The study, which focused on an industry subset of 40 companies comprising 298 timeshare resorts in active sales, showed that companies posted a healthy 14.3 per cent growth, on average, during 2006.

The findings reveal that the industry subset has reported $5.8 billion in USA originated sales (net) while average net sales per active report were $19.6 million.

Howard Nusbaum, President and Chief Executive Officer of ARDA (American Resort Development Association) said: “This latest research demonstrates that the industry’s financial performance remains on track with satisfying the growing popularity and consumer demands for vacation ownership.”

While many timeshare companies continue to sell timeshares based on ownership of weeks at specific resorts, points-based products, such as Club La Costa’s Vacation Club, which allows owners enhanced flexibility – such as choice of dates, resorts and upgrades – are rapidly rising in popularity, with points-based sales accounting for 42.3 per cent of holidays in the US, with 57.7 per cent of holidays sold as weeks.

Although timeshare sales are strongest during the third quarter (July to September), Club La Costa’s Resort Director Richard Fletcher, says there’s a shift towards year-round bookings, with many CLC owners opting for “holidays between holidays”, such as mid-week or weekend breaks at one of the Club La Costa’s three UK luxury flagship resorts, Duchally Country Estate near Gleneagles and Hustyns and Trenython, both in Cornwall.

Richard Fletcher commented: “Short breaks are great value holidays for families. We’ve seen a significant increase in bookings at our UK resorts as members want to use their Vacation Club points to squeeze in a quick holiday after summer and before Christmas, or perhaps for a special celebration like a wedding anniversary.”

Major hospitality brands such as Starwood Hotels, De Vere, Hilton, Marriott and Disney are enjoying unprecedented success with their shared vacation ownership divisions, while major players such as Butlins and Club La Costa – one of the original founders of the Organisation for Timeshare in Europe, an industry organisation that works to raise standards and protect consumers’ rights – are leading the way in Europe.

Club La Costa owns 22 resorts in Europe and is currently expanding into Turkey and other Mediterranean locations. Its exclusive Club La Costa Yacht Club will be in the Red Sea region from mid-December until the spring for a new winter sailing season following the success of its Mallorca-based Yacht Club this summer.

For more information on Club La Costa visit www.clublacosta.com

For more information on ARDA or AIF visit www.arda.org

For more information on OTE visit www.ote-info.com

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1. Basic hygiene: the virus can survive for 24 hours on any surface, so it is important not only to wash your hands regularly but also keep surfaces such as door handles, shared telephones and desktops disinfected. If you do touch shared surfaces, make sure to wash your hands with alcoholic hand gel afterwards.

1. Avoid crowds: this is not always easy, particularly if you travel on public transport or work in a crowded or open-plan office. However, if you do have the chance, avoid large groups of people. High-risk zones are, for instance, shopping centres, supermarkets during busy times, schools and buses or trains. If possible, switch to driving to work for a while and avoid clothes shopping on weekends!

1. Personal contact: for the moment, drop overly-friendly greetings. This means: no air kissing, no cheek-kissing and perhaps even avoid hugging when you meet somebody. If you shake hands with someone, make sure to discretely wash your hands afterwards. This may not win you any friends, but may stop you getting sick.

1. Take care of yourself: the better care you take of yourself, the strange your immune system tends to be. Try to make an added effort to eat healthily – take in plenty of fruit and veg, as well as nuts and seeds and lean protein. Avoid the junk food for a while! Try to do a bit of exercise each day and get plenty of sleep each night. The more run-down your body is, the more susceptible you will be to sickness.

1. Do not share food and drink: It’s tempting to share forkfulls of chocolate cheesecake or delicious ravioli with your pals in the restaurant, but you might want to hold off for a bit. Swine can be transmitted through contaminated eating utensils.

If you do happen to feel sick:

1. Do NOT go into work: you will only be putting others at risk.

1. Visit a doctor as soon as possible, or ring up the swine flu helpline. Be clear about what your symptoms are. The quicker the sickness is identified, the better, since Tamiflu and Relenza are both far more effective when taken within the first 36 hours of infection.

