History of Timeshare

Since timeshare started in 1963, the concept of owning your vacation has evolved to meet the ever-changing needs of travelers. The original concept was based on a fixed-week product: the purchaser would buy one week of vacation at a particular resort and return to that resort and unit the same time each year. As the consumer demanded more flexibility, the floating week was introduced, allowing owners to request to use their week during the season they purchased.

Many potential and current owners felt their vacation opportunities were restricted by having to return to the same resort every year. In 1974, RCI^® revolutionized the timeshare industry, becoming the first company to offer an exchange program that allowed owners to deposit their week of vacation for the opportunity to experience a new destination.

RCI recognized the value of offering more than the traditional week timeshare system and became the first to provide a global points-based exchange program to affiliated resorts and their members who desired the ultimate flexibility. After 10 years, RCI is the largest global points-based exchange program in the world.

RCI was also the first company to offer an exchange program that caters to luxury resorts. In 2002, The Registry Collection^® exchange program was launched, offering the opportunity for members of the program to exchange at the world’s most luxurious resort destinations.

As the industry leader in exchange, RCI works tirelessly to accommodate the changing needs of affiliates and members. There from the beginning, RCI will continue to be a resource in the future.