ABSTRACT
Over the 1990s alone, timeshare has come a long way. New markets and consumers are coming on stream, sales are buoyant, legislation is in place in most markets, satisfaction levels amongst purchasers are high, and the public image of the product has improved considerably. Moreover, timeshare has now reached the point where it is becoming ever more an integrated part of the ‘mainstream’ holiday market. Integration is a theme that runs through this chapter; for whilst timeshare is a distinct product with unique properties, requiring specialist skills and knowledge to bring to the market, its long-term future is inextricably linked to that of the broader hospitality and travel sectors wherein vertical and horizontal integration are reshaping supply and distribution channels. Implicit in the above is the spectre of consolidation, branding, segmentation and other drivers of change.
