) – ARDA has released the June results from its Vacation Ownership Sentiment Index, highlighting timeshare owners’ determination to travel in the first half of the year despite a challenging economy. The index provides a monthly pulse of owner sentiment and forward-looking anticipated behaviors relative to the broader traveler market.
The June sentiment index concluded that, compared to general travelers, timeshare owners are significantly more resilient to sour economic perceptions. In fact, when asked if travel costs made it difficult to justify a trip, the number of timeshare owners who answered “yes” declined each month of the second quarter.
Other important takeaways from the latest index are below:
- Timeshare owners continue to plan for vacations at a higher rate than other leisure travelers. In June, 68% of timeshare owners said they have made a reservation for their next vacation, which is +30 points higher than travelers in general.
- Timeshare owners are 25% more likely to plan to spend more money and 32% more likely to spend more time on vacations over the next six months, likely due to the pre-paid nature of timeshare ownership.
- Timeshare owners are 91% more likely than other leisure travelers to have taken a vacation that involves an overnight stay in paid lodging.
“Throughout the first half of 2024, timeshare owners have prioritized their vacations far more than other American leisure travelers,” said Jason Gamel, president and CEO of ARDA. “Since owners lock in their vacations for a set price on the day they purchase their timeshare, they are less sensitive to changing economic environments and market fluctuations, making the decision to travel less complicated. When those owners travel, the money they save on accommodations typically gets pumped into the local communities where they visit.”
Timeshare owners’ resiliency has had a significant impact on the entire U.S. economy. According to ARDA’s 2024 Economic Impact Report, timeshare owners contributed $8.6B in offsite spending in 2023, with the average group of four travelers spending $4,261 per trip.
To view the Vacation Ownership Sentiment Index results from the second quarter of the year, and to access additional industry data and insight from ARDA, click here.
About ARDA
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.
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Contact:
Lauren McCommon, Director, PR and Communications at ARDA
[email protected]
321.281.5356