Younger travelers, especially millennial and Gen Z, prioritize flexible travel planning, unique experiences, and accessible destinations. With 82 percent of millennials and 75 percent of Gen Z taking two or more trips in the past year, travel brands are paying attention to these trends to stay relevant in the rapidly evolving marketplace. Many of these younger travelers are gravitating towards timeshare ownership as a cost-effective way to vacation regularly, with the average timeshare owner being 39 years old and 57 percent being millennials or Gen Z.
Two millennial travelers, Raeanne Villongco and Kristi Dosh, share their experiences with timeshare ownership. Villongco enjoys the flexibility and cost savings of using her points with Hilton Grand Vacations to travel to Hawaii, spending about a month there for two trips a year. Dosh and her husband found timeshare at Breckenridge Grand Vacations to be a good fit for their lifestyle as freelance journalists, allowing them to spend more time in Breckenridge without the high costs associated with buying a condo in the area.
Timeshare ownership offers benefits such as securing vacation costs at current prices, providing more spacious accommodations compared to traditional hotel rooms, and offering flexibility in scheduling through exchange platforms like Interval International. Dosh and her husband appreciate being able to pick up extra time through Interval and have used it to stay in various locations worldwide. Research also shows that younger travelers prioritize experiences over material possessions, making vacation ownership an attractive option for those seeking unique adventures right on the property.
As millennial and Gen Z travelers continue to prioritize unique experiences, flexibility, and value for money in their travel decisions, the timeshare market has adapted to meet these evolving needs. The future of travel for this demographic promises to be as adventurous as it is attainable, with the possibility of living as digital nomads in different timeshares being considered an affordable option. The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) is supporting this trend by providing information and resources for those interested in exploring timeshare ownership. This content was created collaboratively by ARDA and Skift’s branded content studio, SkiftX, to highlight the benefits of timeshare ownership for younger travelers seeking cost-effective ways to travel regularly and experience unique adventures.
