About Timeshare

Timeshare has come a long way since its beginnings in Europe in the 1960s. What started as a simple idea—sharing the cost of a holiday home—has grown into a global industry that delivers quality getaways to around 20 million families each year at more than 5,400 resorts across 121 countries. Here in South Africa, around 250,000 families enjoy the benefits of timeshare, returning year after year to more than 100 beautiful resorts in the country’s most iconic holiday destinations.

How It Works

Timeshare is a way of owning your holidays. Instead of purchasing an entire property, you buy the right to use a resort unit for a set amount of time each year. The property is shared among several owners, each enjoying exclusive use during their allocated time. It offers the comfort and consistency of a holiday home without the year-round cost and maintenance of full ownership.

In the past, timeshare owners were locked into one week at a single property. Today there is more flexibility and choice to suit different holiday lifestyles.

These are the main types of timeshare products available in South Africa:

Fixed Week
This option gives you the right to use the same unit during the same time each year. It’s ideal if you prefer returning to your favourite destination at the same time annually—perfect for family traditions or planning around school holidays.

Floating Week
With a floating week, you can book your holiday during a particular season or date range each year, depending on availability. It offers more flexibility if your travel plans change from year to year.

Points-Based System
Instead of owning time in a specific unit, you purchase a set number of points that can be used to book holidays at different resorts within a club’s network. The number of points required will vary based on factors like resort location, unit size, and time of year. This model appeals to travellers who want flexibility and access to a variety of destinations.

The cost of a timeshare varies based on several factors—such as the resort’s location, unit size, time of year, level of flexibility, and whether it’s a direct purchase or resale.

The real financial advantage lies in locking in future holidays at today’s prices. Over time, this can work out far more affordable than booking traditional holiday accommodation, which tends to increase each year with inflation.

Alongside the initial purchase price, owners pay an annual levy (or maintenance fee). This goes towards the upkeep of the resort and ensures you arrive to clean, well-maintained, and modern accommodation every time—without worrying about repairs or renovations.

It’s important to understand that timeshare is a use product. Its true value comes from using it regularly for memorable holidays—not as a financial investment or a way to earn income.

Timeshare exchange gives you the flexibility to trade your holiday time at your home resort for a stay at another resort—either locally or abroad. It’s one of the biggest advantages of owning a timeshare, offering variety and the opportunity to explore new destinations while still enjoying the comfort and standards of timeshare accommodation.

To access exchange opportunities, most owners join an exchange company, which manages a network of affiliated resorts. By depositing your holiday time into the exchange system, you can choose from thousands of available resorts worldwide—depending on availability, season, and the value of your deposited time.

Whether you’re looking to swap a coastal retreat for a bushveld escape or plan an international adventure, exchange adds a whole new layer of value and flexibility to your timeshare ownership.

Types of Timeshare

Traditional Timeshare

Fixed Week

In this model you own the same week every year at a specific “home” resort. Timeshare weeks (week 1 to week 52) make it easy to secure your holiday week of choice.

Floating Week

This can be any week reserved for the timeshare owner during a certain season. Seasons are predefined as ranges of weeks (e.g. weeks 17-24) and vary from resort to resort.

Flexi Time

Similar to floating week ownership, however with Flexi week you need to choose from a predetermined set of weeks within a particular ‘season’.

Fractional Ownership

Fractional ownership is split between fewer owners which allows owners longer and more frequent holidays throughout the year.

Pooling Schemes (newer version of timeshare)

Points System (or Points Clubs)

Points are purchased and used as currency to reserve timeshare accommodations of various sizes, during different seasons and for varying lengths of time. In some instances, the points can also be used for other vacation products such as airfare, hotel stays and car rentals. Most clubs in South Africa operate on a points system.

Vacation Clubs

Rather than purchasing timeshare in a certain size of unit at a particular resort, club members purchase the opportunity to use a variety of timeshare accommodations at various resort locations, usually within the developer’s chain of resorts. Most clubs in South Africa operate on a points system, but not all. For example, Sun City Vacation Club.

Types of Agreements

Deeded Agreements

Deeded agreements can be for fixed or floating weeks. These allow the timeshare owner to use their interval in perpetuity, just like buying a house. Under this agreement, the owner may rent, sell, exchange or bequeath the vacation interval.

Right-To-Use Agreements

These agreements can be for either fixed or floating weeks and are also commonly part of vacation club or points-based memberships. These stipulate that ownership of the resort remains with the developer. The timeshare developer gives the purchaser the right to use the specified resort accommodations for a certain number of years, usually ranging from 10 to 50, after which all rights return to the developer.

Why Choose Timeshare?

If taking an annual holiday is important to you - and you love spending quality time with family and friends in spacious, well-located accommodation - then timeshare is made for you.

Home-like accommodation

Timeshare accommodations are built with space and comfort in mind - making them ideal for holidays shared with family and friends. With features like separate bedrooms, a full kitchen, lounge and dining areas, and often a private braai, there’s room for everyone to relax together while still enjoying personal space and privacy when needed.

On-site entertainment

One of the great advantages of having entertainment available on-site is that families can spend their days enjoying themselves without the need to constantly travel or pay extra for holiday fun. Whether it’s kids racing down waterslides, parents unwinding at the spa, or a safari, the experience is effortless and enjoyable. It’s the kind of holiday that feels indulgent without stretching the budget.

