Florida Time-Share Impact $14.3 Billion

The Florida time-share industry contributed $14.3 billion to the state's economy in 2005, according to a study released Tuesday.

The study, conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers for the American Resort Development Association, found the Florida time-share industry supported 161,100 full- and part-time jobs that were worth $5.4 billion in salaries, wages and related income.

Florida leads the nation in the number of time-share resorts - 378 - and the number of time-share units - 47,400. More time-share owners take vacations in Florida than any other state, the study found.

The study found 7.9 million people took about 1.8 million vacations during 2005 and spent an average of $2,062 per trip for the traveling party. Those vacations resulted in an estimated spending of $3.7 billion, the study found.

Time-share resorts, corporate offices, call centers and off-site sales offices employed about 54,300 people with a payroll estimated at $1.8 billion. About 6,700 jobs, worth about $270 million, occur in time-share construction and support industries. The average time-share employee earned $33,000, according to the study.

Source: Jacksonville Business Journal