This week Westgate Resorts was fined $900,000 by the Federal Trade Commission for calling some of the 167 million people on the national "do not call" list. The business of buying telephone numbers or using any phone numbers for automated or other types of calling can be risky if your source has not screened the numbers against "the list". Other companies named in the Westgate Resorts "do not call" complaint included Central Florida Investments Inc, and CFI Sales and Marketing, LLC. According to the FTC, they had received thousands of complaints about being called while on the do not call list. (source)

Westgate contended that people had provided their phone numbers to them and should have expected to be called.

This comes at a time when Westgate Resorts has recently laid off about 4,000 employees due to slowing sales. A loss of $900,000 can't be good. But once the economy starts to recover and sales resume news about Westgate Resorts will be better. Several thousand Westgate employees are counting on it.

The "do not call" registry was established in June of 2003 and since that time some 40 companies have had enforcement actions brought against them. Here's a place you can check out the latest info from the FTC about the "Do Not Call" registry. Westgate Resorts for sale.

(source)

News of 187 company wide layoffs by Hilton Grand Vacations managed to grab a headline with Orlando's local television station WFTV. There have been so many layoffs lately in and around Orlando that anytime someone has a layoff in the timeshare travel or tourism industry the media flinches like a "battle fatigued" soldier. The reality is that these 187 layoffs, while unfortunate for them, represents less than half of one percent of their 3,500 employees.

The bigger story here is that The Blackstone Group (they own Hilton) is pressing ahead with their plans to expand Hilton with the first phase of Club Parc Soleil, the Old Knights Inn on International Drive, and a 1,400 room Hilton hotel - all in Orlando! These projects will more than make up for the 187 jobs lost. In fact, these projects will add hundreds of more jobs to the area.

At the same time consider the big picture: Hilton Hotels is moving their headquarters away from Beverly Hills to Washington DC metro area (Bethesda MD). Why there? Marriott International happens to be headquartered there as well. Having been bought by Blackstone Group for $26 Billion in 2007, the Hilton family gave up it's 5% interest in Hilton Hotels. So the personal ties with Beverly Hills (Paris Hilton & family) have been severed.  Bill Marriott said "we welcome them to our home town". After Hilton's move, "three of the six top hotel companies in the world by number of rooms would be based in the region, controlling more than 1.5 million rooms, according to Hotels magazine." (source)

So Orlando timeshare workers, take heart. You have not been forgotten. More jobs are on the way - it may just take a little time for the growth of the Orlando timeshare resort industry to pick back up. But, it will.

Today the Orlando Business Journal reported December's Orlando Metro Hotel Occupancy rate rose 1.2% over last December's. While that may not sound like a significant percentage increase, it is still an increase! This news also comes the day after Walt Disney Parks and Resorts announced offering some 600 exec's voluntary buyout packages. Even though companies seem to be laying off at a high rate (today's Microsoft layoff of 1,400 and 3,600 more to come) it is possible that travel and vacation spending is going to start turning around.

That would be great news for the hundreds of timeshare industry folks in and around Orlando laid off in the last few months. As people start coming back to Orlando, Kissimmee, and Lake Buena Vista timeshare sales will start gearing back up to speed (as long as the developers can find buyers for their timeshare loan paper). Hopefully, credit and cash will become more available soon and all our economic machines will start to run again!

In the mean time, make plans for your 2009 vacation. Take that dream trip to Hawaii, Las Vegas, Orlando, or any other place. Money spent on a great vacation is money well spent. And you will spend less if you incorporate a timeshare into your plans.

Grand Beach Vacation Resort Timeshare in Lake Buena Vista Florida

Recent hikes in maintenance fees from Diamond Resorts European Collection have gotten the attention of their mostly Scottish owners. The story in ScotlandOnSunday describes the relationship between the points program mentioned above, and the international Diamond Resorts program which consists of some 133 worldwide resorts.  Diamond Resorts International bought out the Grand Vacation Club (a points program in Scotland) in 2007. Diamond says that the maintenance fee increased by 19% while the owners claim they have experienced as much as a 37% increase. Part of the discrepancy could be due to one time assessments. But maintenance fee increases are still hard to take, no matter what the economy is doing.

