Vacation ownership: half a century of a great dream

A little over fifty years after the concept of "Time Share" was first established, vacation ownership has grown exponentially, being an industry that generates millions of dollars.

By Karina Macias

A little over fifty years after the concept of "Time Share" was first established, this industry has grown exponentially. Today it is an industry that generates millions of dollars. But how did this great dream begin?

Timeshare has its origins in Europe, mainly in Switzerland in 1963, where the Hapímag company started its first timeshare project, providing the service in the main tourist centers of Central Europe, focusing on Spain.

Later, a group of Japanese investors developed a project called the Japan Villa Club in 1966. Its success was so great that it now has 300 resorts and 250,000 members.

Before the end of the decade, businessman John H. Dehaan took this innovative idea to the United States of America, becoming one of the pioneers of this modality. By 1969, he would already have his first project in Kavikailari, Hawaii. In 1972 Bird Rock Falls in North Carolina would continue and in 1973 another development would begin in Lake Tahoe, California, to begin the race for international expansion.

John H. Dehaan, propiedad vacacional

Before the end of the decade, businessman John H. Dehaan took this innovative idea to the United States of America, becoming one of the pioneers of this modality.

Already by the end of the 80's, timeshare would have spread to various countries in the world, including Canada, Australia, Asia, South Africa, the Caribbean, Mexico, Israel and Eastern European countries.

The innovative way of marketing traditional accommodation, encouraging customers to “stop renting a room” and become “temporary owners” of the property, by buying a part of the hotel, was a resounding success. Over the years, buying a vacation property not only meant status and ensuring a comfortable vacation, but the opportunity to exchange the vacation plan to another place, or even country.

Over half a century the vacation ownership industry has proven to be a financially strong industry, exceeding all expectations by registering over 5,400 vacation ownership resorts worldwide, with owners in over 120 countries.

Visit: https://www.marivalvacationclub.com/es

María Karina Macias Aguirre
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