The word timeshare often sparks curiosity — and sometimes confusion. It’s a form of shared vacation ownership that allows people to enjoy quality vacations without the full cost of owning a vacation home. While the concept may seem complicated, it’s actually based on a principle that’s part of everyday life: shared use of valuable assets.

The Logic Behind Shared Ownership

Timesharing isn’t unique to the vacation industry. The same concept applies in many aspects of life — one of the best examples being a golf club membership.

Most golfers don’t own the course they play on. Instead, they pay a joining fee and annual subscriptions that cover the club’s running and maintenance costs. In return, they enjoy access to the course, clubhouse, and community without the financial burden of ownership.

Timeshare works in much the same way. Instead of purchasing a luxury beachfront apartment or mountain cabin outright, owners buy the right to use a resort unit for a set period each year. They benefit from high-quality accommodation and facilities while sharing the maintenance and operational costs with other owners.

Finding the Right Fit

Choosing a timeshare is much like buying a car — it’s all about your needs and lifestyle.
Do you prefer something small and simple, or are you after high-end comfort with all the extras? Each ownership model offers different features, levels of flexibility, and costs.

It’s also important to remember that timeshare is a use-based product. Just like a gym membership, you get the best value when you actually use it. Plan your vacations ahead, explore exchange options, and make sure the resort network matches your travel goals.

Before you commit, always:

• Clarify how your ownership works and what it covers.

• Think about your long-term vacation plans.

• Understand your exit or resale options if your needs change later.

Where It All Began

The origins of timeshare go back more than five decades, born from the idea that sharing costs could make vacations more affordable.
In early 20th-century Europe, families often joined forces to buy a vacation home together, dividing both usage and maintenance responsibilities. This approach offered far better value than renting hotel rooms and ensured a higher standard of accommodation.

The concept took a commercial turn in the 1960s when Paul Doumier, a French developer, launched a shared-ownership model at a ski resort in the Alps. Soon after, Swiss company Hapimag began offering shares in resort properties, marking the official birth of modern timeshare. These two European innovations set the stage for what would become a global vacation phenomenon.

Timeshare Takes Hold in South Africa

In the 1950s and 1960s, South African families mostly relied on hotels, caravanning, or second homes for their vacations. But by the 1970s, inflation and rising costs made those options harder to sustain.

Timeshare offered a practical alternative — a once-off purchase and an annual levy for upkeep in exchange for guaranteed, quality accommodation during a set period each year. Families loved the idea of securing future vacations at today’s prices, and the model quickly gained popularity across the country.

The Global Hotel Revolution

The success of timeshare soon caught the attention of major international hotel brands.
In 1984, Marriott became the first big player to enter the market, followed in the 1990s by Disney, Four Seasons, Hilton, Hyatt, and Wyndham — each adding their signature service and credibility to the growing industry.

Back home, Tsogo Sun (then Southern Sun) became South Africa’s first branded hotel group — and one of the earliest in the world — to introduce timeshare over 36 years ago. Backed by a trusted hospitality name, the model gave consumers confidence and marked the start of a proudly South African success story.

Why Timeshare Still Makes Sense

Over time, the industry has evolved with improved regulation, consumer protection, and flexible exchange options that cater to modern travelers.

Today, timeshare continues to deliver what it promised from the start — affordable, reliable, and high-quality vacations for individuals and families. Supported by VOASA’s consumer education initiatives, such as #AskVOASA, the sector remains committed to transparency, ethical practices, and helping South Africans make informed choices about shared vacation ownership.