The combined direct and indirect economic impacts for the industry in 2005 represent a 25.6% increase over 2002, when the last generation of this study was undertaken. In total, the Florida timeshare industry supported 161,100 full- and part-time jobs (22,400 additional jobs, representing a 16.2% increase from 2002), $5.4 billion in salaries, wages, and related income (a 27.8% increase from 2002), and $2.1 billion in tax revenue during 2005 (a 25.2% increase over 2002). 

"The economic benefits the timeshare industry conveys to Florida communities, surrounding resorts and the state as a whole are documented and substantial, underscoring our position as a serious, stable, and growing economic catalyst,� said Raymond L. �Rip� Gellein, Jr., RRP, ARDA Chairman and president of the Global Development Group of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. 
Florida leads the nation in the number of timeshare resorts (378 compared with 366 in 2002) and the number of timeshare units (47,400, or 30.7% of the U.S. total, compared with 38,700 in 2002). More timeshare owners take vacations in Florida than any other state. 

"With nearly one third of U.S. timeshare units as well as the headquarters and central offices of many of North America�s large and mid-size timeshare development companies, the timeshare industry has proven a boon to Florida,� said Howard C. Nusbaum, RRP, president and CEO of ARDA. �The areas with timeshare resorts, such as Central Florida, continue to benefit from the generation of loyal repeat visitors, new jobs, and consumer expenditures, as well as the industry�s elevated occupancy rates and overall stability." 

Timeshare owners� travel and vacations generate dollars for Florida economy 

In examining 2005 direct industry impact, the study showed 7.9 million timeshare owners, their guests, and others renting units: 

• Took approximately 1.8 million timeshare vacations during 2005 
• Spent an average of $2,062 per trip for the traveling party 
• Yielded a total estimated spending of $3.7 billion 
• Spent approximately $2.6 billion on purchases of new Florida timeshares (representing 30% of the $8.6 billion of U.S. sales) 
• Contributed $1.3 billion towards maintenance fees for exiting units during 2005 
• Spent a combined total of $7.6 billion in direct timeshare related spending in Florida. 

Direct resort impacts were substantial, as timeshare resorts, corporate offices, call centers, and off-site sales offices employed an estimated 54,300 people (compared with 44,200 in 2002) who earned approximately $1.8 billion in salaries, wages and related income (compared to $1 billion in 2002). Direct resort construction impacts, which occurred as the industry expanded existing resorts and built new ones to keep pace with sales, supported approximately 6,700 jobs (compared to 4,500 in 2002) and $270 million in salaries, wages and related income (compared to $170 million in 2002). 

The average timeshare employee earned $33,000 in salaries, wages and related income�more than employees in the Florida hotel and lodging industry. Timeshare resorts operated with an average occupancy rate of 82.4% in 2005, compared to the average Florida hotel occupancy of 69.1%. 

ARDA
Lou Ann Burney, 202-207-1156
[email protected]