Previously, the maintenance fees were subsidized by the management company. But since the acquisition in 2007, that subsidy has gone away. I guess that's progress - but from the owners' perspective it looks more like inflation. Sure, they are getting more access to many more resorts, but "many members are very unhappy at being tied into what they see as an open-ended arrangement, which locks them into rising management fees until 2054. They are adamant this risk was never pointed out to them when they bought their points." (source)

It is not uncommon for a timeshare resort to change management companies. For example, Sunterra was taken over by Diamond, Orange Lake Resorts were merged with Holiday Inn, Fairfield was absorbed into Wyndham, and Peppertree previously managed by Equivest - was acquired by Fairfield, and then on to Wyndham. The question for timeshare owners is: when your timeshare management company changes will the previous agreement about maintenance fees be honored?

For a detailed report and more information about the world of timesharing, get this free e-book - Timeshare Resale Vacation Buying Trends

Cypress Pointe Resort (Diamond Resorts International) Timeshare - Lake Buena Vista Florida

Recently an Australian newspaper ran a story entitled: "Tempting times for some as investors check into the timeshare property scene". Here's a couple of quotes from it: "What if we bought it and then decided to sell it? What sort of profit could we make?" and "Would the value of our timeshare rise?".

I asked Crash to read the article and here's what he had to say:

The best point made in this article refers to the commitment to family vacations.  The value of a timeshare is in the use and creating life-long memories with those you love is priceless.  So, when thinking about buying a timeshare don’t try to justify your purchase on an unrealistic expectation of appreciation in value!  You should decide whether you are a last minute vacation planner or one who plans in advance.  If you’re the latter, the timeshare purchase could possibly be the best vacation decision you ever make.  This “investment” will be realized by using the product for many years with friends and family.  Inevitably, there will come a time when you need or want to sell the timeshare.

Some estimate the resale market today at $30 billion.  This existing market is not only “real” but very dynamic as well.  The secondary market for timeshares offers many viable and realistic choices for consumers interested in buying, selling, and renting vacation ownership.  This offers buyers and seller’s real avenues and many choices by which they are able to connect with one another and be successful in completing resale, rental, and exchange transactions.

It is not too late to find some great deals for a March 2009 vacation! Condo rentals are still available in great locations like Aruba, Orlando, Cabo San Lucas, Hawaii, Las Vegas, and others. These timeshare rental deals are being offered by the owners who are not using them for 2009 - so you can expect a terrific deal! Here's a few selected from the second week of March:

Costa Linda Beach Resort - Oranjestad Aruba - March 6 - 13. This link has 19 photos, floor plans, amenities and more.

Costa Linda Beach Resort Timeshare - Oranjestad Aruba

Mystic Dunes Resort - Kissimmee Florida - March 7 - 14. Features a par 71 18 - hole championship golf course.

Playa Grande Resort - Cabo San Lucas Mexico - March 7 - 14. Some of the most beautiful beaches in the world!

Playa Grande Resort Timeshare - Cabo San Lucas Mexico

Marriott's Newport Coast Villas - Newport Coast California - March 8 - 15. Majestic views overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Marriott's Newport Coast Villas Timeshare - Newport Coast California

Combine condo rental deals like this with some airfare discounts and you will have a great vacation that will not break the bank! There will be no obligation to take any tours or sit through any sales presentations. Just a great resort for a great price.

Will my resort help me sell my Orlando timeshare?  Many owners have asked that question.  Eventually, timeshare owners come to the point of deciding to sell. Changes in family circumstances or just lack of usage lead many people to that selling decision. If you ask your timeshare resort to help you sell, you may not get much help.  For example the president of Westgate Resorts in Orlando said "Westgate doesn't offer a formal resale program. It's a conflict for developers, because they have their own inventory to sell. We tell people we won't sell it for you and we won't rent it for you. But if they have to sell, we say go to friends or neighbors or advertise it in the paper." (source) That certainly does not sound like much help.  The Orlando timeshare market has an aggressive sales and development climate.  That's a lot of competition. If you want to sell your Orlando timeshare, you will need a timeshare resales broker's help.  They can appeal to a wide buyers market and compete better with the developers with targeted advertising.

