Go On Vacation and Use Your Timeshare Week

6/30/2003

By Karmen J. Saltzman

As recently stated in one Real Estate Intelligence Report: Timeshare owners are still making vacation plans. (WASHINGTON) A survey by the American Resort Development Association suggests that timeshare owners don’t mind traveling in troubled times.

While air travel and other touring has dropped among the general population since military action began in Iraq, fifty-one percent (51%) of timeshare owners said war would have “no impact” on their vacation plans and only twenty-one percent (21%) indicated it would have a “strong” impact.

• 78% said they would continue to travel by air
• 6% said they would no longer travel by air
• 43% said they would be more likely to travel to a destination closer to home
• 21% said the war would make no difference in their travel plans
• 41% said they would fly domestically, but not internationally
• 23% said nothing had changed

The recent war in Iraq and the threat of terrorist actions has us waiting and wondering and often putting our lives on hold. We will get through this as we have in the past. Ask yourself if you should drop everything and focus on this “Event”? We should not let it run our lives or keep us from living the kind of life that we have worked so hard to achieve.

Life is a gamble. There is no doubt about it. Each day, we step outside the comfort of our homes and confront the possible dangers of everyday life. Just getting in our vehicles and backing out of our driveways can be risky. Actually, traveling by car is much safer today than ever before. Auto manufacturers are in close competition to see who can produce the safest vehicles, often well equipped with safety features such as multi-surrounding air bags and built-in child safety seats. Extensive research of roll over and crash testing has greatly improved automobile safety.

Although many do prefer to travel by land, a vast majority of the population prefers flying because it is a much quicker way to reach their destination. This gives families more time to enjoy their well-deserved vacations and allows businesspeople to travel and return home quickly. For some, the mere enjoyment of flying has them racking up frequent flyer miles which can be cashed in for future airfares or other purchases.

September 11th put a very dark cloud over the airline industry, and today some of those airlines are in financial jeopardy. For some families, flying will always be a part of their lives, but for others flying is no longer the preferred way to travel. Sure, the heightened security at the airports is a little inconvenient. It’s there to keep us safe. So why not continue to fly? Fly, but with a new attitude. Always be prepared for travel. Be as organized as your schedule will allow. The fact remains – flying is still one of the safest ways to travel.

Airport lines may be long so if you’re next vacation destination requires you to fly, be there early. “Better late than never” does not apply. Travelers are chosen randomly for searches so be prepared to be searched. Pack appropriately to avoid further delay. Expect to be stopped and possibly be asked to be searched or your belongings to be searched, this is for everyone’s protection. Allowing yourself plenty of time will make this process more bearable.

There has been recent government debate on how much protection is enough? This may cause security to relax somewhat, but not at the expense of your safety. There should always be precautions taken no matter what. The airlines have put new security measures into action, but there are a few things you yourself can do to make air travel easier and safer.

Packing Tips

• You should allow plenty of time for packing. Begin packing the night before or several hours before leaving your home. This will allow you to become more organized and help reduce unnecessary stress.

• Create a list of necessary clothing and items you will need based on your travel destination and weather conditions. Look at the weather forecast for your destination online and print a copy to take with you. Pack lighter than normal and always be aware of what is in your luggage.

• Use the mix and match method. Take items that can be worn over again but in different ways.

• If using more than one piece of luggage, make sure you know exactly what is in each piece and divide your clothes between them. If you are delayed at an airport or a bag was misplaced, you will have enough items to get by for a day or two.

• When traveling with a carry-on use these guidelines.
  1. Carry all toiletries and a change of clothes in your carry-on. Pack all bottled items such as shampoo, lotions, hairspray etc. in your carry-on because they may be sensitive to the lower pressure of the baggage compartment in the aircraft. If these bottles must travel in a lower cabin, then slightly loosen the caps to prevent leakage and put them in a zip-top bag.

  2. If carrying on a laptop computer (with the right devices and connections) for entertainment you can watch your own DVD movies. Not all aircraft are equipped with television screens. Of course magazines and a good book will also make the flight much less stressful and will make the time go by faster. It is always a good idea to have available earplugs and eye covers in case you need to block out noise and sunlight.

Traveling by air has many advantages but traveling by automobile gives you more flexibility. You may pack more of what you would like and not have to worry about objects that may be restricted by the airlines. The problem with choosing driving over flying is that you are the pilot. You have to follow signs or maps and you must stay alert. There is no doubt it will take you a lot longer to reach your destination, but some people prefer the freedom to travel at their own pace by being able stop and go as they please. This option may be better for those traveling with children or taking the scenic route. Traveling by land also includes the advantage of seeing the country and all that it has to offer. Whether you are discovering new lands or are traveling a routine route, it is always nice to be able to enjoy nature at its finest.

The vehicle in which you choose to travel may make all the difference. Some vehicles made today are equipped with helpful features such as navigation systems or “GPS” (global positioning systems). Theses are electronic mapping systems made to guide you when needed and to locate certain landmarks or locations. Another feature is the “On-Star” system which when activated provides safety, security and protection at the touch of a button. With this feature you are connected to an advisor who can help you in an emergency situation, open you car doors or advise you of your location.

Safety is always a concern however you may choose to travel, and now that we are in the post war stage it seems that the fear of traveling has decreased dramatically. Since the September 11th tragedy, we have been taught to be more aware of what is going on around us. By being alert we can have a greater sense of security among each other.

Why not continue to travel by land and by air? Be confident in these times and do not hesitate to travel. Use your timeshare package this year and all the years to come. Take advantage of all the different options that the timeshare industry has to offer. So whether you choose to keep the same timeshare you currently own, or you wish to sell or even trade your timeshare, keep in mind that we do live in a much safer America and that nothing and no one should keep us from living the kind of life we all deserve.

Copyright ©2003

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