posted 09-04-2004 14:40               

1. Most owners don't own S.A. to use the resorts, they buy them to trade.

2. They have low maintenance fees and are relatively inexpensive.

3. They trade (at least in the past) fairly well.

I confess I have not figured out why they trade well since T/S's are much more common in the US and not Europe. It is my understanding that it is a destination for Europeans more so than US citizens. I personally don't know of anyone in my acquaintance that has been to, or plans on, going to S.A. for vacation. A guy that owns a S.A. resort told me that "the secret was out" and the trade value of the S.A. resorts has been declining (the guy that told me this may have not known what he was talking about). I was not sure what this meant, but I kind of got the drift that he wasn't happy about his trades. Do they trade better thru RCI, II, SFX, or an independent?

posted 09-04-2004 16:16               

SA is a wonderful destination for many countries. We here in the US just do not think of it as a holiday destination. Folks from Europe and other areas of the world have "found out" about SA.

Capetown is one of the most beautiful cities I have seen anywhere. When someone told me this prior to my visit, I thought, "Yeah, right!" But oh how true! Table Mountain is glorious. The people are wonderful. I am the type of traveller who takes the road less travelled. I spent considerable time in the townships, with the Black South african people who are trying desperately to be a part of the new SA. I learned about some of the struggles and the high hopes for the future.

SA itself has some of what people go to the continent of Africa for: safaris. I did not go on a safari in SA (rather in Kenya), but they are highly rated. In fact, SA was featured recently in Conde Nast (I think?) magazine, an upscale travel and leisure magazine.

SA has wonderfu wine vinyards, and they offer trips and tours related to wine. One thing I will caution, SA is, in many ways, more European than African. This has a lot to do with the people in power and their history. You are more likely to find African culture in abundance in other African countries.

That being said, the draw for this country is huge. During the horrid era of apartheid, tourism was non-existent. Now, because of its natural wonders and beauty, the country is being "re-dicovered." There are huge resorts, safari lodges and camps, modern cities amazing skylines, world class restaurants, genuine people, and intense interest from citizens of other cultures.

We here in the US don't have it on our radar as destination vacation places, but others do. So the timesharing opportunities are in demand by other Europeans, thus, the trade power is high.

That is my view of the situation.

posted 09-04-2004 17:37               

Bill, your three points are valid and describe my experiences with owning four SA weeks. The reason SA was such a great find and great bargain was due to the very favorable exchange rate between the US dollar and the SA rand. The exchange rate is not quite as favorable now as it was a couple of years ago, however.

I've found SA to be wonderful traders for Orlando, in other areas in shoulder season, and obtaining units on bulk spacebankings. I've been very pleased.

Some of the people who first bought SA have commented that they've noticed a decline in trading power now that so many people have bought and deposited SA weeks into RCI. Most SA resorts trade only with RCI; however, some of the other smaller exchange companies take them such as Dialanexchange.

So in aswer to your question about the current state of affairs for SA timeshares, for me personally it's still good.

posted 09-05-2004 06:22               

South Africa is one of the most varied and most beautiful countries in the world and it has quite a number of timeshares.

posted 09-07-2004 04:17               

Shar

posted 09-07-2004 23:54               

However, why do you believe that timeshares are a US phenomenon? Timeshares are all over Europe, the Middle East, Asia, South America, Mexico, Australia, Canada, etc. Look closely at the RCI book...timeshares are everywhere! When we stayed in Wales two years ago it was apparent that most of the people that owned at the Graig Park Resort were locals. They purchased a week of timeshare ownership so that they could use the gym and indoor swimming pool at the resort. They then turn around and exchange their interval for a vacation elsewhere. That's how the system works...it's what timesharing is all about!

Between my personal circle of friends and work-related friendships, I literally know 100's of people. However, I personally know very few people that own timeshares. Those that do usually own only one timeshare. That clearly isn't the way with most tuggers. Also, keep in mind that most Europeans get far more vacation time than US employees.

posted 09-08-2004 01:35               

quote:

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Originally posted by G. B. Wayne:
Bill:
However, why do you believe that timeshares are a US phenomenon? Timeshares are all over Europe, the Middle East, Asia, South America, Mexico, Australia, Canada, etc. Look closely at the RCI book...timeshares are everywhere!

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posted 09-08-2004 07:02               

The dreaded French actually came up with the concept of timeshare ownership back in the 60's. Timeshare is very popular in Europe and SA.

posted 09-08-2004 08:25               

Timeshares are definitely a concept that originated in Europe. They began the programs, and then developed the exchange concept way back when RCI was originating. It took off in the US quickly, but only b/c we were following the European lead.

Also, the RCI book has mainly US resorts with photos, and much of the other areas of the world are only listed, thus the fewer page numbers. If you had an RCI book from Europe, or Asia, you would see the reverse and their resorts would be featured with the full photos on the pages.

posted 09-09-2004 11:15               

1) Most of us with US RCI books will notice that there are very few SA timeshares in the book. Just go to www.RCI.co.za to see how many timeshares there are in SA that does not get a mention in our RCI book. I imagine there are also other non-US timeshares that are not mentioned in the RCI book we have.

2) Why do people assume SA timeshares are only for Americans and Europeans? Go to any SA timeshare and the resort will have upwards of 80% South Africans staying there. Most South Africans love to vacation, and timshare is big over there... for the same reasons as here: more affordable, bigger units, convenience, etc. Just like here, it is a question of supply and demand, and demand for the majority of SA resorts, at certain times, are huge!

posted 09-09-2004 19:54               

Elaine, congratulations on your trades. Please educate me: what is a bulk deposit?

posted 09-10-2004 08:37               

quote:

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Originally posted by muranojo:
I've always assumed those from Europe and SA can access the U.S. inventory...you know, all those SA units deposited by us in the U.S...is this true, just like we can access European inventory? Or, as I'm beginning to wonder, are various countries' inventories somehow customized for that country?

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Just like we have to phone RCI to make an exchange to SA (regardless of what we use to exchange), those in SA have to phone RCI SA to make an exchange outside of southern Africa. I think this has to do with the fact that RCI SA deals in points only, and members are allowed to trade for mid-week or weekend breaks, in addition to full week breaks. Also, in addition to red, white and blue, SA also a "season" called Peak, which is school vacation time.

I think Europeans see US timeshares online, just like we can see European availability online. Not sure if we would all see the same, though...

posted 09-26-2004 02:45               

quote:

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Originally posted by Bill927:
I am still surprised that the S.A. resorts pull that much because there just aren't that many Europeans that are into timeshares - it is mostly a U.S. phenomenon. Will they pull the higher end resorts (Marriott, DVC, Mayan, etc.?)

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I know I'm coming to this conversation late, but I wanted to point out that the specific chains you mention trade primarily or exclusively through II. DVC is II only, and only a few of the Mayans trade through RCI. I believe most of the Marriotts are II only, too, plus the Marriott preference tends to exclude non-Marriott trades. I don't think any SA resorts are in II.

Question for those of you still reading this thread -- if you didn't own a SA resort right now, would you buy one? I'm thinking of buying one for using in RCI Points-for-deposit. Anyone have trouble depositing their SA weeks in Points-for-deposit lately?

[Correction -- I was thinking Royals, not Mayans. Don't know which exchange the Mayans use.]