by Our Aviation Correspondent
The Independent
February 12, 2002
What began as a novel idea in the 1960s has now become a US$ 6.7 billion industry. Timeshare or vacation ownership
is now one of the fastest growing segments of the travel and tourism industry. The concept of time sharing or holiday
ownership began in the French Alps more than three decades ago and was introduced in the United States in the early
1970s. The year 2000 saw its advent in Bangladesh.
Explaining, Muhammad Adil, Executive Director, Owners Services, SRCM-PRM said, "The concept of owning holidays
by purchasing a specific time in an affiliated resort is known as timeshare. It offers consumers an opportunity
to buy fully furnished vacation accommodations in resort condominiums - usually in weekly intervals - for a fraction
of the cost of the whole condominium ownership."
"Once owned, this facility is usually available to members forever. They also have the right to use that week
anytime of the year. These weeks or time may be saved for the next year or even borrowed in advance thus enabling
them to have an extended holiday."
"Members can even present their weeks to their friends. Its flexibility, convenience, cost effectiveness and
all without compromising on either quality or service – sets it apart from others," he said.
"Our operations are into their second year and already MV Amit, a luxury cruise furnished with a wide range
of amenities is available for day-long cruising. We look forward to adding MV Himachal by June or July this year.
This ship will be 160 ft. in length and has 22 luxury suites, each of 240 sq. ft. It will be centrally air-conditioned
and each suite has a luxury fitted bathroom and private viewing gallery. It will have a mini theatre, a superb
indoor leisure centre, Jacuzzi, mini health club, children’s playroom, restaurant BBQ area, fishing facilities
and a variety of water sports," said Adil.
"We hope to welcome MV Yafez before the end of this year. Plans are also underway to build luxury holiday
resorts. This, besides helping in opening henceforth-unexplored avenues in the Bangladesh tourism sector, shall
also provide people the opportunity to visit and explore their country and the whole world extensively."
"SRCM vessels are affiliated to RCI (Resorts Condominium International), the largest exchange club in the
world with more than 3800 luxury resorts in more than 102 countries worldwide. From exciting Thailand to historical
Turkey, scintillating Singapore to snow-clad Switzerland, cosmopolitan Malaysia to magical Morocco and fabulous
Australia to irresistible America, the choices are breathtakingly unbelievable. With SRCM and RCI you can have
these holidays anytime, anywhere. The choice and quality is unmatched," said Adil who was born and educated
here.
Siddique Resorts and Cruise Marketing (Pvt.) Ltd./PRM International (Pvt.) Ltd. is a sister concern of shipbuilders
Siddique and Sons and the 100 per cent export oriented Siddique Textiles Ltd., owned by Engr. AFM Siddique.
"Whereas the choice and quality of resorts is unequalled it also remains unbelievably cost effective. The
exchange facility is available to members for an additional US$ 4 per person per night in luxuriously spacious
and furnished apartments. And in fact you would have to take a holiday every week for over 70 years to visit all
the resorts available in the RCI network. "
"It is estimated that there are more than four million timeshare owner families worldwide. In less than 10
years the number is expected to double. In fact timeshare sales have risen 16 per cent each year over the last
decade. A business historically driven by individual resort developers is now being embraced by dozens of high
profile, premium-quality hotel brands and hospitality entities. And the excitement does not seem to be waning,"
said the SRCM Executive Director.
Muhammad Adil firmly said, "We are striving to provide quality and convenience while keeping our services
as affordable as possible. We also aim to attract international tourist traffic by highlighting the country’s vast
potential. Being part of a worldwide network is a step in that direction and in the foreseeable future there is
no reason why Bangladesh cannot be a primary tourist attraction in this part of the world."
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