Rather than choosing a timeshare broker in Orlando, choose one that has national and international exposure and experience. The buyer for your Orlando timeshare will not be coming from Orlando. Take a look at the services this timeshare resales broker has to offer.  Don't wait for the resort to come and bail you out of a bad situation.

Recently www.Bloomberg.com ran a story entitled "U.S. Gas Prices Keep Some Holiday Travelers at Home". The bad news was the effect of high gasoline prices on the hotel industry.  The good news, at least from Wyndham Worldwide Corp, was that timeshare occupancy was holding up at near 100% thus bolstering the lagging travel industry.  On the east coast there are huge population centers that push the demand for affordable hotel and resort accommodations nearby.  So despite the ever climbing price of gas, people are still choosing to rent timeshare to make the most of their vacation budget.  That makes sense.  A timeshare rental will almost always be cheaper than hotels and offer far superior advantages: full kitchens, laundry facilities, exotic pools, large bedrooms. In addition, there is a good chance you can locate a timeshare condo rental that is within a reasonable driving distance.  The money you save by using a timeshare rental will make the vacation more affordable.

I have rented timeshare resorts in Las Vegas, Orlando, and other locations and always saved 75% off other less quality hotels.  What has been your experience?  Tell us about your best timeshare rental deals!

Here's to the Japanese engineer who designed this magnetic hybrid motorbike - goes up to 93 mph, charges at home in 6 hours, and will travel up to 112 miles on one charge:

Golf fans are looking forward to the FBR Open January 26 - February 1 2009 in Scottsdale Arizona (here are the FAQ's). In 2008 their highest attendance day was Saturday with 170,802!  That's a lot of golf fans! And where do they stay? Park? Eat? Most of those details are covered by the FBR website but here's one additional tip.  Consider staying in a timeshare for the tournament. A timeshare rental or owning a nearby timeshare will give you a very roomy and affordable experience.

For example, you could rent this Scottsdale Villa Mirage two bedroom condo for the week (Jan 26 to Feb 2) and be very close to the tournament (within 1 or 2 miles). There'd be huge benefits with this compared to a hotel: The beautiful amenities, kitchen, laundry, location, size, and quality of service.

Scottsdale Villa Mirage Timeshare in Arizona

Golfers who have recently committed to the tournament include Rocco Mediate, Jesper Parnevik, Rory Sabbatini, and Steve Stricker. So far, 14 of 2008's top 30 PGA Tour's money list have committed to the FBR.

Given that Scottsdale boasts of more than 300 days of sunshine a year, this ought to be a great outing. Great weather, great golf, and great golf resorts!

On Monday, Disney announced their "Armed Forces Salute" with a free five day park hopper pass for active duty and retired military members. Also, military members may purchase up to 5 additional 5 day passes for $99 each. Walt Disney World in Orlando - Kissimmee is one of the greatest theme parks and attractions in North America. This offer of free and discounted tickets for military members is generous and very appreciated! Also, Busch Entertainment Corp is offering free tickets to most of their parks for active duty military and their dependents. Busch runs the Sea World and Busch Gardens.

With most families keeping an eye on their budgets it might be easy to justify cutting out vacations. But with these incentives at least our veterans and their families can afford to relax on vacation.

Combine free and discounted park passes with an affordable timeshare rental for the family and you will have a terrific vacation! I have used timeshares all around Orlando and have had great experiences with all of them. They're affordable, roomy, well located, and offer so many amenities that you would never find in the local hotels. You could also consider buying a timeshare on the secondary market. You'll pay much less, get all the benefits, and save over time as you use your timeshare.

It's not just about cutting costs. It's about giving you and your family the break they need. Just do it. Go on vacation!

Grand Beach Vacation Resort, Orlando