Who Buys Timeshare?

The vast majority (87.2 percent) of all timeshare owners are couples.

Compared to all U.S. households, timeshare owners earn more (72.9 percent have incomes of more than $50,000, compared to only 34.3 percent for U.S. households); are older (75.3 percent are 45 years of age or more, compared to 52.1 percent); and are more educated (57.4 percent have at least a bachelor's degree, compared to 24.5 percent).

The report also documents why consumers buy timesharing, and how they use it. The exchange opportunity remains the most frequently cited motivation for purchasing a timeshare interval (84.2 percent), followed by being able to save money on future vacation costs (59.5 percent) and simply liking the timeshare resort, the amenities, and/or the unit (52.2 percent).

50 percent of those surveyed own at seashore or ocean beach areas, followed by golfing destinations at 28.9 percent, snow skiing destinations at 20.7 percent, and lake or large river destinations at 20.3 percent. A high 28.8 percent of owners own timesharing at more than one resort.

Based upon recent market trends, it appears that at least 10 percent of all households in the United States with incomes of more than $50,000 could own timesharing within the next few years.