Many Brits will be having their holidays in the UK this summer as they look to save some money, a study has revealed.

Almost two-thirds (63 per cent) of those planning on taking a holiday this summer are intending to do so in the UK, according to a study by Sainsbury's Travel Insurance.

Meanwhile, 14 per cent of Britons are looking to save money on their holidays by taking less spending money, while an estimated 170,000 holidaymakers are intending to leave their partner or children at home when they go away as they cannot afford to take them.

Geographically, the East Midlands had the highest percentage of holidaymakers who plan to have their break in the UK this summer, according to the research, with Yorkshire and Humberside in second place.

Exchange companies RCI and Interval International have, between them, over 140 resorts throughout the UK that timeshare owners can exchange to, from Cornwall to the Highlands of Scotland.

It seems that British timeshare travellers prefer receiving a postcard than other messages from technological devices, according to research.

A survey from ABTA - the Travel Association revealed that 53 per cent of Brits would rather be sent a written postcard instead of a text, email or SMS message, while 26 per cent keep the postcards that they receive.

Over one-third (35 per cent) of respondents to the poll of 3,000 UK adults turn off mobiles and other communications devices when they are on holiday.

Almost two-thirds (59 per cent) said that they prefer to send postcards, while 32 per cent use email and 22 per cent send their own version of a picture postcard with a photo message.
Psychologist Donna Dawson asserted that postcards will always be more popular than emails texts and SNS messages.

This is because they use both touch and vision senses therefore activating the pleasure centres of the brain more quickly, she added.

A Thomson and First Choice survey recently showed that 88 per cent of respondents said they would be cutting back in other areas such as home improvement before they reduced funds for holidays.

Wyndham Worldwide is on the lookout for struggling resorts and leisure hotels that might be prime candidates for conversion into timeshare product, CEO Stephen Holmes says.

In an interview with Bloomberg News, Holmes says the company could be "a big help" to distressed assets in leisure destinations by leveraging the sales and marketing prowess of Wyndham Vacation Ownership. While timeshare generally is suffering badly from the seized-up credit markets, Holmes says Wyndham is actually converting a greater percentage of timeshare tours this year than last.

Wyndham's stock reached a 10-month high this week after its second-quarter earnings statement beat analyst expectations. Holmes credits Wyndham's relative strength during the downturn to its dominance across the economy and budget segments.

"People are still traveling to go visit Aunt Ruth, and they're stopping along the way to stay at a Days Inn or a Super 8," Holmes tells Bloomberg. "If you look at what's happened in the market, airport hotels are down, urban markets hotels are down, and interstate hotels are down—but they're not down as much. So, it's really a question of where you're positioned in the value spectrum. The econmmy and midscale hotels that we have, for the most part, are built for value for the consumers, and that's what the consumers looking for now."

When the developer of Westgate timeshare resorts, David Siegel, realized that the restructuring going on at one of his Florida timeshares could yield recyclable materials, he contacted a nearby recycling company to assist him.

The resort, a Haines City, Florida timeshare, is eliminating its banquet facilities and kitchens, while reconfiguring and renovating other areas of the property. So Westgate resorts timeshares began working with Robert Wallick of Winter Garden, Florida, who not only took on the job, but added a humanitarian twist.

In addition to the piles of electrical wire, aluminum and other recyclable materials that he will process at his recycling plant, Wallick also loaded up kitchen items, floor lamps, light fixtures, books, and over 300 telephones (many equipped for the hearing impaired). He is making the home furnishing items available to the public to purchase, with proceeds from the sales going to benefit the Russell Home for Atypical Children.

As Wallick explained, “There’s so much stuff; it hurts me to see it being thrown away.”

Thanks to a little extra effort by Westgate timeshare resorts and by Robert Wallick and Associates, Inc., tons of metal, wire, and other materials are being recycled, saving our natural resources and reducing the load on the environment. In addition, furnishings from the timeshare units, which could have wound up in a landfill, are being purchased and put to use by thrifty consumers, benefitting a home for special needs children in the process.

Last year, the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) launched a website that was dedicated to helping people improve their vacation experience. The site is named VacationBetter.org and it strives to remind consumers that vacation and leisure should be a regular part of one’s life.

