WASHINGTON, DC -- The U.S timeshare industry contributed an estimated $79.5 billion in consumer and business spending to the national economy in 2015, according to a study conducted by Ernst & Young for the ARDA International Foundation (AIF). This impressive total includes more than 511,000 jobs with $28.1 billion in salaries and wages.

"It is not just the vacationers that benefit from the timeshare industry," says Howard Nusbaum, president and CEO of ARDA. "This industry has a huge impact on local economies through jobs, spending by vacationers and taxes."

The impact of the timeshare industry on the U.S. economy extends far beyond timeshare resorts—including the impacts of sales and marketing offices, corporate operations, construction of new resorts, renovation of existing resorts, and the significant effects of vacationers' expenditures during timeshare stays. Overall, this study estimates the comprehensive private and public sector benefits generated by the timeshare industry.

Combined direct, indirect, and fiscal impacts in 2015 included $79.5 billion in consumer and business spending, over 511,000 full- and part-time jobs, $28.1 billion in salaries and wages, and $10.2 billion in tax revenue.

Spending by timeshare owners and guests during timeshare stays was estimated at $10 billion in 2015. About $3.4 billion was spent onsite at resorts, while $6.6 billion was spent offsite in the communities where timeshare resorts are located.

In addition to private sector benefits, the significant tax contributions of the industry are a source of revenue for federal, state and local governments – to the tune of $10.2 billion in 2015.

"We are extremely proud of the significant contribution the timeshare industry makes to the U.S. economy," continued Nusbaum. "The $79.5 billion added to the economy in 2015 was a 16% increase since 2013—a trend we plan on seeing well into the future."

The report was conducted by Ernst & Young and commissioned by the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) International Foundation. For more details on the full Economic Impact Study, visit www.arda.org/foundation.

Timeshare Industry Adds $79.5 Billion to U.S. Economy— Photo by ARDATimeshare Industry Adds $79.5 Billion to U.S. Economy— Photo by ARDA
Timeshare Industry Adds $79.5 Billion to U.S. Economy— Photo by ARDA

ARDA is the trade association for the timeshare industry. ARDA's membership comprises over 500 companies (both privately held firms and publicly traded corporations), which house 5,000-plus individual ARDA members. ARDA's active, engaged members have extensive experience in shared ownership interests in leisure real estate. ARDA's work — including proactive advocacy — touches every role within the timeshare industry. Developers, exchange companies, vacation clubs, timeshare resellers, timeshare owner associations (HOAs), resort management companies, industry vendors, consultants, and legal and regulatory experts are all part of the ARDA network. For more information, visit ARDA.org.

ARDA-ROC is a 501(c)4 non-profit entity funded by over 1.5 million individual timeshare owner's voluntary contributions. ARDA-ROC is dedicated to preserving, protecting, and enhancing vacation ownership through smart policy and sensible regulation. ARDA-ROC advocates for local, state, and federal policies that enable the vacation ownership industry to thrive and provide consumers with an enriched vacation ownership experience. For more information, visit ARDAROC.org.

Peter Roth
ARDA
ARDA