What about surgical masks?

Surgical masks are more helpful in preventing one from passing on the virus than preventing it in the first place. This is partly due to the fact that the virus can be contracted both through contact with bacteria and through the air. Many masks have small pores in them, which allow the virus to still pass through. If you are feeling sick though and cannot stay home, it might be a good idea to wear a mask in case you infect others.

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Aruba is a charming contradiction, an island of “two faces”. Its milky beaches and transparent blue waters will make you feel like you are the first person to walk on the sand and soak your feet. But its Vegas-style casinos, parties and shows reveal the other, wilder side. Aruba is the perfect marriage of entertainment and leisure, an island where there really is something for everyone.

All inclusive resorts and Aruba are practically synonymous.

Engulfed in its ambience and relaxed atmosphere, the last thing you want to do is search for your wallet, worry about paying for daily meals and constantly watch the family vacation budget.

With the affordability and convenience of all inclusive resorts, Aruba visitors can forget all about that and let Aruba charm and spirit sweep them off their feet.

Aruba all inclusive resorts are some of the best in the world. There are over twenty five resorts on the island, but the best, highest rated ones are:

Wyndham Aruba Beach Resort
Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino
Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino
Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort
Radisson Aruba Resort and Casino
Aruba Grand Beach Resort and Casino
Allegro Aruba by Occidental

Aruba calling card is its year round perfect weather. Aruba is located well below the hurricane belt. It is one of the three islands, along with Bonaire and Curacao, located outside the hurricane belt. The average annual temperature is 83 degrees Fahrenheit, and rainfall amounts to just 17 inches a year, most of which occurs during the months of October, and November. It is rare and warm, lasting no more than 15 minutes. If you are planning a vacation of fun in the sun, picking Aruba is almost a guarantee you will not be stuck in your hotel room, watching gray clouds pass over the roof.

If the blue clear waters call your name, and in Aruba, they certainly will, you will find the island full of options.

Snorkeling, windsurfing, deep sea fishing, paragliding, jet skiing, Aruba is happy to oblige. If you can scuba, or want to learn, Aruba is world-famous for its coral reefs and friendly waters. At your all inclusive resort, many water activities are free. Others, like scuba, can be conveniently arranged by the concierge.

Exploring Aruba is easy with an island tour. Better yet, consider a Jeep tour. Driving is fun and the sites are incredible. Aruba most photographed spot is its natural bridge, a coral formation rising 25 feet above the sea. Kids love guessing what the cactuses, which dot the island outside the resorts, look like.

Popular sites include:

Oranjestad city tour
Wilhelmina Park
Fort Zoutman
Aruba Historical Museum
Willem III Tower
Archaeological Museum Aruba
Numismatic Museum
Natural bridge
Hooiberg Mountain
Fontein, Guadirikiri and Huliba caves
California Dunes
California Lighthouse
Chapel of Alto Vista
Church of Santa Anna in Noord
Arikok National Park
De Olde Molen, an old Dutch windmill from Holland
Balashi and Bushiribana gold mill ruins
Boca Prins Cove
San Nicolas

If you love gourmet food, Aruba does not disappoint on this front either. Every resort has its own buffet, featuring local and American cuisine, and plenty of seafood. One or two sit down restaurants inside of each resort serve dinner, exquisitely delicious and fresh.

After a long, relaxing day of being pampered and soaking up the sun at your all inclusive resort, enjoy one of Aruba Vegas style shows. The Broadway and Latin shows are long-time staples, along with the hilarious Do not Tell Mama show. You can also try your hand at poker or blackjack inside one of Aruba dozen casinos. Back at your all inclusive resort, drinks are, of course, included. Order your favorite and do not worry about the wallet at an all inclusive Aruba resort, you do not need it.

It is true what they say in Aruba. It is One Happy Island.

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