Are there benefits to buying a timeshare in this day and age?

(BPT) - Once upon a time, if you said you owned a timeshare, you might get a side eye from a well-meaning friend who was concerned you caved to a hard sell for a vacation option. But times have changed, and a quiet revolution in the industry now shows that timeshares can be a savvy vacation strategy.

According to Consumer Reports, timeshare is an increasingly attractive travel option that has evolved since its start in the 1970s.

But do people buy timeshares anymore? According to the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), the short answer is yes. Approximately 7.1% of U.S. households, or 9.6 million families, own one or more types of vacation ownership products.

If current trends continue, young families could soon lead the way in the world of vacation ownership. In fact, despite stereotypical images of timeshare owners as empty nesters headed to the same destination to stay in the same unit every year, owners are trending younger. The average age is 44, thanks in large part to the evolving flexibility of timeshares and growing lists of destinations to visit.

For Kassi and Keith Parker, who bought a timeshare in their late 20s, the decision was a no-brainer.

“When we first sat down with the sales rep, we felt a bit guilty for wasting his time,” explained Kassi, who, along with her husband, invested in vacation ownership with Hilton Grand Vacations. “But not long into our conversation, it dawned on us that we could spend less on travel and continue to explore the world with all of HGV’s properties and experiences. And still being south of 30, we saw so many amazing trips in our future at such a better price.”

Hilton Grand Vacations is one of a handful of timeshare companies affiliated with well-known, reputable hotel brands.

“We’re Hilton Honors members and when I travel for work, I always want to stay with Hilton, because I appreciate the consistency of the brand. Nevertheless, we went into the sales presentation as complete skeptics,” explained Kassi. “Having the Hilton name behind the company gave me real peace of mind. I might not have taken the leap otherwise. We know exactly what we get with their hotels and knew it would be the same with the vacation properties.”

Kassi isn’t alone. According to the State of Shared Vacation Ownership Industry study from ARDA, a timeshare company’s credibility is just one consideration consumers have when deciding to buy a timeshare.

Other reasons listed include:

• Location of properties
• Flexibility of programs
• The ability to save money on future vacations
• Ownership making vacations a certainty
• Quality of accommodations

“We found that we traveled too much to not invest in vacation ownership. We know we’re going to travel for the rest of our lives, and the fact that we can travel on a budget is one of the top reasons why we love vacation ownership,” explained Kassi. “It makes us actively think about travel and ensures we take time off to travel. Even if our year is crazy busy, we’re still going to take advantage of our vacation — even if we need to do a staycation at our home resort in Orlando. We know that we will be owners for life and the flexibility of Hilton Grand Vacations was a big decider for us.”

According to the ARDA study, timeshare owners travel better and more often:

• Half of owners visit resort areas more frequently since purchasing a timeshare.
• On average, timeshare owners took more than three vacations a year.
• 70% of owners agree that owning a timeshare makes them vacation more regularly.
• 72% of owners agreed that owning a timeshare improves their quality of travel.
• 69% of owners agreed that owning a timeshare gives them better value for their vacation dollars.

“We know we are younger than the traditional timeshare owner, but this doesn’t feel like a traditional timeshare — or at least the stereotype of what people think timeshare is,” said Kassi. “When we think about the value we get back from our investment, we think about it in terms of the time we spend together, the memories we make, and the investment we make to each other and our relationship. It’s our vacation plan.”

You don’t have to think hard to realize that the current pandemic has affected the travel industry…well, a lot. The travel industry has had to evolve into something completely different to be able to provide services during such a strange time. But now, more than ever, it is important for the travel industry to provide the best service possible to help keep people safe. Here are some things to consider about how you can offer the best service possible.

Put Safety First

You can never go wrong putting safety first. It can help reduce the effects of the pandemic on your customers and increase the number of your customers. Those who would feel unsafe otherwise will travel more if they know proper safety precautions are taking place.

Putting safety first comes in a variety of forms. If you offer a physical service, it looks like cleaning frequently. It also helps to publish how you are cleaning adequately so potential customers know what you are doing to keep them safe. Also, by offering short term cancellations, you reduce the number of people who would travel even when they are feeling ill just to get their money’s worth. This shows your customers that their safety is your priority.

Customer Communication

Customers are getting slammed by information every day. This makes communication even more important. Your customers need to be able to communicate with you as quickly, personally, and clearly as possible. Using a messaging platform can provide your customers with immediate access to important travel information. Providing information that is frequently updated on a website can help them to be in the loop with travel restrictions and public health concerns. Remember as you communicate with your customers to listen for their needs, be open and honest about what you can do, and provide as much information as possible.

Stay Informed

Life in the pandemic is complicated, and there’s new information about it every day. Yes, it is important to communicate with your customers well and to put their safety first. But the only way you can do that is by staying updated with the current state of the world. Look into what tips you can give your customers to stay safe on a trip, check every day what places are open to travel to, understand how different industries are responding to the pandemic, and stay up to date on current public health suggestions.

Travel is more important than ever so that we can connect again, but it’s also harder than ever for your customers. Help them by offering the best service possible. We could all use more safety, communication, and information, and you can offer that for your customers.

Read this next: How to Adapt Your Restaurant to COVID-19 Changes

Stretching from 59th Street to 110th Street, Central Park has 843 acres to explore. This urban oasis is the crown jewel of New York City, featuring a host of activities and stunning natural scenery. Here are four tips to keep in mind when exploring Central Park.

Busy Hours

In general, weekends are the most crowded times to visit Central Park. The morning hours tend to see more foot traffic on the paths as runners and walkers get in their daily workout. And, naturally, the beautiful days particularly attract the crowds. Visiting during the middle of the workday will yield the lowest number of people, making it easier for you to take pictures and get in that perfect shot.

Exploring the Museums

Two of New York City's most popular museums line the edge of Central Park, allowing you to easily tour these while visiting the park. The Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) boasts over 2 million pieces of work that span over 5,000 years. Or try touring the American Museum of Natural History, which has the distinction of being the largest type of museum of its kind in the world. The MET is located on 5th Avenue and 82nd Street, while the Natural History Museum is located on the other side of the park at 81st Street and 8th Avenue.

Packing a Picnic

A quintessential Central Park experience is packing a picnic lunch, laying down a blanket and enjoying the beauty of the magnificent surroundings. There are some businesses that even sell pre-packed picnic baskets for your convenience. It is easy to get comfortable and relax in this tranquil setting; however, just know that there are some restrictions about going barefoot. So if you’re planning on kicking off your shoes while exploring, make sure you check the laws and regulations about that first.

Consider a Tour

There is no shortage of fun tours designed to showcase the highlights of Central Park. Tours are a great way to see the most popular attractions and sites in the park. The tour you should choose largely depends on your individual preference and interests. You can choose a bike tour or a walking tour if you want to get active. If you want to sit back and relax, consider a horse-drawn carriage or a pedicab tour.

Visiting this lovely park is a rite of passage for many travelers. Be sure to leave plenty of time to explore all of the wonders of this outdoor wonderland.

Here’s another article you might like: Family Travel You Can Afford