Professionally managed properties

Timeshare resorts are professionally managed by established hospitality brands, ensuring high standards across every aspect of your stay. From the moment you arrive, reception staff are there to welcome you, housekeeping keeps your unit fresh and clean, and on-site teams are available to assist with any needs that may arise. With 24/7 security, reliable maintenance, and dedicated service teams, you can relax knowing that your holiday is in capable hands—allowing you to focus on what matters most: enjoying your time away.

Sought-after locations

Timeshare resorts are found in some of the most desirable holiday destinations - both across South Africa and around the world. Whether you're drawn to sun-soaked beaches, tranquil bushveld retreats, scenic mountain escapes, or vibrant cultural hubs, there’s a resort that fits the way you like to holiday. Timeshare gives you the freedom to return to the places you love - or explore somewhere new - with the confidence of quality accommodation waiting for you.

Cost effective

One of the most overlooked benefits of timeshare is how all the little cost savings add up—making it a surprisingly affordable way to holiday. Having your own kitchen means fewer restaurant bills. On-site entertainment and amenities reduce the need for costly outings. Shared ownership lowers the upfront cost compared to buying a holiday home, and your annual levy helps keep everything maintained without unexpected expenses. Over time, these savings combine to offer excellent value—especially when compared to rising accommodation prices year after year.

Value of Timeshare to the Economy

(Sourced from a report commissioned for the American Resort Developers Association)

Timeshare has staying power
The industry has been going strong for over 45 years in South Africa—and it’s still growing!

A big slice of the holiday pie
Timeshare makes up 63% of all beach apartments in Umhlanga, 60% of accommodation in the Drakensberg, and a whopping 70% of bush and safari apartments in Hazyview.

Big names, big trust
Some of South Africa’s most recognised hospitality brands operate in the timeshare space—including Sun International, Southern Sun Resorts, and Legacy Hotels & Resorts.

Over 100 resorts nationwide
From coast to countryside, there are more than 100 timeshare resorts across South Africa’s most iconic holiday destinations.

Owners show up!
With an impressive average occupancy rate of 79% throughout the year, timeshare owners make the most of their holidays.

Quality you can count on
99% of timeshare resorts in South Africa hold industry-recognised gradings—such as those from RCI and the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa.

A global holiday favourite
Timeshare is enjoyed by around 22 million owners across the world, with 5,357 resorts spread across 121 countries—from tropical islands to iconic city stays.

Big names behind the scenes
World-leading hotel brands like Disney, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton and Wyndham are all major players in the global timeshare space.

A powerful economic engine
Timeshare drives over $57 billion in direct global economic output, with the total economic impact—direct and indirect—reaching nearly $146 billion.

A thriving industry
With 527,000 accommodation units worldwide and $19.7 billion in sales volumes, timeshare continues to be a robust and resilient sector of the tourism industry.

People use what they own
Global timeshare resorts report an impressive occupancy rate of 79.4%, showing just how committed owners are to making the most of their holidays.

FAQ

What is shared vacation ownership?

It is essentially purchasing the right to a holiday one week every year at either a specific resort, or by making use of flexible options a variety of resort options. Your holiday accommodation is paid in advance, providing you and your family with quality holidays at today’s fixed, low rate.

What is the difference between conventional holiday ownership (timeshare) and Points clubs?

Conventional holiday ownership (timeshare) ownership entails the payment of an upfront sum for a fully furnished accommodation plus yearly maintenance fees. Depending on the agreement, owners either own the rights to a specific, fixed week or the rights to a floating arrangement where you can visit for a week within a period each year.

Points Clubs are a newer variation of the timeshare  model. Instead of purchasing the rights to a specific unit, club members pay an upfront sum to purchase a number of points, which can be redeemed for different holidays each year. The number of points translate to different types of holidays based on the desirability of the resort’s location and the time of the year. In addition to the purchase of the points, maintenance fees still apply.

What are maintenance fees?

This is the annual fee used to cover the operating and maintenance costs of the property, thereby ensuring quality holidays. Bear in mind that maintenance fees will be subject to normal inflation rates, but not to any form of profit.

 

What should I consider before purchasing?

First consider your finances and your holiday lifestyle, and then find a product that matches your needs. Do you want to return to the same favourite holiday spot each year and build a legacy of holiday memories for your family, or do you prefer the flexibility of exploring new destinations? This will determine whether you purchase a fractional product or opt for the points-based system.

What is exchange and how does it work?

Through exchange companies, such as RCI, you can trade your week at your resort for another owner’s week at a different resort. Owners deposit their weeks with an exchange company and can then select from thousands of comparable weeks deposited by other owners within the exchange network.

What if I can’t use my vacation ownership (timeshare) one year?

Depending on your product purchased, there are a couple of options:

  1. You can put it up for rent through your resort.
  2. Give it to family or friends to enjoy.
  3. Deposit your week with an exchange company so that you can use it during a different time and location.
  4. Points based products can also be accumulated over a specified period of time.

Can I cancel my contract?

Yes, subject to the cancellation terms and conditions of your signed agreement.

Who manages the maintenance of the resort?

The resort is usually first built by the developer who owned the property and made all the decisions regarding the resort until almost all the unit-weeks were sold. Once the developer decided it was time to move on, a Body Corporate is formed with a Board of Directors who then have the decision-making power of the resort to ensure that it maintains its high standards of excellence.