“Unfortunately vacation is one of the first things people give up when times get tough economically, and with that goes some of the best quality time you can get with your family,” poses Howard Nusbaum, president and CEO of ARDA. He reminds people that “Tough times are when people need (to) connect to their families even more, and it can be done very economically.”

In a recent ARDA survey from website browsers at VacationBetter.org, half of the respondents said that they were lacking quality time with their family.

Because of the survey results, ARDA has launched The Family Stimulus Plan as a way to help consumers plan successful vacations.

ARDA recommends timeshares for easy vacation planning. Timeshare owners are less likely to cancel vacation plans, because timeshares are already paid for and scheduled. Timeshare villas make great vacation homes because they come complete with kitchens and dining areas.

“It’s a proven fact that people who spend time away reap health benefits far beyond that week or two of vacation,” said the vacation specialists from ARDA and VacationBetter.org. “Vacations are not a luxury, but a necessity for good health and well-being.”

Shares of Wyndham Worldwide went up last Wednesday after the hotel and timeshare developer posted a significant decrease in second quarter profit.

Wyndham earned $71 million or 39 cents a share compared to $98 million or 55 cents a share last year. Upon an adjusted basis, the timeshare operator would have earned 41 cents per share.

Revenue came in a $920 million, marking a 19 percent decrease behind the stronger US dollar. The company called it “continued weakness in the global lodging industry.”

FactSet Research polled analysts who said that the company could earn 37 cents per share on revenue of $920 million.

“Concentration in the economy and mid-scale segments led it to outperform the overall industry,” noted Wyndham.

“This was a solid quarter for Wyndham and it showed the company is making all efforts to manage its expenses while its top line continues to decline,” said Steve Kent of Goldman Sachs in a note to investors. “These results also once again highlight Wyndham's two relatively stable businesses, lodging and vacation exchange and rental.”

CROOKS operating timeshare scams in Somerset are repeatedly preying on some of their victims, Trading Standards officers have warned.

Officers at Somerset County Council are collecting information about resale scams as part of an international investigation by the Office of Fair Trading.
People in Somerset have been conned out of hundreds of pounds as part of a timeshare re-selling scam, only to be approached a second time by fraudsters asking for even more money.

In one case a cold-caller took £750 from an owner as a bogus ‘commission’ or ‘administration fee’, only to come back and ask for £1,400 a few months later.
Cases of the reselling scam have increased with the economic downturn as owners try to turn their timeshares into cash. In the last year, 56 complaints about timeshares were received by Somerset Trading Standards.

Owners are approached – usually by telephone – and offered an unrealistically high price for their timeshare. The victim is asked to pay some money up front, either for administration, as commission or to guarantee the sale. The sales are rarely completed and the victim is unable to get their money back.

Anyone who is approached in this way is advised to contact Consumer Direct on 0845 4040506.

More information and advice can be found from the Association of Timeshare Owners - click on the link in our "related articles" section on this page of our website.
The council’s Cllr Anthony Trollope-Bellew said: “These scams are despicable and the perpetrators often prey on vulnerable people. If people suspect an offer is too good to be true they should not accept and get advice as soon as possible.”

A rise in demand for properties, such as timeshare residences, in Spain has been predicted.

For prospective Spanish timeshare owners, demand for top-end properties in the country is likely to gradually increase, it has been said.

Spain is still a favourite among British people and the beaches are currently full of them looking to enjoy the wonderful climate the country offers, commented Paul Bradley, spokesperson for the Spanish Property Owners Guild.

He noted that he had been in Nerja where the restaurants were also full and it was clear that the credit crunch had not put people off from heading to Spain to escape the negativity of the UK.

Mr Bradley added that Spanish property prices will not begin to increase for at least three or four years.

His comments come after Primelocation.com reported earlier this month that searches for property in Spain had increased by 27 per cent in the past 12 months.

Spain was the most in-demand country last month with 30.53 per cent of all searches, the organisation revealed.

The poor UK weather means more Brits may take a last minute holiday this year.

Many people are looking for last minute travel ideas, using the opportunity to take advantage of lower fares from airlines and hotels.

Low-cost airline Flybe has seen an 11 per cent increase in UK holiday bookings this summer compared to last year, saying last minute deals have boosted this.

The ABTA – The Travel Association has also recently said that it is expecting many last minute bookings as the barbeque summer that Britain was promised descends into rain.

