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October 20, 2009 | View PDF Version

WASHINGTON, October 20, 2009 -- As part of an industry effort to promote the power of travel during National Travel and Tourism Week in May, the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) launched the “Bring Your Vacation to Life” photo and story contest. Contestants were asked to share a memory of a timeshare vacation that impacted their family, health, or enjoyment of life.

American Express gift cards were awarded to first- and second-place photos and one first-place story. The highest award went to Sally Lessig for the photo “Al Relaxing” and the story “Thru the Years”. Second-place photo prizes were awarded to Alexis MacDonald for “Lexie & Dan Love Myrtle Beach” and to Tracy Dunn for “For My Next Act”.

ARDA recognizes the need for vacations and the long-term benefits associated with taking regular vacations that contribute to better health, relationships, and job performance. In these tough economic times, the large number of entrants reflected the real value of timeshare ownership and how pre-paying for future vacations, guarantees that owners get away at least once a year.

According to ARDA, timeshare owners continue to travel to their timeshare destinations. The ARDA International Foundation (AIF) reported occupancy rates are at 81.6% in the State of the Vacation Timeshare Industry: United States Study, 2009 edition.

Owners are encouraged to share their stories, photos, and videos by visiting Vacation-Scrapbook.

About ARDA:
The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) is the Washington D.C.-based professional association representing the vacation ownership and resort development industries. Established in 1969, ARDA today has almost 1,000 members ranging from privately held firms to publicly traded companies and international corporations with expertise in shared ownership interests in leisure real estate. The membership also includes timeshare owner associations (HOAs), resort management companies, and owners through the ARDA Resort Owners Coalition (ARDA-ROC). For more information, visit www.arda.org or ARDA’s consumer website at www.VacationBetter.org.