Hello All--

Keep in mind that this information come from All India Resort Development Association (AIRDA) and not a US based University or College, but we could be seeing a trend where some schools that offer 'Hotel Resort Management' Courses begin to offer or include 'Timeshare/Vacation Ownership'courses and/or degrees in their curruculum.

According to B. S Rathor, Chairman, AIRDA “Vacation Ownership (Timeshare) is one of the fastest growing segments of the Hospitality industry and will require a large number of skilled personnel in the coming years. The introduction of Timeshare in the syllabus of the Institutes of Hotel Managements is indeed apt, timely and will cater to such needs.”

After reading an articly a few weeks ago about the BOOMING timeshare market and the tanking real-estate market, I could see where vacation ownership education could be viable. Share your thoughts with us...do you think timeshare/vacation ownership education on the college/university or even vocational level is something that would work?

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As a timeshare owner, user, and vacation/travel lover I think it makes great sense. You can't teach ethics, but if I could change one thing about the timeshare buying process it would be the 'high pressure' and many times unethical sales tactics used by the sales people at many resorts. My wife and I have even been"chased' into the parking lot after declining to buy at a certain timeshare resort.

Now, once you've purchased a timeshare the staff is gracious and the service is usually top-notch.

Your right Derf, some high pressure sales people from the resort will chase you down and offer you a "foreclosure" as a final way to get you to purchase a vacation property. That happened to me in Orlando when I received free tickets to Disney for listening to a presentation.
It's much easier to shop around the internet for the resale market to buy a vacation property (cheaper & quicker)!

Hi Guys:

I too have been thru the tortuous timeshare presentation that's promised to be a 90 minute experience, but turns into a half-day ordeal. Salespeople, then a closer, then the BIG man with BIG discount and perhaps a "foreclosure" or something like that.

However, Marriott Vacation Club, and I've been to two different locations, has the most professional and mostly pleasurable timeshare presentations of my life. No sneaky tactics or outrageous pricing that is drastically reduced after declining the initial offer a few times; the price is what it is for the most part and the entire sales staff treated us with class.

I own Marriott timeshare in Aruba and Hawaii and my family and I LOVE them both and use them to their full advantage, whether directly through Marriott's community of properties or via exchange with Interval Int'l.

Just a little good news for those who may want to consider a timeshare purchase

Buzz