LETTER FROM CHAIRMAN

June 2013

Thinking of timeshare? Get a family consensus. Don’t make a one-man decision, when you’re making up your mind. Check out facilities, features, and vacation extras that will bring the whole family together on a holiday.

Children sometimes don’t go along on a family vacation because there’s not much to do, or interest them in terms of activities.  And kids add to the fun element on a holiday - it’s just not complete without them.

So what do you put on your checklist when you’re at a presentation by a timeshare developer? What questions should you ask to find what you’re looking for?

Here are a few things you can add to your checklist…

• For the younger set you need to check on things like swimming, water sport, organized trekking, trails and maybe even indoor games that can be engaging.
• For the 30+, you can look for clear value adds to the vacation experience. The kind of room, quality of service, support facilities and special interest sport like golf, tennis and squash. Affiliations with companies that offer vacation weeks across the world is another thing you need to keep in mind.
• For the 50+, it’s useful to look at facilities and features that are slower on the pace, but just as interesting. Things like tourist attractions nearby and places to see would be useful, in addition to recreation for the body and mind. Yoga sessions, for example.
• Food, obviously would be on everybody’s mind, but it is useful to check on restaurants, theme cuisines, health foods, diet plans and local flavours.
• Women usually look for something different, something engaging on a vacation. From what we’ve seen over the years, fewer women are actually cooking in their kitchenettes on a vacation.  Makes sense because women too need to leave their aprons behind when the family goes on vacation. So, look at temple trails, spice routes, handicrafts, shopping, plantation visits, exposure to local cuisines, etc.

Looking back, I too see a change in trends, preferences and holiday interests, over the years. What I really looked forward to at 40, isn’t what I have in mind, post 60. But what I looked forward to then is less than what today’s 40-year-old has in mind. And that’s the challenge resort owners need to look at and plan their activities around.

Going back to my “family-together-on-holiday” story, keeping everybody happy is not going to be easy. Because no vacation resort on earth can give you the ideal mix in terms of a holiday experience – especially with the budget guidelines you may have in mind.

My advice out here is simple - try and get the best possible mix in your holiday plan. Optimize the options, because the family that holidays together, stays together.

B. S. Rathor
Chairman, AIRDA

Post Script > What’s really encouraging here is the wide choice you have in the member resorts of AIRDA. Click on the link below and it will take you to a profile page of our members. Study their websites, make some calls, and schedule a few presentations. Within the AIRDA network, the customer experience is organized and regulated – we also have a common Code of Ethics that our members comply with. And that’s a nice place to start.

AIRDA’s member profile page »