INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 3, 1997--Resort Condominiums International,
Inc. (RCI) released the
results today of a new U.S. performance study conducted by its research
arm, RCI Consulting, Inc. (RCIC). The
Resort Timeshare Industry in the United States: 1997 details trends
and characteristics of 294 resort timeshare
developments that are currently operating marketing and sales programs.
The 294 resorts represent roughly 28
percent of the total universe of 1,055 U.S. timeshare resorts.
It has been four years since a similar study was released. Industry analysts, the investment community and resort developers view the 1997 report as a much-needed business resource.
``The new RCI study represents an important and comprehensive tool for
understanding the current state and
strength of the U.S. timeshare industry,'' says Michael Mueller, head
of lodging and timeshare research at
Montgomery Securities (San Francisco, Calif.). ``It provides investors
with valuable insights into the breadth of
the market and the financial characteristics of U.S. resort operators.''
Among the study's key findings:
``The purpose of the study was to profile current activity of the mainstream
timeshare industry in the United
States,'' Ragatz explains. ``Emphasis was placed on industry magnitude,
supply characteristics and sales
performance.''
Ragatz is considered to be the world's foremost authority on timeshare
research. His studies are frequently
referenced in the business and consumer media.
RCI, a wholly owned subsidiary of HFS Incorporated (NYSE:HFS), is a
single-source provider of marketing, sales
and aftermarket support services to timeshare resorts. The company's
primary business is transacting vacation
exchanges -- the trade of timeshare accommodations for like accommodations
at other resort locations. With more than 3,100 contracted resorts
in 85 countries, including the emerging markets of India and Southeast
Asia, RCI serves seven of every 10 timeshare developments worldwide.
More than 2.2 million timeshare owners from 191 countries are RCI
members. Eight of every 10 vacation exchanges are confirmed through RCI
each year. In 1996, RCI confirmed nearly 1.7 million timeshare exchanges,
sending more than 6 million people on vacation.
NOTE: The RCI-sponsored study is the first in-depth review of U.S. timeshare
resorts in active sales since 1993.
For a copy of the complete study or to arrange an interview with Dr.
Richard L. Ragatz of RCI Consulting, contact
Rae Hostetler, RCI industry relations specialist, at (317) 334-8162.
Contact: RCI Consulting Rae Hostetler, 317/334-8162