For many, Christmas of 2008 will be like no other Christmas they have ever seen. Especially if you are one of those recently laid off by Wyndham, Marriott, or Blue Green. WFTV.com ran a story today announcing layoffs in the Orange County FL area. Wyndham laid off 300 more from their corporate office in Orange County and "168 people were laid off at the Marriott Vacation Club International ... and the Blue Green Time Share Corporation laid off 182 people in Orlando last month." (source)

A growing array of industries are feeling the impact of this economy. The vacation industry, travel and tourism, and entertainment seemed to trail manufacturing and retail in the timing of their slowdown. The timeshare industry has long been a very consistent part of many of the big hoteliers' portfolio. Sales of vacation ownerships have kept a strong interest because of the perceived (and real) value of their product. The ability to pay for years of vacations with today's dollars still makes sense - and probably always will.

This resilient industry will bounce back when optimism returns to the nation's economy. Until then, there are still some great deals to be found among the "top shelf" timeshare resorts when you buy them on the resale market.

Timeshare Owners Associations have traditionally been the primary venue for timeshare owners to stay up to date with what is happening at their resort. The management of that association is the key to making it run smoothly.  With Bluegreen's move to assume the management of this association, what is a timeshare owner to think?  Normally the resort developer will run the owners' association and then later turn it over to the owners themselves.  They will then manage the units, oversee maintenance, and other functions.  Apparently, there about 9,000 members in this owners association and I am sure they will be watching to see how Bluegreen Corp performs.