Australian holiday ownership continues to hold steady with strong occupancy rates, according to vacation exchange specialist RCI.

In an address to the 2009 Australian Timeshare and Holiday Ownership Council (ATHOC) conference, Geoff Ballotti, president and CEO of Group RCI, discussed global trends in holiday ownership and the stability and optimism for the future growth of the industry. By way of example, he noted: “While tourism overall has seen a decline in these recent economic times, timeshare occupancy rates remain strong, with almost 95% occupancy at Gold Coast resorts.”

ATHOC general manager, Laura Younger, added: “The growth of holiday ownership in Australia is second only to cruises, and the Gold Coast is a major regional hotspot.”

Approximately 164,000 inbound international passengers conducted availability searches for Australian exchanges last year, according to RCI. 

In related news, RCI has officially announced the addition of five new resorts in India. The new resort affiliates include The Country Club Sarjapur in Bangalore, The Country Club Coconut Grove in Tumkur, The Country Club Treasure Cove in Kovalam, East Bourne in Shimla and Cambay Palm Lagoon in Kollam. 

The Country Club Sarjapur is located in Bangalore near Marathahalli, and offers convenient connectivity to the center of Bangalore, a swimming pool, multi-cuisine restaurant and bar, and indoor and outdoor sports facilities.

The Country Club Coconut Grove, meanwhile, is an eco-friendly resort located near Tumkur. The resort is located inside a protected natural forest and amenities include a 500 square-meter swimming pool with a built-in jacuzzi. 

The Country Club Treasure Cove in Kovalam, Kerala, is located eight kilometers away from Trivandrum and has 42 units. 

East Bourne is located in Shimla and has 48 fully-furnished rooms and cottages.

Finally, Cambay Palm Lagoon in Kollam, Kerala, is set across a six-acre site in the picturesque backwaters of the Ashtamudi Lake.