However, the organisation is warning holidaymakers that they may not get their first choice of location, saying "people have to be flexible".

If people are unsure where to head, British Airways has provided inspiration saying demand for long-haul breaks to South Africa, California and Florida have been boosted recently, while Gatwick said Turkey has seen a peak in interest.

The US is also recommended by TravelBite.co.uk, which says that Las Vegas has some good deals, especially for those who want to pay tribute to the King of Pop Michael Jackson.

Crete is also a top pick for many holidaymakers, according to the website, which has cheap last minute deals in Anissaras.

If you need any help or information on how to buy or sell timeshare or require assistance with a timeshare or holiday club matter, the following two organisations provide a free of charge service to members of the public:

RDO (Resort Development Organisation), the European trade body for timeshare, offers advice to buyers and sellers of timeshare and provides a free complaints handling service if you have dealt with one it its members. Contact info@rdo.org for further information or go to its website www.rdo.org for a full list of members.

TATOC (The Timeshare Association), the consumer association representing the interests of over 250,000 timeshare owners, provides a free service to members of the public who have a complaint or query about a company that is not in membership of RDO. Contact 0845 230 2430 for further information or go to its website www.tatoc.co.uk for further information.

Holidaymakers such as timeshare owners will be able to benefit from a European Parliament decision to lower the cost of text messages and calls made on mobile phones.

The parliament has voted in favour of lowering the cost of a text message sent from abroad in the EU to no more than €0.11 (10p), replacing today's charge of €0.28 (25p), with the ruling going into force as of July 1st.

Meanwhile, the present cap for a mobile phone call made abroad will be reduced progressively from €0.46 (42p) to €0.35 (32p) per minute by July 2011.

The cost of mobile calls received while roaming abroad will drop from €0.22 (20p) today to €0.11 (10p).

An Ofcom spokesperson said that the decision is great news for travellers, like timeshare owners, as the summer holidays are about to arrive.

They added that the body, which has launched an online advice video for people using their mobiles abroad, welcomed the new ruling.

Holiday Inn Club Vacations' Signature Collection at the Orlando timeshare resort has joined with the world's largest luxury timeshare exchange programme.

Timeshare owners who purchase weeks at the Orange Lake Resort and own more than 500,000 points will now benefit from the RCI's Registry Collection Exchange Program.

This gives members access to a global network of timeshare properties, as well as personal concierge service.

Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake Resort offers more than 2,400 villas near the theme parks, including the 56 luxury villas and penthouse suite villas in the Signature Collection at the River Island village.

These timeshare properties offer either a sunset view or overlook the tropical 12-acre recreation complex.

Orange Lake Resort was founded by Kemmons Wilson in 1982 when he set out to build the best timeshare resort.

Since opening 25 years ago, the timeshare resort has hosted more than 140,000 owners from around the world.

Several new timeshare resorts have been established in the US and Caribbean, following new agreements with timeshare provider Bluegreen.

Bluegreen will manage a suite of timeshare services and products across the Parkside Williamsburg Resort in Virginia and the Soundings Seaside resort in Massachusetts under the new agreements.

The company will also take responsibility for timeshare vacations at the Blue Water Resort in the Bahamas and the South Mountain Resort in New Hampshire.

Dave Pontius, president of Bluegreen Management Services, said: "We think our size provides significant efficiencies at each property while allowing us to do what we do best - managing the overall vacation experience for Bluegreen Vacation Club members."

The announcement comes after Owners Perspective magazine launched a new marketing offer directed at resort developers, including referrals, upgrades and lead generation.

A houseboat that will float along the canals of Venice will be available on a timeshare basis for 25 years, it has been revealed.

Marketing and Promotion christened the vessel Mdina, Venice recently and nine more of the houseboats will appear in the coming years, Mary Anne Pule, managing director of the developer, told timesofmalta.com.

The website reported that owners will be able to spend one week every year on the boat, although holidays will be exchanged with other resorts across the globe.

Ms Pule said that if an owner is evidently capable of manning the vessel themselves, then there is no reason why they could not go on to explore the other rivers of Italy.

She added that Marketing and Promotion is preparing 15 itineraries for those who just want to stick to Venice.

Those who want to move onto land after their Venice stay can also head to Tuscany to enjoy some time at a Resort Properties destination.